A Literacy App for Adults: Inspired by Real-Life Needs

The concept for our adult literacy app emerged from firsthand experiences with Ukrainian Roma families who found refuge in Hungary after the Ukraine war. Many children from these families struggled academically, often unable to read or write at a basic level, creating challenges as they joined local schools. Our team provided tutoring to help these children catch up, working on homework support and developmental exercises tailored to their needs. With time, the children showed tremendous progress, becoming more confident and engaged in their learning.

However, as the children advanced in their literacy skills, a new issue surfaced: the knowledge gap between the children and their parents began to widen. For the parents, who also often struggled with reading and writing, this gap became increasingly uncomfortable. They observed their children acquiring new skills that they, too, needed in order to manage day-to-day life in a new country and support their children’s educational journeys. Realizing this, many parents expressed a genuine interest in learning as well, motivated by a desire to bridge the gap and share in their children’s achievements.

This need inspired us to create an app tailored to adults, with a focus on practical language and literacy skills. Unlike traditional literacy apps, ours teaches vocabulary and phrases that people encounter in everyday life—words that are essential for daily interactions, job applications, and personal growth. The app is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible to adult learners who may feel intimidated by conventional methods.

Our goal with this app is to empower adults in marginalized communities to learn at their own pace, boosting both their literacy skills and their confidence. By providing accessible tools for learning, we hope to foster greater inclusivity and help families build stronger foundations for the future.