TalkFlow is an AI-powered language learning app designed for professionals. The idea grew naturally from the challenges, observations, and insights I experienced while learning English myself. Through many iterations, it gradually evolved into a real product.

My Role

Business Analysis
Market research
User Research
End-to-end product design

1.Opportunity Discovery

I've been a english learner for the past few years for get better career oppopportunities.

To start using English as quickly as possible, I printed the most frequently used words from the COCA corpus along with transcripts from podcasts that interested me.

Printed high-frequency word lists and a podcast transcript with handwritten vocabulary annotations

I've been an English learner for the past few years to improve my career opportunities.

2.Opportunity Validation

The market research and netnography identified a common vicious cycle of English learning among working professionals in China. Users had a strong motivation to improve their English for better career opportunities, foreign trade, and personal growth. However, they had limited time and frequent overtime, while existing learning tools were fragmented, lacked practical workplace content, and offline courses were expensive and inflexible. As a result, many users found it difficult to use English at work and in daily life. They started learning repeatedly, but often gave up because they lacked a real language environment and confidence to speak. This failure further reduced motivation, creating a cycle that was difficult to break.

The Vicious Cycle of English Learning diagram

Also, I conducted in-depth user interviews and identified three user segments: Career-focused, Practical Use, and Self-growth. The Career-focused segment had the clearest learning goals, the strongest willingness to pay, and preferred structured, result-oriented learning products. The Practical Use segment focused on speaking and real-life communication, and valued flexible and efficient learning content. The Self-growth segment was driven more by personal interest, had less defined goals, and was more price-sensitive. The Career-focused segment was selected as the primary target user because it showed the strongest product-market fit and the highest willingness to pay.

We shared the same frustration, but how big was the market behind it? To answer this question, I combined market research and industry data with my user research. China has around 400 million English learners, and the adult English learning market is worth more than 120 billion RMB (about £12.77 billion). However, the large market has not led to strong English communication skills. Only about 3.5% of the population can use English fluently. The research showed three main reasons: exam-focused education, a lack of practical workplace learning, and limited time for working professionals. This confirmed that the real opportunity was not creating more English content, but helping working professionals use English confidently in real work and life situations.

Market size research: 400 million learners, market composition, and reasons learners struggle to speak English

Can my approach really help these users? What is the core of English learning? To answer this question, I reviewed research on English learning and second language acquisition. The research showed that for A1–B1 working professionals in China, the biggest challenge is not complex grammar, but vocabulary, pronunciation, and the ability to use English in real situations.

Oxford University phonics research and Paul Nation's high-frequency vocabulary research

Key Insights

Observations

Research on language acquisition consistently shows that effective learning methods are similar, but learners differ in their interests, English proficiency, and learning goals.
User interviews revealed that standardized learning content (e.g. textbooks and generic courses) rarely helps learners apply English confidently in real-life situations.

Insights

Language is a skill, not just knowledge. It can only be developed through real-world use and continuous practice.
As learners become more proficient, the value of standardized courses decreases, while the demand for personalized content increases.
After building a solid foundation, learners naturally shift toward authentic content such as conversations with native speakers, ChatGPT, YouTube, podcasts, books, and online communities. These become the real competitors, rather than standardized learning apps like Duolingo.
Language learning begins with imitation and ends with real-life communication.

Value of Personalization chart, from A1 to C2, showing which resources match each stage

4.product Design

As the Insights showed, users have different learning motivations, English levels, and learning goals. Beginners (A1–B1) need to quickly learn high-frequency vocabulary and daily conversations, while advanced learners (B1–C2) need practice for specific situations such as work, interviews, or business communication. Therefore, the platform was designed to support both standardized content and personalized content. The learning system is built around 3,000 high-frequency words and follows a path from short-term memory to long-term memory. For A1–B1 learners, the platform provides standardized vocabulary and real-life content. For B1–C2 learners, it provides personalized content based on their goals and learning needs. The learning process has three steps. First, users build vocabulary through vocabulary practice. Second, they use the words in AI conversations with pronunciation support. Finally, they join speaking groups to practice real communication. Previously learned words are reused throughout the process, creating continuous reinforcement and a positive learning feedback loop that helps learners build long-term memory and real communication skills.