01
PLANNING
Before this week started, I started mapping out the theme more clearly. I also looked more closely at chi Ngoc's feedback on what motivates students and other people to study international languages to help the direction of the project stronger in message.
02
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Several key questions about the direction of the project have been raised since last week:
If there are already other websites doing similar things, why would people choose this one, especially when it is new and does not offer advanced features?
What do I want to focus on as a designer?
Which language skill should the project focus on: listening, reading, writing, or speaking?
At this stage, the idea risks becoming another FET-style project, and the overall approach needs to be reconsidered.
I collected and reviewed a set of academic articles and research papers focusing on how people learn languages.
READING MATERIALS #1
(NANNAPARAJU, 2025)
Author
/Prashant Nannaparaju
Publication
/International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review
Volume 08, Issue 02 (March–April 2025)
Title
/The Role of Motivation in Adult Language Learning: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Type of material
/Academic journal article
*KEY INSIGHTS
Motivation is the strongest predictor of long-term engagement in adult language learning, more influential than content difficulty or instructional methods.
Extrinsic motivation (certificates, exams, job requirements) often initiates learning, but intrinsic motivation sustains persistence over time.
Adult learners disengage when learning systems fail to address emotional, social, and personal meaning.
Supportive environments and social interaction play a critical role in maintaining motivation.
✍️ Intrinsic motivation sustains learning.
(MOHARAMI ET AL., 2025)
Author
/Mehdi Moharami, Anne Keary & Alex Kostogriz
Publication
/TESOL in Context (peer-reviewed academic journal)
Volume 34, Issue 01 (2025)
Title
/Investment in English Language Learning by Adult Iranians
Type of material
/Academic journal article
*KEY INSIGHTS
Adult learners do not simply rely on “motivation” to persist in language learning. Instead, they invest in English when it is connected to their identity, future opportunities, and social positioning.
Learning engagement is shaped by access to resources, communities, and meaningful contexts.
Learners maintain persistence when English allows them to participate in imagined communities where the language has real social and symbolic value.
Disengagement often occurs when learning environments fail to support learners’ sense of belonging, agency, and long-term purpose.
✍️ Motivation alone is not enough; sustained learning depends on perceived value, access, and social meaning.
(Anderson et al., 2022)
Author
/Anderson, C., Bjorkman, B., Denis, D., Doner, J., Grant, M., Sanders, N. and Taniguchi, A.
Publication
/Motivations for Adult Language Learners – Chapter 12.2
/In Adult Language Learning (open educational resource)
/Pressbooks (NVCC) – accessible online
Title
/Motivations for Adult Language Learners
Type of material
/Open educational textbook chapter
*KEY INSIGHTS
Adult language learning is voluntary, so motivation does not just support learning. It directly shapes how adults engage and whether they persist.
Many adult language courses are still built around standardised and prescriptive ideas of correctness, which can make learning feel rigid and obligation driven.
Cultural content often assumes a narrow or default learner identity, which makes learning feel less relevant for many adults and weakens long term motivation.
✍️ Motivation is shaped by how relevant, inclusive, and human the learning system feels.
READING MATERIALS #2
Title
/The Influence of Duolingo's Gamified Design Elements: A study on Maintaining User Engagement
Type of material
/Academic bachelor thesis
*KEY INSIGHTS
Gamification does not motivate all learners in the same way. While streaks, XP, and rewards encourage consistency for some learners, others feel distracted or pressured, which reduces focus and deep learning.
Non-gamified learning environments can increase focus and intrinsic motivation. Learners who are driven by personal goals prefer simpler interfaces that remove competition, notifications, and external pressure.
A hybrid approach may be more effective than a single fixed system. Some learners suggested combining collaborative or social elements with optional gamified features, allowing them to choose how they engage.
✍️ Motivation is not universal, and flexibility supports different learning behaviours.
(TAMIMI SA’D, 2017)
Author
/Tamimi Sa’d, Seyyed Hatam
Publication
/CEPS Journal
/Volume 7, Issue 4 (2017), pp. 13–36
Title
/Foreign Language Learning and Identity Reconstruction: Learners’ Understanding of the Intersections of the Self, the Other and Power
Type of material
/Academic journal article
*KEY INSIGHTS
Adult language learning is deeply tied to identity reconstruction. Learners do not just acquire skills, they negotiate who they are in relation to the language, culture, and communities they engage with.
