Lingvano - Learn Sign Language

What it does

Lingvano is a language learning app designed specifically for teaching sign languages like American Sign Language (ASL). It provides a structured curriculum through a series of interactive video lessons. The app focuses on building vocabulary and conversational skills with bite-sized exercises, quizzes, and a searchable sign dictionary.

Where it shines

Lingvano excels in making the learning process feel incredibly approachable and human. The onboarding, guided by a charming mascot named "Mano" (00:02), immediately sets a friendly tone. The core learning loop is strong, seamlessly blending high-quality video instruction with varied, interactive quizzes. For example, a lesson might show the sign for "hello" (01:37) and then immediately test recognition with a multiple-choice question (01:40), followed by a fill-in-the-gap exercise to build a phrase (02:00).

UX highlights

Mascot-driven experience: The app uses its mascot effectively beyond just a logo. It appears in loading screens (00:11) and success animations (01:21), adding personality and turning mundane moments into delightful ones.
Varied quiz formats: Lessons avoid monotony by mixing different types of exercises, including multiple-choice video recognition (01:53), sentence building (02:00), and true/false questions (02:07). This keeps users engaged and tests knowledge from multiple angles.
Clear learning pathways: The main dashboard at 02:54 presents lessons as a clear, linear path broken into chapters. This structure makes it easy for users to see their progress and know what's coming next.
Helpful micro-interactions: The app includes thoughtful features like a slow-motion option for sign videos, accessible via a turtle icon (02:39), which aids in understanding complex hand movements.
Integrated dictionary: A searchable dictionary (04:42) allows users to look up specific signs on demand, making the app a useful reference tool outside of the structured lessons.
Post-lesson recap: After each lesson, a "Learning Recap" screen (02:35) provides a list of all signs learned, allowing for quick review and reinforcement.

Monetization & growth

Lingvano uses a free trial model, presenting a paywall after the initial onboarding and account creation. The paywall screen at 00:48 is well-designed, highlighting a clear visual timeline of the 7-day trial, which builds trust by explaining when the user will be reminded and when the subscription begins. It presents three plans (Annual, 3 Months, Monthly) at 01:02, a common and effective strategy. After a lesson is completed, the app prompts for an App Store rating (04:26), a standard tactic to boost visibility.

Who it’s for

This app is clearly for beginners who want to learn sign language in a structured yet engaging way. Its friendly interface and gamified lesson structure would appeal to users who find traditional language learning methods dry or intimidating. The focus on ASL, BSL, and ÖGS suggests it targets users in specific regions who want to communicate with the Deaf community around them, whether for personal, family, or professional reasons.

Notes & opportunities

While the learning experience is polished, there are small points of friction. The app asks for tracking permission with the native iOS prompt at 00:44 without a custom warm-up screen, which can be jarring. Additionally, the app sometimes shows two different people signing the same word (e.g., "WELCOME" at 01:49). While this shows diversity, clarifying why there are two versions (e.g., left vs. right hand) on the same screen could prevent confusion. Overall, the app provides a solid and encouraging entry point into learning sign language.