Mehrad Monfarednia - Marshal Language Academy
Tell us about your business.
Marshal Language Academy helps international students and professionals build real confidence in English. It focuses on the skills that actually change their lives: speaking clearly, presenting well, writing coursework, preparing for interviews, building strong CVs, and navigating UK university life. It is practical, supportive, and based on real experience.
Share the problem/need you are looking to address and how your business meets this need.
Many international students arrive in the UK with good English on paper but struggle with real communication. They find presentations stressful, seminars intimidating, and job interviews confusing. This affects their confidence, their grades, and their chances of finding work.
Marshal Language Academy solves this by offering personalised support that focuses on real situations.
Students learn how to speak smoothly, structure coursework, prepare for interviews, understand UK workplace culture, and express themselves with confidence. The value is simple: we help people feel capable and ready to succeed.
What inspired your idea and business?
My own journey inspired me. I have been teaching English since 2011, but when I moved to the UK I realised the real challenge for international students is not only the language itself. It is the subtle things that are never taught in a classroom: body language, cultural politeness, slang, different accents, and the confidence to express yourself in a new environment.
I saw many talented and skilled international students who could not articulate their abilities. Many failed their tests, struggled with presentations, and even after a few years could not get past the interview stage when applying for jobs.
I created Marshal Language Academy to make that path easier for others. I want students to feel confident, understood, and able to show their true potential. Seeing students grow in confidence is what pushed me to turn this into a real business.
What has been the best part of your entrepreneurial journey?
The best part has been seeing the impact on students. When someone tells me they finally passed a presentation, got a job interview, or feel confident speaking in class, it reminds me why I started.
Winning at the South Bank Ignite competition was another highlight because it showed my idea has real value. I also delivered an employability talk at Bristol University and ran a voluntary Refugee Week workshop at Lambeth College, both of which were meaningful opportunities to support international students.
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs just starting their journey?
Start small and start now. Do not wait for everything to be perfect. Talk to people, test your ideas, and learn as you go.
Make the most of the support around you, especially if you are at a university like LSBU where the enterprise team, the South Bank Ignite programme, and many free entrepreneurship workshops can help you grow faster than you expect. Use every resource you can, stay consistent, and trust that progress comes from taking action, not from waiting.
What support would be most beneficial for your business at this stage? What are you looking for help on?
- Marketing support to reach more students
- Partnerships with universities and community organisations
- Funding to scale online sessions and group workshops
Where can we find more information about your business?
Learn more about Marshal Language Academy on the website, www.marshallanguageacademy.com, or by connecting on Instagram and LinkedIn.