In this advanced product strategy project, I redesigned Duolingo’s approach to speaking practice to solve a key pain point: lack of real-world pronunciation and conversation readiness. Through user research and journey mapping, I identified that Duolingo learners often feel unprepared to speak in real life, despite progressing through gamified lessons.

I proposed and scoped three core features:

1. Pronunciation Coach – AI-powered feedback that identifies mispronounced words with tips and retry options.
2. Role-Play Conversations – Simulated dialogues for real-life situations like ordering food or booking travel.
3. Practical Phrase Mode – Content modules focused on high-utility phrases with contextual practice.

Using frameworks like RICE and Kano, I defined an MVP, built a phased roadmap, and outlined future AI opportunities for dynamic curriculum, accent training, and conversational realism. The strategy aligns with Duolingo’s mission to democratize effective language education and enhance speaking outcomes at scale.

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