StoryLearning Podcast

In the first of a two-part episode, Olly reveals the 9 easiest ways to start an argument about language learning. Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit:  https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com//italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here , and I’ll do my best...

 Nicolás asks: "Do we need vacations from language learning?" Episode Summary: My life is full of examples of doing things better after a long break Our brains can only achieve so much by focused attention The Pomodoro technique works on this principle Focus mode vs diffuse mode Small scale - i.e. my daily writing habits in one day Large scale - i.e. learning patterns over many months Breaks are e...

 Louise asks: "How can I make my own learning material?" Episode Summary: I have a long history of making my own material I want to study with things that interest me In Japan, I would record train announcements and ask a native speaker to transcribe them I often do pieces of writing and get my tutor to correct them I record my language partners giving a monologue about something and transcribe it...

 Massoud ask: "I'm worried about what will happen if I learn German. What should I do?" Episode Summary: You may have a language learning dilemma and not know how to resolve it It's always best to discover the answer yourself rather than rely on others You don't have to commit for life! Try setting trial periods, and give it a shot If it's not working out, you can always change your mind Today's Q...

 In this solo episode, Olly discusses whether immersion is all it's cracked up to be. Episode Summary: Immersion is always held up as the "holy grail" of language learning Definition: Spending all day every day in a native-level environment It's not all it's cracked up to be Survival bias is at play: Katzumoto: 10,000 hours of Japanese Gabriel Wyner : 8 weeks in Middlebury Your friend who went to...

 In this solo episode, Olly discusses whether listening to "slow audio" is useful. Episode Summary: News in Slow Spanish -type sites are becoming increasing popular With Yabla you can slow down the audio But are these helpful, or dangerous? There are only two reasons you won't understand something spoken: 1) You don't know the words/grammar 2) You can't understand fast speech If you slow down what...

 Raffy asks: "Should I be concerned about my accent?" Episode Summary: Accents are a highly personal topic I inhabit a world in London where virtually everyone I meet has an accent Your accent is like your personality, and something you should be fiercely proud of Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: How to Develop an Awesome Accent - An article about accents I wrote on Luca's blog Start Speaki...

 Mark asks: "How should I start learning Mongolian from scratch?" Episode Summary: Get a strong foundation in the basics first Work your way through a textbook Listen to the audio Don't get distracted by other tools Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Blue Snowball - A great entry-level microphone that I used for episodes 75-229 Shure MV5 - My new mic (what you can hear on the episode today Fr...

Dave and Anja ask: "Does alcohol help you become more fluent?" Episode Summary: You often drink alcohol in social situations Social situations are best possible environment for improving your speaking Shyness and social anxiety often prevent people practising their language To the extent that alcohol helps you feel more at ease, it may well be beneficial! Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: It...

Tom asks: "How does learning multiple languages make you a better language learner? Episode Summary: I discuss three ways in which you improve as a language learner through learning multiple languages: Cognitively Behaviourally Methodologically Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Episode 106 - How useful is laddering ? Olly's books of Short Stories in different languages Conversations Start Sp...

In this episode, I give some thoughts about the reaction to Conversations . Episode Summary: Reaction from you guys to Conversations How this reaction has impacted my plans Will we do an English version? How about volume 2? Today's Quote: “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." —Zig Ziglar Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki...

In this episode, I introduce my new Conversations product, in a conversation with IWTYAL team-member James. Episode Summary: In this episode you'll learn: What is Conversations? The planning, preparation and work that went into the creation of the product Feedback we made to the language content after input from testers Conversations is now available in six languages ! For more information click t...

This is part 3 of a new series about improving your listening skills! Episode Summary: In this episode you'll learn: The difficult of jumping from "textbook" language to "real" language Why bridging the gap between the two is vital to your success What kind of material is most helpful https://vimeo.com/241009994 Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your...

This is part 2 of a new series about improving your listening skills! Episode Summary: In this episode you'll learn: Why 5 words can all appear as 1 in speech What to do about "jumbles of words" What is Connected Speech and why does it matter? The ONE activity you need to do to improve your ability to tell words apart https://vimeo.com/241011937 Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for s...

This is part 1 of a new series about improving your listening skills! Episode Summary: In this episode you'll learn: Why speed is NOT the reason you struggle with listening The “invisible shield” that keeps you stuck at your current level The ONE simple change to your study routine that will help you understand native speakers better https://vimeo.com/241009289 Start Speaking Today: I’d like to th...

Nicolás asks: "How can I integrate grammar and writing skills into my routine?" Episode Summary: Its common for speaking to outpace other skills Many people find that writing is rarely necessary in another language, especially if you're learning for fun If a skill isn't necessary, will you be motivated enough to improve it? The way to become a good writer is to be a good reader Read widely on topi...

Holly asks: How can I best help my child with language learning? Episode Summary: Language learning for children is a very different process than for adults The big advantage children have is time Formal lessons don't work particularly well for children until they reach 10ys+ You can't make them learn against their will, so it's essential to find something fun Books and people are the best resourc...

In this episode, I speak with Stephen Krashen about language learning and the polyglot community. For the full show notes, please click here. Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit:  http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking...

Matthias asks: "How can I help my students deal with fossilisation?" Episode Summary: Fossilisation is when a mistake becomes deeply embedded in a learner's language after years of "doing it wrong" It can occur in grammar, pronunciation, incorrect word choice (e.g. "it's mean", "why you have...?") In my teaching experience, fixing fossilisation is tricky because it amounts to reprogramming someone...

In this solo episode, I discuss how changing your study method can have a dramatic effect. Episode Summary: My friend Jeremy and his struggles with Spanish How easy it is to get into a rut with your studying The benefits of trying new approaches to studying I challenge you to learn languages in a completely different way for a few weeks! Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supportin...

In this episode, Episode Summary: Living in bilingual areas Relationships with heritage languages How to take your listening and speaking skills from 80% to 100%   Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Start Speaking Today: I’d like to thank italki for supporting the show. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, visit:  http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a...

In this episode, I speak with Alex Rawlings about his new book: How To Speak Any Language Fluently. Episode Summary: Alex's upbringing with languages Did he learn languages quickly because he was a kid? How an 11-language test was administered to Alex in 2012 The process of writing a book Advice to bloggers wanting to write a book Working at Memrise.com Is it  really  possible to improve the way p...

Neil asks: "Should I use triangulation to learn French?" Episode Summary: On today's podcast: Episode 014: Can you use one language to learn another? Episode 106: How useful is laddering? "Triangulation" - also know as laddering or bridging The big questions: My Spanish is B2 level. Is now the right time to learn French? Yes, I'd say so Will I lose Spanish once I go back to French? This is a valid...

Max asks: "What are the benefits of monolingual flashcards?" Episode Summary: Today's podcast: Monolingual flashcards at the beginner / intermediate level Challenge the assumption that you should create monolingual flashcards - how else can you be using the time? Do not use monolingual flashcards to  learn the meaning  of vocabulary: Definitions Example sentences Instead, use flashcards to practis...