.png)
Fluent Friends
How I designed a website that connects language learners for conversation practice
Introduction
Welcome to FluentFriends—my take on reimagining language exchange platforms!
As someone who’s passionate about language learning, I wanted to create a space that helps users find reliable partners, stay motivated, and—most importantly—have fun while learning! Here’s how it all came together, one step (and a few redesigns) at a time!
My Role
Human-centered designer, user research, visual design
Timeline
Aug 2024 - Sep 2024
Tools
Figma, FigJam, Miro
Problem
The struggle to connect
Language learners often struggle to find suitable conversation partners to practice
their skills.
This problem directly affects language learners and their ability to master a new language with confidence. The frustration builds, and before long, they give up on the platform together.
HMW
How might we create a language exchange platform that encourages meaningful connections while keeping the experience focused on learning rather than socializing or dating?
Usability Insights
Testing the waters
I ran usability testing with five participants via video calls to see how real users interacted with my design and get honest feedback. I watched for any tricky spots, asked 15 questions, and then grouped their comments for easier analysis.
PAIN POINTS
POSITIVE FEEDBACK
1. Confusing buttons on the homepage
2. Profile cards contain too much information
3. Filter section contains unnecessary filters such as conversation style and learning goals
4. The right sidebar on chat interface was confusing users as well as the colors in speech bubbles
1. Testers found the homepage intuitive and had no problems moving to the next stage
2. They found the rating feature useful because they can see learners that have low rating
3. They also liked the variety of filters that helps them narrow down their search
Iteration & Refinement
Homepage
Introduced a single button ''Find a Partner'' and removed the ''Get Started'' button since users opted for the sing up option in the navigation bar during the usability testing.
Language Partner Matching page
The biggest change happened on the language partner matching page, which really got a makeover. I decided to simplify things by cutting down the information on the profile cards and introducing a button that lets users connect with others instantly. I also revamped the filters, turning them into a search function and removing learning goals to streamline the experience. Plus, I added more examples of filters to make everything more intuitive.
Chat Interface
For the chat interface, I focused on simplicity too. I simplified the right side by removing the dictionary feature since users said it wasn’t necessary. I also adjusted the colors of the speech bubbles because users mentioned they were hard to see.
Solution
Designing for connection
Imagine a language learner logging onto the platform, excited but unsure where to start. They were struggling to find the right partner, feeling overwhelmed by too many options. To tackle the frustration of finding the right language partner, I simplified their search, making it easier for users to find the right partner and stay motivated. But how to keep that motivation going? The progress tracking dashboard is there to celebrate users' milestones and to keep them on track with their learning journey.
01.
Filters
Filters like gender preferences, language goals, skill level, and conversation style, help learners quickly identify partners who align with their needs.
02.
Rating
With ratings right on the profile cards, users can instantly see each language partner’s level of commitment. It’s a quick, easy way to find people serious about learning, making it simple to connect with partners you can trust.
03.
Progress Tracking
We all get stuck sometimes and need some motivation to keep going. The progress tracking dashboard acts like a personal cheerleader, showing users how far they've come.
Reflections & Insights
What did I learn from this project?
This project was a journey full of learning curves. The biggest challenge? Making sure the platform didn’t feel like a dating app. I had to rethink profile displays and fine-tune filters to encourage meaningful language exchanges.
During usability testing, I realized some features weren’t as intuitive as I’d hoped—especially on the matching page. So, I simplified it and added clearer buttons to improve navigation.
Overall, this project taught me the value of staying flexible and embracing feedback. Sometimes, small tweaks make all the difference in turning a good design into a great experience!
Research
What language learners need but
aren't getting
I started by analyzing the competition to see where platforms like My Language Exchange, HelloTalk, Speaky, and Mixxer stand.
The goal? To spot key features and figure out what frustrates users the most. After digging through these platforms and conducting some online research, I uncovered some interesting insights.
The biggest takeaway? Many users end up treating these platforms more like dating sites. That’s why I decided the main focus should be on improving the matching and filter options to help users connect with reliable language partners instead.
The voice behind the feedback
To really understand what users struggle with, I decided to create a user persona that would highlight common pain points on language exchange platforms. I wanted to dig into the frustrations that people experience, so I pulled in real feedback from TrustPilot, Merlot.org, and the App Store to keep it authentic. The comments I gathered helped me shape this persona, with the frustrations section capturing users’ honest thoughts and feelings.
Through this process, I noticed three main paint points that needed to be tackled in the next stage:
OUTDATED
DESIGN
NO USER
REVIEWS TO
CHECK THE
CREDIBILITY OF
LANGUAGE
PARTNERS
INSUFFICIENT
SEARCH
FILTERS
A day in the life of Rajesh
I began by creating a user journey map to outline how a user would interact with the platform step-by-step. Imagining the persona Rajesh’s experience, I visualized his journey—from discovering FluentFriends to navigating its features, considering each click and decision.
Through this process, I identified key areas for improvement. I prioritized adding advanced search filters and a review feature for potential language partners to help users connect more confidently and reliably.
Development Phase
Bringing ideas to life
I used a mind map to brainstorm platform features, focusing on what every language learner needs, plus some extras to make learning easier. As a language learner myself, I prioritized tools like translation and dictionary features to help users pick up vocabulary quickly.
From this exercise, I selected key features to implement:
SEARCH AND
MATCHING FILTER
LANGUAGE TOOLS
(TRANSLATION,
DICTIONARY)
USER FEEDBACK
AND RATING
VIDEO AND VOICE
CALLS
PROGRESS
TRACKING
ACHIEVEMENTS
AND BADGES
Sketching the experience:
Wireframes
I dove into creating wireframes in Figma to map out the platform’s layout and essential features, experimenting with different structures to develop low-fidelity designs.
In the end, I wrapped up with four wireframes:
the homepage
the language partners matching page
the chat interface
the progress tracking dashboard
.jpg)
Mockup Phase
Bringing designs to life
To bring my vision to life, I created mockups to showcase the final look of the site and set the stage for usability testing. Starting from my wireframes, I quickly saw that some designs didn’t translate well, so I had to adapt and experiment in Figma until I found a layout that fit both the features and problem statement perfectly.
HOMEPAGE
I decided to keep the layout simple with just two colors, so it wouldn’t distract users too much. I aimed to create an inviting homepage that encourages users to explore before diving into their search for language partners.
Language Partner Matching
The Language Partner Matching Screen helps users find committed language learners who match their style and needs. With filters for conversation style, rating, language level, availability, and more, users can easily connect with the perfect partner for a meaningful language exchange.
Chat Interface
The Chat Interface is where conversations come to life. It's equipped with features such as translation tool, dictionary, notepad and chat summary, making learning more effective. The design encourages focused conversations, helping learners stay engaged.
Progress Track Dashboard
The Progress Track Dashboard is like a personal language learning scoreboard. It shows learners all the cool stats - such as time spent practicing, achievement badges, language skills progress, learning goals and activity history. With simple visuals and personalized goals, it's easy to see how much learners have grown in their learning journey!
