1. Rules for a person who learns a second language in the least amount of time from the initial condition of knowing not a single word of that language to the proficiency of being able to read a current newspaper published in that language: 
   1. In this competition, any two languages that share the same language genealogy will not be a second language to each other, such as, Spanish will not be a second language to a person with English being his or her first language while Arabic, Chinese or Japanese would be his or her second language. At here, the second language must be a major world language: Indo-European languages (English, Spanish, French, etc), Arabic, Chinese language system (Chinese, Japanese, etc), and it can not be a primitive aboriginal language that is used in a primitive social order.
   2. This competition is consisting of the following three major parts: 
      1. This competition is only on the written language for the selected second language,
         and the verbal (speaking) language is not a part of this competition.
      2. The one who enters into this competition, the attempter, must not know a single word of his or
         her selected second language at the point of entering into this competition.
      3. The standard for success and completion of this competition is that the attempter must be able to read a current newspaper published in the selected second language at the proficiency equivalent to the native people of that language. The way to test this proficiency is described in II.B.
2. Proof and Verification:
   1. Proof of initial condition:
      1. Testimony from friends, former co-workers and family to prove that the attempter knew not a single written word of the selected qualified second language at the initial condition.
      2. Eye witness, verification committee
      3. Any other supporting documents
   2. The method of verification of proficiency:
      1. Fifty (50) words from a current newspaper of the selected language will be randomly selected. Each word will be presented for ten seconds and the attempter will duplicate each word by hand writing and will provide its meaning.
          

         Note: This is not a timed section. However, one hundred twenty (120) minutes could be a reasonable estimate.

      2. Three (3) headlines will be randomly selected and the attempter will translate each headline into his or her native language.
          

         Note: This is a language proficiency test and not a culture knowledge test.  
         Therefore, any cultural-laden phrase shall be excluded from this proficiency test. This is not a timed section. However, forty five (45) minutes could be a reasonable estimate.

      3. Test on the proficiency of using a dictionary:Knowing how to use a dictionary is a very important part for literacy. In this section, twenty (20) minutes is allowed for the attempter to use a dictionary to check his or her previous test sections.
          

         Note: The dictionary used by the attempter shall be examined and approved by the testing and verification committee.

      4. Standard for success and completion: The way of point calculation is as follows: 
         1. Each word of the fifty (50) word section accounts for 2 points, and the total section accounts for one hundred (100) points. In this section, each question has a two part answer, duplication of a word by hand writing and the meaning of that word. An error in either part of each answer will result in a 0.80 point deduction.
         2. Each answer for the headline translation section accounts for 5 points. This section of the test accounts for fifteen (15) points.
         3. For the dictionary section, no point is given directly. Any point gain through corrections of the two above test sections by using a dictionary will be the score of this section.

         A test score of eighty (80) or greater (from the sum of all three sections) will be success and completion for this test.

   3. The party who will conduct the verification of proficiency test:
      1. This testing and verification committee must be composed of, at least, three persons who are:
         1. Reputable and in good-standing within their community
         2. Not all within the same organization
      2. The operations of this testing and verification committee must be fully transparent, such as under the review of public media.
3. To Issue the World Record CertificatesFor issuing a World Record certificate, the testing and verification committee must adhere to the following procedure:
   1. The testing and verification committee must issue two certificates.
      1. Certificate of proof of the initial condition
      2. Certificate of proof of success and completion of the proficiency test
   2. The above two certificates must be placed in the public eye for review for thirty days. If there is no challenge made, then the first confirmation certificate can be issued.
   3. The methodology used by the atemptee must be placed in the public eye for examination for thirty days. If there is no challenge made, then the second confirmation certificate can be issued.

   Ten days after two confirmation certificates are issued, the certificate of the World Record can be issued to the attempter.

