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

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.

Technologies

Backend:Node.js, Express.js, Next.js, RESTful
Frontend:React.js, Redux, AntD
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.

Review

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

Sergei Gromov
Founder, Thunder Apps

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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.

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