Learning experience design
Boosting learner engagement through peer language partnerships
LinguaPal is a mobile-optimized eLearning platform designed to connect language learners with compatible conversation partners for authentic, real-life speaking practice. I owned the design process using the classic ADDIE framework, integrating cognitive science and learning theories to boost learner engagement.
Responsibilities
Instructional design
Research & analysis
Storyboarding
UX / UI design
Prototyping
Testing & iteration
Tools
Figma
Canva
Google Suite
Teammates
Nina Man
Lilian Ding
The problem
With the growing need for international communication in today’s globalized world, the online language learning market is booming. Yet, many learners still face two key challenges:
1）Limited opportunities for real-life practice
2）The difficulty of finding compatible partners for meaningful conversations
The solution
I chose a mobile eLearning app as the delivery mode for its convenience and accessibility—allowing learners to find language partners anytime, anywhere.
By integrating peer-based social learning, the platform encourages authentic interaction and shared accountability, helping learners stay motivated while developing real-world communication skills in a supportive environment.
Analysis
Survey
To better understand language learners' goals and behaviors, I surveyed over 100 language learner. Here are 3 key findings:
1) Most learners said their main learning goal is to speak the language in real-life situations.
2) The lack of opportunities to practice real-life interactions is the main barrier.
3) Most learners struggle to stay on track with their goals due to low motivation and the absence of a supportive learning companion.
👉 Takeaways: These findings has led me to focus on the specific problem of facilitating the process of finding a suitable language partner.
Analysis
Interviews
To gain deeper insight into learner needs when searching for a language partner, I conducted a series of interviews. Below are selected quotes that highlight key insights from the interviews.
"I feel more comfortable practicing with an experienced learner than with a native speaker—it’s less intimidating."
"I want practice sessions to feel social and fun—that’s what keeps me motivated.”
"A partner helps me stay motivated, but it’s hard to build lasting connections.”
👉 Takeaways: My interviews echoed survey findings: learners value everyday conversation practice, but also emphasize the need for a safe, supportive environment with positive social interactions—especially beginners who may feel uneasy with native speakers.
Analysis
Learner persona
I created a learner persona using insights from my research. Doing so helps me maintain learner-focused by referring back to a clear representation of the target learner.
Analysis
Competitive analysis
To identify opportunities for competitive advantage in the online language learning space, I analyzed and compared 4 top-rated language learning apps from the app store.
👉 Takeaways: Features like partner pairing and language proficiency grading are popular among users, highlighting a demand for social interaction and personalized learning.
While HelloTalk offers many popular features, its native-speaker-only matching can be intimidating for beginners and may hinder learner engagement.
Design
Design requirements
Based on research insights, I created learner-centered use cases to highlight learners’ motivations and challenges in context, which I then translated into design requirements for the learning solution.
💡 Design requirement 1
The learning solution should immerse learners in real-life scenarios for meaningful language practice.
When I learn a new language, I need opportunities to practice daily conversations, so I can apply the language in real-life settings.
💡 Design requirement 2
The learning solution should allow learners to search for partners by native language and proficiency level.
When I was searching for a language partner, I need to find an experienced learner who shared my native language, so I can feel less intimidated to get started.
💡 Design requirement 3
The learning solution should match learners with partners who share similar backgrounds to spark engaging conversations.
When I learn with a language partner, I need to have an enjoyable communication experience, an experienced learner who shared my native language, so I can build long-term partnerships that keep me motivated.
Design & Evaluation
Visual storyboards
After brainstorming, I settled down on 3 most promising design concepts based on research-driven learning needs.
To refine and validate them, I created storyboards and gathered feedback from potential learners.
📍Partner recommendation list
Recommend language partners tailored to each learner’s preferences.
✨ Meets Design Requirement 3
📍Language partner search
Allow learners to refine their search by adding or removing tags.
✨ Meets Design Requirement 2
📍Real-life topic recommendation
Provide engaging prompts to support real-world speaking practice.
✨ Meets Design Requirement 1
Development
Prototyping
I prototyped mid-fidelity designs and iteratively refined the designs based on learner feedback. Two key design changes were made to better align with learner needs:
1. Merged the “partner recommendation list” with the “language partner search” feature.
🌟 Learning impact:
This change supports personalized learning by offering both curated recommendations and customizable search filters, enhancing learner agency and control over social interaction.
2. Embedded a "topic recommendation" CTA in the chat interface.
🌟 Learning impact:
This enhancement encourages scenario-based learning by enabling learners to engage in more authentic, real-life conversations, helping bridge the gap between structured practice and spontaneous language use.
Implementation
Final learning solution
Based on learner feedback, I iterated on the high-fidelity prototype to better align with learner needs.
Each core feature in my final solution was intentionally designed to support a more effective, engaging learning experience.
Personalized partner recommendations through onboarding questionnaire
During sign-up, users answer a brief questionnaire that generates profile tags for personalized partner recommendations.
💡 It helps users connect with partners who share common ground, creating a foundation for engaging learning conversations and lasting connections.
Use smart filters to find your ideal language partner
The filter gives learners control to refine partner matches based on personal criteria, supporting more relevant and meaningful interactions.
💡 Filtering by language and proficiency helps reduce anxiety, creating a more comfortable and supportive learning environment.
Chat to gain real-life conversation practices
Learners begin with short text chats to set boundaries and assess fit; voice and video unlock after pairing to support realistic, multi-modal practice.
💡 The 'topic recommendation' CTA offers contextual learning prompts, helping learners engage in authentic, everyday dialogue and strengthen real-life speaking skills.
Experience the learning solution
Learnings & insights
Why empathy matters
Learning experience design not about designing in isolation, but about staying deeply curious and connected to learners' real needs. Before jumping into solutions, I took time to listen—through surveys and in-depth interviews—to understand the challenges language learners actually face. Meaningful learning experience design starts with understanding, not assumptions. Only by seeing the problem clearly through the learner’s eyes was I able to design with purpose and impact.
Designing for authentic learning
Real learning happens when tasks mirror the cognitive and emotional demands of real life—not just abstract exercises or quizzes. As a learning experience designer, my role is to bridge the gap between knowledge and performance by creating opportunities for learners to practice in realistic contexts. This insight pushed me to prioritize features like conversation prompts that simulate real-world interactions, helping learners build confidence and transfer their skills beyond the screen.
