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

Lanae asks: "I'm learning Japanese, but all the vocabulary I've learnt from books has been on restaurant vocabulary etc. How can I start speaking when I don't know enough to talk?" In this episode: You know you need to start speaking, but how? Why you can't rely on textbooks Why it's ok to skip large parts of your textbook Seeing speaking as the "end result" Speaking to learn vs. Learning to speak Holding your first conversations Resources mentioned in todays episode: My review of JapanesePod101.com The Polyglot Conference - New York 10-11 October Polyglot Workshops - New York Where to find speaking partners: iTalki Verbling conversation exchange.com Today's featured resource: 60 Second Fluency Test Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit:http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have

In this episode, myself and Luca Lampariello discuss the question: "Can technology help you learn a language?" This is a conversation in two parts. For the first half of the discussion, see episode 51. In this episode: What Luca's friends told him about their technology habits Can Duolingo and other language apps help? Gamification can help get people started in language learning, but is this a good thing? Can you focus on learning when technology is involved? What was language learning like before the internet? The difficulty of finding language resources before the internet came along Resources mentioned in todays episode: Luca's blog: The Polyglot Dream Luca's Yo --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

 In this episode, myself and Luca Lampariello discuss the question: "Can technology help you learn a language?" This is a conversation in two parts. For the second half of the discussion, see episode 52. In this episode: What Luca's friends told him about their technology habits Can Duolingo and other language apps help? Gamification can help get people started in language learning, but is this a good thing? Can you focus on learning when technology is involved? What was language learning like before the internet? The difficulty of finding language resources before the internet came along   Resources mentioned in todays episode: Luca's blog: The Polyglot Dream Luca's YouTube channel Free eBook: 10 Essential Tech Resources for Smart Language Learners Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit:http://iwillte

In the last of a three-part series, I answer the question: "I'm simply too busy to learn languages. How can I find the time?" In this episode: The power of tiny How I learnt Cantonese during an extremely busy period in my life Why "1 hour" will put you off, whilst "30 seconds" will get you started! How to create micro habits so you can effortlessly get up and study any time and fill your day with language learning Resources mentioned in todays episode: Time Control - a brand new training course where I walk you step by step through the process of becoming an ultra-efficient language learner, however busy your schedule! Visit this link to find out more: http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/moretime Start speaking today I’d like to thank

In the second of a three-part episode, I answer the question: "I'm simply too busy to learn languages. How can I find the time?" In this episode: How to use the power of the "One Thing" to make massive progress towards your goals The importance of saying "no" How to focus on your goals like a laser Resources mentioned in todays episode: Time Control - a brand new training course where I walk you step by step through the process of becoming an ultra-efficient language learner, however busy your schedule! Visit this link to find out more: http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/moretime Start speaking today Start Speaking Today I’d like to thank iTalki

In the first of a three-part episode, I answer the question: "I'm simply too busy to learn languages. How can I find the time?" In this episode: Why goal setting is often overlooked, but is the key to everything How people set unachievable goals What a sensible goal looks like Defining your next-step goal Resources mentioned in todays episode: Time Control - a brand new training course where I walk you step by step through the process of becoming an ultra-efficient language learner, however busy your schedule! Visit this link to find out more: http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/moretime Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply 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

Hugo asks in an iTunes review: "How do you maintain a good level in all your languages?" In this episode: Polyglots do not speak all their languages "perfectly" Level in a language is a fluctuating thing Why learning a language to a high level is the key How your need to use a language will influence your long-term success with it To maintain languages, doing small things little and often is the key Resources mentioned in todays episode: Gooddrama.net iTalki.com HelloTalk FluentU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_9Yhmsq_x0 Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply 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 upda

Nathan asks in an iTunes review: "I have several native Afrikaner friends, however none of them are trained teachers. What is the best way I can help them to help me learn their language." In this episode: How I learnt Arabic with few resources and native speakers With friends, you need to set clear boundaries for language learning Begin with learning to talk about yourself and familiar things Simply ask your friend how to say the things you want to be able to say Resources mentioned in todays episode: Colloquial Afrikaans - a recommended textbook Two websites for learning Afrikaans: http://w --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Terry asks: "What's the best way to study in-between lessons in order to consolidate what you've learnt?" In this episode: What's the main purpose of a language lesson? How lessons, for me, are the place to practise, not to "study" How to use your time in-between lessons to consolidate what you've learnt Resources mentioned in todays episode: Are you wasting your money on language classes? - This one is self-explanatory! Polyglot Workshops. Join myself, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings for a live training day in New York City (October) and London (November) Start speaking today I’d like to thank

