How We Developed a Language Learning Constructor App for Chilled-Out Vocabulary Practice

Book a discovery call

About the LMS application

Akler is a language learning app (LMS) designed to help users quickly grasp the basics of a new language with just a few minutes of practice each day.
Backend
Node.js, Express.js, Next.js, RESTful
Frontend
React, Redux, Ant Design
iOS
Swift, XCode, UIKit, RxSwift, MVVM, SQLite, CoreData, In-App Purchase, Local Notifications, REST API
Our role and company services
UI/UX Design, Backend, Mobile Development, Web Frontend

The challenge and LMS application development goals

Akler was initially designed as a basic English learning app aimed at helping Russian-speaking users effortlessly learn their first 100 to 10,000 English words.

However, midway through application development, it became clear that Akler could expand beyond just English and Russian. This idea led us to set two primary goals for feature LMS development:

  1. Design the e-learning app to ensure the learning curve is neither overwhelming nor boring.
  2. Figure out the architecture that would allow adding unlimited new languages and scaling the app on the fly, essentially turning it into a learning management system development project.

Pivot 1

Our company started by planning the UX and UI system that would keep users engaged in their learning journey. The LMS solution needed to be as enjoyable and engaging as any popular casual app while also delivering an effective e-learning curriculum through clear and intuitive features.

From the ground up, we developed the app's design, from naming and concept to the final interface elements. Our designers created the application's mascot, crafted four visual presentation variants, and modeled the app's logic, incorporating LMS principles to make the solution more engaging.

Pivot 2

Originally, our company, together with the client, planned Akler as a monolithic solution with fixed languages, categories, and words. This approach proved inconvenient for adding new languages in the future. As a result, we turned our focus to learning management system development with enterprise potential.

We built a sophisticated, feature-rich admin panel that allows for the dynamic addition and editing of new languages and categories from the backend, ensuring seamless e-learning updates without requiring tight integration with iOS application development. This flexible LMS architecture makes scalability easy and allows for continual content expansion.

The app's features

Categories

Akler's vocabulary includes 5,000 words and phrases, organized into 13 broad categories and 80 smaller topics, plus 26 phrase categories.

Users can select the categories they wish to learn, and the app will make up daily vocabulary based on their chosen topics and word-per-day limit.

Lessons

According to LMS development best practices, the app's learning mechanics are designed to help users comfortably learn and remember a set number of words daily.

Upon signing in, users choose their target languages, daily word count (5 to 50), and categories such as Human, Food, Animals, and Nature. This data is presented on the starting screen as a daily study plan.

To aid the application's memory, Akler provides usage examples and pronunciation audio. Each lesson concludes with a 4-step examination to reinforce learning. Akler keeps the process engaging, ensuring users can study a bit every day.

Vocabulary

Once a course is completed, words are auto-saved in the LMS Vocabulary section, where users can review learned words and their pronunciation. If a word still seems unfamiliar, users can delete it, and the app will reintroduce it in the next course.

Stat

Akler gathers statistics on user's daily performance and translates them into representative graphs. From the Stats section, users can monitor their daily and overall progress and get extra motivation.

Audio

We integrated virtual assistant Siri into the app, making it easier to memorize the words by listening to the pronunciation.

Translations

Accurate translations are crucial for any language learning solution. We opted to feature human translators over machine translations to make sure we provide the most relevant direct outcome. The app also includes usage examples to help users make connections and memorize vocabulary in context.

Admin panel

Our company developed a custom LMS admin panel with advanced access control for efficient management. This solution allows admins to:

  • Manage words and phrases: All words, translations, and languages are adapted and pulled in from the backend. With this feature, admins can easily make changes in translations or add new content with just a few clicks.
  • Create and configure roles: Admins can set up roles and manage the rights of content managers and translators.
  • Manage categories: Akler uses L18N internalization technology, enabling updates to keys and translations without needing to update the app.
  • Add and store files: Admins can upload files and images to the Content Delivery Network (CDN) with their pathnames set in the settings.
  • Import words and phrases: Admins can quickly import content from CSV files instead of adding them manually.
  • Automatic updates: Upon each new login, Akler checks the vocabulary base status and pulls in any fresher versions automatically to the LMS.

