Learning Platform for a Language Startup

The opportunities of modern technologies are actively used to improve the quality and accessibility of education and access to knowledge.

This entails several interesting and complex aspects that affect solutions development. From security and the latest technological trends to the use of non-traditional teaching methods, the educational industry requires constant development and innovation.

Companies in the field of education expect developers to be able to create such services and solutions that will help them not only provide high-quality and modern education for their users but also take into account their specific requirements and adapt to them.

As part of a startup project, our company was invited to develop a learning platform designed to help users learn Spanish faster and more effectively by leveraging scientific approaches, interactive lessons, visual aids, and the spaced repetition method to solidify knowledge.

The main difference in the educational system was the use of a combination of short interactive lessons and the method of repetition with intervals to help users not only learn new material but also keep it in memory on a long-term basis.

The essence of the project was to create a learning platform that helps learners acquire Spanish faster and more effectively by using scientific approaches, interactive lessons, visual aids, and the spaced repetition method to solidify knowledge.

We provisionally conducted marketing research on users’ needs and analyzed the market, which confirmed the key hypothesis of the project — to minimize the required training time. Therefore, the main difference in the educational system was using a combination of short interactive lessons and the method of repetition with intervals to help users not only learn new material but also keep it in memory on a long-term basis. As part of interactive lessons, users could complete tasks, ask questions and get answers to them, view visual and audio materials, take tests to check knowledge, receive instant feedback to assess their progress, and identify areas that require additional studying. The content is adapted to the level of each user’s knowledge offering personalized lessons and tasks. In a special section, you can view, search, and add new words to your dictionary. To stimulate active learning and to achieve the set goals, a motivation system was developed that includes elements of gamification between users, receiving awards, and bonuses for achievements.

For maximum convenience, the training platform is available both via a mobile application and a web portal. This allows you to study anytime and anywhere, providing flexibility in the learning process. The mobile application is developed taking into account two main operating systems — Android and iOS. This guaranteed not only a high quality of work but also the coverage of an even larger audience in the future.

We developed an intuitive interface for a mobile application and a web portal with easy navigation. The registration system included several options: email, social media accounts, or a phone number. In a personal account profile, you can change language settings and adapt material to individual needs.

A crucial issue in this project was ensuring users’ data security and protection. Given the diversity of data processing and storage requirements in the three product promotion regions, there was a need for a thorough adaptation of the platform. We segmented the team into groups that followed the regulations in force in their respective regions. This allowed us to comply with legal requirements and adhere to the principle of personal data minimum amount. At the same time, we focused on saving data on users’ results in learning the language, which significantly improved the learning process and on optimizing services within different markets.

To increase the individuality and effectiveness of the repetition method with intervals, we used AI technology algorithms. This made it possible to determine the optimal repetition intervals for each user, depending on his/her level and speed of mastering the material, automatically evaluate knowledge, adapt the complexity of tasks and lessons depending on progress, analyze the history of forgetting, and make predictions.

Our client had a mathematical idea for an approach to a foreign language learning system and a preliminary concept of the final product. However, they needed to have sufficient technical knowledge to implement his project. This entailed several problems while developing a solution and led to the need to make changes to the business strategy of the project. The client also planned to promote the product in the European, American, and Asian markets, which meant taking into account different requirements for processing and storing personal data and the specificity of cultural approaches to the process of learning.

Therefore, the client was looking for a technical partner capable of providing not only technical expertise for the implementation of the project but also the strategic vision necessary for the successful implementation and scaling of the product in different markets, taking into account all possible difficulties. We held several meetings to understand in more detail the client’s expectations and the goals of this project. Our confidence in the ability to successfully implement the project and a clear vision of prospects for the growth and development of the product were the key factors for deciding on our cooperation.

For the project, we applied a flexible Agile approach with monitoring and analysis of the results of using metrics. The iterative approach allowed our team to collect data on the performance and effectiveness of the product gradually, as well as quickly adapt to changing requirements, which is valuable for users even in the early stages of the project. We regularly held retrospective meetings where we discussed the results and developed improvement plans based on feedback. Metrics were used to objectively evaluate the performance and results of processes, which helped to identify areas requiring improvements and to determine the necessary changes in the product and processes. We also applied AB testing to check and determine the effectiveness of new functions, which allowed us to invest in the development of functionality that was most important for users’ experience and corresponded to the client's business goals.

The role of Aionys was to provide the client with technical expertise and experience in working with startup projects that require compliance with strict standards for processing and storing users’ data in different countries and areas. Thanks to the joint work of the client's teams and our team, we created the opportunity to launch a new product in the European, American, and Asian markets and achieve the set business goals.

The Aionys team, together with their client, developed an MVP learning platform designed to help users learn Spanish faster and more efficiently by leveraging scientific approaches, interactive lessons, visual aids, and the spaced repetition method. We also helped with the implementation of the client's idea – the use of a system for training that combined short interactive lessons and the method of repetition with intervals to help users learn new material and keep it in memory on a long-term basis. The platform is adapted to several regions of promotion. It takes into account strict requirements for processing and storing personal information to ensure a high level of user data security and protection. After receiving feedback from the first users, the functionality of the platform was expanded and a monetization system was implemented, which led to an increase in active users from 1,000 to more than 10,000 people.

Due to the cooperation with Aionys, the client managed to achieve the following results:

• A learning platform was created that helps learners acquire Spanish faster and more effectively by using scientific approaches, interactive lessons, visual aids, and the spaced repetition method to solidify knowledge.
• Marketing studies of users’ needs and a market analysis were conducted to confirm the key hypothesis of the project — the need to minimize the training time for a user.
• The client's idea was confirmed and implemented – the use of a system for training that combined short interactive lessons and the method of repetition with intervals. This helped users not only learn new material but also keep it in memory on a long-term basis.
• The training platform was adapted to several promotion regions, taking into account strict requirements and norms in the field of processing and storing users’ personal information.
• The developed high-quality and convenient mobile application and website attracted new active users and had a positive impact on sales.