LangLua

Inspiration

Being in the IB program has forced us to take new languages for the last years of high school. We thought, why not try our hardest and make the best of it? We kept hearing how hard it is to learn languages as we got older, so we were determined to fix the problem. This is why we made LangLua. It's accessible to all ages, no matter what you read, what level of proficiency you have, or how busy you may be.

What it does

LangLua can translate different amounts of webpages you access to any language you want, in order to better integrate new languages in your day-to-day lives and learn more words.

Currently in development, but features include a practice mode to try to recall newly learned words, an intensity slider to change how many words are chosen per webpage. Includes a toolkit to check word definitions by hovering over them and listening to pronunciations. Built around a game-ification theme, giving points for correct answers and daily streaks.

Currently 4 languages: French, Spanish, Japanese, and Hindi

How we built it

We built LangLua using React + TypeScript for the web app and a Chrome Extension (Manifest V3) for real-time word replacement across various webpages.

For AI translations and answer detection, we used Google Gemini and generated simple, context-aware definitions, and ElevenLabs for multilingual pronunciation.

We also integrated lightweight translation support with MyMemory Translation API, and kept everything fast and private by storing user data locally using Chrome storage.

Challenges we ran into

Coming up with this idea was the hardest part. We restarted our project 4 times, and in the end, we landed on this idea, and we are so happy with how it turned out. Brainstorming is a pain, and can be a stressful process, and for us, it was the worst part. But we got through it anyway, and even though we restarted many times due to various complications and difficulties, we finished and made something we were happy with.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We're proud of how easily we were able to turn passive browsing into real learning. People around the world can now learn different languages without having the stress of making time just for education. Now, even while doing other things, LangLua can be a passive extension that runs and educates you consistently. We also managed to make it addictive by gamifying the application, and hopefully using it to garner more users.

What we learned

The process of planning, brainstorming, and coming up with ideas is just as important as executing different plans. We learned how valuable a good idea can be, and how important it is to also be realistic. Due to the time constraints of the Hackathon, we had to make something that was possible while still having a strong impact. Furthermore, we learned the misery of making Chrome extensions. The problem-solving, errors, and configuration were extremely grueling, and using new platforms to make new types of applications is an uncomfortable and often stressful experience. But, I wouldn't say it wasn't worth it. LangLua came out as we envisioned it to be, and we don't regret a part of the experience!

What's next for LangLua

LangLua is going to:

• Add new languages to encompass a larger client base
• Add more game-ified features to turn the platform into something more interactive and engaging
• Add a dedicated language learning platform with courses and activities for users to practice their skills.

Built With

• antigravity
• claude
• elevenlabs
• gemini
• github
• node.js
• react
• typescript