Super Challenge 2026-27 (input challenge from the Language Learner's Forum)
Our take
The Super Challenge, an initiative launched by the Language Learner's Forum, is set to return in May 2026, beckoning language enthusiasts with the promise of a vibrant linguistic adventure. For those who might have missed the essence of this challenge, it’s not just about reading 100 books and watching 100 films in your target language over 20 months—it's a passport into the rich tapestry of language learning, where every page turned and every film watched is a step deeper into cultural understanding. This endeavor has been running since 2012 and has garnered a loyal following, as evident in its ongoing conversations and reflections shared in the community, such as in the Super Challenge 2026-27 (input challenge from the Language Learner's Forum).
What makes the Super Challenge particularly compelling is its emphasis on quantity and variety. The guidelines are refreshingly flexible—participants can count not just traditional literature but also children's books, comics, and even the latest binge-worthy TV shows. This democratization of content means that language learners of all levels can participate without feeling intimidated by dense novels or complex narratives. By redefining what constitutes a "book" or a "film," the challenge encourages an eclectic mix of reading and viewing habits that can lead to unexpected linguistic breakthroughs. And let's not forget the thrill of counting! There’s a peculiar joy in tracking progress, whether through spreadsheets or logs, which can transform the solitary act of learning into a shared journey—one that fosters a sense of community, as participants cheer one another on and swap recommendations.
But beyond the mechanics of the challenge lies a deeper, more profound benefit: the sheer volume of exposure to the target language. Engaging with diverse media naturally enhances reading and listening comprehension, creating a robust foundation for language acquisition. Past participants have noted significant improvements in their abilities, even if they don’t meet the ambitious goal of reading 100 books or watching 100 films. This speaks to a central tenet of language learning: that the journey itself is as valuable as the destination. As highlighted in other discussions about language immersion, such as the impact of immersive reading practices, it’s the act of engaging with a language in varied contexts that truly cements understanding.
Moreover, the Super Challenge embodies a spirit of exploration and discovery. It invites participants to burrow into the nooks and crannies of their target language—much like a spoot diving into the depths of a tide pool. With each book and film, learners uncover cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and the idiosyncratic rhythms of speech that textbooks often overlook. This is where the magic happens: in the laughter shared over a comedic film, in the suspense felt during a thrilling novel, or in the immersive experience of audiobooks that transport you into another world. Can you think of a better way to expand your vocabulary than through the lens of storytelling, where context breathes life into words?
Looking ahead, one has to wonder: How will the upcoming Super Challenge evolve in response to the ever-changing landscape of language learning? As technology continues to reshape our interactions with media, will we see more innovative formats included in the challenge? Perhaps the next iteration will embrace emerging digital platforms or immersive experiences that blend language learning with gaming or virtual reality. The possibilities are as limitless as the languages we can explore. So, whether you’re a seasoned polyglot or a curious beginner, mark your calendars for May 2026, and prepare to dive headfirst into the linguistic sea that awaits.
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) (TL) 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.
[link] [comments]
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience