Free English literacy classes, taught on donated tablets.
Clover’s Corner will collect used tablets, load them with English courses and place them with education nonprofits in developing nations. Every student will be tested before starting and again as they progress, and donors will see the results.
Today’s lessonReading: at workLesson 12 of 40Continue
42Day streak
B1Current level
The program
Devices
Donated tablets, refurbished
Courses
English literacy, online and offline
Delivery
Local education nonprofits
Measured by
A standardized test, before and after
First goal
1,000 passes in 18 months
01 · How it works
How the program works
9:41
This month
Funding
Refurbishing80%
Course licenses55%
Student awards35%
New gift receivedToday
Device 0118
Refurbishing
ReceivedSchool district
TestedPassed
ResetDone
Ready for classReady
4 courses installed
Courses
RdReading
LsListening
SpSpeaking
WrWriting
Available offlineOn
Partner classroom
Welcome, student 0412
Up nextBaseline English testStandardized proficiency assessmentStart
Class challenge · week 6
Progress
42days in a row
1Group A1,240
2Group C1,180
3Group B960
Proficiency test
Result
PassedMeets the English standard
BaselineBelow standard
NowMeets standard
Step 1 · Funding
Donors fund the program
Private donors, foundations and charitable partners pay for the technology, the learning programs and the student incentives.
Step 2 · Devices
Schools and businesses give their old tablets
School districts, businesses and other organizations donate used or outdated tablets. Each one is refurbished and prepared for continued use in class.
Step 3 · Courses
Each tablet is loaded with English courses
Literacy and language-learning platforms such as Duolingo, along with other subscription and offline programs.
Step 4 · Partners
Local education nonprofits run the classes
Partner organizations in each country distribute the tablets, enroll students and provide support and oversight on the ground.
Step 5 · Incentives
Students earn awards for progress
Literacy challenges, progress milestones and friendly competitions, with modest financial awards for achievement and continued participation.
Step 6 · Results
Every student is tested before and after
A standardized English proficiency assessment sets each baseline. Periodic assessments and course-completion data track reading, writing, listening and speaking from there.
02 · Research
Why English
English proficiency is strongly associated with higher earnings and more international trade. Six findings from the research behind the program, each linked to its source.
64%
Adult literacy (ages 15 and up) is about 64% in low-income countries and 69% in Sub-Saharan Africa, against about 96% in upper-middle-income countries.
A study of 105 countries from 2011 to 2023 linked greater English proficiency with more international trade over the long term, though the effect varied by region.
Many of the jobs open to people in developing nations are done in English.
Call centers
Customer support for international companies, a major employer in the Philippines.
Cruise lines
Crew positions on international ships, where English is the working language on board.
Tourism
Guides, hotel and restaurant staff who work with international visitors, such as tour guides in Haiti.
04 · Goals
Goals for the first three years
A pass counts only for a student who did not meet the proficiency standard at baseline.
Month 0Baseline tests
1,000passes by month 18
3,000passes by month 36
Goals and how they are measured
When
Target
How it is measured
Month 18
1,000 students pass
A standardized test before the program, then the same standard after it
Month 36
3,000 students pass, in total
The same standard, counted across all classes
Throughout
Participation, completion and level gained
Reported to donors on a regular schedule
05 · Devices
Give tablets
School districts, businesses and other organizations with used or outdated tablets can offer them here. We will follow up to arrange collection.
06 · Questions
Questions
Are donations tax-deductible?
Clover’s Corner is being formed as a nonprofit. We will confirm its tax status before accepting gifts, and say so here.
Which courses do students use?
Literacy and language-learning platforms such as Duolingo, plus other subscription-based and offline programs.
Who runs the classes?
Trusted, education-focused nonprofits in each country. They distribute the tablets, enroll students and provide local support and oversight. Partner organizations will be listed here once agreements are in place.
How do you measure progress?
Each student takes a standardized English proficiency assessment before beginning. Progress is tracked through periodic assessments, course-completion data and gains in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Results are compiled and reported to donors.
What do students earn?
Modest financial awards or other incentives for achievement and continued participation, through literacy challenges, milestones and friendly competitions.
08 · Give
Make a gift
Gifts pay for refurbishing tablets, course licenses and student awards.
Clover’s Corner is a nonprofit in formation. Online giving opens once its tax status is confirmed.
