Building a browser based tool for learning new languages

This project started as an experiment to discover if web technologies could be used to create an effective platform for language learning. I worked closely with language tutors and students to design and build an initial prototype application with which students are able to record phrases they've learnt, and be tested on them through interactive exercises.

The initial version was a utilitarian, minimal, and form-focused interface which many users found difficult to comprehend and engage with. After several months of qualitative research through user interviews and feedback, I pivoted the application to be centred around a virtual Parrot character that users teach new words and phrases to. Although functionally the same at its core, this design decision made the application's functionality feel less abstract and easier to learn for many users. This change resulting in an increase in daily active users, 9 to 52.

Currently, the application is in an open beta testing phase, and I’m collecting data and analytics on a number of key research topics that will drive the next phase of the product's development. The goal is to refine the user experience, improve the curriculum and progression, and optimize the speech recognition and tracking of a user's language learning progress over time.