Shipaton 2025 - Day 31 - Organizing Vocabulary Into Categories

Introduction

Small structural changes unlock big product features. Today I reorganized the entire Learn Lithuanian word bank by topic, added a Category column to the CSV file, and set the stage for focused lessons and smarter filtering in the app. This approach not only simplifies the learning process but also enriches the experience of learning Lithuanian.

What I did today

✔️ Grouped existing Lithuanian vocabulary into clear, learner-friendly themes.

✔️ Standardized everything in my source spreadsheet so each entry now carries a Category tag.

✔️ Tidied a few inconsistencies (capitalization, duplicates, spacing) to keep the data clean and ready for the app.

Why Topic-Based Organization Matters

When learning a new language, the plethora of words can be overwhelming. By categorizing words into clear topics such as greetings, numbers, and food we can streamline the learning process. Organizing vocabulary this way helps in creating focused lessons that make it easier to retain information. It’s almost like creating a personalized language library!

Why This Matters for Learners

✔️ Faster wins: Topic-based lessons mirror how people actually use language (“I need numbers for prices,” “I want greetings for meeting people”).

✔️ Reduced overwhelm: Instead of a long, mixed list, learners get bite-sized sets with a clear theme.

✔️ Better memory: Themed words benefit from chunking, so you recall related vocabulary more easily.

✔️ Clear progress: Mastery can be tracked per topic.

Why This Matters for the App

Adding a single Category column makes a lot possible with minimal engineering overhead:

✔️ Focused lessons: Instantly generate lessons from a chosen category.

✔️ Smarter filtering & search: Show only “Food” words, or combine filters (e.g., “Food” + “Nouns”).

✔️ Adaptive practice: If analytics show “Numbers” is weak for a learner, auto-prioritize drills from that category.

✔️ Roadmap-friendly: Categories become building blocks for future features like achievements (“Foodie Badge”), streak goals, and curated paths for travelers or beginners.

Conclusion

I'm excited about the progress made. With the new category column added, I've laid the groundwork for creating focused lessons. This method paves the way for a more organized study routine, where each session can target specific themes or topics based on curated vocabulary lists.

In the coming days, I'll explore how these categories can translate into lessons that incorporate exercises, quizzes, and practical applications. The goal is to make learning Lithuanian not just effective, but also engaging and fun. After all, language learning should feel like an adventure, not a chore!