User Experience Designer

Location preferred: Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, APAC

About ELSA

ELSA is a global leader in AI-powered English communication training, dedicated to transforming how people learn and speak English with confidence. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in San Francisco, we operate across the U.S., Vietnam, Portugal, Indonesia, Brazil and Japan.

Powered by proprietary speech-recognition technology and generative AI, ELSA delivers real-time, hyper-personalized feedback to help learners improve pronunciation, fluency, and overall communication effectiveness. With over 50 million learners and 1 billion hours of anonymized speech data, ELSAs depth of language training intelligence is unmatched in the industry.

Our B2B flagship platforms ELSA Enterprise and ELSA Schools empower organizations and educational institutions to elevate communication capabilities and unlock personal and professional opportunities for their people. We design engaging, bite-sized learning experiences that adapt to each learners goals and context, ensuring measurable improvement and lasting confidence.

Our vision is to become the global standard for real-time English communication training, enabling 1.5 billion language learners worldwide to speak clearly, be understood, and share their stories with the world.

Backed by world-class investors including Googles Gradient Ventures, Monks Hill Ventures, and SOSV, ELSA has been recognized among the top global AI innovators:

• Forbes Top 4 Companies Using AI to Transform the World
• Research Sniper Top 5 Best AI Apps
• ASU+GSV EdTech 150
• CB Insights Top 100 AI Companies

Join us in shaping the future of language learning and empowering millions to unlock opportunity through confident communication.

Job overview:

We are seeking a senior-level UX Designer to drive the creation of intuitive, engaging, and scalable learning experiences for ELSA’s global learners. In this high-impact Individual Contributor (IC) role, you will be responsible for the hands-on design of personalized learning paths, syllabus frameworks, and interactive AI-driven exercises.

As a core pedagogical expert, you will collaborate closely as an equal peer with cross-functional teams - including AI, Product, and Engineering - to ensure learning science and user experience (UX) remain central to our product features. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in English Language Teaching (ELT/ESL) with a strong data-driven mindset and fluency in leveraging AI tools for scale and personalization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Learning Experience & UX Design

• Design, structure, and iterate on personalized learning paths that align directly with learners' goals, proficiency levels, and in-app behavior.
• Apply user experience (UX) principles to translate complex language learning goals into intuitive, interactive, and clear learner journeys.
• Prototype, test, and iterate on new content formats and learning experiences to validate user engagement and educational effectiveness.

2. Instructional Design & Content Development

• Pedagogical Excellence: Design digital learning modules, interactive exercises, and assessments by implementing diverse pedagogical approaches (e.g., guided discovery, task-based learning, flipped classroom).
• Syllabus & Assessment: Craft robust syllabi aligned with international standards (CEFR/GSE descriptors) and develop targeted test and assessment strategies to evaluate learning outcomes.
• Diverse Media: Create varied content formats, including 1-to-1 or group lesson flows, educational videos, and animated stories.

3. AI & Data-Driven Learning

• AI Feature Optimization: Partner closely with AI and engineering teams to co-develop, test, and optimize adaptive, AI-powered learning features and interactive exercises.
• Content Scaling: Actively explore and leverage generative AI tools to ideate, create, adapt, and scale interactive educational materials.
• Data Evaluation: Continuous improvement of content by using learner data, user feedback, and key performance metrics to evaluate content effectiveness.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration/ Stakeholder engagement:

• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the core Instructional Design/ELT voice in cross-functional feature development teams.
• Translate product priorities into actionable design initiatives that support ELSA’s pedagogical direction.

What You Will Have

Must-Haves:

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Linguistics, Education, Instructional Design, Philology, or a related field.
• 4–6+ years of hands-on experience in ELT/ESL materials writing, digital curriculum development, or instructional design.
• Recognized certification in English language teaching and methodology (e.g., DELTA Module 1, TKT, IH Certificate in Advanced Methodology, or equivalent).
• Methodological Depth: Deep understanding of language acquisition, CEFR/GSE frameworks, task-based learning, and assessment design.
• AI Fluency: Practical, hands-on experience utilizing AI-powered tools and prompt engineering to scale, adapt, or generate educational content.
• Cross-Functional Skills: Strong history of working alongside Product Managers, Data Analysts, and Engineers to optimize digital products.
• Exceptional professional proficiency in English (written and spoken).

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in EdTech, SaaS, or global education contexts.
• Familiarity with localization, multilingual learning, and culturally diverse learner needs.
• Basic multimedia design skills (video, graphics, or animation).

What We Offer

• Be part of a mission-driven company making a difference in language learning worldwide.
• Work at the absolute storefront of cutting-edge generative AI applied to language learning.
• Collaborate with a highly talented, multicultural team of tech and linguistic innovators.
• Comprehensive employee well-being benefits.
• Free ELSA Premium courses to polish your language skills