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{{Infobox website {{Infobox website
| name = Livemocha | name = Livemocha
| logo = Livemocha logo.png | logo = Livemocha logo.png
| screenshot = | screenshot =
| caption = | caption =
| url = http://livemocha.com | url = http://livemocha.com
⚫ | commercial = Yes
| alexa = {{IncreaseNegative}} 30,585 ({{as of|2014|6|8|alt=June 2014}})<ref name="alexa">{{cite web|url= http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/livemocha.com |title= Livemocha.com Site Info | publisher= ] |accessdate= 2014-06-08 }}</ref><!--Updated monthly by OKBot.-->
⚫ | type = ]
⚫ | commercial = Yes
⚫ | language = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]
⚫ | type = ]
⚫ | registration = Required for some services
⚫ | language = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]
⚫ | owner = Livemocha, inc.
⚫ | registration = Required for some services
⚫ | author = ], Co-Founder; ], Co-Founder; ], Current CEO
⚫ | owner = Livemocha, inc.
⚫ | launch_date = 24 Sep 2007
⚫ | author = ], Co-Founder; ], Co-Founder; ], Current CEO
⚫ | current_status = inactive
⚫ | launch_date = 24 Sep 2007
⚫ | revenue = undisclosed
⚫ | current_status = closed down
⚫ | revenue = undisclosed
}} }}


'''Livemocha''' was an online ] community based in ]. It provided instructional materials in 38 languages and a platform for speakers to interact with and help each other learn new languages. According to the site, it had approximately 12 million registered members from 196 countries around the globe. It was free to join and use; however, it offered the option to pay for various benefits. In 2012, 400,000 users visited the site daily.<ref>{{cite web|title=Livemocha statistics|url=http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/web_domains/livemocha.com/k7/0v/z7/|publisher=Wolfram Alpha|access-date=5 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322222322/http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/web_domains/livemocha.com/k7/0v/z7/|archive-date=22 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<br />


== What is Livemocha? == == History ==
The company was founded in 2007 by Raghav Kher, Shirish Nadkarni and Krishnan Seshadrinathan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khalili |first=Joel |date=2021-10-02 |title=A serial entrepreneur on what makes and breaks a new business |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/a-serial-entrepreneur-on-what-makes-and-breaks-a-new-business |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref> They conceived the idea for a web-based approach which utilized the power of ] for language learning, with an emphasis on active participation and exchange in order to hone practical skills and conversational fluency.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Schmidt|first=Clint|title=Livemocha and the Power of Social Language Learning|journal=IH Journal of Education and Development|date=Spring 2010|issue=28}}</ref> The name "Livemocha" was coined by the founders during a brainstorming session at a local café, and was meant to evoke the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee shop. On June 8, 2010, Michael Schutzler was announced as the new CEO.<ref>{{cite web |author= Huang, Gregory T. |title= ''Schutzler Joins Livemocha as New CEO'' |location= www.seattlepi.com |publisher= ] |date= June 8, 2010 |url= http://www.seattlepi.com/xconomy/421379_xconomy83509.html |access-date= April 2, 2011}}</ref>
'''''' is committed to creating a world in which every human being is fluent in multiple languages.


The site received attention from trade publications and national and international newspapers, including the '']''<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|last=Wayner|first=Peter|title=Learning a Language from an Expert, on the Web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/personaltech/29basics.html|access-date=4 January 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name="nytimes_a">{{cite news|last=Eisenberg|first=Anne|title=Learning from a Native Speaker, Without Leaving Home|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/business/17novel.html|access-date=4 January 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> and the ''Financial Times''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoare|first=Stephen|title=Communication: Students Appreciate Polyglot Approach|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/c1cf5952-4b72-11e0-89d8-00144feab49a.html#axzz1h6dSwyPe|access-date=5 January 2012|newspaper=Financial Times|date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> '']'' magazine named Livemocha one of its 50 Best Websites in 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=50 Best Websites 2010|magazine=Time Magazine|date=August 25, 2010|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2012721_2012929_2012923,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828102138/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2012721_2012929_2012923,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 28, 2010|access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
As the largest community of learning languages online world, Livemocha combines traditional methods of learning with online practice and interaction with native speakers of languages from around the world. Livemocha offers unparalleled learning experience that promises conversational fluency. Since launching in 2007, the Livemocha community has grown to over 14 million members in over 195 countries, highlighting the international demand for an engaging, collaborative approach to language learning. Today, Livemocha was reborn after the system shutdown by another company, but a developer decided to keep the main idea, so we are recreating Livemocha to improve and be the world's best language learning network, so we say that our network will never be charged and will never be sold or closed; We will be maintained by voluntary donations of our members. ''''''