Proficiency Test by Media on June 5, 2008 for Setting the World Record on Learning the Chinese Written Language After 80 Days of Study

Still frames from LA18 news broadcast:

News report from five newspapers

Signature Record of Reporters and Witnesses

More Photos during the News Conference

Exhibit C (News Reports on 2008-04-03)

The two pictures below are still-Frames of LA18 News broadcast:

The two pictures below are still-Frames of Sky Link News broadcast:

The three pictures below are newspaper press coverages:

中 國 日 報 (China Daily), April, 4, 2008

星 島 日 報 (Singtao Daily), April, 4, 2008

台 灣 時 報 (Taiwan Times), April, 4, 2008

The announcement on Jason Tyler Gong‘s attempt successful, the insuance and the publication of four certificates and Henry Miles Gong‘s new world record attempt were reported by three Chinese newspapers.

On June 17, 2008, the World Record Committee – Chinese Written Language (Testing and Verification Committee) issued and published four certificates on Jason Tyler Gong‘s world record attempt.

Exhibits A – E

Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3

Study Log

Methodology

More information on the Official Test and the Test Results

From June 17, 2008 to July 17, 2008 (thirty days), the four certificates above are published to the world for review, investigation and challenge. After these thirty days, if no challenge is made, these certificates will stand as world recognized certificates.

Any challenge, please Contact Us.

Leon Lin (13 years old Chinese immigrant) is able to speak and listen because of growing up in a Chinese speaking environment. However, he was unable to read and write. After learning Chinese written language via the word root system (Chinese Etymology) for only seven days, he is able to write simple Chinese words after glancing at a word for only ten seconds. In the photos below, he is speaking and demonstrating his learning experience.

More photos from the news conference

Names lists of the institutions that received this announcement

Media

1. Editor in Chief
   Time
   Time & Life Building
   Rockefeller Center
   New York, NY 10020-1393
2. Editor in Chief
   Los Angeles Times
   202 W 1st Street
   Los Angeles, CA 90012
3. Editor in Chief
   U.S. News & World Report
   1050 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
   Washington, DC 20007
4. Editor in Chief
   The Washington Times
   3600 New York Ave., NE
   Washington DC 20002-1947
5. Editor in Chief
   Chicago Tribune
   435 N. Michigan Ave.,
   Chicago, IL 60611-4041
6. Editor in Chief
   The Boston Herald
   One Herald Square
   P.O. Box 55843
   Boston, MA 02205
7. Editor in Chief
   Chicago Sun-Times
   350 N. Orleans
   Chicago, IL 60654
8. Editor in Chief
   National Review
   215 Lexington Ave.,
   New York, NY 10016 

   *****

9. Editor in Chief
   Chinese Daily News
   1588 Corporate Center Dr.
   Monterey Park, CA 91754
10. Editor in Chief
    Sing Tao Newspapers LTD.
    17059 Green Dr.,
    City of Industry, CA 91745
11. Editor in Chief
    International Daily News
    870 Monterey Pass Rd.,
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
12. Editor in Chief
    Chinese L.A. Daily News
    9639 Telstar Ave.,
    El Monte, CA 91731
13. Editor in Chief
    The China Press
    2121 W. Mission Rd.,
    Alhambra, CA 91803
14. Station Manager
    CTI Zhong Tian
    1255 Corporate Center Dr., #212
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
15. Station Manager
    ETTV America
    18430 E. San Jose Ave.,
    City of Industry, CA 91748
16. Station Manager
    LA 18 International
    1990 S. Bundy Dr., #850
    Los Angeles, CA 90025
17. Station Manager
    Sky Link TV
    500 W. Montebello Blvd.,
    Rosemead, CA 91770
18. Station Manager
    Phoenix Satellite Television
    12803 Schabarum Ave.,
    Irvindale, CA 91706
19. Station Manager
    TVB Holding Inc.,
    15411 Blackbum Ave.,
    Norwalk, CA 90650

