I Will Teach You A Language | Weekly Motivation And Language Learning Tips To Help You Become Fluent In Any Language

This is part 1 of a new series about improving your listening skills! Episode Summary: In this episode you'll learn: Why speed is NOT the reason you struggle with listening The “invisible shield” that keeps you stuck at your current level The ONE simple change to your study routine that will help you understand native speakers better https://vimeo.com/241009289 Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around

Nicolás asks: "How can I integrate grammar and writing skills into my routine?" Episode Summary: Its common for speaking to outpace other skills Many people find that writing is rarely necessary in another language, especially if you're learning for fun If a skill isn't necessary, will you be motivated enough to improve it? The way to become a good writer is to be a good reader Read widely on topics of interest - you grammar and writing will improve naturally What elements of your daily life can you move into Italian? Try writing based on the theme of your reading Today's Quote: “The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.” —Samuel Johnson Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to f

Holly asks: How can I best help my child with language learning? Episode Summary: Language learning for children is a very different process than for adults The big advantage children have is time Formal lessons don't work particularly well for children until they reach 10ys+ You can't make them learn against their will, so it's essential to find something fun Books and people are the best resources OPOL Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Pampers to Polyglot: Tetsu Yung at the Montreal Language Festival 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRTSL1ObPEU   Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got a

In this episode, I speak with Stephen Krashen about language learning and the polyglot community. For the full show notes, please click here. Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help me to reach other aspiring language learners out there!

Matthias asks: "How can I help my students deal with fossilisation?" Episode Summary: Fossilisation is when a mistake becomes deeply embedded in a learner's language after years of "doing it wrong" It can occur in grammar, pronunciation, incorrect word choice (e.g. "it's mean", "why you have...?") In my teaching experience, fixing fossilisation is tricky because it amounts to reprogramming someone who usually doesn't want to change Fixing fossilisation has to begin with awareness If a student has come to you, it's because they're looking for an external solution, whereas it's the student who has learnt the mistake in the first place - only they can unlearn it As a teacher, you can go hard or soft, it depends on how best the student will react to it I would set the student tasks to do at home, as it relieves pressure on the student Set awareness-raising activities, followed up with regular highlighting of mistakes in lessons Today's Quote: People like to change their mind in private. - Sam Harris Start Speak

In this solo episode, I discuss how changing your study method can have a dramatic effect. Episode Summary: My friend Jeremy and his struggles with Spanish How easy it is to get into a rut with your studying The benefits of trying new approaches to studying I challenge you to learn languages in a completely different way for a few weeks! Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest rev

In this episode, Episode Summary: Living in bilingual areas Relationships with heritage languages How to take your listening and speaking skills from 80% to 100%  Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and

In this episode, I speak with Alex Rawlings about his new book: How To Speak Any Language Fluently. Episode Summary: Alex's upbringing with languages Did he learn languages quickly because he was a kid? How an 11-language test was administered to Alex in 2012 The process of writing a book Advice to bloggers wanting to write a book Working at Memrise.com Is it really possible to improve the way people learn languages? Alex's favourite advice from the book Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode:   How To Speak Any Language Fluently - Alex Rawlings AlexRawlings.co.uk - Alex's Website ReadLang - tool for reading online Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much

Neil asks: "Should I use triangulation to learn French?" Episode Summary: On today's podcast: Episode 014: Can you use one language to learn another? Episode 106: How useful is laddering? "Triangulation" - also know as laddering or bridging The big questions: My Spanish is B2 level. Is now the right time to learn French? Yes, I'd say so Will I lose Spanish once I go back to French? This is a valid concern However, it will never be "lost" There will likely be a period of needing to "recalibrate" his Spanish in a world that now includes French Should I work on both languages together, so as to develop the ability to keep both languages separate in my mind? Not at first The principle learning challenge is to learn French (not to maintain Spanish) Therefore, he'll need to approach learning French with as much dedication as if it were his first foreign language Once he's reached a conversational level in French, then it'll be time to learn to use it at the same time as Spanish Resources mentioned in t

Max asks: "What are the benefits of monolingual flashcards?" Episode Summary: Today's podcast: Monolingual flashcards at the beginner / intermediate level Challenge the assumption that you should create monolingual flashcards - how else can you be using the time? Do not use monolingual flashcards to learn the meaning of vocabulary: Definitions Example sentences Instead, use flashcards to practise your output - i.e. choosing the appropriate word and recalling it quickly Big danger: You quickly "learn" the cards, and the exercise stops being useful. Make sure you're not deceiving yourself about the benefits. For this reason, I would avoid creating cards with e.g.: Definitions Complete the dialogue How I might approach monolingual flashcards myself: Don't see it as a "testing" mechanism, but rather a "retrieval" mechanism - i.e. use the technology to help you see the vocabulary more often. Some thoughts: Close deletion (but how soon until you "learn the card"?) Learning Chinese characters A deck of synon