On April 2, 2013, ] announced that it had acquired Livemocha.<ref name="rs_press_release">{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130402005459/en/Rosetta-Stone-Acquires-Online-Language-Company-Livemocha|title= Rosetta Stone Acquires Online Language Company Livemocha |publisher=BusinessWire|date= 2 April 2013 |access-date=13 April 2017}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, the Livemocha website required users' computers to have proprietary ] ] or ], blocking access from ] operating systems. On January 8, 2014, Livemocha closed access to its legacy website.<ref name="rs_Internal_document">{internal email}</ref>
== Why language learning is so important now? ==
We started Livemocha to address one of the major macroeconomic trends of our time - globalization. Today, more than ever, we live in a connected world. the technology allows to build real relationships in many countries at the same time - and this creates a huge opportunity for those with the right skills. People around the world need to understand and interact with different cultures throughout the work and travel. The success of emerging economies and global trade therefore depends on the learning of foreign languages.


In 2016, Livemocha's website posted an announcement<ref></ref> saying: {{cquote|Unfortunately, the Livemocha community will close permanently on Friday, April 22, 2016, and you will no longer be able to access your account after that date.}}
According to Goldman Sachs, by 2025, the BRIC economies will account for more than half of the GDP of the G6 economies and by 2050 will be larger than the G6. Immigration and travel grew in parallel at unprecedented rates. In 2000, over 95 million people immigrated to other countries. International arrivals are expected to grow from 694 million to 1.6 billion by 2020, with the fastest growth expected in East Asia and the Pacific.

Learning the English language globally and especially shot in the BRIC countries, highlighted in some places by the authorized programs by the government. However, companies from developing economies can not rely solely on English to drive and get business in these emerging economies. As a result, languages such as Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese and Russian are also now competitive advantages.

Corporate America is also realizing that only English is not enough. According to a recent survey on multilingual talent in the workplace, 33% of Fortune 500 companies include knowledge of a foreign language as a requirement for employment. But as globalization puts us at the mercy of our skills in foreign languages, legislation and general awareness are still updating. Currently, in the United States, less than 40% of high school students and 8% of the students are enrolled in the study of a foreign language.

== What Livemocha doing about it? ==
With commitment and creativity, we can fill the alarming gap between inadequate preparation of our workforce and the need for language skills in the corporate sector.

Commitment means absolute dedication to creating the possibility of fluency in a second language for all people in the world, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. Creativity means using new technologies and distribution methods to clear limits.

Increased broadband penetration and adoption of VOIP make the Internet more accessible and socially relevant platform for learning languages. To open up the market and leverage the latest trends in social networking, Livemocha connects people around the world.

At Livemocha, we believe in the power of human potential. Anyone can learn a new language. And not just one, but anywhere, anytime. We are dedicated to helping individuals, businesses, libraries and schools to remove barriers to effective communication and cultural exchange.


==Basic courses== ==Basic courses==
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==Active courses== ==Active courses==
More advanced courses—called "Active Courses"—were available in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. These courses required a monthly or annual fee and were intended to achieve conversational fluency. Instead of signing up for one particular course, users could opt to purchase the "Gold Key" which granted unlimited access to premium or paid content. The active courses proceeded through four levels of proficiency, and included reading, writing, speaking, and listening exercises. More advanced courses — called "Active Courses" — were available in five languages: ], ], ], ] and ]. These courses required a monthly or annual fee and were intended to achieve conversational fluency. Instead of signing up for one particular course, users could opt to purchase the "Gold Key" which granted unlimited access to premium or paid content. The active courses proceeded through four levels of proficiency, and included reading, writing, speaking, and listening exercises.


