Language & Travel Hacking

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with Juliana Russell of Language Mindset about supporting kids learning languages, resilience in language learning, and if kids really are better language learners than adults Featured Resources italki Mentioned in this Episode italki Gus on the Go Duolingo The Language Mindset Juliana’s Instagram Juliana’s Facebook Episode Overview Some of the topics brought u...

This week Benny talks about how to approach speaking sessions with a teacher differently, depending on your level. The "Speak from Day One" approach is an excellent starting point for beginners, but it's important to make sure you're improving and being challenged as you move into intermediate and beyond. Benny describes how and when he likes a teacher to correct mistakes, and how you can use home...

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with musician and translator Jeremy Bardo about his experience going viral with a Spanish language music video. We also discuss the myth of the language gene and finding joy in embarrassing moments. Featured Resources Speak from Day 1 Language Hacking Spanish Mentioned in this Episode Speak from Day 1 Language Hacking Spanish Memrise Stop Making Excuses Jeremy...

This episode features Brittany, who learned conversational Japanese 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 . Featured Resources Fluent in 3 Months Challenge italki JapanesePod101 Mentioned in...

As a beginner, the idea of having a lesson where you only speak your target language can seem impossible. Benny shares some great ideas and resources that you can use to avoid your native language and start as you mean to go on. Speaking from day one is a daunting prospect, but with a bit of preparation and planning, it's absolutely achievable. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehac...

In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Manuel of “Herr Professor” about growing up multilingual, teaching German, and how engineers approach language learning. Featured Resources Herr Professor Mentioned in this Episode Tiny Habits Stephen Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Herr Professor Herr Professor Courses Herr Professor Podcast James Asher’s Tota...

Sara Maria Hasbun, founder of Meridian Linguistics, shares about psycholinguistics, working in the language industry, and “extreme” language learning. Featured Resources Meridian Languages Glossika Mentioned in this Episode Meridian Languages Glossika Tempo App on iOS Tempo App on Android Sara’s Website Sara on Instagram Sara on Twitter Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the int...

Reading in your new language can be a daunting task, but Benny has some great advice this week for taking it one step at a time. By starting small and building up gradually, you'll make steady progress. There are so many brilliant resources out there that you can use, and reading isn't just a solo activity, so make sure it's something you practise with your teacher or exchange partner. To ask Benn...

“Warrior of the mind” Anthony Metivier chats with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis about his Brain Exercise Bootcamp and memory strategies for language learners. Featured Resources Brain Exercise Bootcamp Mentioned in this Episode Brain Exercise Bootcamp Language Death by David Crystal Anthony Metivier Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Memory methods for langu...

Polyglot Mari Salvestrini shares how she uses Instagram for accountability in her language learning, how to develop language routines based on energy, and why breaks are important in this episode with hosts Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy. Featured Resources Memrise Mentioned in this Episode Memrise Mari’s website Mari on Twitter Mari on Youtube Mari on Instagram Mari on Facebook Mari’s Podcast Ep...

Grammar getting you down? Benny's here to help! This week he takes the pressure off by explaining how he approaches (or ignores!) grammar, particularly verb conjugations, when he starts a new language. Making mistakes is an important part of the learning process, especially in the early days, and the most important thing is to be understood. Leaving the grammar to one side for a while and focussin...

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Anja Spilker about learning Nahuatl, combating negative feedback as a language learning, and running a language business. Featured Resources ZALOA Languages Mentioned in this Episode ZALOA Languages Anja on Instagram Anja on Facebook Anja on Twitter ZALOA Languages on Instagram ZALOA Languages on Facebook Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during...

Alice Cimino, a 19 year old third culture kid, chats with Benny Lewis about growing up bilingual, being homeschooled, learning languages as a teenager, and much more. Featured Resources How I Learned Fluent Spanish and English the Hard Way (It’s Also the Best Way! Mentioned in this Episode Fluent in 3 Months Articles Alice Cimino’s Medium Articles Alice’s Instagram Episode Overview Some of the top...

Have you ever struggled to find a language teacher who feels like a good fit for your learning style? You're not alone! What works for one person might not work for you, and Benny has some great tips this week for finding someone you can work well with. Knowing what you want from a teacher is an important starting point, and trying out a few people and reflecting on the experiences is crucial to f...

Shahidah Foster, founder of Black Girls Learn Languages, chats with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis about learning languages as a black woman and inspiring black voices in the language community. Featured Resources Sisters Only Language Summit Mentioned in this Episode Sisters Only Language Summit Black Girls Learn Languages Black Girls Learn Languages Merch Black Girls Learn Languages Facebook Bl...

Halima Salim, founder of Blackboard English and the Fearless English Podcast, discusses empowering women language learners, overcoming negative self-talk and changing ideologies in the ESL community with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis. Featured Resources Blackboard English Mentioned in this Episode Blackboard English Fearless English Podcast Fearless English Course Blackboard English Facebook Bla...

Benny answers the question of how to start speaking a language before you know any words. He shares a couple of language hacks - like becoming familiar with cognates - that you can use ahead of your first conversation. His advice will help you feel prepared enough to dive in and speak from day one. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Su...

This episode features Marissa Blaszko who joins Benny and Elizabeth to discuss their language learning journey as a polyglot and keen heritage language learner! Marissa is the creator of Relearn a Language, a website that aims to popularize understandings of heritage language while sharing fun language learning resources. Featured Resources Relearn A Language YouTube Channel Who are Language Learn...

This episode features Svenja, who learned conversational Russian and Arabic 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 . Benny and Shannon have a conversation with Svenja about her experience of...

Benny discusses languages with different writing systems, and when he starts learning to read and write. Depending on the language and writing system, it can be a few weeks or sometimes several months into the process before he tackles the writing system of a new language. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to...

This episode features Katie Pascoe, editor of the Language Hacking podcast. Katie also co-founded VR Languages and helped create Dynamic Spanish. Dynamic Spanish gets you speaking Spanish confidently in VR with the Starter Pack for beginners. More advanced learners can explore Spain in 360 guided tours with Dynamic Spanish Trips. Katie also discusses her recent experience with the Fluent in 3 Mont...

Poet, artist and polyglot Maria Ortega Garcia talks to Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about mindfulness, language learning as an introvert, and the power of using art and poetry as language learning tools. Mentioned in this Episode Maria Ortega Garcia Maria’s Instagram Maria’s Facebook Maria’s Youtube Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Learning languages as a...

Language teacher and expat Janina Klimas shares how to create compelling language lessons for students, how acting is like language learning, and why recording yourself speaking your target language is so important. Featured Resources Fluent in 3 Months Challenge Real Life Language Mentioned in this Episode Fluent in 3 Months Challenge Netflix Yabla Real Life Language Real Life Language Podcast Ep...

Benny and Elizabeth speak with French YouTube superstar Géraldine Lepère about the importance of understanding culture when learning a language. Featured Resources Comme une Française MY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une Française Mentioned in this Episode Comme une Française MY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une Française Géraldine Lepère Facebook Géra...

Benny and Shannon dive deep with Netflix star, YouTube influencer and polyglot Jo Franco about growing up bilingual, developing a love of travel and language learning, and building connection through language. Featured Resources JoClub The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals Mentioned in this Episode JoClub The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals The Circle Shut Up and Go Travel Show Jo Franco...