Promova helps people with dyslexia learn languages

Promova, a language learning app with more than 11 million users, today launched Dyslexia mode, which uses a specialized Dysfont font to help people with dyslexia learn a new language more easily. The new mode also features reduced color brightness and multi-touch learning methods.

The Dysfont font was developed by designer Martin Pysny, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven. The font addresses basic reading problems such as letter switching, letter rearrangement and text instability (words appear to jitter, move or change shape). For example, Dysfont makes it easy to distinguish between the most common letter switches: p, q, b, and d. It also changes uppercase and lowercase letters, making them look as similar as possible.

“Unfortunately, people with dyslexia have always lagged behind in language learning because the process is very tedious for us,” Pysny said in a statement. “And unfortunately, despite their popularity, language learning platforms are not designed for dyslexics… I am grateful to Promova for being the first company in the world to introduce this font. Together we can help dyslexics learn foreign languages successfully.”

“Ten to twenty percent of people worldwide are dyslexic,” adds Dr. Rebecca Mannis, learning specialist and founder of Ivy Prep Learning Center. “Sixty to eighty percent of them have language learning problems, which means that processing or learning words – written or spoken – is laborious or that retrieval or expression – again, in speaking or writing – is difficult. They need specialized systems for processing information, practicing vocabulary, and applying grammatical rules.”

There are many apps available to address other learning challenges faced by people with dyslexia, such as spelling, pronunciation and sentence structure. However, Promova is the first language learning app to have a special mode for people with dyslexia. Last year, Google launched an app called Reading Mode, which helps people with visual impairment and dyslexia to read content on Android devices. The company also recently launched Reading Mode in Google Chrome and Classroom for students with dyslexia and ADHD.

The new Promova feature comes just in time for National Dyslexia Awareness Month and is available on the platform for free. Users can enable Dyslexia Mode by going to their profile and selecting Settings.

The Promova app was launched in 2019 to provide students with customized lesson plans and other tools such as vocabulary and grammar courses, tutoring sessions, a community page to connect with other users and track progress. The app offers nine languages – English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Spanish and Ukrainian.