==Peer feedback== ==Peer feedback==
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==Language learning and social networks== ==Language learning and social networks==


Livemocha called itself the largest language learning community in the world. In many ways it operated like a social networking site, and the basic ethos of the system was peer-to-peer: registered members could engage in synchronous and asynchronous communication, make a personal profile, connect with a circle of friends, upload content (there was a page dedicated to cultural exchange), contribute translations and help expand the base of available languages, and review other members’ work, such as recorded dialogues from lessons. It was referred to as "the Facebook of foreign languages,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Myers|first=Aaron G.|title=Best Language Learning Resources: Livemocha|url=http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2011/02/21/best-language-learning-resources-livemocha/|publisher=The Everyday Language Learner|accessdate=4 January 2012|date=February 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Posgate|first=Natalie|title=Learn a new language through social media, the Web, or mobile apps|url=http://www.smudailycampus.com/pony-post-learn-a-new-language-through-social-media-the-web-or-mobile-apps-1.2691479#.Ttz64M20Z15|accessdate=4 January 2012|newspaper=The Daily Campus|date=November 9, 2011}}</ref> and its potential impact on conventional language teaching compared to that of Misplaced Pages on the traditional encyclopedia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Livemocha Review|url=http://learn-english-review.toptenreviews.com/livemocha-review.html|publisher=TopTenREVIEWS|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> One reviewer of the site observed, "With its unparalleled ability to connect people throughout the world, is changing the way that many people learn languages. There is still no way to avoid the hard slog through vocabulary lists and grammar rules, but the books, tapes and even CDs of yesteryear are being replaced by e-mail, video chats and social networks."<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|last=Wayner|first=Peter|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/personaltech/29basics.html|title=Learning a Language from an Expert, on the Web|date=July 28, 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> Livemocha called itself the largest language learning community in the world. In many ways it operated like a social networking site, and the basic ethos of the system was peer-to-peer: registered members could engage in synchronous and asynchronous communication, make a personal profile, connect with a circle of friends, upload content (there was a page dedicated to cultural exchange), contribute translations and help expand the base of available languages, and review other members’ work, such as recorded dialogues from lessons. It was referred to as "the Facebook of foreign languages,"<ref>{{cite web|last=Myers|first=Aaron G.|title=Best Language Learning Resources: Livemocha|url=http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2011/02/21/best-language-learning-resources-livemocha/|publisher=The Everyday Language Learner|access-date=4 January 2012|date=February 21, 2011|archive-date=14 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714095811/http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2011/02/21/best-language-learning-resources-livemocha/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Posgate|first=Natalie|title=Learn a new language through social media, the Web, or mobile apps|url=http://www.smudailycampus.com/pony-post-learn-a-new-language-through-social-media-the-web-or-mobile-apps-1.2691479#.Ttz64M20Z15|access-date=4 January 2012|newspaper=The Daily Campus|date=November 9, 2011|archive-date=21 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121094749/http://www.smudailycampus.com/pony-post-learn-a-new-language-through-social-media-the-web-or-mobile-apps-1.2691479#.Ttz64M20Z15|url-status=dead}}</ref> and its potential impact on conventional language teaching compared to that of Misplaced Pages on the traditional encyclopedia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Livemocha Review|url=http://learn-english-review.toptenreviews.com/livemocha-review.html|publisher=TopTenREVIEWS|access-date=4 January 2012|archive-date=15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615060211/http://learn-english-review.toptenreviews.com/livemocha-review.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> One reviewer of the site observed, "With its unparalleled ability to connect people throughout the world, is changing the way that many people learn languages. There is still no way to avoid the hard slog through vocabulary lists and grammar rules, but the books, tapes and even CDs of yesteryear are being replaced by e-mail, video chats and social networks."<ref name="nytimes" />


