Learning a new language is hard — and starting is often the hardest part.
Over the past year, we’ve listened closely to learner feedback, studied how people actually move through the app, and worked more deeply with linguists and educators across our 74 languages. What we learned was clear: small points of friction early on can make the difference between giving up and making real progress.
That’s why today we’re launching one of the biggest updates in Ling’s history.
This update introduces two major changes:
- a redesigned learning journey that clearly guides you forward
- a reworked curriculum, starting from the very first lessons
Together, they lay the foundation for a much more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Why We’re Changing How Ling Works
Again and again, learners told us:
- “I’m not sure what I should do next.”
- “I forget where I left off.”
- “I feel like I might be missing lessons or activities.”
At the same time, our data showed something encouraging: language learners who got started smoothly, understood why they were learning something, and began using the language early were far more likely to stick with it.
So we asked ourselves a simple question:
How can we remove confusion and friction and help learners focus on learning itself?
Everything in this update is built around that goal.
A New Journey View: One Clear Path Forward
Until now, Ling was organised as a list of units, each containing multiple lessons. While this offered flexibility, it also required learners to make a lot of decisions: Where am I? What should I do next? Did I miss something important?
We’re changing this to a Journey View.
Instead of navigating lists and menus, you’ll now follow a clear learning path — similar to a progression you might see in a game. You simply continue with the next step in your journey.
What this means for you:
- You always know where you are and what comes next
- You can easily pick up where you left off
- You won’t miss lessons or activities designed to support your progress
- Learning feels more focused, motivating, and less overwhelming
Behind the scenes, this design reduces decision fatigue and keeps learners moving forward, but for you, it simply feels clearer and more intuitive.
A Rebuilt Curriculum — Starting Where It Matters Most
The second major change goes even deeper: we are reworking our curriculum from the ground up.
We’re starting with the first two units across all 74 languages, because the beginning is where confidence is built — or lost.
In the updated language learning curriculum, learners:
- learn high-frequency, practical words and phrases first
- focus on language they can actually use in real life
- start understanding and speaking earlier
- always know what they’re working towards
Each unit is built around clear, practical outcomes, for example, being able to introduce yourself, order food, or manage a simple conversation. This helps learners feel progress early, which is critical for motivation.
We also intentionally revisit key words and structures over time, in new contexts, so learning sticks without feeling repetitive.
Designed Differently For Different Languages
As Ling has grown, one thing has become increasingly clear and increasingly necessary: different languages need different learning approaches, especially at the beginning.
Rather than treating all languages the same, we’re now creating bespoke courses that reflect how each language actually works.
- For Asian languages, we’re working closely with linguists to design courses that take tone systems, writing systems, and real usage into account.
Our Thai course, for example, is being carefully crafted around the specific challenges learners face when starting Thai. - For European languages, we’re doing the same.
Our Serbian course focuses on what learners genuinely want and need when getting started: not abstract theory, but usable language that builds confidence quickly.
Language and culture are inseparable, so cultural context is woven into lessons to help learners communicate more naturally and appropriately.
Rolling Out Throughout 2026
This new curriculum will be released gradually over the course of 2026, unit by unit and language by language.
We’re taking this approach deliberately:
- to maintain quality across all languages
- to incorporate learner feedback as we go
- to ensure each update truly improves the learning experience
What This Unlocks Next
The new Journey View and the new curriculum form the foundation for what’s coming next at Ling.
They allow us to:
- guide learners more clearly
- help you make meaningful progress earlier
- make hard-to-learn languages feel achievable
- build more powerful learning features on top of a solid core
And this is just the beginning.
Our goal is simple but ambitious: to help learners make real progress in languages that are often considered “difficult” and enjoy the process along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Changing In The Ling App?
Ling is introducing two major changes: a redesigned learning journey that clearly guides you forward, and a reworked curriculum that starts from the very first lessons. Together they lay the foundation for a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
What Is The New Journey View?
Instead of navigating lists of units and menus, you now follow one clear learning path, similar to a progression you might see in a game. You always know where you are and what comes next, you can easily pick up where you left off, and you will not miss lessons or activities designed to support your progress.
Which Languages Get The Rebuilt Curriculum First?
The rebuilt curriculum starts with the first two units across all 74 Ling languages, because the beginning is where confidence is built or lost. Learners meet high-frequency, practical words and phrases first, so they start understanding and speaking earlier.
When Is The New Curriculum Rolling Out?
The new curriculum is being released gradually over the course of 2026, unit by unit and language by language. Ling is taking this approach deliberately to maintain quality across all languages and to incorporate learner feedback as it goes.
Thank you for learning with Ling, and for helping shape what we build next.
Lisa Ockinga
Chief Product and Learning Officer