Officials

1. The Hon. Gary Miller
   U.S. House of Representatives
   Washington, D.C. 20515
2. Mr. Bill Gates
   Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
   P.O. Box 23350
   Seattle, WA 98102
3. Dr. Edwin J. Feulner
   The Heritage Foundation
   214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
   Washington, DC 20002-4999
4. President of China
   Beijing, China
5. Prime Minister of China
   Beijing, China
6. President of Taiwan
   Taipei, Taiwan
7. Prime Minister of Taiwan
   Taipei, Taiwan
8. Dr. Condoleezza Rice
   Department of State
   2201 C St., NW
   Washington DC 20520
9. Mr. Stephen J. Hadley
   National Security Adviser
   1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
   Washington DC 20500
10. Dr. Roberts Gates
    Secretary of Defense
    The Pentagon
    Washington DC 20301
11. General Michael V. Hayden
    CIA Director
    Central Intelligence Agency
    Washington, DC 20505
12. Secretary Margaret Spellings
    US Department of Education
    400 Maryland Ave., SW
    Washington, DC 20202
13. The Hon. Nancy Pelosi
    The House of Representatives
    Washington DC 20515
14. Dr. Gaston Caperton
    The College Board
    45 Columbus Ave.,
    New York, NY 10023-6992
15. Director
    Office of External Communications
    RAND Corporation
    P.O. Box 2138
    1776 Main Street
    Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138
16. Mr. Gary M. Feinman
    The field Museum
    1400 S. Lake Shore Drive
    Chicago, IL 60605-2496
17. Mr. Gary Becker
    Hoover Institution
    434 Galvez Mall
    Stanford University
    Stanford, CA 94305-6010
18. National Foreign Language Center
    5201 Paint Branch Parkway
    Patapsco Building, Suite 2132
    College Park, MD 20742-6715
19. Association for Asian Studies
    1021 East Huron St.,
    Ann Arbor, MI 48104
20. American Council on Teaching of Foreign Language
    700 S. Washington St.,
    Suite 210
    Alexandria, VA 22314
21. Joint National Committee for Language
    4646 40th Street, N.W.
    Suite 310
    Washington, DC 20016

Chinese Schools

1. Principal
   Bay Valley Chinese School
   P.O. Box 3351
   Danville, CA 94526
2. Principal
   Sunshine Chinese School
   P.O. Box 2494
   San Ramon, CA 94583
3. Principal
   CMCLS
   P.O. Box 1125
   Westborough, MA 01581
4. Principal
   Lexingtion Chinese School
   221 Concord Ave.,
   Belmont, MA 02478
5. Principal
   Rockville Chinese School
   14501 Good Earth Court
   Rockville, MD 20850
6. Principal
   DHCCA
   375 Wolf Hill Road
   Dix Hills, NY 11746
7. Principal
   Staten Island Chinese School
   P.O. Box 492
   Staten Island, NY 10309