==Partnership in Brazil== ==Partnership in Brazil==
In September 2011, Livemocha announced a partnership with the Brazilian education company Abril Educação, part of the media conglomerate Grupo Abril, which purchased a 5.9% stake in the company. Abril Educação promoted Livemocha to consumers and organizations throughout Brazil, with the aim of catering to the rising demand for language education and helping the country prepare to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Martha|title=Brazil: Learning Inglês by Internet|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2011/09/09/brazil-learning-ingles-by-internet/#axzz1h6dxHdE7|accessdate=4 January 2012|newspaper=Financial Times|date=September 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Winkler|first=Kirsten|title=Abril Educacao buys 5.9% of Livemocha—Building English Learning Platform for Brazil's Middle Class|url=http://www.edukwest.com/abril-educacao-buys-5-9-of-livemocha-building-english-learning-platform-for-brazils-middle-class/|accessdate=4 January 2012|newspaper=Edukwest|date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> In January 2011, Livemocha announced an agreement with Telefônica Brasil to offer its Internet customers discounted pricing on Livemocha's English courses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cook|first=John|title=Livemocha inks marketing pact with Telefonica Brazil|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/01/livemocha-partners-with-telefonica.html|publisher=TechFlash|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> In September 2011, Livemocha announced a partnership with the Brazilian education company Abril Educação, part of the media conglomerate Grupo Abril, which purchased a 5.9% stake in the company. Abril Educação promoted Livemocha to consumers and organizations throughout Brazil, with the aim of catering to the rising demand for language education and helping the country prepare to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Martha|title=Brazil: Learning Inglês by Internet|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2011/09/09/brazil-learning-ingles-by-internet/#axzz1h6dxHdE7|access-date=4 January 2012|newspaper=Financial Times|date=September 9, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Winkler|first=Kirsten|title=Abril Educacao buys 5.9% of Livemocha—Building English Learning Platform for Brazil's Middle Class|url=http://www.edukwest.com/abril-educacao-buys-5-9-of-livemocha-building-english-learning-platform-for-brazils-middle-class/|access-date=4 January 2012|newspaper=Edukwest|date=September 5, 2011}}</ref> In January 2011, Livemocha announced an agreement with Telefônica Brasil to offer its Internet customers discounted pricing on Livemocha's English courses.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cook|first=John|title=Livemocha inks marketing pact with Telefonica Brazil|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/01/livemocha-partners-with-telefonica.html|publisher=TechFlash|access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref>


==Public libraries== ==Public libraries==
Access to Livemocha's courses was available for free through a number of public libraries in the US that subscribe to the site, including the .<ref>{{cite news|last=Cook|first=John|title=Livemocha opens door on language learning at Seattle Public Library|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2011/livemocha-opens-door-language-learning-seattle-public-libraries|work=GeekWire|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> Access to Livemocha's courses was available for free through a number of public libraries in the US that subscribe to the site, including the .<ref>{{cite news|last=Cook|first=John|title=Livemocha opens door on language learning at Seattle Public Library|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2011/livemocha-opens-door-language-learning-seattle-public-libraries|work=GeekWire|access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref>


