Livemocha

Infobox Website
name = Livemocha



caption =
url = [http://www.livemocha.com/ www.Livemocha.com]
alexa = #8731 [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/livemocha.com Site Information from Alexa] Alexa Internet. Accessed April 17, 2008.]
commercial = Yes
type = Social network service
language = English, Spanish (Castellano), French, Hindi, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian and Mandarin
registration = Required for most services
owner = Livemocha, inc.
author = Shirish Nadkarni, CEO and Co-Founder
launch date = 24 Sep 2007
current status = beta - active
revenue =
slogan = The social way to learn a language.

Livemocha is a social network service where users can learn languages through audio-visual lessons, peer tutoring tools and support systems. Users can aide others in learning the languages that they are proficient in while learning other languages themselves. This is achieved through peer reviewing of submissions, live text and audio conversations, and other learning systems.

Interface

Livemocha is a Seattle-based startup company that is attempting to redefine the way in which people learn languages through the use of an online community of native speakers of different languages, interactive online lessons and Web 2.0 technologies. The system aims to create a level of language immersion that is not possible with the use of traditional language learning tools such as books and CD’s.

Livemocha is the first major language learning tool based on social networking technologies. Lessons are provided for eleven languages; English, Spanish (Castellano), French, Hindi, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Mandarin and Icelandic. Other tools such as translators are provided for a variety of other languages.

Several national newspapers, including The New York Times ["Learning From a Native Speaker, Without Leaving Home", ANNE EISENBERG, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/17/business/17novel.html?_r=1&em&ex=1203483600&en=cde38341fd5cbf9f&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin , February 17, 2008.] have included articles about Livemocha's language tools since its early development stages ["Not lost in translation: Livemocha blends language instruction with social networking, picks up $6M Series A", "The Deal.com", Mary Kathleen Flynn, January 24, 2008. Accessed 18 April 2008.] ["The social network where you can't understand anyone: LiveMocha", "Webware (Cnet)", Rafe Needleman, September 24, 2007. Accessed 18 April 2008.] [Learning Languages in Context: Startup Live Mocha leverages social networking to teach foreign languages, "Technology Review", Erica Naone, October 5 2007. Accessed 18 April 2008.] .

According to John Cook's Venture Blog, Livemocha was easily Seattle's biggest moving startup company in Autumn 2007 ["Top Seattle startups: Intelius, Zillow, iLike, etc." http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/venture/archives/124855.asp, John Cook's Venture Blog. Accessed 18 April 2008.] .According to Livemocha's CEO, Shirish Nadkarni, Livemocha has over 200 000 users from over 200 countries as of February 2008 ["http://blog.livemocha.com/2008/02/19/livemocha-makes-the-new-york-times/", Shirish Nadkarni, http://blog.livemocha.com/, 19 February 2008. Accessed 18 April 2008.] . Other media places this number at more than 350 000"Livemocha eyes one million users this year", Pratima Harigunani, CIOL Network, http://www.ciol.com/News/News-Reports/Livemocha-eyes-one-million-users-this-year/1408104872/0/ , April 01 2008] .

Development

Livemocha is classed as beta. All services are currently free.

Lessons for four additional languages were supplied in April, 2008 and plans are underway to include content for two more languages by May, 2008.

Possible future methods of revenue may include advertising and premium content. Other plans include partnerships with language institutes, certifications and online classroom instruction.

Finance

In January 2008, Livemocha announced that it had secured $6 million in funding from a venture capital firm. ["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.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.livemocha.com Livemocha.com]