What if we learned languages like we acquired our first?

When we learn our mother tongue-language, we don't use dictionaries. We learn words in context, tied to an object, a situation, or a feeling. Memory relies heavily on these rich associations, but most language tools strip all of that away. This is something that frustrated me personally when i wanted to learn english and get better at it, so I built "Nattly" to help me learn English the same way native english speakers acquire it.

Instead of isolated lists, Nattly ties vocabulary to specific scenarios and images, backed by spaced repetition. The goal is to practice recall based on context rather than just recognizing direct translations.

Direct retrieval vs Recognition:

The exposure gap is staggering. Children of native spaeker parents get thousands of hours of language exposure before they can speak, while adult learners may get just 15–30 hours a year.

So I built a *Radio* feature in Nattly that generates everyday scenarios: The narrator plays the role of an image depiction of the scene taking place and occasionally explains difficult words directly in L2, helping learners build direct L2 associations rather than constantly translating through their native language L1. Over time, this exposure will strengthen pathways for direct retrieval in L2.

I'd love to hear your feedback on "Nattly". Do you find words easier to remember when attached to a story or situation?