Brief description of the organisation/initiative
The Worddio app is designed specifically for people learning a foreign language and who do not have time to memorise new words. Worddio is the first completely passive vocabulary builder.
Challenge overview
The main problem faced today is the language barrier between people. This specifically applies to the EU as a multilingual community. Therefore, a well-balanced mix of active and passive learning is needed to help people learn while doing something else. In a study published on Oct 19, 2018, Aura Interactiva company identified 10 necessary shifts of learning which must characterise modern education.
Worddio is designed to answer to (almost) all of these addressing the following three, the main challenges to e-learning tools:
- Personalised learning – Necessity to shift from a fixed learning system to an adaptive learning path.
- Collaborative knowledge – opportunity for learning communities for teachers and learners.
- Invisible learning – adopting a new learning mindset and creating a continuous learning environment.
The biggest challenge for learning a foreign language is time. Advanced online technologies provide many learning opportunities but all of them require 100% focus for a long period of time which many people do not have. Most apps and platforms compete in interactivity, however the more interactive a foreign language learning method is, the more attention is required for good results.
To solve this problem, Worddio turned the flashcards that students often use to memorise words and phrases into audio flashcards and Worddio has become a great tool for learning new words passively and saving students time.
The uniqueness of Worddio is the pseudo-passive method of memorising the auditory perception of words you want to learn. You can learn new words while doing something else, without touching your phone.
Through this method, the learner will also memorise the pronunciation in the correct way, spoken by a native language speaker.
Establishment of the organisation/initiative/enterprise
After interviewing expert linguists, foreign language teachers and students, the co-founders decided that there was a space for a new and unique path towards learning faster and better. They built a symbiosis between the two most popular methods of learning new words. Worddio combines listening to word pronunciation and flash cards. The team also added a challenge for learners to test whether they successfully memorised the words. Through the combination of these three methods, Worddio has become one of the most incredible tools for learning new words. It is suitable for people of any age, at any time and place. Worddio offers more than 270 000 words recorded by native speakers in 34 languages. Worddio aims to change the way foreign words are learned all over the world. Worddio is a unique and indispensable tool to help students and language teachers alike.
The co-founders of Worddio believe that the way to go in today’s world of innovation is Artificial Intelligence. In Worddio’s roadmap a plan for the development of multiple features to reach a final goal: the ultimate hands free experience. The company was started with its own funds, savings and loan.
Management structure and governance
The Worddio app was created by Kiril Genov, Jordan Jordanov and Ivan Manev. Besides the co-founders who also execute management roles in the organisation, a team of 8 professionals runs main operations of the company – development, content management, design and programming, automatisation, digital marketing and customer rations. An interesting fact about Worddio is that the company has abolished the employer-employee relationship. Each member of the team will have a share in the company, ie. will work to grow his own business. There are no fixed working hours and places.
Principles of work, objectives and activities
The mission of the team is to help learners of foreign languages across the world to learn words in the right way. The long-term goal of the company is to become a global leader in passive learning and the first Bulgarian startup to enter the global market with a B2C product.
Worddio is a learning platform that incorporates a vast learning experience from passive learning method, to flipcharts, pronunciation testing, and assisted learning sessions, as well as, gamification.
Worddio also offers tailor-made services for business. The team prepares case-specific content materials, customises learning paths for each employee group and gets performance insights to track progress. The platform is suitable for many business sectors – international companies, outsourcing, support centres, recruiters, tourism and schools. Worddio answers some of the biggest challenges before business – remote work and long-distance calls, which require upskilling of employees in language and communications skills, and the long onboarding process for the newly hired employees, which need additional language training.
Target groups
Worddio is designed for every person who wants to enrich his/her vocabulary. The team focuses particularly on:
- Professionals: Adults looking to improve their foreign language skills for business or career reasons.
- Casual learners: Travellers, expats or ever learning individuals wishing to learn a new language or enhance their current knowledge.
- Sector-specific: Service workers, such as call-centre operators or healthcare workers, who will perform better with a larger vocabulary and accurate pronunciation.
- Youth: Kids and adolescents studying a secondary language at schools and universities.
Innovation
Worddio is the first mobile application that allows you to learn a language on the go without touching the phone, thus saving the most valuable user – his time. The app is powered by a set of In-House AI Algorithms. Each student gets a tailor made experience, completely hands free, including 34 most popular languages across the globe.
Key partners
Worddio is partnering with national and world-leading companies such as Google Partner, Telenor Bulgaria, Anthology Ventures, Innovation Capital, Loyal Venture Advisors Inc., Viber, Monetryx, Skyeystudio, etc.
Impact and Evaluation
Worrdio has been chosen as a best practice because of its innovative character in terms of used technology. However, the company is growing fast offering tailor-made services for various business sectors, which attests for their positive influence on people benefiting from the app.
Recommendations
Worddio is made for the international market as it can be used from any country. However, the methods and the business model can be transferred to different regions and countries and inspire other young entrepreneurs to start a digital based initiative with an international application.
Lessons Learned
The main lesson learned from this best practice is the importance of “spotting opportunities” when people and communities are facing struggles in their work or communicating with others. Worddio app is ideal option for people who want to improve their language skills but do not have the time to dedicate to learning.
References
The Worddio website.
Ivanova, Magdalena (2020). Мобилното приложение Worddio за учене на чужд език е сред участниците във „Вдъхновяващите 5“ [Mobile App Worddio for learning of foreign language is among the participants in “Inspiring 5”], Bloomberg TV, 29 October, Bloomberg.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.