In this episode I chat with Gabriel Wyner about his language learning background and new Kickstarter project. Episode Summary: Gabe's linguistic background His experience on the Middlebury immersion programmes How the book Fluent Forever came about What’s the link between his previous language learning, and his method with flashcards What languages is he working on right now? The new Kickstarter project To read Gabe's interesting blog post response to my episode (188) on monolingual flashcards click here: https://fluent-forever.com/why-monolingual-flashcards/ Kickstarter Details: If you'd like to support Gabe's Kickstarter project, please mark the following start date in your calendar: September 19th, 4pm UK time (11am EST) Visit: kickstarter.fluent-forever.com Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions

Olga asks: "How should I use all my free time this summer?" Episode Summary: Managing 3-4 foreign languages Why focusing on one is a good idea How to "live" the languages you already speak well   Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help m

Aral asks: "What's the best way to organise my vocabulary notebook?" Episode Summary: Housekeeping: Upcoming guests New French Book Conversations British Sign Language course Today's podcast: How valuable is the time you're spending organising a vocabulary notebook? What's the value of a vocabulary notebook in and of itself? Does it help? The big question: Will you ever look at it again? Some people recommend keeping exhaustive notebooks with every conceivable detail about the new word, organising thematically, etc... I've tried all this before, but it's too slow! Steve Kaufmann's thinking: How are you going to cover enough new vocabulary to make progress, if you spend so much time on each individual word? My 80/20 of vocabulary notebooks: Get your vocabulary from rich, compelling context (reading, listening, speaking) Write things down if you find it helpful Choose only the most useful words and learn them using your favourite process Resources mentioned in today's episode: Bulletproof Memory Email Co

This weekend, I was in Montreal for LangFest 2017. Since then, many friends have been asking me how it was. So, in this episode, I answer that question publicly. Episode Summary: Many people from the Community traveled from far and wide to attend the conference It's great to take a few days to step away and think about language and language learning with calm... it's inspiring My talk on memory Stephen Krashen, Steve Kaufmann and comprehensible input Does comprehensible input or conscious learning result in skill building? Story and graded readers The theme emerging from speakers that stuck with me was that of "compelling input" and "passion" ... nothing new, but the extent of the emphasis was a good reminder of what matters italki I personally found this a great boost for my work with graded readers Montreal is a great, cosmopolitan city, despite taxes, tips and crazy weather Alex Rawlings gave a great talk in which he parodied language learning methods I had some great meetings with Stephen Krashen and

Michael asks: "How can I listen to older podcast episodes?" Episode Summary: I've recently changed the settings in my podcast feed to display the maximum number of old episodes You can find all previous episodes on the website - simply navigate to the "podcast" tab Today's Quote: Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity. - Thor Heyerdahl Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an

Jane asks: "What's it like having so many languages in your head?" Episode Summary: Mostly, I focus on learning only one language at a time To that extent, I don't have much confusion in the learning process In daily life, I find that languages come and go, depending on who I'm spending time with, what I'm doing, what words I need My default is English When I hear other languages, my brain usually switches immediately into that "zone". With a few mins of speaking, I'm comfortable Brazilians in the park Spanish people blocking the door Takeshi in the street Chatting with my Cantonese friend Sometimes words in other languages pop up inadvertently, without me realising it Remember, it's more normal than not to be multilingual Resources mentioned in today's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5slVHy2JmcQ&feature=youtu.be Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes

In this solo episode, I describe what I consider to be the most effective approach to learning a language. Episode Summary: Begin by getting a thorough grounding in the basics - quantity over quality is best at first Start speaking early on with a language tutor Grow your vocabulary while getting used to the sounds of the language - listening & reading Practise what you learn directly with a language partner or tutor Create a lifestyle that involves using your new language as much as possible Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Language Learning Foundations - a step-by-step guide to learning a new language quickly Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks s

In this solo episode I discuss the design and creation of my new Spanish course for beginners. Episode Summary: Why I created a Spanish Beginner course The main aims of the course The concept I landed on How it all came together through story Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Fluent Spanish Academy Beginner - Join as a BETA member (limited time) Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Lea

Daco asks: "Should I learn Mandarin or Cantonese?" Episode Summary: Mandarin is the main international Chinese language, with around 1bn speakers Cantonese is a related language/dialect of Mandarin, with far fewer speakers - around 60m In many Chinatowns around the world, Cantonese is spoken, due to historical migration However, Mandarin is the dominant language worldwide by far The choice of which to learn can only depend on your personal motivations Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: IWTYAL 042: Which language should I learn?  Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the

Crystal asks: "What do you think about watching English movies with foreign language subtitles" Episode Summary: If studying in a way that's helping, keep doing it! With movies, it's worth experimenting with different audio/subtitle combinations To improve your listening comprehension, it makes sense to have your movies set to the target language audio Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Are you wasting your time watching foreign language movies?  Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help