Database

We chose SQLite for LMS database management, as it stores a large amount of data efficiently. All translations, categories, catalogs, and documentation are packaged in multiple SQLite databases that can be quickly updated from the admin panel.

The app immediately incorporates changes upon the next login, independent of the backend. This system ensures that learning progress is saved to the profile and relevant information is securely stored on the server. This solution avoids the hassle of online updates and associated lags.

Testing

We made sure that the solution pulls in changes immediately, effective upon the next login, independent of the LMS backend. This keeps learning progress and the system updated in the user profile, with all relevant information securely stored on the server. Our testing process guarantees a seamless e-learning experience without delays.

Real results from real customers

The Rocketech team is highly versatile, proactive, and professional.

Sergei Gromov
Founder, Thunder Apps

Have an idea to build a custom LMS solution but don't know where to start?

Our business analysts will help you understand the market and give you an initial project estimate in a free discovery session.

Numbers

4 months
custom LMS development from ideation to a launch-ready MVP
5,000+
words and phrases and their translations into 6 languages
120+ screens
and 4 iterations of design to deliver an eye-candy, engaging app
6 languages
English, Russian, German, French, Spanish, and Italian
∞ user flow
by increasing the capacity
∞ languages to add
for future pivots and business and enterprise-level scaling

Results

Our custom LMS development delivered impressive results:
Turnkey MVP at reasonable cost: An MVP that helps beginner learners quickly grasp the basics of a new language.
Complex admin panel: The owner can scale the e-learning app on the fly without tight integration with iOS development, thanks to our custom-made LMS development.
Efficient learning: The app uses a spaced repetition system that drills users on words in multiple ways, activating all memory channels for effective learning.
Quick updates: The SQLite database enables fast updates of vocabulary and categories, avoiding the lags associated with the solution's online updates.

See more cases

EasySpk

AI / Productivity · mobile app

EasySpk is an iPhone keyboard that turns speech into clean, ready-to-send text in any app. We came up with the name, designed the brand, the app and the landing page, built the AI part and shipped the first release in 2 weeks. It got 1,000+ downloads in its first days.

GhostMinutes

AI / Productivity · web and mobile app

GhostMinutes turns meetings and calls into text and AI summaries. We built it from scratch for a serial founder: the name, the brand, an iOS app in 2 weeks, a web app 1 week later and the speech AI behind both. The product reached $1,500 MRR.

IPOPBOOKS

FinTech / AI · web app

IPOPBOOKS does the books for small US businesses: AI sorts every bank transaction and a bookkeeper checks it. We built the client portal, the bookkeeper workspace, the admin panel and the website, and launched in 10 weeks, ready to take payments.

YOU(th)

HealthTech · web and mobile app

YOU(th) is a wellness app that uses AI and smartphone sensors to run a quick, non-invasive health check in under two minutes. No wearables, no clinic visits. It analyzes face videos, voice samples, and eye images to track over 50 wellness biomarkers and detect early signs of health risks.

AggloPay

FinTech · web app

AggloPay is a modern payment platform designed around the way merchants in Cameroon operate. It brings together mobile money, bank cards, and USSD into one system — no extra accounts, no manual workarounds. We took the project from first sketches to a working product in two months, covering design, development, and integrations with local payment services.

WTF

FinTech / WealthTech · web and mobile app

Managing a fund for high-net-worth individuals comes with unique challenges — standard SaaS solutions often fall short of delivering the flexibility and sophistication required. Our client, a fund with $100M in assets, needed a system capable of handling both fiat and cryptocurrency transactions, integrated trading functionality, and fast, AI-powered reporting to provide investors with detailed performance insights.

Guestroom

Social · mobile app

Guestroom is a bespoke social media platform and mobile app connecting creators with their followers, allowing artists to monetize their content. In a nutshell, it's a startup and unique social network where creators can share exclusive text and photo content, and followers can pay for access.

RPS Millionaire

GameTech / Blockchain · web and mobile app

RPS Millionaire reimagines the timeless game of Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) into a thrilling digital experience. It encapsulates the nostalgic simplicity of childhood gameplay while introducing an enticing twist — the opportunity to win one million dollars. Players can cash out their winnings at every fifth round or continue their quest for the ultimate prize.

Start your project

Tell us what you're building, and we'll help you find the fastest path from idea to launch.

Talk to us!

Send us a message and we'll get in touch with you as soon as we can.