Education Departments

1. Director
   California Department of Education
   1430 N. Street, Suite 4309
   Sacramento, CA 95814
2. Director
   Colorado State World Language Advisory Council
   1805 Court Street
   Pueblo, CO 81003
3. Director
   Connecticut State Department of Education
   P.O. Box 2219
   Hartford, CT 06145 -2219
4. Director
   Delaware Department of Education
   P.O. Box 1402
   Dover, DE 19903 -1402
5. Director
   Florida Department of Education
   325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 301 C
   Tallahassee, FL 32399 -0400
6. Director
   Georgia Department of Education
   1766 Twin Towers East
   205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
   Atlanta, GA 30334
7. Director
   Hawaii Department of Education
   22nd Avenue, Rm 222
   Honolulu, HI 96816
8. Director
   Indiana Department of Education
   Room 229 State House
   Indianapolis, IN 46204 -2798
9. Director
   Kentucky Department of Education
   18th Floor
   Capital Plaza Tower
   500 Mero Street
   Frankfort, KY 40601
10. Director
    Louisiana Department of Education
    1201 North 3rd Street
    Baton Rouge, LA 70804 -9064
11. Director
    Maine Department of Education
    23 State House Station
    Augusta, ME 04333 -0023
12. Director
    Maryland Department of Education
    200 West Baltimore Street
    Baltimore, MD 21201 -2595
13. Director
    Minnesota – CARLA
    271 19th Ave. S 615 Heller Hall
    Minneapolis, MN 55455
14. Director
    Nebraska Department of Education
    301 Centennial Mall South
    Lincoln, NE 68509
15. Director
    New Jersey Department of Education
    100 River View Plaza
    P.O. Box 500
    Trenton, NJ 08625 -0500
16. Director
    North Carolina Department of public Education
    Building 6353 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699 -6353
17. Director
    Ohio Department of Education
    25 S. Front Street #509
    Columbus, OH 43215 -4183
18. Director
    Oklahoma State Department of Education
    2500 North Lincoln Blvd., Suite 315
    Oklahoma City, OK 73105 -4599
19. Director
    Oregon State Department of Education
    255 Capitol Street NE
    Salem, OR 97310 -0001
20. Director
    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    333 Market Street, Eighth Floor
    Harrisburg, PA 17126 -0333
21. Director
    South Carolina Department of Education
    1429 Senate Street, B -17
    Columbia, SC 29201 -3799
22. Director
    Texas Education agency
    1701 North Congress Ave.,
    Austin, TX 78701 -1494
23. Director
    Utah State Department of Education
    250 East 500 South
    Salt Lake City, UT 84114
24. Director
    Vermont Department of Education
    120 State Street
    Montpelier, VT 05620 -2501
25. Director
    Virginia Department of Education
    P.O. Box 2120
    Richmond, VA 23218 -2120
26. Director
    Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
    P.O. Box 7841
    Madison, WI 53707 -7841
27. Director
    Wyoming Department of Education
    231 E. 10th Street
    Casper, WY 82601
28. Director
    World Affairs Council
    711 North Mountain Drive
    Newington, CT 06111
29. Director
    International Education Coordinator
    Idaho Department of Education
    P.O. Box 83720
    Boise, ID 83720 -0027
30. Director
    Primary Source
    125 Walnut Street, Suite 201
    Watertown, MA 02472
31. Director
    Public Education Department
    300 Don Gaspar Ave.,
    Santa Fe, NM 87501
32. Director
    North Carolina Center for International Understanding
    412 N. Wilmington Street
    Raleigh, NC 27601
33. Director
    Oklahoma State Regents for High Education
    P.O. Box 108850
    Oklahoma City, OK 73101 -8850
34. Director
    Peggy and Marc Spiegel Center
    Roger Williams University
    One Old ferry Road
    Bristol, RI 02809 -2921
35. Director
    West Virginia Department of Education
    Building 5, Rm 205
    State Capitol Complex
    Charleston, WV 25305

