020: How can I go from intermediate to advanced?
Nate asks: "I'm currently living in Bolivia and working on my Spanish. Do you have any advice for getting from intermediate to advanced?" In this episode: What is the "intermediate plateau"? Why this affects so many language learners What you can do to break through and become more advanced Resources featured in this episode: IWTYAL Episode 12: How can I learn advanced English vocabulary? The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Today's featured resource: Radio Ambulante - Spanish podcasts with the full transcript available Do you have a question? Ask me your language
4 Jun 201512min
019: How to find someone to speak with
Steve asks: "The thing I most struggle with is not having anyone to speak with. I live in a rural part of the country so there are no Japanese language courses or classes." In this episode: Why it's important to start speaking Why you won't necessarily speak very much by taking a language class Where to find people to speak with locally Where to find people to speak with online Resources featured in this episode: 60secondfluencytest.com - a video I made about the importance of starting to speak Places to find language exchanges locally: Conversationexchange.com Meetup.com Craiglist.com Places to find language exc
2 Jun 201513min
018: When do you consider yourself fluent in another language?
Isabelle asks: "At what point do you consider yourself to be fluent in another language?" In this episode: What is fluency? What does it mean to you personally? When do you switch from learning a language to maintaining it? Resources featured in this episode: CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference IWTYAL Episode 13 - Tamiyo's question about when it's time to move on to a new language Language Learning Foundations - my video course where I teach you the specific techniques I use to learn to speak a new language quickly <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com
28 Mai 201513min
017: How much time should I spend on pronunciation?
Jenny asks: "My English teacher used to say that it's important to speak with a native-like accent. Do you think it's important to spend a lot of time on pronunciation as a beginner?" In this episode: The difference between pronunciation and accent Why pronunciation is important Why you need to get it right as a beginner But why you shouldn't let it stop you speaking Resources featured in this episode: 10 Essential Tech Resources for Smart Language Learners - my free guide with the best websites and apps out there, including a lot of stuff for listening to your target language and improving your pronunciation. Today's featured resource: The Secret to Developing an Awesome Accent - my article on how to sp
26 Mai 201514min
016: How do you stay motivated when you're living at home?
Yingnoi Lee asks: "How do you concentrate on learning foreign languages when you're living in your homeland?" In this episode: Tactics for staying motivated whilst learning a foreign language wherever you live. Resources featured in this episode: conversationexchange.com iTalki.com Reflections on learning a language remotely - a guest post I wrote for fluentin3months.com Don't travel to learn a language - a great life lesson from Benny Lewis How to learn Cantonese in 1 year - the results of my 1-year Cantonese experiment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QRVpNbNzK8 Today's featured resource: Meetup.com - find friends based on their interests, wherever you are in the world 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 for listening 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! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated, and I read every single one. :) See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!
21 Mai 201511min
015: How do I organise vocabulary from different books?
Judi asks: "I'm learning Spanish from two different books at the moment. How can I keep my vocabulary organised between them?" In this episode: Learning with two different books Keeping vocabulary organised between the two Taking the most important vocabulary and learning that Resources featured in this episode: 8 tips for improving your vocabulary Is your vocabulary notebook out of control? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3voBSKr9Sl4 Flashcards Deluxe - my favourite flashcards app Today's featured resource: Make Words Stick - my book about how to learn vocabulary... and never forget it! 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 for listening 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! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated, and I read every single one. :) See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!
19 Mai 201510min
014: Can you use one language to learn another?
Linda asks: "What do you think of using the Laddering technique to use one second language to learn another?" In this episode: The laddering technique When does it make sense to use one language to learn another? Similar languages, such as Macedonian and Albanian Crafty ways to meet native speakers of one language... using another language! Resources featured in this episode: Richard Simcott is today's special guest, and runs the following sites: Speaking Fluently blog - Richard's language blog Speaking Fluently Facebook page - a vibrant Facebook community where you can connect with Richard and other language learners Today's featured resource: Polyglot Workshops - Richard runs workshops for aspiring language learners all over the world, together with fellow polyglot Alex Rawlings, who was featured in Episode 7. Upcoming workshops will be held in: Budapest London Belo Horizonte 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 for listening 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! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated, and I read every single one. :) See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!
14 Mai 201515min
013: When is it time to move on to another language?
Tamiyo asks: "When do you decide you've learnt enough and it's time to move on to another language?" In this episode: Why are you learning a language in the first place? When are you fluent enough? When should you move on to a new language? Resources mentioned in this episode: CommentCast - see all the iTunes reviews of a podcast from around the world Random.org - choose a number or numbers at random Today's featured resource: The Actual Fluency Blog - Chris Broholm's open and honest look at his own struggles in language learning The Actual Fluency Podcast - the podcast of the same name where he interviews expert language learners. Here's the episode where Chris interviews me Announcing the competition winners I'm thrilled to announce the three lucky winners of my Language Learning Foundations video course, who I've picked at random from all the reviews on iTunes. They are: Romagitana idleplayerofgamestron Tamiyo Hashimoto If this is you, please get in touch with me using the "contact" form on the menu bar and I'll get you set up with your copy of the course. Here are their reviews: 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! Alternatively, leave me your question in a review on iTunes, and I'll pick it up too! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks for listening 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! It goes without saying that I read every single one :) See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A
12 Mai 201512min