Language learning reflects power relations and social positioning, meaning learners are influenced by how they see themselves in relation to others, which affects motivation and engagement.
Learners use language not only instrumentally (jobs, exams), but also to redefine their self-concept, connect with new communities, and navigate cultural differences.
✍️ Motivation is shaped by social identity and belonging.
READING MATERIALS #3
(Kittredge et al., 2025)
Author
/Kittredge, A.K., Elise, Reuveni, B., Dionne, D., Freeman, C. and Jiang, X.
Publication
/Frontiers in Education
Title
/Mobile language app learners’ self-efficacy increases after using generative AI
Type of material
/Academic journal article
*KEY INSIGHTS
Generative AI features significantly increase learners’ self efficacy, especially their confidence in using language in real world situations.
Learners feel more prepared for real life communication after using AI supported conversation and explanation tools for a short period of time.
Roleplay features support situational preparation, while instant explanation helps learners understand grammar and learn from mistakes.
Effective AI features mirror core pedagogical principles, including communicative practice, immediate feedback, and clear learning strategies.
✍️ Confidence matters more than content delivery.
RESULT & REFLECTION
During this stage of research, I identified two keywords that became especially influential in shaping my thinking moving forward.
👩💻 The two key terms are social identity and cultural identity. Across multiple readings, these factors repeatedly appeared as having a strong impact on how people experience and stay engaged in language learning.
From this, I realised that collaborative learning plays a central role in building intrinsic motivation without having to mention about pressure or obligation. Language learning does not have to be limited to English; it can apply to any language, which allows the project to shift towards a broader and more inclusive perspective.
03
PRACTICES & DEVELOPMENT
The student code has finally arrived, so I started to build the final layout for the Process Journal.
👩💻 To begin, I gathered visual references for my website to identify a visual direction that felt natural to me.
The focus was on testing layout, grid systems, and text hierarchy to ensure the navigation remains clear and easy to follow.
VISUAL REFERENCE
(Polyu Design Annual Show)
✍️ Motivation is shaped by how relevant, inclusive, and human the learning system feels.
(Alejandromejias.com.au, 2025)
✍️ Alejandro's website has been one of the huge inspiration in terms of using hierarchy with interactive elements.
(Claymates Ceramics Studio, 2024)
✍️ I personally like how they incorporate their 3/4 grid system in their design throughout their website, which makes it really easy to navigate information.
(Shibuya-qws.com, 2023)
✍️ The contrasting color palette and block-based sections showed the 'highlights visual', which is nice and can be created without overcrowding the layout.
(Together.com, 2025)
✍️ This website has a journal section with a messy, notebook-like layout along with tone and voice feels natural to me.
👩💻 As I have worked with WordPress before, and doing a little of coding. Framer felt like the most suitable option for developing the site while continuing to adjust and refine it.
Before starting the design, I made a set of tutorial videos for each components on the website so I could reused them later as a working template.
TUTORIAL LIST
(Dani's Tutorials, How To Connect Hostinger Domain To Framer - Step by Step)
✍️ How to properly connect a custom domain to Framer and make sure the site works correctly once published.
(Framer University, Framer Masterclass: Learn Components in 30 Minutes)
✍️ How components work in Framer and how to reuse them efficiently to avoid rebuilding layouts.
(Framer, Stacks vs Grids in Framer - Fundamentals Lesson 8)
✍️ How to set up grids and structure layouts to keep the website consitent and easier to manage.
(Guide Hub, Framer Click To Scroll (EASY FULL GUIDE) | Click To Scroll Framer)
✍️ How to link buttons to specific sections instead of just scrolling manually.
(Scripting Pixels, How to Build a Counter in Framer with Code Overrides)
✍️ How code overrides work to create interactive elements.
RESULT & REFLECTION
By the end of the week, I had created all the components I needed. My next step is to start placing the notes and documentation from the previous weeks into the website.