University Presidents

1. Dr. Eric Frank
   Occidental College
   3rd Floor, 1600 Campus Road
   Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314
2. Dr. Brian King
   Cabrillo College
   Rm 806
   6500 Soquel Drive
   Aptos, CA 95003
3. Dr. Barberena
   Chabot College
   25555 Hesperian Blvd.,
   Hayward, CA 94545
4. Dr. Jamillah Moore
   Los Angeles City College
   855 N Vermont Ave.,
   Los Angeles, CA 90029
5. Dr. Paulette J. Perfumo
   Pasadena City College
   1570 E. Colorado Blvd.,
   Pasadena, CA 91106
6. Dr. Richard D. McCullough
   Saddleback College
   28000 Marguerite Pkwy
   Mission Viejo, CA 92692-3635
7. Dr. Rita M. Cepeda
   San Diego Mesa College
   7250 Mesa College Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92111
8. Dr. Rodriguez
   San Joaquin Delta College
   5151 Pacific Ave.,
   Stockton, CA 95207
9. Dr. Milton A. Gordon
   California State University, Fullerton
   800 N. State C Blvd.,
   Fullerton, CA 92831
10. Dr. James M. Rosser
    California State University, Los Angeles
    5151 State University Drive
    Los Angeles, CA 90032
11. Dr. Clara Yu
    Monterey Institute of International Studies
    460 Pierce St.,
    Monterey, CA 93940
12. Dr. David W. Oxtoby
    Pomona College
    333 North College Way
    Claremont, CA 91711
13. Dr. Brian Murphy
    De Anza College
    21250 Stevens Greek Blvd.,
    Cupertino, CA 95014
14. Dr. Judy E. Walters
    Diablo Valley College
    321 Golf Club Road
    Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
15. Dr. Ned Doffoney
    Fresno City College
    1101 E University Ave.,
    Fresno, CA 93741
16. Dr. Joseph Subbiondo
    California Institute of Integral Studies
    1453 Mission St.,
    San Francisco, CA 94103
17. Dr. Patricia Sandoval
    Antelope Valley College
    3041 W Ave. K
    Lancaster, CA 93536
18. Dr. Michael J. Kasler
    Cypress College
    9200 Valley View St.,
    Cypress, CA 90630
19. Dr. Frank Chong
    Laney College
    900 Fallon St.,
    Oakland, CA 94607
20. Dr. Loren Steck
    Monterey Peninsula College
    980 Fremont Ave.,
    Monterey, CA 93940
21. Dr. Judy C. Miner
    Foothill College
    12345 El Monte Rd.,
    Los Altos, CA 94022
22. Dr. Harriett J. Robles
    Mission College
    3000 Mission College Blvd.,
    Santa Clara, CA 95054
23. Dr. Robert B. Lawton, S.J.
    Loyola Marymount University
    7900 Loyola Blvd.,
    Los Angeles, CA 90045
24. Dr. Loura Skandera Trombley
    Pitzer College
    1050 North Mills Ave.,
    Claremont, CA 91711
25. Dr. Dianne F. Harrison
    California State University, Monterey Bay
    100 Campus Center
    Seaside, CA 93955
26. Dr. Jolene Koester
    California State University, Northridge
    18111 Nordhoff Street
    Northridge, CA 91330
27. Dr. John D. Welty
    California State University, Fresno
    5241 N. Maple Ave.,
    Fresno, CA 93740
28. Dr. Timothy P. White
    University of CA, Riverside
    Riverside, CA 92521
29. Dr. Randal R. Wisbey
    La Sierra University
    4700 Pierce St.,
    Riverside, CA 92515
30. Dr. David Viar
    American River College
    4700 College Oak Dr.
    Sacramento, CA 95841

Others

1. Mr. Tong
   1621 S. 2nd St., #D,
   Alhambra, CA 91801 

   Tel: (626)570-8630, Cell: (626)215-1152

2. Principal
   Arcadia Chinese School
   823 S. 1st Ave.,
   Aracadia, CA 91006 

   (626)355-5031

3. Principal
   Cerritos Chinese School
   18908 Norwalk Blvd.,
   Artesia, CA 90701 

   (562)865-8272

4. Principal
   Chinese-American Education Institute
   6116 N. San Gabriel Blvd.,
   San Gabriel, CA 91776 

   (626)818-8561

5. Principal
   Concordia Chinese School of Cerritos
   13633 183rd St.,
   Cerritos, CA 90703 

   (562)921-4170

6. Principal
   Hope Chinese School
   9032 E. Mission Dr.,
   Rsemead, CA 91770 

   (626)292-1053

7. Principal
   Sun Yat Sen Chinese School
   10027 Lur Line Ave.,
   Chtsworth, CA 91311 

   (818)340-8590

8. Principal
   Superior Education
   315 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., #C,
   Diamond Bar, CA 91765 

