5 Reasons the italki Language Challenge Will Kickstart New Years Resolution!

5 Reasons the italki Language Challenge Will Kickstart New Year’s Resolution! So what’s your New Years resolution for 2014? Lose weight, get more exercise, spend more time with your kids learn a foreign language? Or maybe, finally, become fluent in the language you’re learning? We believe you can do it! If you want to learn or improve your English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Swahili or any of the other 100+ languages offered on italki,  sign up for the 2014 italki New Year Challenge. What is the italki Language Challenge? Pledge 100ITC to take 20 language lessons in 6 weeks (about three, one-hour lessons per weekthe minimum for learning a language). When you compete your lessons and keep your New Year’s resolution, we will give you 30 USD just for doing it!  But the real prize is, of course, that you will have improved your language skills. Nothing beats learning and winning at the same time. The italki Challenge and Your New Year’s Language Resolution So what does The Challenge have to do with your New Year’s resolution?  It helps you: 1. Make clearly defined, short-term goals Forbes magazine reports that only  8% of people achieve their New Years Resolutions, according to a study conducted by the University of Scranton and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. That’s because people often set up huge, unrealistic  and vague goals for themselves.  For example, saying that you want to learn a new language “this year” is usually too broad of a time frame. But The italki Language Challenge provides you with a deadline and a sense of urgency to help you learn faster. (If you discover afterward that a few months seem too short, create several short-term goals spread out over a longer period of time.) 2. Find the resources your need to start right away Many people have a plan but don’t have the tools to get started with their language resolution. But with italki, you’ve come to the right place.  We have dozens of teachers to choose from for the language you want to learn or improve in.  All have gone through a rigorous application process to meet the standards to teach for italki.  If you’re  already with a teacher you like, great.  Just go ahead and schedule the classes for The Challenge.  If you need to find a teacher, you have many to select from. 3. Win a reward! Whether you give yourself a reward for reaching a goal or someone else gives you it to you, there’s no better way to reach a goal than positive reinforcement.  Now, how many language schools pay you to learn?  At italki, we will give you a $30 USD reward upon completion of The Challenge because we think you deserve it, and we know that once you feel that incredible sense of accomplishment upon learning a language, you’ll be back for more. 4. Experience the convenience of learning from home Too cold to go out for a class? Worried about finding a parking place near a language school? Forget all that. With italki, you and your teacher find a time that’s good for you, and you can relax in front of your computer while learning a language. 5. Learn with friends and other challengers Whether it’s exercise, quitting smoking, dietingor learning a languagestudies show that when people start something with others, they are more likely to succeed because of a shared commitment to get to the finish line. At italki, you have an automatic support system to motivate you. Just look for a language partner or write how you’re doing in our Notebook. If you need some encouragement, you’ll get it. And tell your friends and family you’re taking The Challenge. They will also cheer you on. So what are you waiting for?  Take The Challenge and turn learning a language into a good habit. Sign up for The italki 2014 Language Challenge now! This blog post was written by our italki teacher  Ilene Springer 5 Reasons the italki Language Challenge Will Kickstart New Year’s Resolution! So what’s your New Years resolution for 2014? Lose weight, get more exercise, spend more time with your kids learn a foreign language? Or maybe, finally, become fluent in the language you’re learning? We believe you can do it! If you want to learn or improve your English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Swahili or any of the other 100+ languages offered on italki,  sign up for the 2014 italki New Year Challenge. What is the italki Language Challenge? Pledge 100ITC to take 20 language lessons in 6 weeks (about three, one-hour lessons per weekthe minimum for learning a language). When you compete your lessons and keep your New Year’s resolution, we will give you 30 USD just for doing it!  But the real prize is, of course, that you will have improved your language skills. Nothing beats learning and winning at the same time. The italki Challenge and Your New Year’s Language Resolution So what does The Challenge have to do with your New Year’s resolution?  It helps you: 1. Make clearly defined, short-term goals Forbes magazine reports that only  8% of people achieve their New Years Resolutions, according to a study conducted by the University of Scranton and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. That’s because people often set up huge, unrealistic  and vague goals for themselves.  For example, saying that you want to learn a new language “this year” is usually too broad of a time frame. But The italki Language Challenge provides you with a deadline and a sense of urgency to help you learn faster. (If you discover afterward that a few months seem too short, create several short-term goals spread out over a longer period of time.) 2. Find the resources your need to start right away Many people have a plan but don’t have the tools to get started with their language resolution. But with italki, you’ve come to the right place.  We have dozens of teachers to choose from for the language you want to learn or improve in.  All have gone through a rigorous application process to meet the standards to teach for italki.  If you’re  already with a teacher you like, great.  Just go ahead and schedule the classes for The Challenge.  If you need to find a teacher, you have many to select from. 3. Win a reward! Whether you give yourself a reward for reaching a goal or someone else gives you it to you, there’s no better way to reach a goal than positive reinforcement.  Now, how many language schools pay you to learn?  At italki, we will give you a $30 USD reward upon completion of The Challenge because we think you deserve it, and we know that once you feel that incredible sense of accomplishment upon learning a language, you’ll be back for more. 4. Experience the convenience of learning from home Too cold to go out for a class? Worried about finding a parking place near a language school? Forget all that. With italki, you and your teacher find a time that’s good for you, and you can relax in front of your computer while learning a language. 5. Learn with friends and other challengers Whether it’s exercise, quitting smoking, dietingor learning a languagestudies show that when people start something with others, they are more likely to succeed because of a shared commitment to get to the finish line. At italki, you have an automatic support system to motivate you. Just look for a language partner or write how you’re doing in our Notebook. If you need some encouragement, you’ll get it. And tell your friends and family you’re taking The Challenge. They will also cheer you on. So what are you waiting for?  Take The Challenge and turn learning a language into a good habit. Sign up for The italki 2014 Language Challenge now! This blog post was written by our italki teacher  Ilene Springer