037: People keep replying in English
Melissa asks: "I'm learning Spanish, but people keep replying to me in English. How can I solve this?" In this episode: The difficulties of finding native speakers to practise with How social pressure can lead people to reply in English Why you shouldn't judge your level based on your experience talking to strangers The importance of finding a safe person to practise with How to explain to a language partner you want to keep it in the target language Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to stop people talking to you in English Start speaking today <img class=" alignright wp-image-1429" src="http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/italki-logo-1024x625.jpg" alt="italki" width=
4 Aug 201511min
036: Fluency vs Proficiency
ManchesterAul asks (in an iTunes review): "What's the difference btw fluency and proficienncy? Do i consider myself fluent or proficient in my languages?" In this episode: Why I dislike the discussion about fluency and proficiency Certain professions may require a proven proficiency level How I define fluency The world of language testing The difference between accuracy and fluency How you can lose a level in a language Resources mentioned in today's episode: CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference Polyglot Workshops - regular workshops for language learners worldwide. Join us in London, UK, in November 2015 Speaking Fluently on Facebook, fr
30 Jul 201514min
035: Coaching my mum to learn Italian
Nina asks: "How can I coach my mum to learn Italian?" In this episode: The most important things about coaching someone to learn a language Why fostering a passion for a language is so important Make sure the vocabulary you learn is actually useful for you Resources mentioned in today's episode: Duolingo Memrise Benny teaches a monoglot to learn Esperanto: https://youtu.be/UHPC5DN4eJA Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki
29 Jul 201510min
034: How to learn tonal languages
Shane asks: "I'm learning Chinese and Thai. What's the best way to learn the tones, or tonal languages in general?" In this episode: How to approach learning tonal languages Why top-down approaches beat bottom-up approaches for learning tones How I approach learning a tonal language: Make sure you understand the tones in the language you're learning Start listening to recorded dialogues from your textbook every day Work with a tutor right from the start, so you can practise speaking and get feedback Write down new words and phrases with the tone indicated Give yourself time to get used to it all! [Tweet "You don't learn a language, you get used to it - Khatzumoto"] Resources mentioned in today's episode: Tone Pair Drills - a great article on the Sensible Chinese blog. Olly speaking Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QRVpNbNzK8 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!
23 Jul 201512min
033: Olly's Arabic teacher explains his progress
In this episode, I interview my Arabic teacher Mona about how I made quick progress in my Arabic. In this episode: My progress compared to Mona's other students In what ways I progressed What techniques I use during the lesson Here is a video of the conversation: https://youtu.be/TSsSO-JOcCA Resources mentioned in today's episode: Language Learning Foundations - my course for learning to speak a new language quickly, where you can find the full 1-hour interview Mona's iTalki teacher profile ArabicGlobal.com Start speaking today <img class=" alignright wp-image-1429" src="http:
21 Jul 201519min
032: Single words or full sentences?
Sebastian asks: "Should I learn single words or complete phrases?" In this episode: The disadvantages of learning single words Why learning vocabulary in complete phrases is so valuable Where you take your vocabulary from Resources mentioned in today's episode: Memrise.com Flashcards Deluxe My recommended resource today is: Make Words Stick video - my tutorial on using full sentences to memorise vocabulary Start speaking today <img class=" alignright wp-image-1429" src="http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/italki-logo-1024x625.jpg" alt="italk
16 Jul 201515min
031: What's the best mobile app for connecting with native speakers?
Jane asks: "What's your favourite mobile app for meeting and practising with native speakers?" In this episode: The importance of connecting with native speakers Language learning app: HelloTalk.com How their built-in features help you focus on the conversation Resources mentioned in today's episode: HelloTalk.com - available on iPhone and Android Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. <a href="http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkis
14 Jul 201514min
030: Should I learn a German dialect?
Marcus asks: "Should I learn a German dialect or standard German?" In this episode: The advantages of learning standard German Why you might want to learn a German dialect German dialects and identity How dialects might effect how you learn Resources mentioned in today's episode: Deutsche Welle Dialektatlas - an atlas of German dialects. Speak German Like A Native - Kerstin's brand new German pronunciation course that teaches you to leave your foreign accent behind and sound just like a native. 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!
9 Jul 201518min
