A Novel Vocabulary Builder: Introducing Yak Tack

Individuals fascinated by language and the intricacies of words will find Yak Tack particularly appealing. This innovative aide–mémoire, available as an application for both Android and iOS devices, is designed to facilitate vocabulary expansion for both native English speakers and those learning the language.

Leveraging Spaced Repetition for Enhanced Retention

Yak Tack employs a method of adaptive spaced repetition, a learning technique rooted in research conducted by German scientist Sebastian Leitner during the 1970s. This system is central to the app’s effectiveness.

The 'Tacking' Process: How it Works

The app’s primary function revolves around a process called ‘tacking’. When a user encounters an unfamiliar word, they can input it into Yak Tack to access its definition. Definitions are sourced from reputable sources like Oxford, Merriam-Webster, and Wikipedia through their respective APIs.

Users then have the option to ‘tack’ the word, initiating the spaced repetition system designed to counteract the natural tendency of the brain to forget new information.

Spaced Intervals and Gamification

Tacked words are presented to users via push notifications at strategically spaced intervals – following the Fibonacci sequence (1 day, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 13 days). Selecting a notification directs the user to their in-app Tack Board, where they can review the definition and track their learning progress.

After the second review, a gamified element is introduced. Users are required to select the correct definition or synonym from a multiple-choice list. Correct answers advance the learning schedule to the next Fibonacci interval, while incorrect answers necessitate a return to the previous interval, reinforcing the learning process.

A Simple Interface with a Unique History

The application boasts a clean and intuitive user interface. Developer Jeremy Thomas initially created Yak Tack as a personal email-based reminder system to broaden his own lexicon, remaining its sole user for the first six months after its 2019 launch.

From Passion Project to Potential Business

Currently, Yak Tack is a side project for Thomas, who also serves as the head of product engineering for Gusto’s HRIS product. However, he envisions potential for growth and has formally incorporated the tool as an LLC.

Current User Base and Growth Strategy

“We currently have over 500 users distributed globally across 17 different time zones,” Thomas shared with TechCrunch. “Our largest user bases are located in Japan, Germany, and the United States.”

He intends to self-fund the project and has no immediate plans to seek external investment, valuing the business fundamentals of a self-sustaining model.

Alternative Access: The Email Version

The original email-based version of Yak Tack remains functional; users can email word@yaktack.com with the desired word as the subject line to receive spaced repetitions via email. However, the mobile app is demonstrably more popular.

Social Discovery and Ideal User Profile

The mobile app incorporates a social aspect, displaying words tacked by other users who have chosen to learn the same terms, fostering a degree of serendipitous word discovery. The most effective user will be an avid reader who actively seeks out and ‘tacks’ unfamiliar words encountered during their reading.

The app also provides lists of recent tacks and monthly top-tacked words, as well as notifications of the most-tacked words from the previous week.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Language Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic, while disrupting traditional education, has simultaneously provided many adults with increased leisure time for self-improvement, contributing to a surge in online language learning platforms.

Favorable Market Conditions

Given the ongoing global situation, the market appears particularly receptive to a self-improvement tool like Yak Tack.

“We’ve experienced significant user growth during the pandemic, largely because I believe people are investing in themselves. This timing seems ideal for an application like ours,” Thomas stated.

Pricing Model

Yak Tack operates on a freemium model, allowing free usage for up to five active tacks, with a queue system for additional words. An annual subscription of $5 unlocks unlimited tacks and removes the queue.

“Considering the vast total addressable market of English learners, this low price point makes Yak Tack both accessible and presents a substantial business opportunity,” Thomas added.

This article has been updated to accurately reflect Jeremy Thomas’s role as head of engineering for Gusto’s HRIS product. The original version incorrectly stated his title as ‘head of engineering’ based on information from his LinkedIn profile.