   (909)860-1999

9. Principal
   Walnut Chinese Language Center
   20850 Carrey Rd.,
   Walnut, CA 91788 

   (909)594-5858

10. The Hon. Judy Chu
    1100 Corporate Center Dr., Suite 203
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
11. Mr. Stephen Sham
    Alhambra City Hall,
    111 South First Street,
    Alhambra, CA 91801
12. Mr. Wen P. Chang
    Diamond Bar City Hall
    21825 Copley Drive
    Diamond Bar, CA 91765
13. Mr. John Wuo
    Arcadia City Council
    P.O. Box 60021
    Arcadia, CA 91066-6021
14. Mr. Albert Y.M. Huang
    San Gabriel City Hall
    425 S. Mission Drive
    San Gabriel, CA 91776
15. Mr. Anthony Wong
    City Hall
    320 West Newmark Ave.,
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
16. Mr. David T. Lau
    City Hall
    320 West Newmark Ave.,
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
17. Mr. Eugene Sun
    San Marino City Hall
    2200 Huntington Drive
    San Marino, CA 91108
18. Dr. Matthew Lin
    San Marino City Hall
    2200 Huntington Drive
    San Marino, CA 91108
19. Mr. Joaquin Lim
    City of Walnut
    21201 La Puente Road
    P.O. Box 682
    Walnut, CA 91789
20. Mr. Larry L. Redinger
    880 South Lemon Ave.,
    Walnut, CA 91789
21. Dana Biggs
    MD4
    129 Los Aguajes Ave.,
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101
22. Dr. Susan Parks
    San Gabriel Unified School District
    408 Junipero Serra Drive,
    San Gabriel, CA 91776
23. Humberto Garcia
    Montebello Chamber of Commerce
    817 W. Whittier Blvd., #200
    Montebello, CA 90640
24. Marcella Calderon
    Montebello Unified School District
    123 S. Montebello Blvd.,
    Montebello, CA 90640-4729
25. Mr. Bruce Solari
    Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
    201 E. Center St.,
    Anaheim, CA 92805
26. Mr. Donald Sachs
    Chamber of Commerce
    15651 Stafford Street
    City of Industry, CA 91744
27. Mr. Frank Berumen
    Lion’s Club
    115 South Taylor Ave.,
    Montebello, CA 90640
28. Mr. Henry Lo
    Garvey School District
    2730 N. Del Mar Ave.,
    Rosemead, CA 91770
29. Mr. James Vanderbilt
    Anaheim School District
    1001 S. East Street
    Anaheim, CA 92805
30. Mr. Peter Prindle
    Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
    611 Ocean Street, Ste 1
    Santa Cruz, CA 95060
31. Ms. Victoria Deise Wilson
    Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
    104 D. 1st Street
    Alhambra, CA 91801
32. Nadine Gomez
    Rosemead Chamber of Commerce
    3953 uscatel Ave.,
    Rosemead, CA 91770
33. Patricia Rodriguez Mackintosh
    Alhambra Unified School District
    Scanlon Center
    15 West Alhambra Road
    Alhambra, CA 91801
34. President
    Whittier City School District
    7211 S. Whittier Ave.,
    Whittier, CA 90602
35. President
    Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce
    700 El Mercado Ave.,
    Monterey Park, CA 91754
36. President
    La Habra Host Lion’s Club
    P.O. Box 248
    La Habra, CA 90631
37. President
    School District City of Anaheim
    501 Crescent Way,
    Anaheim, CA 92803
38. President
    Los Angeles Unified School District
    333 S. Beaudry Ave., 24th Floor
    Los Angeles, CA 90017
39. Wendy Holten
    San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce
    620 W. Santa Anita St.,
    San Gabriel, CA 91776

Committee Members

Meeting Minutes on May 6, 2008:

Meeting Photos:

Rev. Karen Cheng opening the meeting

Jason demonstrating his progress by taking an on-the-spot quiz from the committee after studying for only fifty days!

Jason explains to the committee an overview of his study methodology

Rules on Setting the World Record for the Shortest Time to Acquire a Second Language

Certificate:

Exhibits A – E

Member list of Testing and Verification Committee

1. Amber Gong
2. Anny Wu
3. Carolyne Lin
4. Charles Chen
5. Chu-Fen Cheng (Co-chair)
6. Chu-wen Cheng (Chair)
7. Helen Yang (Standing Committee)
8. Jian Liu
9. Joe P. Chou (Standing Committee)
10. John Tung (Standing Committee)
11. Joyce Lee
12. Nancy Gong
13. Petulla Yin
14. Robert Shee
15. Sophia Gong
16. Xuejun Li