In Wenzhou, many older adults rely primarily on the local dialect in everyday communication. As daily services increasingly require Mandarin and digital interaction, language differences can become a practical barrier to accessing information, navigating unfamiliar situations, and communicating independently.
Silver-Age Guardian is a deployed WeChat mini program designed to reduce this barrier through two complementary forms of support: Wenzhou dialect–Mandarin translation for immediate communication and everyday Mandarin learning for longer-term independence.
MY ROLE
Project Lead · User Research · Learning Design · UX/UI · Product Development & Deployment
USERS
Older Adults · Dialect-First Speakers in Wenzhou
STATUS
Deployed WeChat Mini Program
We conducted a survey of 346 older adults and visited local community centers in Wenzhou to understand how language barriers affect everyday communication.
Our research revealed a central design challenge: older dialect speakers need both immediate support in unfamiliar communication situations and accessible opportunities to develop practical Mandarin skills.
These findings shaped our approach to combining volunteer-assisted communication with scenario-based language learning.
Field visit to a local community center in Wenzhou.
| Research Evidence | Design Insight | Design Response |
|---|---|---|
| Survey findings on dialect use and Mandarin-speaking difficulties | Some older adults need communication assistance before they can participate confidently in Mandarin-speaking situations. | Combine volunteer-assisted communication with practical Mandarin learning. |
| Community field visits and observations | The interface should minimize unnecessary reading and interaction complexity. | Prioritize recognizable functions, clear navigation, and accessible interaction. |
| Recurring communication situations identified through community research | Language learning is more relevant when connected to immediate everyday needs. | Develop short, scenario-based lessons for situations such as hospital visits and transportation. |
How might we help older dialect speakers overcome immediate communication barriers while building the skills to navigate similar situations more independently?
Provide accessible, volunteer-assisted communication when language barriers arise.
Turn everyday communication needs into opportunities for practical Mandarin learning.
The first three steps address an immediate communication need through volunteer assistance. The following three steps provide opportunities to learn and practice useful Mandarin expressions for similar situations.
Through the WeChat Mini Program, older adults can connect with volunteers when they encounter difficulties communicating in Mandarin. Volunteers provide real-time assistance, helping users communicate their needs in everyday situations.
This function prioritizes accessibility and immediate problem-solving, ensuring that language difficulties do not prevent users from seeking necessary assistance.
To complement immediate assistance, we developed short, scenario-based Mandarin-learning videos based on common communication situations, such as asking for directions at a hospital.
Learning activities connect familiar everyday contexts with useful Mandarin expressions through video-based instruction, listening, repetition, and continued practice in the WeChat learning group.
Design Insight: Immediate assistance addresses today's communication barrier; contextual learning prepares users to navigate similar situations with greater independence in the future.
Rather than teaching Mandarin vocabulary in isolation, we designed short lessons around practical situations older adults may encounter.
In this example, learners connect a familiar everyday need with a Mandarin expression, practice through listening and repetition, and prepare to use the expression in a similar situation.
LEARNING DESIGN
Learning Design: Everyday Context → Familiar Language Bridge → Guided Practice → Potential Real-World Application