Cambridge, England - 30 January, 2002 (PRN): In a survey of 7,000 English language students and teachers conducted by Study Saint, the 100% free-access englishclub.com was ranked #1 out of 10 leading EFL/ESL internet sites.

Mathew Ridyard, inventor of the Study Saint internet organiser for English learners, presented the Golden Halo Award for "Best English Language Site in the World" to englishclub.com founder Josef Essberger, saying:

"Congratulations! englishclub.com has overwhelmingly been voted the Study Saint user's popular choice. From a total poll of 7,000 votes, englishclub.com was preferred by 28% of the voters. A remarkable achievement."

Participants in the online survey were asked to choose their favourite EFL/ESL website and invited to add comments like:

"englishclub.com is always my confidential friend. When I have any troubles with English...I go to this site to research and study."

"englishclub.com is not only something great for students but it is something great with its tips for young teachers like me."

"English changes my life. Keep on practicing English. You'll get everything different than before. Trust me and believe. Be at englishclub.com or be behind!"

"englishclub.com is a heaven for English learners all over the world."

Founded in 1997 by Josef Essberger, an English-born writer/photographer and RSA/TEFLA teacher with 10 years' experience teaching English in Europe and Asia, englishclub.com is a Cambridge, England site that has quickly developed into one of the leading language instruction sites on the Web.

"I think of englishclub.com as a real 'club' that belongs to the visitors, who can participate online in a friendly environment that encourages 'learning by doing'," explains Josef Essberger, who sees no conflict between free online sites like englishclub.com and conventional language schools and publishers. "In fact, we actively encourage learners to develop their skills in language schools through pages like the englishclub.com Language Holidays Directory. And many schools and ELT publishers sponsor englishclub.com because it reaches English learners in practically all countries. I see englishclub.com as providing the environment to foster a genuine love of learning English. I've put tremendous effort into making it a site with real educational content that is still easy and fun to use. The emphasis is on the learner rather than the teacher, on learning, not teaching."

englishclub.com has 24 main sections covering the four language skills plus grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, as well as interactive areas such as eFriends, Forum and Chat, and special sections for teachers. Its 24-hour HelpDesk is loved by students who ask grammar questions online and receive answers from HelpDesk Teachers such as Alan Bunyan in Japan or Sandra Goronas in Argentina. One of its most popular email services is "7 Secrets for EFL/ESL Students". Overall, englishclub.com attracts over 120,000 monthly visitors, logging about 1.5 million pageviews.

For more information, contact:
Josef Essberger
Founder
englishclub.com
Tel: +66 1 298 3483
Email:josef.essberger@englishclub.com
http://www.englishclub.com