The story begins with my long-awaited relocation to Italy. I was excited, confident, and ready for this new chapter. I had been learning Italian on my own for months through various apps, and I thought I was prepared. But reality was much different.
Within the first couple of days, I realised my progress wasn't where I thought it was. I could recognise grammatical patterns and simple vocabulary, but when it came to holding a conversation, no amount of hand movements could help me express myself.
Like many learners, I was struggling with vocabulary retention. I went online searching for tools specifically targeting my weak area. I was unpleasantly surprised to find that the most the market could offer was flashcards. While helpful, they felt too passive for my learning style.
Discouraged, I went back to the basics. I bought a pen and paper and started writing words - the way we were taught in school. I began with a list of the 150 most common words in Italian and drilled them relentlessly. The effect was immediate: words became easier to recognise, and I could recall them when I was speaking.
My focus shifted entirely to vocabulary - no grammar, just writing words. I was far from speaking perfect Italian, but people could understand me far better. I even added 100 more words to my vocabulary. With every word, I built more confidence. Seeing people appreciate my effort to learn their language motivated me to continue.
I set a more ambitious goal: mastering the 1,000 most common Italian words. Soon, I realised that writing each word even once was not an easy task.
That's when I created the first prototype of LexiBuilder - a simple Python script that gave me random words from my list. Typing on a keyboard was easier than writing by hand, but I quickly needed more control. I added manual selection to focus on specific words.
I was studying on my PC while I was at home, and on the train I was using a pen and paper. Then, I created a simple website I could access on my phone. Now, I didn't have to worry about carrying my textbook everywhere.
I kept adding new features because I was constantly looking for ways to improve LexiBuilder. I often overlooked the basics.
After researching language learning science, I "discovered" dictation - a tool with real cognitive benefits backed by research. This changed everything. I stripped away the additions and returned to the fundamentals. Now, every feature felt useful and in place.
LexiBuilder started as a personal solution to a personal problem, and seeing the real-world value, I decided to share it with other like-minded individuals who are frustrated with the gamification of language learning and the lack of available tools for vocabulary - the building block of any language.
Language learning is hard. That's why seeing real progress feels so rewarding. There are no quick hacks or cheat codes. No amount of gamification or engagement farming tactics will help you learn. LexiBuilder remains what it started as: a straightforward, unglamorous tool built on a learning-first philosophy. Every current and future feature adheres to this principle.
Thank you to everyone who stuck with my story until the end, and to all those who choose LexiBuilder as their partner in language learning. I hope you find it as useful as I have, and I can't wait to share more.