Learning English for TOEFL IELTS Whats the Difference

Learning English for TOEFL IELTS Whats the Difference Students on ESOL Courses Want to Know: What is the Difference Between IELTS TOEFL? ChaptersFacts About Both English ExamsEnglish Course Exams as a Foreign LanguageInternational English Language Testing SystemComparing and Contrasting Exams for English CoursesHow to Study for Any International Standardised Exam for English LessonsWhere to Find English Resources OnlineWhat About ESOL Courses?Students of Esl teachers around the world always ask: Should I take TOEFL or IELTS?Learners of English also ask: which one is harder? The difficulty of either exam notwithstanding, selecting the proper test for your English learning goals depends on many factors.IELTS materials cover a range of regional accents, including American.Because both tests are international examinations, it is acceptable to use either American spelling or British English vocabulary on IELTS, in your short answers and compositions.Favor versus favour, for example.However, once you choose one expressions style, you must maintain it throughout the exam. It is not acceptable to vary between American and Oxf ord English. Even if all of your answers are technically correct, any words written in the alternate English will be counted as incorrect. Learn hot to memorize a larger vocabulary here.If you write your first few answers using the Queen's English, any American English used thereafter would be considered an error, to be counted against your overall score.It is not as important to maintain consistency in one or the other style of English for TOEFL. The focus is more on syntax and grammar.Let us now take an in-depth look at both exams.No need for Scantrons; today TOEFL is taken on the computer. (Source: Pixabay. Credit: Lecroitg)English Course Exams as a Foreign LanguageBackgroundDuring the 1960s, as global travel became easier, colleges in the US faced the growing problem of international students migrating for education, who had no real English language skills.A national council, made up of government and private sector leaders, was convened to ensure that all foreign students arriv ing in America to further their education would be able to understand their teachers and participate in class.The first versions of the test were administered in conjunction with Stanford University. Later, the College Board was assigned to oversee testing and updates to the exam.EvolutionInitially, the exam was a traditional pen and paper affair, administered in an academic environment and monitored by a proctor.For the spoken English portion, candidates were called into a booth or room, one by one, to answer a series of questions designed to measure critical and rhetorical thinking skills as well as speaking skills.Because demand was so high, students wishing to enroll in American universities had to wait, sometimes up to two years, for the opportunity to prove their English language abilities with TOEFL.This led to the development of the CBT (literally: computer-based test) which formed the basis of the online exam that learners from all over the world are familiar with.TOEFL Tod ayExcept in regions where Internet connexions are unreliable or unavailable, the TOEFL is administered strictly online.Those areas of the world that do not rely heavily on computers still test with pen and paper, with a proctor and oral examiner.Since the inception of standardised English exams for international students in 1962, TOEFL set the bar for language qualifications non native students must clear before attending university in an English-speaking country.IELTS formulated a comparable, but more elaborate exam 1980, which saw global launch nine years later.IELTS registration forms can be found online. (Source: Pixabay. Credit: Annemcdon)International English Language Testing SystemIELTS offers two exams: General English, a test that immigrants seeking work can take to demonstrate their proficiency with the language before entering the UK or any of the Commonwealth Countries.Our focus is on the Academic Exam, specifically for prospective students hoping to matriculate at unive rsity in the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.BackgroundThe English Language Testing Service, or ELTS as it was then known, was the brainchild of Cambridge English Language Assessment, a division of the University of Cambridge, and the British Council.Testing was designed to mirror the use of everyday English; phrases a native speaker might say. The exam incorporated various regional accents and dialects, including American (but excluding Scottish).Today, its format reflects changes made in language learning and English teaching methods since its inception.EvolutionBecause of ongoing difficulties for teachers in administering the test, it was redesigned to include a more international content. To that end, Australian Universities and Colleges joined in the effort, giving the exam its current slang name.A later revision brought about a distinction between the reading and writing portions of the exam. The previous thematic link was thought to prevent a true assessment of the test takers' abilities.For example, if the