App Showcase: ABA English

What it does

ABA English is a comprehensive platform for learning English. It moves beyond simple flashcards by building its core curriculum around short, narrative films. Each lesson unit involves watching a film and then completing a series of related listening, speaking, writing, and grammar exercises. The app supplements this structured course with live group classes, an extensive library of grammar videos, and daily microlessons on various topics.

Where it shines

The app's primary strength is its cohesive, multi-modal learning loop. At 01:27, the user begins a lesson that starts with an engaging short film. This isn't just a video clip; it's a narrative that provides context for everything that follows. The speaking practice at 02:06 directly uses sentences from the film, and the writing exercise at 03:15 continues this thematic consistency. This film-centric approach makes learning feel less like a chore and more like an interactive story.

UX highlights

• Structured Learning Path: The main dashboard at 01:16 presents a clear, linear path of units, giving users a sense of progression and direction.
• Multi-Skill Units: Each lesson unit is broken down into distinct skills (Listening, Speaking, Writing, Grammar), allowing users to understand the structure of their learning (01:29).
• Contextual Feedback: After completing exercises, the app uses simple, positive feedback screens with satisfying animations (01:49, 03:07) to reinforce progress.
• Multiple Content Formats: The app caters to different learning styles and time commitments by offering structured courses, live classes (05:28), and quick microlessons (05:57).
• Integrated Live Classes: The ability to book live review classes (04:31) or topic-based conversation classes directly within the app provides a crucial social and interactive component.
• Offline Access: The app prompts users to download units for offline study (03:32), a key feature for learners on the go.

Monetization & growth

The monetization strategy is introduced early in the onboarding. After a short personalization quiz, the app presents a study plan and then immediately a soft paywall at 00:51. This paywall offers a single plan: a 12-month subscription with a 7-day free trial. The value is communicated through a list of premium features, such as the complete course, live classes, and an assigned teacher. The purchase is handled smoothly through the native App Store interface (01:00).

Who it’s for

ABA English seems best suited for beginner to intermediate learners who want a structured yet engaging way to improve their English. The film-based approach is ideal for those who find traditional methods boring and prefer learning through context and storytelling. The inclusion of live classes also makes it a good fit for users who need conversational practice and teacher feedback to build confidence.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding flow could be improved by demonstrating value before requiring account creation and showing the paywall. Currently, the user commits to a free trial before seeing any of the actual learning content. While the quiz and personalized plan are effective, a short interactive demo of the film-based method could make the conversion even stronger. Additionally, the quiz section in the microlessons (06:15) provides immediate feedback on wrong answers but could benefit from explaining why an answer is correct to enhance the learning moment.