Where This EFL Teaching and Learning Blog is Read : The Final Top Ten Countries

Here is a Countdown of the Final Top Ten Countries by Number of Readers

6. Spain
Some of my post-graduate studies and research were done in Barcelona, so I’m not too surprised that there is a distinctive readership from there. EFL programs, the vast majority of which also follow the Common European Framework standard, are of very high quality too. Madrid and Barcelona lead a list of 29 cities reporting readers from Spain. Other cities include Pamplona, Leon, Malaga, Cordoba, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Coslada, Hopitalet de Llobrigat, Alicante and Seville.

5. Colombia
Since I live and teach EFL in Colombia, there’s no surprise that a relatively large number of readers are from here. In my Santiago de Cali University classes, both under-graduate and post-graduate, I promote reading my blog and articles online at other sites, such as ESLbase as well. Represented thus far are Cali, Bogota, Pereira, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Manizales and Medellin.

4. Turkey
The high number of readers from Turkey, home of the Topkapi Dagger (pictured above) was somewhat of a surprise. EFL programs at all levels are held in high esteem there according to peers with whom I’ve had contact. Without a doubt, I’ll have to visit Turkey and Istanbul – and my former classmates Kees and Shebnem. Other of the twenty cities reporting readers from Turkey include Ankara, Samsun, Adana, Bursa, Icel, Canakkele, Gebze, Trabzon, Izmir and Izmit... We'd love to hear from you.

3. South Korea
A relatively high number of readers from South Korea however, took me completely by surprise. Some of my articles and published work has been translated into Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish, but so far none exists in Korean that I know of. Perhaps a reader or two from Seoul, Kwanqui, Taejon, Wonju, Songnam, Anyang, Masan or Cheongqui in South Korea would care to enlighten me?

2. United Kingdom
No surprise either, as the UK now also boasts a heavy non-English-speaking immigrant status from Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. EFL programs, obviously featuring British English elements, the vast majority of which follow the Common European Framework standard, are of very high quality. Comments, questions and topic suggestions from EFL professionals based in the UK are also highly encouraged.

1. United States of America
No surprise to me actually, with the huge number of immigrants annually from non-English speaking countries, ESL is now a vast industry in the USA. Still in its fledgling stages when I started teaching ESL nearly two decades ago, the growth and need for on-going research, investigation and forums for information and expression are continually on the rise. Comments, questions and topic suggestions from EFL professionals based in the USA are cheerfully encouraged. So far 45 states have checked in.

Questions, Ideas and Comments from Readers Always Welcome

Your questions, ideas and comments are always welcome, so please feel free to post comment or e-mil me with a question or topic of interest. The blog is now moderated to block spam, malicious and obscene content, but all constructive comments which reflect reader viewpoints and opinions are posted and made available for all. Suggestions for relevant websites, blogs and ELT products are also welcomed from all readers.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Thanksgiving Day

It’s the Thanksgiving Holiday Today

In the U.S.A., it’s the Thanksgiving holiday today. The day is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November with an emphasis on home and family. In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Usually in the U.S. there’s a huge dinner served for all the extended family to enjoy together. The first official declaration of a national observance was in York, Pennsylvania (which is my hometown and where Mom still is) on November 1, 1777. The first national Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated on Thursday, December 18th of 1777.

Photo: Plaque in downtown York, PA on the first national Thanksgiving

During the American Civil War from1861 to 1865, American President Abraham Lincoln declared the observance of Thanksgiving to be held on the last Thursday of November.

And did you know that today, November 22, 2007, is the 44th anniversary of the assassination of American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963?

But Wait, There’s More
Today also happens to be my Mother’s birthday, and every few years it falls exactly on Thanksgiving Day. You can be sure that I’ll try to call and talk to her later today.

Here in Colombia, South America
Here in Colombia, the holiday isn’t officially celebrated. I still have to work so I’m giving two final exams at the Santiago de Cali University. Later this evening I have an important meeting to attend.

Thanksgiving is the one traditional holiday that I miss by living as an ex-pat English language teaching professional in Colombia. The weather today is sunny and 80 plus degrees – quite typical for much of the year here in the city of Cali.

Although turkey is in fact available here, it’s horrendously expensive, with a large bird costing more than a day’s pay. Other traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner ingredients may or may not be available, like cranberry sauce or even cranberries for that matter.

For those of you with your family enjoying a traditional dinner of roast turkey with cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, greens, cornbread, with other scrumptious goodies and pumpkin pie for dessert, my jealous best wishes for a memorable day today. And I also wish you many more. And for those of you in other lands who have never experienced a traditional Thanksgiving holiday dinner, well, you just don’t know what you’re missing!


Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on the lucrative, fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign Language, get your copy of his no-cost, full multi-media, hypertext-linked pdf ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know” by sending an e-mail to lynchlarrym@gmail.com with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. Need professional, original content and photos or images for your blog, newsletter, e-zine or website? Want more information, have a comment or special request? E-mail the author for a prompt response. And by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!