--- For Immediate Release ---

Word Cup - Call For Champions, Ages 51+

Global Word Cup^® Invites Word Lovers to Try Out Free Online

Sebastopol, Ca. (January 8th, 2008) – Word Cup, a new online competition testing vocabulary and spelling skills in a time-restricted quiz, is currently inviting participants ages 51 and older. The event is designed to honor real-world word savvy, reward personal self-improvement, and support literacy.
eSpindle Learning, a nonprofit and leading provider of online vocabulary and spelling tutoring, is hosting the event; Oxford University Press is the largest prize sponsor.

Contestants in category IV (ages 51 and older) may try out free during
     -  the month of January, 2008;
     -  from April 28th to May 11th, and
     -  from June 23rd to 29th.

All three rounds of Word Cup – tryouts, semifinals and finals - take place online so that everyone may take part, regardless of location or physical ability. Prizes will be given to the highest-scoring contestants in each of the four age categories (younger than 16, 16 to 30, 31 to 50, and 51 years and older).
The highest-scoring contestant will be named Champion of Champions. 
Future Word Cups will reward personal improvement as well, so everyone can win, regardless of skill level.

“Word Cup is a lot of fun, even if you’re not a verbal super hero.  Our goal is to create a community in which those with advanced vocabulary and spelling skills inspire and support those who are struggling,” said Rosevita Warda, Executive Director of eSpindle Learning.  “A broad vocabulary is the basis of success in many areas of life. Word Cup celebrates both excellence as well as personal self-improvement.”

Other winners include literacy organizations, both national and international.
Word Cup provides a platform from which participating organizations can showcase their work, reach out to potential volunteers, and raise funds. 

Contestants have the chance to make a donation and the top twelve winners will determine how the funds are shared among the participating organizations.         

“Literacy is often an undervalued asset,” said Warda.  “Just like air it is fundamental to our well-being, yet not fully appreciated unless you don’t have it. We ask participants to reflect on the many benefits their education and their ability to read and write with confidence has brought to their lives – and then to reach out to share the gift with others.”

Free practice quizzes are available year-round at www.eSpindle.org/free_quiz and are regularly updated.

Finals are scheduled for the end of August, 2008, and the winners will be announced on September 8, 2008, International Literacy Day. 

Trying out for Word Cup is free, with a small registration fee required for semifinal and final participants over the age of 18. 

To join in the fun and for more information visit www.WordCupCafe.org.
 

About eSpindle Learning

A non-profit organization, eSpindle Learning offers individualized online vocabulary and spelling practice to help students of all ages become confident readers and writers. 

The online tutoring service delivers customized learning sessions based on a proprietary database of more than 100,000 words.  The organization was established in 2004 and matches every membership with a free license for a disadvantaged student. 

For more information about eSpindle, or to sign up for a free 10-day trial, visit www.eSpindle.org or phone 866-377-4635.

Send inquiries to media@eSpindle.org

How is Word Cup different from a Spelling Bee?

Spelling Bee          Word Cup