Language & Travel Hacking

Benny and Shannon talk to Chuck Smith, a notable figure in the language learning and Esperanto communities about Esperanto and its culture, and why Esperanto should be your next language. Featured Resources Amikumu Innovative Languages Mentioned in this Episode Polyglot Gathering Amikumu Innovative Languages Chuck Smith Chuck’s Twitter Chuck’s Instagram Episode Overview Some of the topics brought...

This episode features Bryce, who learned conversational Portuguese in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In this episode, Benny and Shannon talk with two Fluent in 3 Months Challenge parti...

This is the first episode of our new "Ask Benny" series where Benny answers listener questions. In this episode, Benny gives an update on where he is with his own language learning projects. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

In this episode, Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy discuss everything from language interpreting to language coaching, the Goldlist Method to novelty in language learning with Lýdia Machová. In our chat with Lýdia, we also cover how to become more than a passive language learner, finding ways to enjoy your language learning, why you should focus on one specific language skill at a time, why Lýdia fo...

In this episode, we talk to renowned polyglot Richard Simcott about learning languages at university, raising a multilingual child, and finding motivation to learn languages through human connection. Featured Resources Assimil italki Mentioned in this Episode Polyglot Conference Richard’s Polyglot Video Korean Script Hacking Assimil Teach Yourself Complete Korean Michel Thomas Go Billy Korean TTMI...

In this episode, Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy have a conversation with Lindie Botes about learning multiple languages, growing up as a third culture kid, and what it’s like growing up bilingual. In our chat with Lindie, we discuss transitioning from language learner to language mentor, gaining the confidence you need to put yourself out there, and different systems and processes for keeping tra...

In this episode, we chat with Katie Harris, the founder of Joy of Languages, host of Easy Languages Italian and the creator of the #languagediarychallenge. Katie is also a previous student in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out m...

This episode features Evelyn, who learned conversational Korean in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In our chat with Evelyn shares how she made huge leaps forward in her Korean learning...

In this episode, we talk to US memory champion Nelson Dellis about learning a heritage language, teaching his kids new languages, and memory hacks used by the champions. Featured Resources Preply Drops Memory Superpowers Mentioned in this Episode Preply Drops Memory Superpowers Nelson’s Dutch Words Video Nelson Dellis Nelson’s Instagram Nelson’s YouTube Nelson’s Facebook Nelson’s Twitter Episode O...

This episode features Nissa, who learned conversational Bengali in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . Nissa shares about learning a less-commonly-taught language, and coming to understand herself t...

Judith Meyer is the writer behind Teach Yourself’s Script Hacking series, creator of LearnYu, and several other language learning resources and tools. In this episode, Judith Meyer, renowned polyglot and language educator shares how she uses unique, specialized language goals to make progress in her languages quickly. She also discusses her involvement in the creation and development of several la...

Lindsay Williams of Lindsay Does Languages is a co-founder of Women in Language, the creator of Language Stories, and is passionate about language learning. In this episode, Lindsay Williams joins us to discuss traveling around the world while learning languages, recording her docuseries and podcast Language Stories, and what it’s like being a “language dabbler”. Featured Resources Not a Year Off...

Jessica Tefenkgi Ruelle of French Sunnyside teaches mindfulness to language learners. She helps learners discover their authentic selves through self-awareness, journaling, and other coaching techniques. In this episode, Jessica shares how to be more mindful in language learning and improve your self-awareness, how to create a new identity in another language, and tips for journaling in another la...

Jonathan Huggins first discovered his love for learning languages when he started diving into his father’s language learning library. That passion brought him to France to study music and continues to be a part of his life as he teaches English online while living abroad and raising his kids to speak multiple languages. In this episode, we chat with Jonathan about why classroom learning worked for...

Benny Lewis chats with Shannon Kennedy and Caitlin Sacasas about how they use the language app Drops. Drops is a visual, vocabulary language learning game that helps you build your foundation in a new language in 5-minute sessions. Shannon and Caitlin share why they love Drops, how they use the app, and how Drops teaches vocab without translation. Featured Links Fluent in 3 Months Black Friday Dea...

Elizabeth Bruckner failed ten times to learn French. It wasn’t until she began exploring the online language community that she finally learned French… in her 40s. She’s since gone on to successfully learn German and Spanish and is now one of the coaches of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. In this episode, we chat with Elizabeth about her experiences learning a language in her 40s, the brain and...

Michele Frolla grew up hearing Italian, but didn’t learn to speak it until she was a bit older. After picking up her heritage language, she went on to live and work in Italy, fully immersing herself in the language. She then went on to create the Intrepid Guide where she shares her experience and tips for learning languages and living abroad. In this episode, we chat with Michele about her experie...

Famous polyglot Steve Kaufmann joins us in this inspiring episode of the language hacking podcast. In our chat with Steve, we discuss comprehensible input and compelling input, what LingQ is and why Steve created it, and the early disagreements between Benny and Steve. Featured Resources LingQ Mentioned in this Episode LingQ Comprehensible Input Steve’s YouTube Steve’s Instagram Steve’s Twitter St...

This episode features Avi, who learned conversational Chinese in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In our chat with Avi, a Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, she shares h...

Johan Tekfak, creator of Français Authentique, shares how he uses Kaizen and other productivity systems to build his language business and improve his language skills each and every day. Mentioned in this Episode Français Authentique Getting Things Done by David Allen Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: How Johan learned German for his job as an engineer Creati...

This episode features Turia, who learned Spanish to the conversational level in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . Turia shares her experience going from an on-again-off-again Spanish learner to a confident Spanish speaker with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. She also shares how she travels alone with her children in Spanish-speaking countries, developing a homeschooling curric...

Kerstin Cable from the Fluent Language Blog shares her experience learning English to full fluency as a native German speaker, her method for acquiring new vocabulary and her long-term, slow approach to learning new languages. Featured Resources Your Solid Vocab Memory German Uncovered Mentioned in this Episode The Fluent Show The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin German Uncovered Duolingo Fluentl...

This episode features Jane T, who learned several languages to the conversational level in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . Jane quit her job after her husband retired to start traveling around Europe in a motorhome, learning languages along the way. Shannon and Benny talk with Jane about her motorhome journeys and how she learns languages while she travels. Jane also shares ho...

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Will John, a professional soccer player from the US who has played for teams in many different countries, including Denmark, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Georgia. Will shares his top tips from his experience learning languages as he travels the world… Featured Resources Muzzy in Gondoland Mentioned in this Episode Muzzy in Gondoland Goluremi Goluremi on Y...

This episode features Deb Bensauls, an enthusiastic language learner who learned conversational French AND Italian in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . Debs shares about travelling on her own usin...