Archive Learning
A free app that helps you learn languages while reading fanfiction on AO3. Tap words, save them with context, review with flashcards. This is an independent project — not affiliated with Archive of Our Own or Transformative Works.
We don't use generative AI inside the app. Translations come from the public Google Translate. The quality isn't perfect, but it's the only realistic way for us to keep this free at the moment. If we find a better sustainable free option, we'll switch. There is also audio pronunciation for some words pulled from the open Wikimedia database, and an extended dictionary for some languages.
Install the app
Download Archive Learning from Google Play. It's free and doesn't require registration.
Choose a fanfic
You can browse AO3 directly in the app, search by fandom, pairing, or tag. Find a fanfic in a language you're learning.
Tap words to translate
While reading, double-tap any word you don't know. You'll see its translation instantly. You can also select whole phrases.
Save words to your dictionary
Tap the save button and the word goes to your personal dictionary. It keeps the full context: the sentence, the fanfic title, the ship. Later you'll see exactly where you found it.
Review with flashcards
Open the flashcard mode to go through your saved words. Each card shows the word in the sentence where you saved it. Flip to see the translation. You learn faster when the context matters to you.
Play the context game
Test yourself with a game about understanding words in context. You see a sentence from a fanfic with a word highlighted, and choose the correct meaning from four options.
About the Project
Archive Learning started when one of the developers was preparing for a language exam by reading fanfiction. Learning through stories in your favorite fandoms turned out to be surprisingly effective — but there was no convenient tool for that. So we made one.
This is a non-commercial project. There are no ads, no subscriptions, no data collection — and there never will be. Your saved words and reading history always stay on your phone only. We don't track what you read.
The project is built and maintained by volunteers. If you want to help — testing, translating, reporting bugs, sharing ideas — join the team! This is a community thing.
Team
The people behind the project
Development
- Ekaterina Krasner
- Fiori
- Consultant Bundris
Design & Communications
- Myrkotten
- Phoebe Rue
Translations
- Galciona
- Havriil Lemeshko
- outees
- Misakity
- kimjongkey
- Borneepy
- Nakata
User's Guide
- mongosmaki
- Cheshirious_Cat
- Resalare
Testers
The people who tested every build, found every bug, and shaped the app with their feedback.