Language Learning Insights

What really helps you become fluent in a new language? In this episode of Language Learning Insights , Rick Moore talks with Eli Sousa , founder of Portuguese with Eli, about the habits and teaching methods that help learners build real confidence. Eli shares why communication should come before perfection, how much grammar beginners actually need, why speaking reveals the gaps in your knowledge,...

What does it really take to move beyond the intermediate plateau in language learning? In this episode of Language Learning Insights , I sit down with Andrea Alger , co-founder and lead teacher of Spanishland School, to discuss why so many learners get stuck—and what actually helps them make meaningful progress. Andrea shares practical advice drawn from nearly a decade of teaching thousands of int...

What does it really take to become conversational in a new language? In this episode of Language Learning Insights , I sit down with Massimo Cubelli , creator of L'Italiano Vero , one of the longest-running podcasts helping learners understand authentic, everyday Italian. Although Massimo isn't a language teacher, his experience learning English—and later helping thousands of people learn Italian—...

Why do so many people spend years studying a language yet still struggle to have a simple conversation? In this episode, I sit down with Carolina, founder of Pura Buena Onda, to explore what actually helps people become confident speakers. We discuss why conversation should begin much earlier than most learners think, the role grammar should (and shouldn't) play, and how to create an immersive lea...

In this episode of Language Learning Insights, I speak with Maria Amador, creator of Slow Portuguese with Maria , about what it really takes to learn a language as an adult. Maria shares how learning Swedish transformed her perspective as a teacher, why she shifted to using almost entirely Portuguese with her students, and how her own struggles with language learning helped her better understand t...

In this episode of Language Learning Insights, Rick Moore, founder of MiVoca, talks with Jennifer Lebedev, creator of English with Jennifer and one of YouTube's most respected English teachers. Jennifer shares her journey from classroom teacher to YouTube educator, discusses what she's learned from teaching millions of learners online, and explains why authentic connection matters just as much as...

Laura Lawless, founder of Lawless Languages , joins Language Learning Insights to discuss her journey from a childhood fascination with French to building one of the internet's largest free language-learning resources. We explore what beginners should focus on, why immersion matters, how motivation drives long-term success, the challenges of maintaining multiple languages, and Laura's thoughts on...

Host Rick Moore, creator of MiVoca, chats with Gordon Smith-Durán, founder of LightSpeed Spanish, about language learning methods, common learner challenges, and practical advice for students.