GABBER
Language exchange app
A conceptual app that offers immersive language exchange experiences, enhancing fluency and fostering a supportive community for language learners.
INTRODUCTION
My goal was to create a tool that addressed a critical gap in resources for language learners like myself — a lack of immersive learning opportunities with other speakers.
MY ROLE
TIMELINE
UX/UI, competitive analysis, UX research, usability testing, prototyping, branding
Q2, 2021 - 6 weeks
PLATFORM
Native iOS
THE PROBLEM
Immersion is one of the best approaches to learning a foreign language, but it requires a lot of time and effort.
“It's difficult to find the time and to have the discipline to practice every day, and to find people to practice with.”
THE PROCESS
User research
Competitive analysis
Personas
User flows
Discover
2 weeks
Sketches
Mockups
User testing
Ideate
1 week
Design system
Wireframes
Prototype
Design
2 weeks
Usability testing
Gather feedback
Test
1 week
DISCOVERY
Language learners struggle to find immersive learning opportunities on a consistent basis.
While immersion is a top method for language acquisition, most resources emphasize technical skills like grammar and vocabulary (e.g. Duolingo) rather than real-time applications such as conversing with native speakers or other language learners.
To kick off this project, I surveyed 40 people who have tried to learn a new language to better understand this problem.
In this survey, I asked users questions about:
Their specific challenges when it comes to language learning
Their preferred language learning tools and methods
Their experience with language exchanges
What they look for in a language partner
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Language exchange apps provide the “community” aspect but don’t solve the “consistent practice” problem.
To understand the online language exchange app market, I looked at the app store.
Tandem and HelloTalk are top competitors. I analyzed their business models, features, strengths, and weaknesses. Both apps are compelling and comparing them helped me find areas for Gabber to offer unique value.
OPPORTUNITIES
A “free-To-filter” business model
Competitor apps lock crucial filters like gender and age behind a paywall. This is problematic because my research shows that users often seek partners similar to themselves for preference or cultural reasons. Instead of restricting filters, revenue can be generated through ads, language certifications, or limiting language partners until users upgrade their accounts.
A calendar scheduling feature
The app could help users overcome the challenge of finding time to practice languages and staying consistent by streamlining scheduling and creating a language exchange routine.
A fun and interactive experience
For a remote app experience, it's vital to replicate the dynamism of in-person meetups. Interactive features like games and conversation prompts can engage learners and maintain excitement during mobile exchanges.
DEFINING USERS
Focusing on Intermediate-to-Advanced Language Level Learners
My research suggests that this tool is most suitable for individuals who identify as Intermediate to Advanced speakers as beginners typically focus on language mechanics like grammar and vocabulary, while seasoned learners seek real-world applications. Considering this, I crafted a persona and user flow to inform my design choices.
IDEATION
Creating the concept
With the research finalized, I began sketching and wireframing out the design. In this exploratory and low-fidelity phase, I was able to create and test various design solutions before committing to a high-fidelity UI design.
I decided to use an app because it would be convenient and on the go.
USABILITY TESTING
Testing the initial design
I led 5 virtual usability tests on the low-fidelity wireframes to see what worked and what could be improved in my design solution. I asked the participants to complete tasks related to user onboarding, finding a language exchange partner, and participating in a language exchange.
HI-FI DESIGN
The final design
Onboarding
New users go through a streamlined five-step process, providing the app with the essential information needed to match them with an ideal language partner.
Find an exchange partner
The community page shows you a list of potential partners. The user can filter by traits like language level, gender, age, location, and availability.
Schedule an exchange
Users can schedule an exchange based on both of their indicated availabilities. Exchanges can occur in 15-minute lengths and be scheduled as single or reoccurring sessions.
The video-call language exchange keeps participants engaged with features like a timer, games, and conversation prompts to keep the conversation going.
The language exchange
Staying motivated
Progress statistics and badges will help users stay motivated while using the app. Notifications nudge users to return using personalized messages.
NEXT STEPS
Future considerations
Fostering a Respectful Community
Like other social apps, Gabber must proactively address inappropriate behaviors to foster a safe and productive community.
Games and Prompts
There were questions regarding how the in-app games and conversation prompts would work live with another participant. I would focus my next round of iterations and testing on these niche interactions.
Learnings
🙅♂️ If you design for everyone, you design for no one
It was tempting to build every feature possible, but the truth is that people will prioritize different resources based on where they are in their language learning journey. Instead of prioritizing everyone, I reminded myself to design for the intermediate to advanced users who would get the most value out of a language exchange partnership.
🛑 Don’t get attached to a design
I created several features during the low-fidelity phase that I thought would test well but ended up falling flat. Although it wasn’t ideal feedback (no hard feelings!), it let me improve the design into something even better.
✅ Remove as much resistance as possible
To encourage behavior change, the app needs to make practicing a language as easy as possible. By creating features that decreased barriers to entry, the only remaining requirement is the user’s commitment to getting started.