New Gamified Language Learning App Hits Kickstarter in 2022
Designed to be as addicting as playing Minecraft or Pokémon.
Have you been trying to learn a language for a few years and can only ask where the bathroom is or admit you can only understand a few words and phrases?
Language learning can be overwhelming for beginners and polyglots alike.
There are tons of books, podcasts, courses, YouTube channels, and nearly 50 language learning apps. Over the years, apps have become a popular medium for language learning on the go.
I’ve tried a few apps and found Lirica fun. In Lirica, you explore the lyrics of popular songs in your target language and take quizzes through the song's duration.
As cool as it is, Lirica has limitations. No community, no flashcards, no other ways to test your retention. You’re out of luck as an Android user — iPad users only.
And so it goes for most of the other apps. They’re either boring, basic, or both.
But the time has come for something epic
Ikenna Obi, Youtuber, polyglot, and author of Fluency Made Easy, has amassed over 856,000 subscribers with engaging videos on language learning through gamification.
He studied Japanese by watching Manga and Anime, immersed himself in virtual reality to practice Spanish, and played grammar scavenger hunts.
He also created The Ikenna Method, a language learning video course that implements psychology, mindset, personality type, and learning hacks to get you fluent while having fun.
He tried most gamified language learning apps and made a video ranking some of them.
It was only the beginning.
Ikenna‘s unwavering desire to fill a hole in the language learning universe began a few years ago:
In 2020, Ikenna released a YouTube video where he thanked his subscribers for the positive feedback and support for his idea of creating an addicting gamified language learning app:
“I shared my vision of what the ideal app would look like. Something that would be extremely effective but yet fun and addicting enough for you to actually stick to. Something that had a community that could help motivate you and can serve as a place for you to easily meet friends who are also learning the same languages.”
Many subscribers suggested he find a developer who could help him bring his app to life because they agreed: it’s something the language learning world desperately wants and needs.
And that’s what he did.
After years of dedication, Ikenna released a video on August 19, 2022, announcing the birth of gamified language learning app, Fluyo.
Fluyo is “An all-in-one language learning app designed to be the most fun and effective way to learn a language ever created.”
Fluyo’s features
Fluyo will be fueled by fun games to play against the computer or other people. There are lessons, online battles, smart flashcards, messaging, and character customization.
And the customizable character, the app's mascot, is a tiny animated dolphin with a baby face and a bubbly personality.
Ikenna said the app will be as entertaining and addictive as playing Minecraft or Pokémon.
Beta access will come with Spanish and French, but they are working hard on adding more languages, including his favorite — Japanese.
In his latest YouTube video, Ikenna said vocabulary, sentences, and pronunciation are the three essentials of language learning — with vocabulary at number one.
Fluyo will have a section for flashcards and spaced repetition to help you improve the vocabulary of your target language. Ikenna said to think of it as the fun 2020 version of Anki. Anyone using Anki will be able to transfer their decks to Fluyo.
Release date and Fluyo’s journey
Beta access for Fluyo hits Kickstarter between late fall and early winter of 2022, and those of us who signed up are hyped beyond belief.
As subscribers, we have been on an emotional rollercoaster since Fluyo’s inception. Ikenna’s health declined shortly after he announced its beginning leaving us all worried and confused. While in a hospital bed, where he thought he would die, the only thing he could think of was the end of Fluyo.
But, Hallelujah! Ikenna survived and devoted all of his energy to Fluyo with an incredible team fully invested in his vision. The mission remained formidable: make an app so impressive that no one could deny its infinite powers.
An app forged by the Gods.
Fluyo’s evolution is a tear-jerking hero’s journey, and my Spidey senses say that once released, it will rank as the number one language learning app in the world —hands down.
P.S. I have no affiliation with Fluyo or Ikenna. I am but a humble supporter of incredible people doing extraordinary things.
