Super Challenge 2026-27 (input challenge from the Language Learner's Forum)
Our take
Welcome to the Super Challenge 2026-27, an exhilarating biannual journey hosted by the Language Learner's Forum since 2012! Kicking off on May 1st, this challenge invites language enthusiasts to read 100 books and watch 100 films in their target languages over a thrilling 20-month period. Whether you opt for the full challenge or a half or double version, the flexibility is yours! Each “book” is defined as 50 pages, while a “film” is 90 minutes of content—meaning even short videos can contribute. The challenge emphasizes fun and personal growth, with countless participants reporting significant improvements in reading and listening skills. Tracking your progress is entirely on the honor system, making it a stress-free adventure. Join us and discover the joy of immersive language learning!
The excitement is palpable as the Language Learner’s Forum gears up for its latest iteration of the Super Challenge, a biannual endeavor that has been redefining language acquisition since 2012. With the next challenge kicking off on May 1st, participants are invited to engage in a thrilling quest to read 100 books and watch 100 films in their target languages over a span of 20 months. This isn’t merely a numbers game; it's an opportunity to forge connections with cultures, expand vocabularies, and immerse oneself in the nuances of language. For those who have revelled in past challenges, like the Super Challenge 2026-27 (input challenge from the Language Learner's Forum), the promise of improvement in reading and listening comprehension is a siren call that’s hard to resist.
But why does this matter so much? In a world increasingly dominated by digital noise, where attention spans are reduced to the length of an Instagram story, the Super Challenge offers a structured yet flexible framework for deep engagement. The beauty of the challenge lies not just in its ambitious goals but also in its inclusivity. It caters to all levels of language learners, allowing them to choose half or double challenges and even count children's books or comics towards their total. This democratization of language learning is crucial, as it recognizes that every learner's journey is unique. The emphasis on personal progress and honor-based tracking fosters a community of support and motivation, reminiscent of the camaraderie found in other collective pursuits, like fitness challenges or book clubs.
What’s particularly fascinating is the way the Super Challenge encourages a multi-modal approach to language consumption. The parameters allow for a diverse range of materials—be it audiobooks, podcasts, or even YouTube shorts—to count towards the ultimate goal. This flexibility invites learners to explore beyond traditional texts and films, opening the door to a plethora of resources that might otherwise remain untouched. The challenge becomes not just about meeting a quota but about discovering what resonates personally. The joy of stumbling upon a captivating story in a foreign language or laughing at a clever joke in a film can ignite a passion for learning that no textbook could ever replicate.
Yet, beyond the mechanics and the numbers, the Super Challenge embodies a larger ethos of exploration and curiosity. It serves as a reminder that the journey of language learning is one of constant discovery, not just of words and grammar but of cultures, perspectives, and human connections. As participants share their progress and insights on the forum, they contribute to a rich tapestry woven from diverse experiences and backgrounds. This sense of community not only enhances motivation but also creates a space where learners can celebrate their victories, however small, and find solace in shared struggles.
As we look ahead to the start of the Super Challenge 2026-27, one can’t help but wonder how this year's cohort will redefine the experience. Will we see a rise in collaborative projects where learners team up for double challenges? Will the integration of more digital media push the boundaries of what it means to engage with a language? Whatever unfolds, the Super Challenge promises to be an exhilarating chapter in the ongoing saga of language learning. So, grab that book, hit play on that film, and let’s see where the adventure takes us!
Every 2 years since 2012 https://forum.language-learners.org/ has been running a reading and film input challenge called the Super Challenge. The basic idea is to read 100 books and watch 100 films in target language(s) in the space of 20 months. The next Super Challenge starts on the 1st of May and anyone is able to join. First, a few details:
How the challenge works
The default goal is to read 100 books and watch 100 films in 2 years. You can also do a half challenge or even a double challenge.
A "book" is defined as 50 pages of reading. If you read a book which is 360 pages long, that counts for 7.2 books of the 100 books for the challenge. If you read a 5 page article, that counts for 0.1 books. In other words, the basic reading goal is to hit 5000 pages of reading.
Children's books with large text count as 1 page per 5 pages with text. This is a great way for relative beginners to rack up some mileage in the challenge. You could also read things like comics, BDs and manga, by making a general estimate based on the idea that an average book page is 250 words. This is necessarily somewhat opaque. Just keep reading and count pages as appropriate.
A "film" is 90 minutes of watching in your target language, but any sort of active listening counts. You could watch 90 YouTube 1 minute shorts, and count that as a film, and a film lasting 180 minutes would count as 2 films. Participants listen to audiobooks, podcasts, news, watch TV shows, etc. The only things that don't count are music, or background listening (e.g. putting on the radio while at work). In other words, the basic film goal is to hit 9000 minutes of listening/watching.
Learning material can be counted if it is entirely in the target language. For example, the videos from French in Action count since only French is spoken in them. In other words, any reading or watching in your target language can count towards your page or minutes goal.
One thing you can't do is double up and try to count two things at once. For example, if you watch a TV series in your target language with the subtitles on, please don't count that as reading and watching. Count one or the other. Or even better, watch it twice and count it once as watching and the next time as reading! The same applies to reading while listening to the audiobook. This is a great idea, but for the challenge, choose to count it for one thing.
You can also do multiple challenges for multiple languages. For example, last challenge I went for a full challenge in French, a half challenge in Hindi and a half challenge in German.
The benefits
Those of us who have worked on past Super Challenges have found consistent and strong improvements in reading and listening comprehension. This doesn't mean that reading and listening/watching is all you need to do to get better at a language, but the benefit of large amounts of reading and listening is immense.
It doesn't really matter if you finish or not, participation is half the fun. I have participated in the challenge every time since it started, and I have only completed one full French challenge, but along the way I read and listened to way more in my target languages than I would have otherwise. Even if you fail at the challenge, your language learning will win!
Tracking
Participants can track their progress any way they like. Some people track their progress in a language log. I normally make a spreadsheet to keep track of my totals.
All tracking is based on the honour system. You can keep track of your progress any way you like. It is fun to share your progress on the forum, but there's no requirement to do so.
Joining
There is a discussion thread here: https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14271 (but note that the "Register here" link is for an old challenge).
The registration thread for 2026-27 is live: https://forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=22039
If you want to participate, head to the sign up thread and post your intentions.
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