reading topic was Finding Work in Australia, the written skills portion would require the examinee to write about How to Find Work in Australia. The most recent overhaul to the reading and writing modules brought them more in line with general academic standards: same timing, length of responses and reporting of scores.IELTS TodayAll over the world, the exam is still administered in the traditional pen and paper manner, with the spoken portion done live, in a face-to-face interview. Results of the oral exam are tallied immediately.The written portion of the exam is allotted one hour because it is to be written by hand rather than typed into a computer.IELTS is rapidly becoming the exam of choice for people in Asia and the Middle East, with more than two million test takers worldwide.IELTS ranks test takers into bands  that loosely correspond to a set of points.TOEFL was developed, and continues to be maintained exclusively in America; IELTS was initially developed in Britain but soon requested international input to make their exam more globally relevant.Both exams are international, meaning a TOEFL would be accepted in Britain, just as IELTS would be sufficient to register at any American university.However, American institutions prefer the American exam and IELTS is regarded better in Britain and the Commonwealth countries. How to Study for Any International Standardised Exam for English LessonsBegin with the end in mind â€" Stephen CoveyThat is good advice when choosing the exam that is right for you.Your end-goal being pursuing studies abroad, you must choose which school you hope to enroll at, or at least which country you would prefer.Knowing that IELTS is favoured in the UK, if that is your destination of choice, you should opt for English lessons that improve Oxford English literacy and fluency.To focus your English learning on British English, you should:Read a variety of materials, not just textbooks.This exam is meant to test your ability to understand the language in all of its aspects, including the idiom, social situations and how to speak to government officials.Listen to a range of spoken English.IELTS is truly international, therefore your listening skills require the ability to understand English through the assortment of accents and dialects that are spoken during the exam. Segregate your vocabulary!Most schools teaching English as a second language use a blend of British and American English in their curriculum. To avoid losing points on the exam because of variances in spelling, make the Queen's English your focus.Practice English writingIELTS includes a hand-written portion. Be sure your writing is legible and your spelling is correct.Finding IELTS study materials online is easy (Source: Pixabay)Where to Find English Resources OnlineAnyone seeking materials for learning English can find all manner of test prep sites on the Internet.Here we detail a few pages you can turn to that are not specifically related to exam preparation.The British Council hosts a site with podcasts, quizzes and reading material that reflect everyday English usage.Our Council has a page specifically dedicated to IELTS study, too! The BBC has a page on how to learn English that you can investigate.To practice for your exam, you can take past-year IELTS tests for free.One last bit of advice: do not study English for the sole purpose of passing an exam â€" whichever one you decide to take.The pursuit of knowledge is more valuable than its possession â€" Albert EinsteinIt may sound contrary, but learning a language is more of a cultivation than an academic project.Much as you would tend to a garden, a child or an elderly needing care, language studies need passion, dedication and commitment.IELTS is fashioned to foil rote memorization by generating random questions and essay prompts. Traditional methods of exam preparation will not suit for an assay at IELTS; it is designed to gauge flu ency of the language rather than proficiency in any one aspect.Thus is it best that you change your overall goal to becoming fluent in English, rather than mastering aspects of English simply to achieve good marks.What About ESOL Courses?English for Speakers of other Languages, or ESOL, is not an academic standards exam.This test is geared toward people who hope to immigrate to any English speaking country except America, for work or to make a new start in life.While the exam measures proficiency in all the facets of English, the topics involve how to get along in life.Shopping, health care, dealing with government officials and the law are all broached in Britain's Life in the UK exam.Should you aim to adopt British citizenship, you must demonstrate at least a level 3 proficiency with English. Otherwise, you need to take English lessons online  in intermediate English, after which you may retest.IELTS, TOEFL and ESOL: all acronyms that represent essentially the same concept.Proving your English skills through any of these exams will open doors professionally and financially.Learning English as a vocation will enrich your life. Why not learn English through film?Now you’ve started to learn English, be sure to test your level with with Quizzes  prior to your formal exams.

