The Inspirational Story of Promova: Empowering Language Learners Worldwide

Anna Naumovych7 min
Created: Mar 29, 2024Last updated: Apr 15, 2024
Promova  Birthday

Back in 2019, our journey began with a vocabulary app called 'Ten Words' - a simple start focused on helping users build their word banks. However, as we delved deeper, we recognized the vast potential for something greater than mere word memorization. We envisioned creating an innovative platform to cater to the diverse needs of language learners through a holistic approach.

This vision encompassed grammar, comprehension, and practical application tailored to varied learning styles and goals. We aim to revolutionize language education, making it fun, simple, and effective. Fast forward to today, as we approach our 5th anniversary in April 2024, Promova has transformed into that comprehensive solution we dreamed of - a one-stop solution for language learners worldwide.

Our evolution from a humble vocabulary app to a trailblazing platform reflects our unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive, accessible, multifaceted learning experience. As we celebrate our achievements, let's share the inspiring story behind Promova's journey.

Born from a Bold Idea

The mastermind behind Promova's success story is Andrew Skrypnyk, our Chief Executive Officer. This guy's a double threat – not only is he a recognized entrepreneur (think Forbes 30u30!), but he also has a killer tech background as a former CTO.

During media interviews, he often shares the inspiration behind Promova. The idea emerged in a fiercely competitive market, a "red ocean" bustling with established players. Some might have considered it audacious, even foolish, to venture into this space. Apparently enough, Promova's anniversary falls on April 1, April Fools' Day. It’s a date that suits how we feel big dreams should manifest: You should have a grand mission, an even grander vision, and a bit of madness to believe in everything that exists in your mind. 

One-Stop Solution for Language Learners 

The year 2022 marked a turning point for Promova. We underwent a comprehensive rebranding, evolving into the vibrant, multifaceted platform you know today. This wasn't just a name change; it was a complete overhaul of our offerings, user interface, and vision.

Today, Promova offers a diverse learning ecosystem catering to all types of learners, including individuals and businesses alike. Whether you're a seasoned language learner seeking new challenges or a complete beginner eager to take your first steps into a new language, Promova has you covered.

Language courses for self-learning

Promova provides language courses for self-learning in 10 languages:

These courses cover a wide range of topics, including specialized courses in Business EnglishEnglish for Travel, and English through TV series.

Accessible across iOSAndroid, and the web, our courses ensure seamless transitions between platforms for users. 

Each course is meticulously crafted by professional linguists and educators with over 10 years of experience.

Through a rigorous multi-stage review process, we ensure that the learning journeys we offer are not only engaging and enjoyable but also effectively facilitate progress. Crucially, the courses are created and modified based on the needs of our users. We have several forms to collect feedback, and we actively adjust the materials incorporating this invaluable input, ensuring our offerings remain precisely tailored to the evolving requirements of our learners.

One-on-one lessons with tutors

We believe that setting clear goals from the outset is key to achieving the best results. That's why, before embarking on a one-on-one learning journey, each learner undergoes an in-depth assessment of their current proficiency level and language needs.

Drawing from this examination, our experienced tutors tailor a unique, personalized study plan for each learner. This plan incorporates a variety of tools and approaches to ensure that every session is optimized for the individual's learning style and objectives.

Group tutoring lessons 

Group tutoring lessons offer high-quality instruction led by professional teachers within a warm and engaging atmosphere. Participants collaborate with up to four fellow learners, fostering a supportive environment conducive to language practice and growth.

Flexibility is paramount in our group sessions. Group members have the freedom to select topics and choose suitable days and times for practice sessions. Our curated topics are engaging, current, and tailored to the diverse interests of our users. Moreover, they are designed to address complex questions and stimulate meaningful discussions, further enriching the learning experience.

Free conversation club meetings

The Promova Conversation Club is a free online meeting designed for learners at the B1 (Intermediate) level and above. In small groups, participants explore interesting topics and interact with people from around the globe. This environment helps members improve their pronunciation, learn new vocabulary, and enhance their listening skills.

But our offerings go beyond pure learning. We've cultivated a thriving community of fellow learners, a space where you can connect, share experiences, and motivate each other on your language journeys. Our engaging social media presence and insightful educational blog further enhance the learning experience, providing valuable tips, cultural insights, and a healthy dose of inspiration.

As a learner, business seeking corporate solutions, partner, or simply someone curious about languages, we invite you to join the Promova family. We're constantly innovating and expanding our offerings, and we're excited to see what the future holds for language learning together.

Inclusivity at the Core

Promova aims to set a new standard for inclusivity in the EdTech industry. We believe that language learning must be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or learning style. In a groundbreaking move, we became the first language learning app to offer a dyslexia friendly mode in October 2023. This mode, featuring the Dysfont typeface created by dyslexic designer and TEDx speaker Martin Pysny, removes barriers for neurodivergent learners, empowering them to conquer new languages with confidence.

Standing with Ukraine

Recognizing the importance of language skills in today's globalized world, we took a significant step to support our home country, Ukraine

In November 2023, the company became one of the first to join the Ukrainian "Future Perfect" national program, offering all Ukrainians three years of free access to its self-learning courses. This initiative, aligned with President Volodymyr Zelensky's law granting English official status as a language of international communication, has already empowered over 100,000 Ukrainians to enhance their English language skills. And this number keeps growing! By removing financial barriers and providing high-quality educational resources, Promova is playing a pivotal role in fostering a more globally competitive and linguistically proficient Ukrainian workforce.

Moreover, Promova's unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the Ukrainian language has earned it recognition as an official resource for foreigners seeking to learn Ukrainian, as acknowledged by the state Language Protection Commissioner of Ukraine.

Awards, Accolades, and User Love

Promova has been recognized as a top language learning app by industry leaders, gracing the "Popular App to Try" list on the App Store, and has consistently secured coveted spots in prestigious lists such as SensorTower's "Top 10 Language Learning Apps Grown in 2021," App Store's "Top 10 Language Learning Apps," and Google Play's “Top 20 Free Educational Apps.”

Further solidifying our reputation, we were shortlisted for the prestigious Europas Award in the EdTech category and named one of the "25 Most Prominent Ukrainian Startups" by Forbes Ukraine in 2023.

Promova's effectiveness is ultimately measured by the progress of our users. Their satisfaction is reflected in our strong app store ratings, averaging a stellar 4.6 stars across platforms. Additionally, our Trustpilot rating sits at a commendable "Excellent" with 4.5 stars.

Independent surveys further solidify these positive results. A significant 70% of users report achieving their vocabulary acquisition goals, while an impressive 72% express a strong likelihood (scoring 7 or higher on a 10-point scale) of recommending Promova to their friends.

Celebrating Five Years of Success

Thank you for your unwavering support throughout these incredible five years! Your encouragement and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind our journey towards creating a community of learners where everyone can achieve their educational goals. 

To celebrate this milestone with you, we've got a special surprise! Follow this link to discover a birthday gift from us that will help you take your language learning to the next level.

We're excited about Promova's potential for continued growth. Our commitment to providing a world-class language learning experience, fostering a supportive community, and breaking down barriers for learners fuels us. There's a lot of fulfilling work ahead as we strive to make language learning accessible and empowering for everyone.

Comments

Mark EinsteinApr 3rd, 2024
Happy birthday, Promova! Keep up the awesome work in making languages accessible.