The Language Podcast with Richard Simcott

“Learning other languages makes you a more open person and makes you understand we are not in a vacuum.” - Fadi BouKaram   When it comes to learning a new language, fear of acceptance by native speakers is often a barrier to practising and improving. But Fadi BouKaram believes sharing language with others is a powerful tool in breaking down cultural barriers.   Fadi BouKaram is a Lebanes...

“When writing, you're using the language a lot more intentionally than when you’re speaking.” - Judith Meyer   Have you ever been put off learning a new language because it uses a different writing system to your first language? If so, you’re not alone.   Judith Meyer says learning to write in a new language can seem daunting - especially if it uses a different script. But she claims wri...

“The very fact that you can do (read) anywhere, without barriers, makes it an incredibly important tool.” - Olly Richards    For many, reading is the least of their worries when it comes to learning a new language but Olly Richards, inventor of the StoryLearning method, says it’s not something to be overlooked.    Olly’s method teaches reading skills through stories - using the...

“Once you embody it, once you’re producing it in song, it really improves pronunciation, confidence, memory.” - Desta Haile   Listening to music isn’t just an enjoyable way of learning a new language, it can also teach you so much about culture, about politics and about the words people are really using.    Desta runs the Languages Through Music programme, bringing two decades of ex...

  “It’s more reliable to feel what you’re saying, than to hear it” - Anneli Haake   Getting pronunciation right when you’re learning a new language is a challenge people often find most terrifying. If you’re struggling to ‘listen and repeat’, Anneli Haake has a much more effective method for you to try.   Anneli Haake is a Swedish Language teacher, author, and founder of Swedish Mad...

“You’re going to feel like an idiot. You’re going to feel self-conscious. But you’re going to learn a lot quicker” -Benny Lewis   Afraid of having conversations in a new language? Unsure how to get started? Benny Lewis will get you chatting with the locals in no time.   Benny is known as the Irish Polyglot and speaks more than ten languages. He runs the language learning blog fluentin3mo...

“Life is just so much more fun when you speak a bunch of languages, is it not?” - Jo Franco   Where should you start if you want to learn a new language? To inspire the beginning of your journey, we bring you social media sensation Jo Franco.   Jo is a Netflix travel host, filmmaker, writer and founder of JoClub, a global online journaling community. She has been documenting her language...

This brand new series of the Language Podcast is a toolkit for all you language learners out there - whether you’re learning for the first time, or adding another language to your arsenal. "Life is just so much more fun when you speak a bunch of languages, is it not?” - Jo Franco Find out more about Teach Yourself at www.teachyourself.com .   Your host is polyglot Richard Simcott . The Langua...

Join renowned writer, editor, lecturer, and broadcaster, David Crystal, as he delves into the ever-evolving nature of English and explores the intriguing question of linguistic ownership. In this episode, Crystal explores the potential future of English as a global lingua franca, the inevitability of language change and the necessity for a global or international standard of English.   “Every...

Meet Ellen Jovin , the brilliant mind behind the Grammar Table, engaging in language conversations with strangers across the US since 2018. In this enlightening episode, Ellen delves into some of the most frequently asked grammar questions she's encountered on her journey – from the infamous Oxford comma to the singular 'they'. Ellen’s passion for language is catching, but she’s the first to remin...

Join renowned applied linguist Michael McCarthy to discover the dynamic journey of the English language as it spreads across the globe. Witness how English enriches and adapts, sometimes borrowing words and expressions, and other times merging with local tongues to form pidgins and creoles. Explore the most radical changes to the English language today and join the debate on the future of English....

Join Len Pennie, the renowned Scots poet celebrated for her Scots word of the day on Twitter and TikTok, and Dr. Michael Dempster, director at the Scots Language Centre, as they discuss the historical divergence of Scots from English and uncover the rich tapestry of creative works that have flourished in the Scots language. Engage in the debate surrounding the thorny issue of a standardised orthog...

Prepare to be amazed by an array of fascinating etymological revelations, including the surprising (and sometimes cheeky) origins of English words, as we continue our journey through the evolution of English and trace its transformation from Old English to Middle English. Join Jess Zafarris, the woman behind Useless Etymology and Words from Hell , as she talks about The Great Vowel Shift, a turnin...

Join us as we delve into the rich history of Old English and its enduring influence on Modern English with Dr Mark Atherton , lecturer at the University of Oxford. Discover the origins of the language of Chaucer and the epic Beowulf, and explore the differences between Old, Middle and Modern English.   “In a way you could say that Old English is still with us. It's the language that each gene...

Welcome to the Language Podcast, where we meet some of the world's foremost experts to discuss the ins and outs of the one thing that makes us uniquely human--language. Listen to this brand new series about the evolution of English. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.