For many professionals in Sri Lanka, English proficiency is a crucial skill that can either boost or hinder their career advancement. While many are talented and skilled in their fields, some struggle due to the lack of confidence in spoken English and feel constrained at meetings, presentations and client interactions. Dilina Bandara a young and dynamic startup founder has launched a unique solution that tailors to Sri Lankan professionals through JustEnglish.lk.
It provides a safe space where anonymity, supportive group settings, qualified English instructors and real-life scenarios converge to make English learning accessible, practical, and judgment-free.
Founder Dilina Bandara
Dilina, who began his career as a software engineer at just 17, observed firsthand how language barriers held back talented colleagues. “I noticed that so many skilled professionals were being held back in their careers, simply because they lacked confidence to speak in English. The issue wasn’t their abilities but the pressure of judgment,” he shares. This led him to create JustEnglish.lk—a supportive, anonymous space where professionals could practice and improve without fear of judgment.
Recent statistics highlight the effectiveness of this initiative with over 200 working professionals in Sri Lanka having successfully improved their English speaking skills through Justenglish.lk enabling them to build their confidence and thrive in their careers. Unlike traditional language classes, JustEnglish.lk takes a unique, results-oriented approach, even offering a full refund to students if they feel their goals haven’t been met by the end of the course.
JustEnglish.lk uncovered
JustEnglish.lk is a platform designed specifically for professionals seeking to enhance their English-speaking skills in a comfortable, supportive environment. Unlike typical language classes, JustEnglish.lk offers live, group sessions where students can practice speaking English anonymously.
Anonymity allows them to focus on improving their fluency, grammar, and vocabulary without the pressure of judgment. In each session, participants engage in real-time conversations with other professionals, guided by a qualified, experienced moderator holding a bachelor’s degree in English or TESOL/TEFL certification and many of them have extensive experience teaching foreign students. Their expertise ensures that every participant receives valuable guidance tailored to their learning needs.
A unique and valuable feature of Justenglish.lk is its satisfaction guarantee: if students feel they haven’t achieved the desired proficiency by the end of the course, they’re eligible for a full refund. This is made possible through a series of progress measurements tracked daily using key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics. These visual data points allow students to see their growth or identify areas where improvement is needed, ensuring a transparent and reliable path to academic success. Additionally, students can opt to pay the course fee in convenient installments, making high-quality language training even more accessible.
Why JustEnglish.lk exists (and why it matters)
Dilina’s vision for JustEnglish.lk came from his own experiences as a young professional. “I started working as a software engineer when I was just 17 and I saw firsthand how many of my talented colleagues struggled to communicate confidently in English,” Dilina recalled. “I realised that English proficiency shouldn’t be a barrier for skilled professionals. They just needed a supportive, pressure-free environment to improve.”
What started as a small initiative to help two of his friends in English has since blossomed into a thriving community. Over 200 professionals have successfully completed JustEnglish.lk’s six-week English Speaking program, benefiting themselves from an approach that values progress over perfection.
The secret weapon: Anonymity that builds confidence
One of the most innovative aspects of JustEnglish.lk is the anonymity it provides to participants. By keeping personal details private, students can focus solely on their language skills without feeling judged based on their background, appearance or job title.
This structure helps to dismantle the barriers that often prevent people from speaking up, allowing them to take risks with new vocabulary, try different expressions and participate in conversations they might usually shy away from. Dilina said, “When people know they’re not being evaluated based on who they are, they’re more open to experimenting with the language. It’s a powerful step in overcoming self-consciousness and building real confidence. This setup reduces a lot of the pressure that often holds people back from practicing openly, especially when they’re self-conscious about making mistakes.”
What JustEnglish does differently and why it works
JustEnglish.lk’s teaching model stands out in its focus on practical conversation skills. Instead of a conventional curriculum filled with grammar rules and vocabulary drills, JustEnglish sessions are structured around real-life scenarios that professionals encounter daily.
Whether it’s preparing for a job interview, handling a client call, or presenting at a meeting, the program offers participants relevant practice opportunities.
“Our moderators are more like conversation coaches than traditional teachers,” Dilina said and added, “They help guide conversations, give constructive feedback, and make learning feel like a collaborative process. The goal is to prepare professionals for real-world interactions, and it’s been truly rewarding to watch our students succeed.”
Stories that speak louder than results
JustEnglish.lk has already left a significant impact, with over 100 professionals successfully completing the program. Dilina said, “One of our standout success stories is about a marketing professional who struggled to express her ideas clearly during meetings. She had great ideas but lacked the confidence to speak up in English.
After completing the six-week program, she improved her fluency and gained the confidence to actively contribute to meetings. She said how she felt much more comfortable participating in discussions and even started leading meetings at work in English—something she would have never done before.”
These success stories highlight the transformative power of the program, helping students overcome their fears and break through the language barriers that once held them back. JustEnglish.lk is eager to empower many more individuals like those mentioned above to reach their full potential in the future. For more success stories and testimonials, visit; www.justenglish.lk/reviews
For professionals, by professionals
Another aspect that sets JustEnglish.lk apart is its emphasis on real-life application rather than textbook learning. The curriculum centres around professional situations that students encounter in their day-to-day lives, making the course highly relevant and practical. Role-playing scenarios, debates, and problem-solving exercises are integrated to mimic workplace interactions, helping participants apply what they learn directly to their jobs. This focus on professional development adds depth to the experience and offers students tools they can carry over into their careers.
Dilina said the informal setting and team-based learning approach contribute to the course’s success. “We design activities that encourage interaction and real-world application. We use role-playing scenarios, debates, and problem-solving exercises that mimic actual workplace situations, which makes the sessions feel more natural and relevant to students’ daily lives. Our moderators use a mix of conversational exercises, games, and collaborative tasks that encourage participation and make the learning process feel more like a fun exchange than a traditional lesson,” she added.
Turning hurdles into highways
Dilina also acknowledges the challenges faced when initiating this company and said, “Running JustEnglish.lk in Sri Lanka has been an exciting journey, but like any business, we’ve faced a few challenges along the way.
I think the biggest was overcoming the initial scepticism. Many professionals are initially skeptical about learning English online or through an anonymous platform. To build trust, we’ve relied on word-of-mouth and testimonials from past students who have experienced success.”
Fluency doesn’t wait – Why should you?
For professionals hesitant to improve their English skills, Dilina advises, “Everyone starts somewhere, and making mistakes is part of the learning process. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. English is a skill, and the more you practice, the easier it gets. Even if you have a busy schedule, you can carve out small chunks of time. Just 15-30 minutes a day of speaking or listening can make a big difference over time.” Thus, he emphasised the importance of consistency, urging professionals to celebrate each milestone in their language journey.
With a result-oriented approach and a supportive, judgment-free space, JustEnglish.lk has become a catalyst for change, helping professionals in Sri Lanka gain the language skills they need to succeed. As Dilina said, “The fact that you want to improve is already a huge step’’.
Joining JustEnglish.lk made easy
Professionals interested in joining JustEnglish.lk can easily enroll through the company’s website via www.justenglish.lk After completing the registration, they’ll be guided through the next steps by a team member who will ensure a smooth start. Students can also stay connected with JustEnglish on Instagram via; www.instagram.com/justenglish.lk and TikTok via www.tiktok.com/@justenglish.lk, where they can find tips, success stories, and updates.