David Bowie Tribute Space Oddity Guitar Tutorial [Video]

David Bowie Tribute Space Oddity Guitar Tutorial [Video] Maile Proctor The music world lost one of its brightest stars this week, as legendary musician David Bowie passed away Monday at the age of 69. To celebrate Bowies life and tremendous talent, TakeLessons guitar instructor Jonathan B. put together this special guitar tutorial to help you learn to play one of Bowie’s classic songs. In this step-by-step tutorial, learn the Space Oddity chords and the special techniques Bowie used to play his acoustic hits. Pay special attention to the left-hand chord voicings and the guitar chord progressions used throughout the song. David Bowie Space Oddity chords Intro: Fmaj7/E Em Fmaj7/E Em C/G Em C/G Em Ground control to Major Tom Ground control to Major Tom Am Am/G D/F# Take your protein pills and put your helmet on C/G Em C/G Em Ground control to Major Tom commencing countdown engines on Am Am/G D/F# Check ignition and may Gods love be with you [Blastoff] C/G E F This is ground control to Major Tom youve really made the grade Fm C/G F And the papers want to know whose shirt you wear Fm C/G F Now its time to leave the capsule if you dare C/G E F This is Major Tom to ground control Im stepping through the door Fm C/G F And Im floating in a most peculiar way Fm C/G F And the stars look very different today Fmaj7 G6 Fmaj7 G6 For here am I sitting in a tin can far above the world Bb Am G F Planet earth is blue and theres nothing I can do C F G A A C F G A A Solo Fmaj7 G A C D E C E F Though Im cross one hundred thousand miles Im feeling very still Fm C F And I think my spaceship knows which way to go Fm C F Tell my wife I love her very much she knows G E7/G# Am C/G Ground control to Major Tom, your circuits dead, theres something wrong D7 Can you hear me Major Tom? C/G Can you hear me Major Tom? G Can you hear me Major Tom? Can you E Fmaj7 Fmaj7 G6 here am I floating in my tin can far above the world Bb Am G F Planet earth is blue and theres nothing I can do C F G A A C F G A A Fmaj7 Em A C D E Learn how to play more of David Bowies hits with this easy guitar songs guide. We will always be grateful to Mr. Bowie for his contributions to music and the world. Whats your favorite David Bowie song? What will you remember most about the legendary musician? Post Author:  Jonathan B. Jonathan B. is a guitar instructor, Temple University Music Theory graduate, and YouTube creator living in State College, PA. Learn more about Jonathan  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How to Get Your Daily Dose of Knowledge

How to Get Your Daily Dose of Knowledge 0SHARESShare Knowledge is like dedication towards the God in a church or a temple. You need to visit and revisit the church to strengthen your beliefs about religion and God. This is true with everything, isn’t it? We meet friends on a regular basis to strengthen our friendship with them and we make it a point to wish them luck or console them during challenging times. Well, it is the same with assignments that you get in school and college. Assignments are allotted to strengthen the belief of the students that they are on the right track in terms of the education they receive. In addition, assignments keep you abreast of the subjects being taught in the school and college. Although some students may wonder, it is alright with tutors teaching at school and college and we manage to focus on what they teach? But how do we exactly build a support system for working on assignments? The problems are remembering the stuff they teach at school and applying the theory in practical assignments. Study groups can come to aid but “everyday?” it is kind of difficult do this every day! This is where the system of getting assignment help and online tutoring from home can come to the student’s aid. Online tutoring is one of the easiest ways to get instant help with math tutoring, English tutoring and science tutoring among tutoring for many other subjects. Go ahead and try it today! [starbox id=admin]

