Revolutionizing Language Learning: A User-Centric Approach to German Pronunciation
Goethe Aussprachetrainer
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Team members
UX Reseacher
Project Manager
The Goethe pronunciation trainer is the first app devoted entirely to the instruction of German pronunciation.
Project Overview
The Goethe Aussprachetrainer app is a groundbreaking solution for teaching German pronunciation. Designed through close collaboration with teachers and phonetics experts, it combines research-driven user insights with creative design. The app features innovative visuals and interactive elements to simplify complex pronunciation techniques, offering an engaging and effective learning experience.
Project impact
The app has already been adopted in many Goethe-Institut schools, particularly in countries where pronouncing German words poses a unique challenge. Initially rolled out in Vietnam’s Goethe schools, the app saw remarkable success and was subsequently integrated into the training curriculum. Building on this achievement, the app is now publicly available and free to download, making it accessible to learners worldwide who wish to enhance their German pronunciation skills.
Design Approach
Design Challenges
Developing a first-of-its-kind app in the market demanded extensive research to understand its core concept. Conducting in-depth conversations was essential—not just with students, our primary users, but also with teachers, to better understand their teaching methods and explore ways to integrate them into a web app.
Another significant challenge was effectively communicating sounds and pronunciation visually through a digital interface.
Initial Research and Findings
To address the challenges we aimed to solve, we began by conducting workshops with teachers to gain insight into their approaches. Simultaneously, we held interviews with students to identify their struggles and understand how to create a tool that would genuinely help them practice their pronunciation.
Early in the process, we decided to structure the app similarly to existing language-learning platforms, such as Duolingo. However, we tailored the content specifically to meet the unique needs of our target users, focusing on German pronunciation.
Designing the App
With insights from the initial research, I began by creating a site map to break down the app’s complexity and define its structure.
Wireframes
To quickly test our concept and hypotheses, I designed wireframes and conducted further user testing. This allowed us to refine the app’s structure and validate its potential.
Illustrations and Info Slides
During user testing, we discovered that the most significant challenge was how to communicate sounds and pronunciation visually.
To address this, I collaborated closely with teachers and phonetic experts from Goethe Vietnam. Together, we developed a system of illustrations presented as informational slides. These slides covered essential topics like umlaut articulation and the phonetic components of individual words.
Here’s an example of how I simplified a complex phonetic book illustration of the “R” pronunciation into a clear and user-friendly illustration:
Another example showcases how I transformed still frames of teachers pronouncing specific letters into simplified, engaging illustrations:
Following another round of user interviews, we determined that the best way to teach pronunciation was by combining real-life videos with simplified illustrations. This blend effectively communicated sounds while remaining user-friendly and visually appealing.
The Final Design
The Goethe Aussprachetrainer app features a modern, visually engaging design that aligns seamlessly with the Goethe-Institut's established visual identity.
Reflections & Learnings
Enhancing Visual Communication: Translating complex phonetic concepts into intuitive visuals required a refined approach to visual storytelling. This experience significantly improved my ability to communicate ideas effectively through design.
Thinking Outside the Box: Tackling the challenge of representing sound visually pushed me to explore unconventional solutions. The success of these creative efforts reinforced the importance of innovation in problem-solving.
Collaborating with Experts: Working with phonetics specialists and teachers expanded my understanding of collaboration. Conducting interviews with experts helped me become a more effective communicator and a better listener.
The Goethe Aussprachetrainer project was a testament to the value of combining creativity, collaboration, and user-centered design to address unique challenges. I’m proud to have contributed to an app that not only enhances language learning but also demonstrates the transformative potential of design.