We have two important problems at LingQ and they are related.
- Our site is difficult for many learners to understand. There are a number of possible reasons, including the following:
Learners are uncomfortable with the computer, MP3 players, and the Internet.
The LingQ site is, for many people, difficult to understand.
LingQ has many powerful features that learners may take months to discover.
Many people do not know how best to learn with LingQ.
Most people will not read manuals, watch demos or consult Help.
Learners do not know how to learn on their own.
People think that a teacher is needed to direct their language learning.
People do not understand that they key to their success lies with themselves.
Learners do not understand the three keys, Attitude, Time and Attentiveness.
Yet unlocking their own language learning potential with LingQ is probably more useful than taking yet another language course!
- LingQ has too few paying members.
Our largest five markets account for over 70 % of our paid membership. These are US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Russia. ( three cheers for the top five)
We can just about count on one or two hands the paying members in the other major countries of the world, on all continents.
Probably the best way to encourage more members to join is for our existing satisfied members to refer their friends. We have set up a referral system, and we have worked to make the site easier to navigate, faster, and easier to understand. We have added some mobile apps. We will be continuing this work.
As I continue to see the low rate of successful referrals, I had an idea.
LingQ method coaches.
Would any of you be interested in teaching how to become an independent language learner using the LingQ system? This could involve face to face or online coaching sessions of two weeks or so. This is a separate activity from the tutoring activities at LingQ and could be arranged directly between the coach and the learner. LingQ could lend its name and support but need not get involved in the transaction.
I would be happy to conduct coaching sessions, free of charge, with potential coaches, to make sure we have a common set of principles. I would personally certify our LingQ coaches.
LingQ coaches could earn money for their “Learning how to learn” clinics, and in addition could attract new students to their online discussions at LingQ, and would also, of course, earn the referral points. LingQ, hopefully would add new paying members.
I would be interested in hearing your views on this idea.