StoryLearning Podcast

Thiago asks: "I'm learning Japanese. How important is it for me to learn the culture?" In this episode: Why language and culture are inextricably linked Why you can't learn a language to a high level without familiarity with the culture However, if basic communication is your main aim, you don't need to be culturally literate You can get to a basic level of conversation in the language without knowing about the culture Today's Featured Resource: Does Language Influence Culture? - A fascinating article from the Wall Street Journal 100th Episode Special! Help me create an amazing feature for the 100th episode! I'd like to create a montage of voices of podcast listeners from around the world, all giving one piece of language advice they've learned from the show. This would

1 Huhti 201612min

Nicolas asks: "Is it helpful to read aloud in Chinese?" In this episode: Reading aloud and why we do it Our experience of reading aloud from school The benefits of reading aloud on pronunciation Why reading aloud has few other benefits for developing fluency Why reading aloud is harmful for developing reading skills Today's Featured Resource: Hacking Chinese: Reading Aloud In Chinese Is Really Hard - an interesting article on this topic for those of you learning Chinese 100th Episode Special! Help me create an amazing feature for the 100th episode! I'd like to create a montage of voices of podcast listeners from around the world, all giving one piece of language advice they've learned from the show. This would be such a great way to commemorate the 100th episode

30 Maalis 201611min

In this episode I talk with Luke Thompson from Luke's English Podcast. Luke's been podcasting for over 7 years, and I asked him about the top three things he'd learnt during that time. He chose four things - but I won't hold it against him! In this episode: Luke's top lessons from 7+ years of podcasting: Attitude - It's vital for language learners to ask questions and be willing to fail Time - You must be willing to work regularly at your target language over time Practice - Practise often and don't be afraid to make mistakes Materials - Motivating and enjoyable materias are essential in order to enjoy the learning process Today's Featured Resource Luke's English Podcast 332: Interview With Olly Richards - Hear my interview on Luke's podcast! 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://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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

24 Maalis 201643min

Sergio asks: "Is it a good idea to add audio to my flashcards?" In this episode: Why audio and images are helpful to remember vocabulary The benefits of adding audio to your flashcards Memrise.com The tradeoff in terms of time Why I don't do it personally 100th Episode Special! Help me create an amazing feature for the 100th episode! I'd like to create a montage of voices of podcast listeners from around the world, all giving one piece of language advice they've learned from the show. This would be such a great way to commemorate the 100th episode, and provide motivation for all of you out there learning languages on your own. If you'd like to participate, please click the link below and leave a short message including the following information: Name Where you're from The ONE thing you've learned from the show

22 Maalis 201611min

Zena asks: "I spoke fluent Chinese as a child, but I've since forgotten it. How can I resurrect it?" In this episode: If you spoke another language as a child, how much you will remember as an adult How to reconnect with the language Finding out what resources you used to like as a child How to approach resurrecting the language How to approach learning an Asian language Today's Featured Resource: 111 Mandarin Chinese Resources You Wish You Knew - My EPIC Chinese resource page 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://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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

17 Maalis 201612min

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 and start the movie to look things up in the dictionary. Instead, you can keep a notebook next to you and jot down words and phrases that catch your attention. Whatever you do, watch things you enjoy! If you can find the script for a movie you like, move heaven and earth to get it! Whilst watching, try to engage with the story line. If you do understand something that’s said, repeat it aloud Watch TV series rather than movies.

15 Maalis 201614min

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 away from translation: Be happy with a certain level of ambiguity in the language - fixating on understanding every word is counterproductive Look for patterns and phrases in the language, write them down, notice them being used in different contexts, the begin to use them yourself Deal in phrases and sentences, not single words When watching movies etc, relax and be present with the language, don't try to understand everything Spend time on all four skills </ul

10 Maalis 201615min

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 a TV drama every evening, learn 5 new Chinese characters every morning Resources Featured In Today's Episode: Study Hacks for Busy People - my collection of resources for learning languages under pressure! Triumph in the Skies - my favourite Hong Kong TV series 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://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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

8 Maalis 20169min