Case study
LangoFunk
A language-learning app that turns streamed songs into interactive lessons — tap a lyric for an instant translation and build vocabulary one track at a time.
Overview
What this is
LangoFunk teaches vocabulary through music people already listen to. Songs pull in from Spotify or a global catalog with synced lyrics; tapping any word gives an instant, in-context translation, and an AI coach ("Papa Funk") adds practice and slang lessons on top.
Problem
2 key points
Solution
4 key points
Problem
Traditional language apps ask users to sit down and drill flashcards in a dedicated study session — a habit that's easy to start and hard to keep up.
Study Feels Like a Chore
Flashcard and drill-based apps compete for a separate block of a user's time instead of living inside something they already do daily.
Vocabulary Without Context
Word lists learned in isolation rarely stick, since there's no emotional or situational hook tying the word to a memory.
Solution
I designed the experience around tapping into an existing habit — listening to music — so learning happens passively, one lyric at a time.
Tap-to-Translate Lyrics
Synced lyrics let users tap any unfamiliar word mid-song for an instant, in-context translation rather than an isolated flashcard.
Spotify-Connected Catalog
Pulling in a user's own playlists (or a global chart) means the learning material is music they already chose to listen to.
New → Known Word Tracking
Words visually progress from 'New' to 'Known' as users re-encounter them, giving a lightweight sense of mastery without a formal quiz.
Papa Funk AI Coach
An AI language coach layers in slang, practice prompts, and personalized recommendations on top of the songs a user streams.