Wanted to gather feedback on a language learning app idea (2024)

Hey Everyone,

I've been doing a lot of research on an exciting new application for language learning, drawing from my intensive experience learning Japanese. One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding high-quality listening and reading resources to practice these skills.

My professor rarely provided listening or reading drills in my textbooks, and I often found myself seeking interactive exercises. While watching anime or YouTube videos is helpful, I sometimes want to practice more intensively. Interactive exercises that test my comprehension make a significant difference as opposed to only listening or reading a text.

Another issue was the comprehension barrier with the texts I encountered. For instance, even simplified Japanese articles required me to open the dictionary multiple times.

Here's my vision: I want to build an app with standard language learning features like Anki or a conversation bot, but with a unique twist. The app would create or find texts using vocabulary I'm already familiar with and quiz me on that vocabulary. Additionally, it would generate listening prompts on topics that interest me or select engaging media based on my interests, followed by vocabulary and comprehension questions. Using high-quality TTS, these prompts would feel very natural.

What do you think about an application with highly customizable drills like this? Is there an app on the market that already offers this level of customizability?

If you could have any feature in a language learning app, what would it be?

I'd appreciate any feedback. I believe there's an opportunity here to create a new intermediate/advanced language platform that gives learners complete control over their learning experience.

Thank you!

Hi,
assuming you're human…

guidotrev wrote:For instance, even simplified Japanese articles required me to open the dictionary multiple times.

I wouldn't expect anything less when starting to learn a language.
A solution to your problems does exist. It's called a textbook. You can read more about it here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textbook

.
And after working through one, a pop-up dictionary like yomitan for Japanese.

guidotrev wrote:I sometimes want to practice more intensively.

Substitution drills. FSI Japanese is freely available online.

guidotrev wrote:Interactive exercises

Like talking to native speakers? Well, you could just talk to native speakers…

guidotrev wrote:select engaging media based on my interests

You can't be all that interested in a topic if you can't even be bothered to look for it and ask people about it. How could using a chatbot help?

guidotrev wrote:I believe there's an opportunity here to create a new intermediate/advanced language platform that gives learners complete control over their learning experience.

No, there isn't. You can't control your learning completely.

guidotrev wrote:comprehension questions

"Do you understand this sentence?" <-- here you go. That'll be 10 bucks.

guidotrev wrote:I'd appreciate any feedback.

You've made a thread about the same topic already. Can't you reply to the posts there?
You don't sound like an an "avid learner of Japanese" (as you describe yourself in the other topic).
TL;DR: your idea is bad.

So far, guidotrev has posted two open-ended survey announcements for a new app, but contributed to zero existing discussions on this "discussion" board (and has not even replied to any of the responses on the first topic before starting the second repeat topic).

I believe there was a forum setting where new users must make a minimum number of contributions to existing discussions before they earn the privilege of posting new topics, and that would seem to be a good idea here.

(I don't know if there was a reason why the feature was turned off. Maybe because there wasn't any user feedback as to why their new topics were rejected? Is there any configurable text that can be inserted into the registration page to point out that new users must reach some threshold before they can create new topics?)

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ryanheise wrote:So far, guidotrev has posted two open-ended survey announcements for a new app, but contributed to zero existing discussions on this "discussion" board (and has not even replied to any of the responses on the first topic before starting the second repeat topic).

I believe there was a forum setting where new users must make a minimum number of contributions to existing discussions before they earn the privilege of posting new topics, and that would seem to be a good idea here.

(I don't know if there was a reason why the feature was turned off. Maybe because there wasn't any user feedback as to why their new topics were rejected? Is there any configurable text that can be inserted into the registration page to point out that new users must reach some threshold before they can create new topics?)

New topics by new users can sometimes be a problem. But lots of people have valid questions and genuinely require assistance. So we don't want to stop those people just because we have to deal with the occasional drive-by poster.

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Aaaaaand every time, it's the same thing, and he posts it also on the LL subreddit, and who knows where else.

At this point, they fulfill the Einstein's definition of insanity.

In OP's defence, I think there's always a market for intermediate and advanced materials rather than the over-saturated beginner area, and advising "you could just talk to native speakers" is bordering on downright insulting for the many learners who don't have that opportunity or who would like resources to complement real conversations and make them more approachable when they do have the opportunity.

But yeah, I'll believe these posts when someone actually builds the promised app.

Cavesa wrote:Aaaaaand every time, it's the same thing, and he posts it also on the LL subreddit, and who knows where else.

At this point, they fulfill the Einstein's definition of insanity.

Except he hasn't repeated the same thing, has he? Last time I commented that clickbaiting us with a generic "Did you guys struggle with the same problem?" and making it look like an invitation to discuss similar experiences then slamming us with a piece of market research for a pre-pitch product development was really f***ing rude. Well, I didn't say "really f***ing rude", because I was trying not to come over that way myself, but that's how I felt it. I only say it now because we've had no apology for his previous complete overstep of social conventions, and instead he's gaslighting us by acting like the previous discussion never happened. Why should we say anything of any value if there's going to be no evidence that anything we've said has actually even been read, never mind considered and reflected on.

garyb wrote:In OP's defence, I think there's always a market for intermediate and advanced materials rather than the over-saturated beginner area, and advising "you could just talk to native speakers" is bordering on downright insulting for the many learners who don't have that opportunity or who would like resources to complement real conversations and make them more approachable when they do have the opportunity.

Oh absolutely.

But yeah, I'll believe these posts when someone actually builds the promised app.

Hmmm...

guidotrev wrote:Here's my vision: I want to build an app with standard language learning features like Anki or a conversation bot, but with a unique twist. The app would create or find texts using vocabulary I'm already familiar with and quiz me on that vocabulary. Additionally, it would generate listening prompts on topics that interest me or select engaging media based on my interests, followed by vocabulary and comprehension questions. Using high-quality TTS, these prompts would feel very natural.

That's vague, and I see no evidence suggesting that guido has the skills and experience to achieve anything like it.

His only attempt at giving a qualification is his "intensive experience learning Japanese." Why should a group of people who have largely learnt more languages than him be impressed by that? There are several experienced teachers on this group, and I'm assuming Guido has no direct experience of teaching and no academic study of language pedagogy, because otherwise he would have said so. What is his experience of application development and design? Does he have any? There are several professional programmers in this group, not least the guys who are managing and maintaining phpBB for us. Why should any of us who know the inside of IT projects believe someone who doesn't give any credentials is capable of carrying out something like this?

Cainntear wrote:

Cavesa wrote:Aaaaaand every time, it's the same thing, and he posts it also on the LL subreddit, and who knows where else.

At this point, they fulfill the Einstein's definition of insanity.

Except he hasn't repeated the same thing, has he?

I haven't noticed any major differences at first sight, and didn't bother to look it up for exact comparison

Cavesa wrote:

Cainntear wrote:

Cavesa wrote:Aaaaaand every time, it's the same thing, and he posts it also on the LL subreddit, and who knows where else.

At this point, they fulfill the Einstein's definition of insanity.

Except he hasn't repeated the same thing, has he?

I haven't noticed any major differences at first sight, and didn't bother to look it up for exact comparison

The big difference would be that he at least gave it an honest title this time, rather than pulling a clickbait-and-switch manoeuvre. i.e he at least admits he's trying to get feedback on an idea....