StoryLearning Podcast

Pete asks: "I'm learning Portuguese, should I watch movies with subtitles?" In this episode: Why movies are not a useful learning strategy for beginners What to do instead 10 ways to make the most out of movies: Try to find movies that you’ve already seen, but dubbed into your target language Watch the same movie over and over, rather than a new one each time. Turn off the subtitles! Don’t stop an...

Pete asks: "I'm learning Portuguese, how can I avoid translating in my head?" In this episode: Translation is inevitable It's a useful strategy as a beginner Translation stops being useful as you move to higher levels, and you're dealing with nuances in the language which often don't have translations Stopping translating in your head is something that happens naturally over time Tips for moving a...

Isabelle asks: "I'm about to enter a very busy period of final exams. How can I keep up my Mandarin during this period?" In this episode: The good thing about having a finite period of "busyness" The less pressure the better - results in more learning I suggest picking ONE thing, and doing only that during the whole busy period This could be: have two speaking sessions a week, watch one episode of...

Freddie asks: "I'm a professional English translator and interpreter living in Portugal. However, learning Portuguese is detracting from my English...what should I do?" In this episode: Freddie's aims are very different English is his professional obligation, while Portuguese is simply the local language Is there a big rush to learn Portuguese? I suggest deciding exactly how much time needs to be...

Nicolas asks: "I'd like to help my mother learn English. What's the best way to do that?" In this episode: First of all, Nicolas' mum needs to find a good English textbook that she likes Then she should get a basic study goal every day ... e.g. 2 pages a day However, it's not all about the studying - motivation is also extremely important Make it fun by speaking to her in simple English Ask her to...

Masoud asks: "For me, language learning has always been an unconscious experience. Studying just shuts me down." In this episode: We discuss the topic of episode 57 , which is whether extensive listening is helpful for language learning. Specifically: The differences between children and adults learning languages The advantages of time that children have Whether children learn efficiently or not W...

In this episode I discuss the common criticism of flashcards as an "ineffective" study technique. In this episode: Three common criticisms of flashcards: Involves rote learning Vocabulary lacks context Doesn't work for many people I address each of these criticisms and discuss why I think flashcard software is one of the most useful and relevant organisational and learning tools for learning forei...

In this episode I answer a common question I receive: "How can I make a living online with my language talents?" In this episode: As a language specialist, you have many options for making a living online using your talents. I started a free Facebook community to show you how to do this, and answer your questions. To join, please visit:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/languagefreedomleague/ Here...

In this episode I'm joined by special guest Jan Van Der Aa . In this episode: Do you have to travel abroad to take your language to a high level? Our experiences of learning multiple languages Resources Featured In Today's Episode: Polyglot Pub - monthly language events in London Join the PP mailing list Join the PP Facebook group Jan's Website: janvanderaa.com The video Jan and I made in Cairo to...

In this episode: Information about Spanish Bootcamp 2016 To find out more, click here: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/spanishbootcamp Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit: http://iwillteac...

Steffen asks: "When's the right time to stop focusing on vocabulary?" In this episode: Why you'll always need to grow your vocab The ONE thing that's more important than that Sprints Resources Featured In Today's Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3voBSKr9Sl4   Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable an...

Sam asks: "How do you keep up with ever-changing slang in Cantonese?" In this episode: The dangers of slang and idioms When to learn them... and when not! Resources Featured In Today's Episode: Carlos Douh - Cantonese slang on YouTube Cantonese Proverbs in One Picture... Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordabl...

Andrew asks: "What's the best way to run a language exchange?" In this episode: Manage expectations - tell your partner what you want Keep it in the target language Don't let them interrupt with corrections Ask them to take notes and fill you in later Try to be cool - ask questions and listen to the answer! Resources Featured In Today's Episode: MyLanguageExchange.com - a great (paid) language exc...

Alexia asks: "I can hold a conversation in Polish, but I can't take my patients' medical history. How can I do this?" In this episode: Doctors vs waiters in a restaurant Are your expectations realistic? How to find a tutor and work on that specific task Resources Featured In Today's Episode: 059: How can I understand my colleagues at work? Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporti...

Steve asks: "I learnt Spanish for two years, and recently I've been learning Portuguese for 8 months. How can I avoid confusing the two?" In this episode: Why you might confuse Spanish and Portuguese How to stop it happening How to learn to use both languages at the same time Resources Featured In Today's Episode: Portuguese and Spanish: Some Musings - An interesting article on the Omniglot blog S...

In this episode, I give you 8 reasons you should be reading in your target language. In this episode: Reading slows down the language It's great for introverts who aren't comfortable speaking You can learn less common vocabulary You can significantly increase your vocabulary range by extensive reading It's cheap! (Cheaper than teachers, or travelling!) Sense of achievement Immersion in a foreign w...

In this episode, I discuss my language plans for 2016 and how you can make it the best year of language learning ever! In this episode: 3 ways to succeed in your language learning in 2016: Join a language challenge Join a community of language enthusiasts locally Attend a language event Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connec...

Nicole asks: "How can I progress beyond the basics in Japanese?" In this episode: Why you should avoid focusing on kanji as a beginner What you should do instead My story in Japan How to improve the fastest as a beginner Resources Featured In Today's Episode: These resources are the best out there for learning natural Japanese: Japanese Pod 101 - natural dialogues with clickable audio FluentU - le...

Owain asks: "How can you deal with fossilisation in a language?" In this episode: What is fossilisation? Why does it occur? How can you deal with it? Resources Featured In Today's Episode: The Defossilization Diaries - Language teacher Scott Thornbury talks about his attempts to defossilise his Spanish! (Whilst spelling it with a "z"!) Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting t...

Allen asks: "I want to learn French and Japanese at the same time. What do I need to consider?" In this episode: You can learn two languages at the same time It is easier if the two languages are from different language families, such as French and Japanese By learning both at once, you can satisfy your desires and learn about more than one language and culture However, progress will be slower in...

Halvard asks: "I'm studying for the B1 exam in Russian. Does your advice to speak regularly still stand?" In this episode: My advice on regular speaking is for people who want to speak If you have another short-term goal, it may be better to focus on that There are valid goals, so it's best to focus and achieve one of them ASAP, rather than worrying if it's the right one or not Resources mentioned...

Neil asks: "What's the best way to use a teacher beyond a beginner level?" In this episode: How to work with teachers as a beginner How to work with teachers at a more advanced level A balance of speaking practice and tuition Resources mentioned in today's episode: The Add 1 Challenge Are you wasting your money on language classes? Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the s...

Andy asks: "What does it feel like to speak at different levels of a language?" In this episode: What it feels like at different stages of a language: A1: Very basic, self-introductions A2: Greater awareness, but communication is difficult B1: Can hold a conversation, but range of expression is restricted and limited to the concrete B2: Can hold conversations comfortably on a variety of topics, in...

In this episode I give you a run-down of my latest language learning routine, and what you can learn from it! In this episode: This is a continuation from episode 64. 3 key questions to ask yourself when setting up a routine: What do I need to do? What resources do I need? What will stop me succeeding? Resources mentioned in today's episode: Sample language learning routine Glossika - fantastic li...

In this episode I give you a run-down of my latest language learning routine, and what you can learn from it! In this episode: Why wake up at 5am? What your core study time should be How to use dead time How to use down time Resources mentioned in today's episode: Sample language learning routine Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online...