==Finance== ==Finance==
Livemocha was a privately held company. In 2011, it raised 5 million dollars in venture capital.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lamm|first=Greg|title=LiveMocha raises $5M|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/07/bellevue-startup-livemocha-raises-5m.html|publisher=TechFlash|accessdate=4 January 2012}}</ref> In previous years it raised 14 million dollars from investors August Capital and Maveron.<ref>"Livemocha Secures $6 Million in Venture Capital Series A Funding Led by Maveron: Funding to Accelerate Popular Language Learning Site’s Functionality and Growth", http://www.livemocha.com/pages/pr/01152008, January 15, 2008. Accessed 18 April 2008.</ref><ref>"Livemocha Bags Another $8 Million From August Capital, Maveron", https://techcrunch.com/2009/12/22/livemocha-series-b-funding/</ref> Livemocha was a privately held company. In 2011, it raised 5 million dollars in venture capital.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lamm|first=Greg|title=LiveMocha raises $5M|url=http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/07/bellevue-startup-livemocha-raises-5m.html|publisher=TechFlash|access-date=4 January 2012}}</ref> In previous years it raised 14 million dollars from investors August Capital and Maveron.<ref>"Livemocha Secures $6 Million in Venture Capital Series A Funding Led by Maveron: Funding to Accelerate Popular Language Learning Site’s Functionality and Growth", http://www.livemocha.com/pages/pr/01152008, January 15, 2008. Accessed 18 April 2008.</ref><ref>"Livemocha Bags Another $8 Million From August Capital, Maveron", https://techcrunch.com/2009/12/22/livemocha-series-b-funding/</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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*{{cite journal |first1=Min Jung |last1=Jee |first2=Min Jung |last2=Park |year=2009 |title=Livemocha as an Online Language-Learning Community |url=https://calico.org/html/article_751.pdf |journal=CALICO Journal |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=448–56 |doi=10.1558/cj.v26i2.448-456 |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426051639/https://calico.org/html/article_751.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }} *{{cite journal |first1=Min Jung |last1=Jee |first2=Min Jung |last2=Park |year=2009 |title=Livemocha as an Online Language-Learning Community |url=https://calico.org/html/article_751.pdf |journal=CALICO Journal |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=448–56 |doi=10.1558/cj.v26i2.448-456 |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426051639/https://calico.org/html/article_751.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web |first1=Jayant |last1=Venkatanathan |year=2009 |title=Help Me Learn! : Disparities in the Distribution of Languages in the Livemocha Community |url=http://hci.uma.pt/courses/socialweb10F/projects/2009.livemocha.paper.pdf |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324114634/http://hci.uma.pt/courses/socialweb10F/projects/2009.livemocha.paper.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-24 |url-status=dead }} *{{cite web |first1=Jayant |last1=Venkatanathan |year=2009 |title=Help Me Learn! : Disparities in the Distribution of Languages in the Livemocha Community |url=http://hci.uma.pt/courses/socialweb10F/projects/2009.livemocha.paper.pdf |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324114634/http://hci.uma.pt/courses/socialweb10F/projects/2009.livemocha.paper.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-24 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |first1=Cameron |last1=Clark |first2=Paul |last2=Gruba |year=2010 |chapter=The Use of Social Networking Sites for Foreign Language Learning: An Autoethnographic Study of ''Livemocha'' |chapterurl=http://ascilite.org.au/conferences/sydney10/procs/Cclark-full.pdf |pages=164–73 |editor1-first=C. H. |editor1-last=Steel |editor2-first=M. J. |editor2-last=Keppell |editor3-first=P. |editor3-last=Gerbic |editor4-first=S. |display-editors = 3 |editor4-last=Housego |title=Curriculum, Technology & Transformation for an Unknown Future}} *{{cite book |first1=Cameron |last1=Clark |first2=Paul |last2=Gruba |year=2010 |chapter=The Use of Social Networking Sites for Foreign Language Learning: An Autoethnographic Study of ''Livemocha'' |chapter-url=http://ascilite.org.au/conferences/sydney10/procs/Cclark-full.pdf |pages=164–73 |editor1-first=C. H. |editor1-last=Steel |editor2-first=M. J. |editor2-last=Keppell |editor3-first=P. |editor3-last=Gerbic |editor4-first=S. |display-editors=3 |editor4-last=Housego |title=Curriculum, Technology & Transformation for an Unknown Future |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-date=2012-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116131954/http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/sydney10/procs/Cclark-full.pdf |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Wayner |date=July 28, 2010 |title=Learning a Language From an Expert, on the Web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/personaltech/29basics.html |work=The New York Times |accessdate=December 14, 2011}} *{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Wayner |date=July 28, 2010 |title=Learning a Language From an Expert, on the Web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/technology/personaltech/29basics.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 14, 2011}}
*{{cite journal|last=Liaw|first=Meei-Ling|title=Review of Livemocha|journal=Language Learning & Technology|date=February 2011|volume=15|issue=1|url=http://llt.msu.edu/issues/february2011/review4.pdf|accessdate=4 January 2012}} *{{cite journal|last=Liaw|first=Meei-Ling|title=Review of Livemocha|journal=Language Learning & Technology|date=February 2011|volume=15|issue=1|url=http://llt.msu.edu/issues/february2011/review4.pdf|access-date=4 January 2012}}


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Latest revision as of 06:55, 27 April 2024

Livemocha
Type of siteSocial network service
Available inAmerican English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Esperanto, Estonian, Persian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu
OwnerLivemocha, inc.
Created byShirish Nadkarni, Co-Founder; Krishnan Seshadrinathan, Co-Founder; Michael Schutzler, Current CEO
Revenueundisclosed
URLhttp://livemocha.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired for some services
Launched24 Sep 2007
Current statusinactive

Livemocha was an online language learning community based in Seattle, Washington. It provided instructional materials in 38 languages and a platform for speakers to interact with and help each other learn new languages. According to the site, it had approximately 12 million registered members from 196 countries around the globe. It was free to join and use; however, it offered the option to pay for various benefits. In 2012, 400,000 users visited the site daily.

History

The company was founded in 2007 by Raghav Kher, Shirish Nadkarni and Krishnan Seshadrinathan. They conceived the idea for a web-based approach which utilized the power of social networking sites for language learning, with an emphasis on active participation and exchange in order to hone practical skills and conversational fluency. The name "Livemocha" was coined by the founders during a brainstorming session at a local café, and was meant to evoke the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee shop. On June 8, 2010, Michael Schutzler was announced as the new CEO.

