From Silence to Speaking: One Learner's Journey with an Unusual English App

Three weeks ago, a Brazilian user discovered an app that would change the way he thought about language learning. Despite years of listening to English podcasts and taking grammar classes, speaking still felt impossible. "I knew so many words," he says, "but when I needed to speak, I couldn’t remember them."

Frustrated by traditional methods that emphasized grammar over real interaction, he bounced between tutors and well-known language apps like Duolingo and Memrise. None of them worked. "Nobody told me I needed to understand how to speak—not just grammar," he says. "I spent too much time thinking instead of speaking."

Then, through an Instagram video, he found something different. A creator recommended an immersive language app that prioritized conversation over drills: LingoLooper.

What caught his attention wasn’t flashy design or gamified leaderboards. It was something more human. "I began to try to remember the words when I talked to the avatars. That was such a pleasure. Now, I can speak to you. If we had this conversation three weeks ago, I couldn’t say any words."

The avatars didn’t just listen—they responded like people. "If I can’t make a sentence right and the AI doesn’t understand me, we can’t have a conversation. But your avatars understand me. They complete the phrase. I can have a fluent conversation."

In one instance, he spoke with an avatar about dating. The response? Kind and gently assertive: “You are a good guy, and I like you, but let’s keep our conversation on learning.” For him, it was a sign the technology could understand more than language—it could navigate nuance.

Since then, he’s saved every conversation, reviewed the transcripts, and used them to build custom flashcards. He's learned 130 new words in less than a month. Unlike Anki, which he found too rigid, his flashcard app lets him add richer context—definitions, examples, and synonyms he gathers using ChatGPT.

His dream is to move to Europe and work alongside his son. He’s already lost job opportunities because his spoken English wasn’t strong enough. But now, for the first time, he feels like he’s on the right path. "This is my goal. And now, I believe I can get there."

He’s not just using the app. He’s part of its evolution, giving feedback, suggesting new features, and even engaging with other learners in the app community.

"I’m happy," he says, "because you understood my English."