[16] Language Innovation Is Dead (Or Is It?)

Have you noticed how most language learning apps/web platforms look the same (or very similar)?

In this episode, I question whether or not language innovation has peaked already.

Summary:

• I’m forever getting requests from startups asking me to help promote their (latest and greatest) language idea.
• At least 90% of their ideas are a complete reinvention of the wheel or a blatant ripoff of something that already exists.
• These “innovators” seem to more effort into simple UI design than coming up with research-based methods.
• The UI designs are getting more and more babyish – we’re marketed to as if we were children.
• Technology in general is making us stupid (fact).
• It seems as though very few new innovations are being made on the language front.

Related blog posts:

Read up on my article on this here.

For examples of apps that are exactly as I’ve described, see my articles on Duolingo and Babbel.

Resources:

One product that is truly innovative in my opinion is Glossika.