Writing About Your Strengths Without Sounding Arrogant

Writing About Your Strengths Without Sounding Arrogant ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog We’re taught to be modest â€" not to brag or talk too much about ourselves. But when you write your college essay, you’re forced to do the exact opposite, and that shift can make students uncomfortable. It’s hard to strike the right tone in writing or speaking about yourself, especially when you’re discussing something at which you excel. Here are some tips on how to write about your accomplishments without bragging (hint: they’reallabout showing rather than telling). Show what you’ve learned Talking about your achievements shouldn’t be a list. It should be a discussion. Focus on just one - or a few - accomplishments instead of listing every single one, and then give more details and context to measure your success. What skills have you developed as a result of excelling at an academic subject, a sport, or hobby? What happened the first time you tried, and how is it different now that you’re more experienced? If you naturally excelled from the start, how have you managed to keep challenging yourself and to hold your interest over time? If you didn’t succeed at first, what kept you from giving up? Show why you succeeded What was it about you in particular that allowed you to succeed? Was it your tenacity? Your mental focus? Your preparation? Consider your strengths and weaknesses and what it was about you that pushed you over the top. Don’t express negative opinions of other people and their lack of motivation or skills. Discuss which positive attributes helped you, and which obstacles to success you were able to overcome (and how). Show cause and effect Simply saying that you’re great at something can come across as arrogant, exaggerated, or unable to be confirmed. If you are going to write about excelling in an activity, sport, or academic subject, tell us exactlyhowyou did so. What was the result of your involvement? Did your campaign for healthier food lead to changes in the school lunch menu? Did your leadership help your team win enough games to get to the playoffs for the first time in school history? Did your writing win an award or get published somewhere? In short, what was theresultof you flourishing at an activity? Did you receive an opportunity to further explore this skill, perhaps in the form of a grant or an internship? Show gratitude Who helped you get to where you are? A teacher or a coach who encouraged your natural ability and pushed you to work harder? Your parents, who supported your interests and drove you to practice early in the morning or late at night? Are you fortunate enough to have the resources and time to devote to practicing your skill? Acknowledging the contributions of others to your success shows maturity and humility. Show growth Even if you’ve been a natural since the first time you picked up a baseball bat (or put on toe shoes, or picked up a paintbrush, etc.), you’ve surely grown as you’ve continued to practice. What have you learned over time? What do you appreciate about this activity? What effect does it have on your temperament or self-esteem? How has your view of this activity changed as you’ve matured? How have you taken the lessons of one activity and applied them to other areas of your life? Considering the answers to these questions will help you share your accomplishments without seeming egotistical. Be proud of what you’ve done and who you are, but be thoughtful about how you express that pride. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'a519c073-790d-4c67-b0fd-7095f1869478', {});

Its not too late to take the SAT and ACT this year!

Its not too late to take the SAT and ACT this year! Just as a reminder, the  SAT  and  SAT subject tests  will be offered two more times this year:  November 3  and  December 1.  For those of you with seniors applying to college, the November and December tests  are  accepted for the regular college admission deadline!    You can register for the SAT and the SAT subject tests at  the College Boards website.The  ACT  will be offered two more times in 2012:  October 27  and  December 8.  These scores will also be accepted for regular college admissions.  You can register for the ACT at  the ACTs website.AJ Tutoring is happy to help with test preparation for the SAT, SAT subject tests, and the ACT.  We offer comprehensive 8 or 9-session programs, as well as review programs customized for a shorter timeframe.  For more information about AJ Tutorings SAT and ACT programs, please visit  our website.If your student would like help preparing for his or her tests this fall, please give us a call at (650) 331-3251, or email info@ajtutoring .com.  Our tutors are filling up for the next few months, so sign up early!