Terry asks: "I've been taking regular Chinese lessons with iTalki, but should I stick with one teacher, or have a variety?" In this episode: Why focusing on one thing can be the most beneficial How to get "glimpses of mastery" Why sticking with one teacher is probably your best bet Resources mentioned in todays episode: How To Get S*** Done - how to harness the power of one thing to bring you the fastest progress in a foreign language Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordab --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Chiara asks: "Is it still worth doing a degree in languages? Is there still a role for language teachers in a rapidly changing world? In this episode: Why a language degree is a great thing to do My experience at university and what I got from it The role of language teaching in a world with ever-increasing technology Resources mentioned in todays episode: The Business of Language podcast - #6 Interview with Olly Richards Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Wendel asks: "I need to learn a 3rd European language, but none appeals to me. What should I do?" In this episode: What's a good reason to learn a new language? The dangers of learning a language you're not passionate about How to decide on a new language to learn Resources mentioned in todays episode: IWTYAL 025: I'm torn between two languages British Council "Languages for the future report" Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply 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 this episode, I discuss how introverts deal with learning foreign languages. In this episode: I am an introvert by nature, despite what you may guess from my public persona! How I suffer from shyness in groups How this has impacted my language learning Why living abroad hasn't been a "no-brainer" for me How I nevertheless enjoy speaking, and base my language learning on speaking with people I genuinely like Are you an introvert? Please let me know how this has affected your language learning: http://wp.me/p4wyTY-1kD Resources mentioned in todays episode:

One reader asks: "I want to try my hand at reading a book and wondered what you would recommend?" In this episode: The problem with children's books... Intended for children Low-frequency vocabulary What kind of books are best to read... Graded readers (not parallel texts) Short, non-fiction books on a topic that interests you (e.g. biographies, how-to books) Any book you've already read, translated into your target language If you have a book store close by with a good foreign book section - go and browse! If you don't like books, try Project Syndicate Judith Meyer from learnlangs.com mentioned: Crime stories, romance stories, autobiographies, travel stories. Translated books are easier than original ones.

Alex asks: "How should one go about gathering together language learning materials when there are none?" In this episode: Here are my suggestions for finding materials for minority languages: Reach out to people who have learnt the language before - there will be more than you think. Use Google to search for people, groups and blogs Even if there is little material, use what you can find. You can get far with little. Go to the country. Not always practical, but the best thing you could possibly do. Create your own materials by contacting native speakers and/or travelling to the country. This is a fantastic project and a great service to the community. Do you have anything to add about learning minority language or finding materials for them? Please leave a comment below to let us know! Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Ben asks: "I'm currently on a work placement in France. How can I make the most of living with native speakers?" In this episode: The huge opportunity of living with native speakers Create a no-English environment if at all possible Focus on the formulaic aspects of daily life Take notes of what you see Observe and imitate Think: "What would I say in English?" in order to decide what to say next. Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to create an immersion environment - a detailed post about creating an foreign language immersion environment in the comfort of your own home Start speaking today

Melissa asks: "I'm learning Spanish, but people keep replying to me in English. How can I solve this?" In this episode: The difficulties of finding native speakers to practise with How social pressure can lead people to reply in English Why you shouldn't judge your level based on your experience talking to strangers The importance of finding a safe person to practise with How to explain to a language partner you want to keep it in the target language Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to stop people talking to you in English Start speaking today

ManchesterAul asks (in an iTunes review): "What's the difference btw fluency and proficienncy? Do i consider myself fluent or proficient in my languages?" In this episode: Why I dislike the discussion about fluency and proficiency Certain professions may require a proven proficiency level How I define fluency The world of language testing The difference between accuracy and fluency How you can lose a level in a language Resources mentioned in today's episode: CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference Polyglot Workshops - regular workshops for language learners worldwide. Join us in London, UK, in November 2015 Speaking Fluently on Facebook, fr --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Nina asks: "How can I coach my mum to learn Italian?" In this episode: The most important things about coaching someone to learn a language Why fostering a passion for a language is so important Make sure the vocabulary you learn is actually useful for you Resources mentioned in today's episode: Duolingo Memrise Benny teaches a monoglot to learn Esperanto: https://youtu.be/UHPC5DN4eJA Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Shane asks: "I'm learning Chinese and Thai. What's the best way to learn the tones, or tonal languages in general?" In this episode: How to approach learning tonal languages Why top-down approaches beat bottom-up approaches for learning tones How I approach learning a tonal language: Make sure you understand the tones in the language you're learning Start listening to recorded dialogues from your textbook every day Work with a tutor right from the start, so you can practise speaking and get feedback Write down new words and phrases with the tone indicated Give yourself time to get used to it all! [Tweet "You don't learn a language, you get used to it - Khatzumoto"] Resources mentioned in today's episode: Tone Pair Drills - a great article on the Sensible Chinese blog. Olly speaking Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QRVpNbNzK8 Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers a