In this short paper, we discuss the user-centred design process in the development of an online learning environment for learners of English for Academic Purposes (EAP). The ColloCaid project is a research collaboration between researchers from Applied Linguistics and Lexicography, Human-computer Interaction and Visualisation to develop a learning tool which provides users of academic English
language an online environment to provide real-time suggestions to improve the vocabulary and fluency of their texts. Although still being developed, our online environment has received great interest from a range of users interested in improving their academic writing. The collaboration has revealed design insights which may be of interest to the researchers interested in the development of interactive learning environments.