Language Learning

Language learners can learn a new language more effectively, if they can find a native or advanced speaker to help them practice.

From ideation to delivery, I designed a language learning app that helps language learners connect with a native or advanced speaker. I used OptimalSort, AdobeXD, Balsamiq, and Figma.

iTalki’s app provides an easy method to find a teacher on their homepage. A user can also book a teacher directly from their card or profile page.

• 1:1 tutoring with native or advanced speakers.

• Integrated video calls within the program with chat functionality.

• Offers multiple languages with tutors around the world.

• No ongoing structured learning.

• Navigation icons aren’t the typical icons used, and are potentially confusing.

Using a Freemium model, HelloTalk helps communities of language learners connect with a native speaker of the language that they’re trying to learn who is also trying to learn the language they speak. In this display, Robert is trying to learn English as he teaches me French.

• Meet native speakers globally.

• Notepad helps users with translations.

• No ongoing structured learning.

• Heavy reliance on users’ corrections and their knowledge of the language and willingness to help.

I am curious if language learners feel the need to speak the language to a native speaker.

I want to determine what commitment language learners are willing/can put into learning a new language.

I want to understand how language learners feel about their current learning process.

Scripted interviews conducted via Zoom with participants around the world, gave me insight to language learners’ current motivations, needs, and struggles. Everyone felt that speaking to a native speaker was the best method of learning a language, however, they felt nervous about speaking with native speakers.

1. Open app

2. Login/Forgot Password?

3. View Homescreen

4. Navigate profiles

5. Scroll profiles

6. Filter profiles to show native speakers

7. Select tutor

8. Select Book Now

9. Choose availability in calendar

10. Register for availability

1. Open app

2. Login

3. View Homescreen

4. View Previous Lessons

5. Select most recent tutor session

6. Book appointment with previous tutor

Open card sort feedback from 6 participants.

From my open card sort, I noticed most participants expect to contact their tutor directly from their profile or from their lessons.

Using Balsamiq, I created low-fidelity wireframes for a language learning app that drew a lot of inspiration from iTalki’s navigation and features.

From iTalki, I appreciated how users can contact or book the tutors directly from their search, thus simplifying the potentially overwhelming task of finding a tutor.

I also appreciated how users can filter their searches by choosing criteria that meet their needs.

Ensuring that users can access all functions from the dashboard, the next iteration of the dashboard wireframe provides a section dedicated to the users’ favorite tutors.

Too many buttons crowded in a small amount of space can possibly cause some user errors. I simplified the cards by providing only the book now button.

From my user interviews, I knew that price transparency is a concern so I added a pricing scale to the filters screen. I wanted to start with only a few filters to test their usefulness.

From my observations, I learned that users may need more prompts to set up their user profile. Also most participants didn't understand the filter icon, and had difficulty booking a tutor that met their criteria.

Through this journey, I have learned that being curious and asking more questions go a long way. It's easy to think that we understand what people are saying and experiencing, but when you ask more follow-up questions, you can gain further insights. Moving forward, I would ask more demographic questions such as gender, as that may view how we experience language learning. Language is constantly evolving, so understanding more insights into someone's demographics and how they experience language learning can give exciting insights into how I can help them with their language learning journey.

Thank you for reading my language learning app case study! I would also like to thank Enzo, my roommate’s cat, who gave me much inspiration for my prototype’s tutor. Enzo doesn’t speak Dutch, but he does love communicating.