Spokane Educational Heart of the Inland Northwest

Spokane Educational Heart of the Inland Northwest Spokane is one of the largest and the most populated cities of the State of Washington. The name of the city to the early Native Americans meant Children of the Sun and it is a very friendly city for its more than 200,000 of inhabitants.Spokane  provides countless facilities and preferences: thriving business community, eclectic cultural activities from Spokane Symphony, art galleries and world-class museums to growing wine industry, well developed transport infrastructure, four medical centers, two childrens hospitals, three Blue Ribbon schools and excellent opportunities for Higher education. Pleasant weather and 4,100 acres of parkland with picturesque Spokane River Centennial Trail are favorable for bicycling, hiking, rafting, swimming and all kinds of sports and outdoor activities which also contributes into general health of citizens.  Combination of all these features makes the charm of the city complete and irresistible. One of the strongest sides of Spokane is its Education resources. Spokane is one of the most education-friendly cities in US. There are five universities, three full-fledged four-year colleges and a number of good technical and community colleges in Spokane or nearby. Higher education institutions in Spokane include two private universities, Gonzaga and Whitworth, Washington State University and Eastern Washington University at the Riverpoint Campus and the public Community Colleges of Spokane system as well as an ITT Tech campus and a University of Phoenix campus. Gonzaga University and Whitworth University are private liberal arts colleges established in the end of 19th century. Gonzaga provides education to more than 7,800 students. It offers 75 fields of study, 25 master’s degrees, a doctorate in leadership studies, and a Juris Doctor degree through our School of Law. Gonzaga is one of three schools that offer a law degree in the state of Washington. Whitworth is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It enrolls about 3,000 students and offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Washington State University Spokane (WSU Spokane) is one of four campuses of Washington State University founded in 1989. WSU Spokane features advanced studies and research in health sciences, design disciplines, social and policy sciences. It offers benefits that accrue from access to the services and programs of a major public land-grant research institution.  WSU Sleep and Performance Research Center is the only center in the world that can do controlled laboratory studies of sleep, wake and the consequences of fatigue. Eastern Washington University (EWU) which shares the Riverpoint Campus with WSU Spokane is a regional comprehensive university founded in 1882. EWU is academically divided into four colleges: Arts and Letters; Business and Public Administration; Science, Healthand Engineering; and Social Behavioral Sciences and Social Work.  Eastern is now the states fastest growing public institution. It enrolls over 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students. It is the only regional university in the state to offer a doctorate in physical therapy. The Community Colleges of Spokane operate Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and the Institute for Extended Learning.  Other schools in Spokane include the Spokane Art School and Washington School of World Studies. Students and professionals of Spokane are served by the Spokane Public Library. It circulates over 1.9 million items a year and has 6 branches in every corner of the city. Private education is also flourishing in Spokane. There are many private elementary and secondary schools as well as a great number of private tutors. TutorZ.com offers its services in searching private tutors in Spokane in various subjects: math, algebra, science, chemistry, physics, biology, geography, history, English, reading, foreign languages, politics, accounting, business, marketing, computer, web design, music, and many others. Our customers are always welcome to get necessary support in any education topic at our web-site. Visit www.tutorz.com to find the best tutor for your child or for yourself. Spokane Educational Heart of the Inland Northwest Spokane is one of the largest and the most populated cities of the State of Washington. The name of the city to the early Native Americans meant Children of the Sun and it is a very friendly city for its more than 200,000 of inhabitants.Spokane  provides countless facilities and preferences: thriving business community, eclectic cultural activities from Spokane Symphony, art galleries and world-class museums to growing wine industry, well developed transport infrastructure, four medical centers, two childrens hospitals, three Blue Ribbon schools and excellent opportunities for Higher education. Pleasant weather and 4,100 acres of parkland with picturesque Spokane River Centennial Trail are favorable for bicycling, hiking, rafting, swimming and all kinds of sports and outdoor activities which also contributes into general health of citizens.  Combination of all these features makes the charm of the city complete and irresistible. One of the strongest sides of Spokane is its Education resources. Spokane is one of the most education-friendly cities in US. There are five universities, three full-fledged four-year colleges and a number of good technical and community colleges in Spokane or nearby. Higher education institutions in Spokane include two private universities, Gonzaga and Whitworth, Washington State University and Eastern Washington University at the Riverpoint Campus and the public Community Colleges of Spokane system as well as an ITT Tech campus and a University of Phoenix campus. Gonzaga University and Whitworth University are private liberal arts colleges established in the end of 19th century. Gonzaga provides education to more than 7,800 students. It offers 75 fields of study, 25 master’s degrees, a doctorate in leadership studies, and a Juris Doctor degree through our School of Law. Gonzaga is one of three schools that offer a law degree in the state of Washington. Whitworth is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It enrolls about 3,000 students and offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Washington State University Spokane (WSU Spokane) is one of four campuses of Washington State University founded in 1989. WSU Spokane features advanced studies and research in health sciences, design disciplines, social and policy sciences. It offers benefits that accrue from access to the services and programs of a major public land-grant research institution.  WSU Sleep and Performance Research Center is the only center in the world that can do controlled laboratory studies of sleep, wake and the consequences of fatigue. Eastern Washington University (EWU) which shares the Riverpoint Campus with WSU Spokane is a regional comprehensive university founded in 1882. EWU is academically divided into four colleges: Arts and Letters; Business and Public Administration; Science, Healthand Engineering; and Social Behavioral Sciences and Social Work.  Eastern is now the states fastest growing public institution. It enrolls over 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students. It is the only regional university in the state to offer a doctorate in physical therapy. The Community Colleges of Spokane operate Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College and the Institute for Extended Learning.  Other schools in Spokane include the Spokane Art School and Washington School of World Studies. Students and professionals of Spokane are served by the Spokane Public Library. It circulates over 1.9 million items a year and has 6 branches in every corner of the city. Private education is also flourishing in Spokane. There are many private elementary and secondary schools as well as a great number of private tutors. TutorZ.com offers its services in searching private tutors in Spokane in various subjects: math, algebra, science, chemistry, physics, biology, geography, history, English, reading, foreign languages, politics, accounting, business, marketing, computer, web design, music, and many others. Our customers are always welcome to get necessary support in any education topic at our web-site. Visit www.tutorz.com to find the best tutor for your child or for yourself.