The site received attention from trade publications and national and international newspapers, including the New York Times and the Financial Times. Time magazine named Livemocha one of its 50 Best Websites in 2010.

On April 2, 2013, Rosetta Stone announced that it had acquired Livemocha. Shortly afterwards, the Livemocha website required users' computers to have proprietary operating system Windows or Mac OS, blocking access from free software operating systems. On January 8, 2014, Livemocha closed access to its legacy website.

In 2016, Livemocha's website posted an announcement saying:

Unfortunately, the Livemocha community will close permanently on Friday, April 22, 2016, and you will no longer be able to access your account after that date.

Basic courses

Livemocha supported 38 languages: English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, Persian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Esperanto, which was the most recent addition.

The site could be viewed in 12 different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

Free basic courses were offered in all the above languages, consisting of roughly 30–50 hours of coursework. Several languages, like Lithuanian and Brazilian Portuguese, were first added to Livemocha through the process of "Member Translation": members fluent in two or more languages could translate already available course materials into their native tongue and publish the results on the site, with other users rating and improving the translations.

Active courses

More advanced courses — called "Active Courses" — were available in five languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. These courses required a monthly or annual fee and were intended to achieve conversational fluency. Instead of signing up for one particular course, users could opt to purchase the "Gold Key" which granted unlimited access to premium or paid content. The active courses proceeded through four levels of proficiency, and included reading, writing, speaking, and listening exercises.

Peer feedback

Each reviewer earned 20 tokens for reviewing a user's submission. The reviewer could earn an extra 10 tokens for the first review of the passage or conversation. The writing was rated using three criteria: spelling, proficiency, and grammar. The speaking was rated using two criteria: pronunciation and proficiency. Each submission from a basic course for peer review cost 120 tokens.

Member reviews

Completed exercises from both basic and active courses could be sent out for review by other members (native or fluent speakers), who provided feedback and tips. Members could also pay for "Expert Reviews" from language teachers that had been certified by Livemocha for 120 tokens. The user could rate the quality of these reviews, and choose to work with a particular expert reviewer. Private instruction sessions, conducted via video chat with a selected tutor, were also available for purchase.

Members earned "Mochapoints" by completing exercises and reviewing other people's submissions. These points are not to be confused with the tokens. The tokens were earned for rating other people's submissions, or from paying a set fee in real life currency for a certain number of tokens. Mochapoints were a way to keep track of one's progress and to compare the amount of time a user has put into the website compared to others. A user gained Mochapoints for entering submissions, grading other people's submissions, chatting with other users, etc. They could not be spent for content access in the same way that the tokens could be.

Language learning and social networks

Livemocha called itself the largest language learning community in the world. In many ways it operated like a social networking site, and the basic ethos of the system was peer-to-peer: registered members could engage in synchronous and asynchronous communication, make a personal profile, connect with a circle of friends, upload content (there was a page dedicated to cultural exchange), contribute translations and help expand the base of available languages, and review other members’ work, such as recorded dialogues from lessons. It was referred to as "the Facebook of foreign languages," and its potential impact on conventional language teaching compared to that of Misplaced Pages on the traditional encyclopedia. One reviewer of the site observed, "With its unparalleled ability to connect people throughout the world, is changing the way that many people learn languages. There is still no way to avoid the hard slog through vocabulary lists and grammar rules, but the books, tapes and even CDs of yesteryear are being replaced by e-mail, video chats and social networks."

Partnership in Brazil

In September 2011, Livemocha announced a partnership with the Brazilian education company Abril Educação, part of the media conglomerate Grupo Abril, which purchased a 5.9% stake in the company. Abril Educação promoted Livemocha to consumers and organizations throughout Brazil, with the aim of catering to the rising demand for language education and helping the country prepare to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. In January 2011, Livemocha announced an agreement with Telefônica Brasil to offer its Internet customers discounted pricing on Livemocha's English courses.

Public libraries

Access to Livemocha's courses was available for free through a number of public libraries in the US that subscribe to the site, including the Seattle Public Library.

Finance

Livemocha was a privately held company. In 2011, it raised 5 million dollars in venture capital. In previous years it raised 14 million dollars from investors August Capital and Maveron.

See also

References

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  10. {internal email}
  11. |URL where announcement appears as of 3/23/2016
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