June-July 2024
Background
Many first-generation Tamil Canadian adults were raised in English-dominant environments where Tamil was not prioritized. As a result, they often experience limited Tamil literacy, making it difficult to read, write, or confidently communicate in their heritage language. Despite strong cultural ties and motivation to stay connected to their community, existing language-learning tools often fail to meet their unique needs or adapt to their preferred learning styles.
Problem
Young Tamil Canadian adults desire a deeper connection to their cultural identity through improved Tamil literacy. However, traditional methods and mainstream language apps lack relevance, engagement, and practicality-failing to provide the tools users need to build real-world confidence in speaking, reading, and writing Tamil.
Solution
Kaai offers gamified, culturally contextualized Tamil language-learning experiences designed specifically for first-generation Tamil Canadians. By providing flexible, practical modules tailored to different learning styles, Kaai empowers users to gradually build Tamil proficiency while fostering stronger ties to their community and cultural heritage.
TEAM
Solo
Tools
Figma,
FigJam
Overview
Process
Level 1
Empathize
An initial proto-persona - a young Tamil Canadian adult with limited Tamil fluency seeking to reconnect with their heritage - was developed through early research and guided the interview focus.
User interviews were conducted with five first-generation Tamil Canadian adults to explore their experiences with Tamil literacy, identity, and language-learning tools. These insights aimed to uncover key motivations, frustrations, and learning behaviors. The key insights were:
Cultural identity is a strong motivator; users want to feel more connected to their roots and community;
Confidence barriers exist, especially around speaking and writing, due to fear of judgment;
Traditional methods are seen as repetitive and uninspiring;
Listening and comprehension are typically stronger than reading and writing; and
Practical, everyday Tamil is preferred over formal or academic content.
An affinity diagram (shown below) was used to synthesize and group patterns across responses, revealing consistent needs and shaping the foundation for the design strategy.
Level 2
Define
The core problem identified through user interviews was that young first-generation Tamil Canadian adults struggle with Tamil literacy, particularly in reading and writing, despite understanding spoken Tamil fairly well. Most participants expressed a desire to improve their skills to better connect with family, community, and their cultural identity. Common frustrations included outdated teaching methods, fear of being judged for incorrect grammar, and the impracticality of existing language-learning tools.
A refined problem statement was established:
Young Tamil Canadian adults with low Tamil fluency need an engaging and accessible way to improve their literacy in order to strengthen their cultural identity and connection to their community.
This was supported by consistent findings across all five interviews, such as difficulty speaking fluently without fear of mistakes, dissatisfaction with traditional Tamil school experiences, and the desire for learning tools that feel applicable to daily life. These interviews helped solidify a user persona (shown above) as well as a user journey map (shown below) that illustrated the journey from the struggle till the reflection of the app experience.
Level 3
Ideate
With clearly defined user needs, the ideation process focused on designing a solution that was not only educational but also motivating, culturally relevant, and practical. Drawing from insights such as the preference for multimedia (e.g., Tamil TV shows, music, and YouTube) and gamified apps like Duolingo, brainstorming sessions emphasized features that combined engagement with function. The key ideas included:
Gamified modules that adapt to different literacy levels
Visual aids, such as Tamil script and vocabulary paired with images
Real-life conversational practice scenarios
Progress tracking to build motivation (e.g., streaks, scoring, levels)
Tailored content for speaking, listening, reading, and writing
These concepts were prioritized using tools such as the “I Like, I Wish, What If” and “How–Now–Wow” matrices to balance feasibility with user delight and impact. The value proposition diagram helped solidify these connections between the app and the user Meena.
Level 4
Prototype
User flows were designed to reflect natural, intuitive navigation through learning modules. Afterwards, based on prioritized features, a low-fidelity paper prototype and a high-fidelity prototype of the app Kaai were created to visualize the experience and prepare for user testing. The prototypes incorporated:
A clean and accessible onboarding experience;
Interactive modules for vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure;
Progress feedback through streaks and points; and
Cultural context embedded in scenarios (e.g., speaking to elders, reading signs).
View User Flow Diagrams
View Low-Fi Wireframes
View Low-Fi Prototype
View Hi-Fi Wireframes
View Hi-Fi Prototype
Level 5
Test
Usability testing sessions were conducted with participants who fit the target user profile. The tests focused on clarity, navigation, engagement, and cultural resonance. Key observations included:
Users appreciated the simplicity and structure of the app
The inclusion of real-life scenarios was seen as highly relatable and motivating
Some users wanted clearer instructions at certain points in the flow
Gamified elements like streaks and quizzes helped sustain engagement
Feedback was synthesized using an affinity diagram (shown above) and a priority matrix (shown below), whom highlighted the need for improved guidance and a stronger sense of learning progression within the app.
Reflection
Centre Cultural Identity
Users’ motivation to learn Tamil was deeply tied to identity and belonging. Designing with this emotional context in mind helped create a solution that felt personally meaningful - not just functional.
Modernize Tradition
Feedback highlighted a disconnect between users and traditional Tamil education methods. Reframing language learning through gamified, tech-forward approaches made it feel more accessible and engaging to younger audiences.
Balance Flexibility and Structure
Users needed learning experiences that adapted to their skill levels and schedules. Providing structure without rigidity proved essential to sustaining motivation.
Design for Confidence, Not Just Literacy
Fear of making mistakes was a recurring barrier. The app needed to create a judgment-free space that encouraged users to engage, even with imperfect language skills.
Iterate with Cultural Sensitivity
Throughout testing and iteration, it became clear that even small design decisions - like word choice, visual tone, and example scenarios - needed to reflect the lived experiences of Tamil-Canadian users to build trust and resonance.