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge!

Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com Congratulation to the winners of italki October challenge! Congratulations, winners of the italki October challenge! This event was record-breaking in italki history, with the highest number of participants ever! This was a short and intense challenge, where we asked you if you could have 12 hours of language learning in the space of just one month. A huge number of you have taken up the challenge. In all, over 53% of the participants have completed the October challenge. Of the total number of participants, 2.6% were professional teachers, and 9.6% were community tutors. How did the language education professionals match up? Youd be surprised to know that more community tutors have completed the challenge than professional teachers did! Whereas the professional teachers had a rate of 50% (right around the overall average completion percentage of 53%), the community tutors have completed the challenge at the rate of 58%! Congratulations! That is impressive. The challenge included people from countries all over the world, learning languages like Cebuano, Afrikaans, Catalan, Hebrew, Polish, and dozens of others. Many languages had only a handful dedicated students, and often these language groups had a challenge completion rate of 100%. The most popular languages studied in the October challenge: English: 23.24% of the participants took most of their sessions to learn English Spanish:    16.70% French:        7.85% Chinese:      7.04% Russian:      5.43% Japanese:    4.73% German:       4,33% Italian:          4.23% Korean:         2.52% Portuguese:  2.52% We have also learned how important  social encouragement is in any difficult undertaking: Posting a Public Video Pledge Really Helps! Of those who have posted a public video pledge, 83%   completed the challenge. We had a lot of challengers who made one here and here and here as well. Even if some didnt quite make it, a huge 93% have completed at least 6 hours of language instruction during the month of October. Congratulations, everyone! We are still finalizing results, and will be sending out an e-mail to the winners soon. In the meantime, should you have any issues, questions, or concerns please write to us: support@italki.com