I Will Teach You A Language | Weekly Motivation And Language Learning Tips To Help You Become Fluent In Any Language

 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 I often commission transcriptions of YouTube videos, movies or TV series More recently, Conversations has been my big foray into materials creation To make your own materials, ask yourself: "What would I most like to be able to understand?" Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: How to use virtual assistants to make your own foreign language material 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,

 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 Quote: “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” ― Mark Twain 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 to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” sect

 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 China and was fluent in 3 months Immersion only works if you are able to go full-on enough, for long enough, and stay positive enough to make it to be successful... not practical for most people As a study strategy, it leaves a lot to be desired: You don't understand anything There's no structure Not enjoyable My experiences with real immersion were not good Paris, Japan, Egypt Immersion is much more effective when you can already hold you own Theory of "Comprehensible input" What's the opportunity cost? Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Interview with Stephen Krashen - Language learning in the pol

 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 you're listening to, you're not helping your listening, because it's not natural, and lacks the features of fast speech It simply gives you more time to process the information, i.e. think about the words used But is this the best way to learn new vocabulary... listening to slow, unnatural audio? This = confusing / misunderstanding the problem, and can severely limited your ability to cope with real language Listening to stuff at your level (comprehensible input) Listen at natural speed, and use the transcript to help you understandInstead, solve the problem of not understanding fast speech by: I do sometim

 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 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 to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the

 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 French Foundations - my new book that teaches you the basics of French in two weeks Today's Quote: I know how to learn anything I want to learn. I absolutely know that I could learn how to fly the space shuttle because someone else knows how to fly it, and they put it in a book. Give me the book, and I do not need somebody to stand up in front of the class. - Will Smith 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

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's True: Alcohol Helps You Speak A Foreign Language Better 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to hel

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 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using th

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 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave

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 the logo below, or 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if yo

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 free lesson and start speaking today, visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podc

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 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an ho

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 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around

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 topics of interest - you grammar and writing will improve naturally What elements of your daily life can you move into Italian? Try writing based on the theme of your reading Today's Quote: “The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book.” —Samuel Johnson 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 here, and I’ll do my best to f

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 resources OPOL Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Pampers to Polyglot: Tetsu Yung at the Montreal Language Festival 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRTSL1ObPEU   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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got a

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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help me to reach other aspiring language learners out there!

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 who usually doesn't want to change Fixing fossilisation has to begin with awareness If a student has come to you, it's because they're looking for an external solution, whereas it's the student who has learnt the mistake in the first place - only they can unlearn it As a teacher, you can go hard or soft, it depends on how best the student will react to it I would set the student tasks to do at home, as it relieves pressure on the student Set awareness-raising activities, followed up with regular highlighting of mistakes in lessons Today's Quote: People like to change their mind in private. - Sam Harris Start Speak

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 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest rev

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 question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and

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 people learn languages? Alex's favourite advice from the book Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode:   How To Speak Any Language Fluently - Alex Rawlings AlexRawlings.co.uk - Alex's Website ReadLang - tool for reading online 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 here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much