Daryna Mednikova: “It's estimated that up to 20% of people are neurodivergent, so building a product effective for different minds is crucial.”

In the ever-evolving world of language learning apps, Promova is dedicated to prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility. Daryna Mednikova, Chief Product Officer, shared the company’s mission to create a user-friendly, innovative platform that meets the needs of all learners, especially those who are neurodivergent.

Commitment to Supporting Neurodiverse Learners

Promova is committed to providing experiences that cater to diverse cognitive needs. Daryna explains, “We build our product with great empathy for the user. Through constant research, we've found that many of them face various forms of attention issues when learning a language.”

This insight is no surprise in our information-filled era. "An average person processes around 34 gigabytes of information per day from various sources like social media, emails, news, and conversations. Moreover, daily information intake has increased significantly over the years. For instance, individuals are estimated to process about 5% more information each year compared to previous ones. Such a constant influx of data inevitably impacts our cognitive abilities, including the capacity to focus and learn effectively. It's estimated that up to 20% of people are neurodivergent, so building a product effective for different minds is crucial”. 

Enhancing Accessibility 

Promova has made strides in addressing dyslexia and is currently working on adaptations for a spectrum of neurodiverse needs. Daryna reveals, "We've just kicked off the second iteration of our Dyslexia Mode, which includes audio-visual versions of the product to be more compatible with users who have various forms of dyslexia.” 

Launched on October 3, 2023, Dyslexia Mode 1.0 uses a special font developed by dyslexic designer Martin Pyšný. Dysfont features simple letter shapes that are less likely to be confused with one another (for example, similar letters like "b" and "d" or "p" and "q"), optimized spacing to prevent overcrowding of characters, and a design that reduces visual stress, making it easier for learners with dyslexia to read text clearly and quickly.

“Dyslexia Mode 2.0 includes changes to the app layout and color palette based on recommendations from Martin Pyšný. Another key improvement is the removal of text in all capital letters. For many dyslexic users, capital letters can be harder to read due to their uniform shape and height, making word recognition slower. Lowercase letters often have distinct features, like ascenders and descenders (the parts of letters that extend above or below the line, such as in “b” or “p”), which aid in word recognition and spacing. By using both upper and lowercase letters, we’ve made text more distinguishable, helping learners read more comfortably than is possible with all-caps. Additionally, we’ve introduced a white noise feature to improve concentration.”

Promova's commitment to accessibility goes beyond supporting neurodivergent users. "We're going to work on a dark mode soon. It's very important for learners to study without flashing," the CPO reveals. “Night time is convenient for a specific cohort to make their half an hour before bedtime productive. We want to make this cozy and not complicated for them.”

Looking ahead, Promova plans to introduce dynamic type settings, allowing users with visual impairments to adjust font structures and sizes based on their needs. The team also continuously improves its UI/UX based on ongoing input from users. "We enjoy talking with our learners. We have product advocates who regularly provide us with feedback. We continue to launch dedicated interviews to gather their thoughts. And this is really a super exciting part of our job!"

Role-Play Activities

Promova's flagship feature, AI role-play, is revolutionizing language learning for everyone, especially neurodivergent learners. Daryna explains its unique benefits: “Our AI role-play creates a stress-free environment where users can practice language without fears — fear of judgment, fear of making mistakes, fear of speaking too slowly, and other anxieties that come with practicing with real people.” Indeed, AI offers a safe space for learners to take risks, make errors, and just be themselves, without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed.

This approach is especially valuable for those who struggle with attention span issues, including individuals with ADHD. “We pay close attention to the context of our learning materials, looking at how complex the lessons are and how engaging they feel,” Daryna continues. “We've found that for some users, monotonous repetitive exercises alone are not enough to maintain focus and reduce cognitive load.”

To address these challenges, Promova has developed a diverse set of features designed to keep the learning experience fresh and exciting. “In August, we launched an AI-based practice where users create sentences with previously learned words,” Daryna explains. “This works alongside our other features like reading lessons, cultural insights, vocabulary flashcards, and quizzes. Our goal has always been to provide a variety of interactive elements, ensuring there's always something new for users to explore and engage with.”

White Noise 

One of the newest standout features in Promova's toolkit is the white noise function. While it was designed with users who have ADHD in mind, it offers benefits that extend to all learners. According to the CPO, “It is a specific frequency that has been scientifically proven to dramatically improve user focus, and the memory comprehension of the learned content is increased. Think about it as a sound bubble that is specifically created for the user to make them hyper-focused on what's happening when working on the lesson cards.”

The white noise creates a consistent audio background that helps learners focus intensely on the content by removing external distractions. It is mainly used for lessons requiring longer attention spans, such as grammar quizzes or reading exercises. However, the feature is not intended for speaking or pronunciation exercises, where clear audio input is crucial.

Addressing Attention Deficits 

In today’s fast-paced digital world, attention span becomes the key determinant in the way we learn. As Daryna Mednikova highlights, “We’re exposed to an overwhelming amount of information daily, both visually and through reading, and it keeps increasing. Our interaction with content on social media has changed the way our brains respond to and process information.”

This change has led to what the CPO refers to as the “music video attention type”: “Users quickly grasp small chunks of information and get a quicker emotional reaction to them. But then the problem comes with how to create a lasting memory from that, so that the right information is used when they are faced with speaking practice or relevant real-life situations.”

Keeping that in mind, Promova has developed a methodology for users with shorter attention spans. It relies on consistency and bite-sized sessions: “It’s far more beneficial to study for 10 minutes a day or have two 10-minute sessions than to cram for 40 minutes just once a week”.

Navigating Challenges 

By pushing the boundaries of accessible language learning, the team faces complex decisions and technical hurdles. Daryna Mednikova cites prioritization as the biggest challenge: "We have a lot on our plate, and it's really important for us to pick what’s important for the users that can also really improve their learning experience." This careful balancing act requires the team to constantly evaluate which features will have the most significant impact on learners, especially those with diverse needs.

The global nature of language learning adds another layer of complexity. "It's important for us to make sure that the product has outstanding performance, and that users with different devices in different geographies can have a positive interaction with it." This global reach means considering a wide array of gadgets, internet speeds, and cultural contexts.

Shaping the Future

Looking out at the bigger landscape of educational apps, "a lot of products on the market are doing a really good job at working on product accessibility." Daryna points to advances in development frameworks that have made it easier to implement those features, nudging the industry forward.

Accessibility is just the tip of the iceberg. Promova is tackling what she calls "an issue wider and more complicated than just the process of language learning." That goal is to create an adaptive environment that meets each user where they are. "One of our main values is actually to add building blocks that make the world a better place." This is decidedly not at all just marketing speak. It's clear in every line of their product, from the thoughtfully laid-out visuals down to such innovative features as the dyslexia-friendly font and white noise integration.

Promova is also cultivating a global community founded on mutual respect and understanding. “We have the internal values in terms of which content and how to provide the content so that we can support tolerance, respect in different cultures, and just making this feeling of the world and community as a united place. This is one of our main competitive advantages. Users report that the product is joyful, easy to use, and respectful.”

With each of these steps, though, comes a realization that much more can be done to make language learning fully accessible. Technology moves fast, and with it, so does the understanding of the diversity of needs. And this is why Promova will continue setting trends for inclusive experiences. While the world seems to become more divided every day, we build bridges, one lesson at a time.