Iskandar is an accomplished English teacher from Uzbekistan who supervised the creation of a mobile application, SpeakEng, helping people learn English in a fun and easy way. The application has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. A local TV channel, Taraqqiyot, broadcasts an educational programme called Live English, where Iskandar teaches English. He has mentored more than 3,000 students, authored and co-authored six books and sold more than 10,000 copies of his work. Enlightened sat down to chat with Iskandar as he returned to Edinburgh to celebrate his success in the British Council's Study UK Alumni awards.
Back to the City
Returning to the University of Edinburgh has been a nostalgic and exhilarating experience for alumnus Iskandar Sattibaev . “I’m very excited,” he shares. Arriving back in the city at 2:22 pm, his enthusiasm was palpable. “I was so excited that I forgot to drink water,” he laughs, recalling how he roamed the city until dehydration set in. It took two litres of water to quench his thirst.
Indeed, since leaving Edinburgh in January 2009 after receiving his MSc in Comparative and General Literature, Iskandar has felt an undeniable thirst to return. The city’s unique atmosphere, which he describes as “unparalleled”, has stayed with him. "Even if I hadn’t studied here, I would still say that Edinburgh is one of the most unique cities in the world," he says. “The sight of the Castle and the characteristic rainy weather regularly appears on my social media feeds and triggers waves of nostalgia in me. I've visited many cities, but Edinburgh is special.”
A unique connection
"I was greeted by the sound of bagpipes on Princes Street. It felt like I was truly in Scotland."
Edinburgh, of course, holds a special place in the hearts of many alumni, and it’s a sentiment that Iskandar enthusiastically echoes. He recalls encountering a melting pot of cultures and ideas: “Stepping out of Waverley Station in September 2007, I was greeted by the sound of bagpipes on Princes Street. It felt like I was truly in Scotland," he says.
Iskandar’s life in halls of residence was also equally enriching, when he found himself surrounded by students from five different countries, fostering a vibrant international community:
“I made lifelong friends. We experienced everything together – excitement, depression, homesickness, and sometimes a lack of money,” he recounts. “In fact, it was those financial constraints that forced me to walk the city’s streets rather than take the bus during my first year. But that helped me develop a deep, personal connection with the city – its streets, buildings and people.”
The research facilities at the University of Edinburgh were another essential aspect of his academic journey. Access to resources like the National Library of Scotland, the University’s extensive library network, and databases such as JSTOR, enriched his studies and instilled excellent research skills. “The resources at Edinburgh were incredible,” he says. “I know that by using them I really honed the skills I needed to be successful in my subsequent career.”
A career of achievements
“Learning a language should be as simple and accessible as we can make it.”
Now, some 15 years after his graduation, Iskandar is visiting the University’s central campus having made significant strides in his career. Initially returning to Uzbekistan in 2009, he resumed teaching at his former school and worked on using the research skills he developed in Edinburgh to author several educational books. His first book on English grammar, written in simple Uzbek, sold thousands of copies and received glowing reviews.
“I just want everyone who learns English to understand it without having to consult a teacher,” he says. “Learning a language should be as simple and accessible as we can make it.”
He has also explored diverse subjects in his books, including teaching English vocabulary using mnemonics, the art of body language, and computer literacy. Currently, he is working on a book to aid students in preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing task, ensuring the material is accessible and understandable.
Innovating English language education with technology
But it was the 2020 lockdown that inspired Iskandar to truly innovate. Witnessing the growing trend of youth abandoning books for mobile phones, he launched SpeakEng, a mobile app to make learning English more interactive and engaging. “We made the app to be as interactive as possible with features like voice recognition and high-quality visuals sitting alongside more traditional typing exercises,” he explains. “This involves some work and repetitive tasks for the user but this is made interesting by the design, and ultimately leads to an enhanced learning experience. Speaking, listening and writing are all developed through the questions and exercises in the app.”
Despite challenges, including convincing users to pay for the app – a cultural oddity for most Uzbeks, who, says Iskandar, prefer to receive something physical in return for their cash - and choosing the right marketing strategy, the app has been downloaded by over 100,000 users to date.
Recognition and future aspirations
“My ultimate aim is to be the person who writes books that are not only read, but also loved by people.”
In 2023, Iskandar was named as a finalist In the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards, a significant milestone. “I believe in fate,” he says, recounting the journey of applying for the award that almost saw his application lost behind a desk:
“I was originally going to apply for the award in 2021, but I didn't complete the application. I don’t know why but I just didn't finish it, and so didn't apply that year. Then over a year later, I decided to apply for the 2023 awards, this time completing and submitting the application.
“Months passed and I didn’t hear anything, neither positive nor negative. I thought to myself, "ok, maybe I have failed" and I was fine with that. I had faced many setbacks in my life so would just put this down as another one. But then British Council Uzbekistan contacted me. They had already scored all the Uzbek applications but had realised that there was one missing. It was mine. They looked for it and discovered that the print-out of it had fallen off the pile of applications and behind a desk by accident!”
British Council Uzbekistan duly scored Iskandar’s application, placing it at the top of all the applications it had received and allowing him to become a finalist. He eventually won an award in the Cultural and Creativity category.
Iskandar became one of only four winners in the awards’ global cohort, which recognises the outstanding achievements of UK university alumni from around the world working as professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders. 29 UK universities are represented, with finalists hailing from 22 countries. According to the British Council’s citation, Iskandar’s award recognises his ‘artistic ingenuity, influence and creativity’.
Looking ahead, Iskandar aims to keep these qualities at the forefront of his endeavours. He is nearing the completion of his PhD dissertation (also centred around language learning), aiming to defend it within the next year. His ultimate ambition is to become a writer, not for fame or money, but to enlighten others. “I want to write books on difficult topics in accessible language,” he shares. “My dream is to retreat to a villa on the cliffs of the Atlantic Ocean every summer, dedicating my mornings to writing and my afternoons to research.
“My ultimate aim is to be the person who writes books that are not only read, but also loved by people.”
A gift of culture
As our interview concludes, Iskandar presents the University with a handwoven Uzbek belt (pictured above) as a token of respect. “It’s a beautiful representation of our culture,” he explains. It’s a gesture that exemplifies the blend of tradition and modernity – and one that characterises his unique approach to education and life.
All opinions expressed are those of the individuals being quoted and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.
Related links
2023 Study UK Alumni Awards winners and finalists on the British Council website