Cindy Q. Nguyen

Overview

PROBLEM

Language learners need a simple and engaging way to practice speaking in order to break resistance and build confidence for future practice.

BACKGROUND

Chattr is a mobile application that invites learners to a colorful 3D world to practice speaking a new language in real-time. Learners can create their own virtual language partner and start speaking within minutes.

ROLE

Product Designer

Go to Solution

User Personas

Johnny, 24
Spanish - Beginner
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Goals & Motivations
Johnny wants to learn some Spanish phrases before his trip to Mexico City next month. He wants to focus specifically on learning phrases that have to do with visiting a new city such as ordering coffee or asking where the restroom is.
Frustrations
- He doesn’t have enough time before his trip to start off with learning written language
- He is self-concious of making mistakes
- He’s currently learning phrases from different resources and they are inconsistent

Lena, 32
Mandarin - Intermediate
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Goals & Motivations
Lena’s interested in going to Taiwan one day but for now, she focuses on casually practicing Mandarin when she can. Her main goal is one day being able to have thoughtful conversations with Mandarin-speakers.
Frustrations
- She only has 10-15 minutes of practice time in between work meetings
- She can’t be fully consistent with her practice
- She doesn’t have anyone to practice with

Ken, 51
English - Beginner/Intermediate
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Goals & Motivations
Ken has been taking ESOL classes at the local community center and practicing after his 9-5 job. He wants to practice speaking more so he can have more conversations with his children.
Frustrations
- He isn’t technology savvy
- He is indecisive on what to practice
- He doesn’t have people around him outside of ESOL class who are in his language level

PAIN POINTS

Language learning resources are primarily focused on written learning and not real time speaking practice.

Learners find it uncomfortable to practice speaking with others who are outside their language level or vocabulary range.

Learners resist consistent speaking practice because figuring out what to learn next is mentally taxing.

Problem Statement

Language learners need a simple and engaging way to practice speaking in order to break resistance and build confidence for future practice.

How might we create a solution that encourages learners to practice speaking a new language right away?

Solution

A mobile application that invites learners to a colorful 3D world to practice speaking a new language in real-time. Learners can create their own virtual language partner and start speaking within minutes.

Chattr focuses on three main features that get learners speaking today:

Guided Scenarios

Chattr includes “Guided Scenarios” which are game-like 3D scenarios that learners can act out such as asking for directions or ordering coffee. Learners can search categories of different scenarios from their dashboard and then play as their language partner in order to practicing speaking with Chattr characters.

Quick Talks

The “Quick Talk” feature allows learners to speak directly with their virtual language partner in real-time. Learners can see subtitles for what their language partner is saying and receive suggestions or tips on what to say back.

Badge System

As learners practice speaking, they earn badges for milestones and different scenarios that they complete. These badges are collected on their profile page where they can also view their total speaking time and other progress statistics.

Moving Forward

Accessibility & Inclusivity of the “Help” Bubble

The blue help button on the quick talk screen should be explored further since it’s hard to see at the moment. Another problem I anticipate is that different languages take up different amounts of space. I’m also curious to see how the bubble could appear, either through a pop up or as a button that brings up the tip.

Optimize Filters in Scenarios Search

An improvement would be to optimize filters in the scenarios search to be more specific and give users a better sense of what would fall into those categories.

Cindy Q. Nguyen

Cindy Q. Nguyen

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