
006: Which is better - intensive or extensive reading?
Today's episode features a question from Marcelo: "Now that I'm at an intermediate level of English, which is better - intensive or extensive reading?" In this episode: What are extensive/intensive reading? What are the benefits of each? How language teachers use these approaches The "intermediate plateau" and how to break through Why speaking alone isn't enough to help you reach an advanced level in a language Strategies for extensive reading: Make sure choose something to read that you're interested in Try not to use a dictionary whilst you're reading Read things that are lower than your current level Links and resources mentioned in this episode: "Graded readers" are books that have been simplified. Here's a great example of one. Today's featured resource Alex Rawlings talking about reading at the Polyglot Gathering 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgQZfS_BMVo 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. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I'm giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the "I Will Teach You A Language Podcast" in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I'll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! 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. 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!
16 Apr 201511min

005: How can I learn vocab from songs?
Today's episode features a question from Kevin: "How can I take vocabulary from songs and use it in my conversations?" In this episode: The benefits of learning languages through songs How to re-articulate language from songs in everyday conversation How natural is language from songs? How songs work in different languages Songs as a tool for "discovering" language Strategies for learning songs: Identify key words and phrases from the song that I want to be able to use. Then put them in a flashcard app. Keep a list of the words I want to be able to use and keep it next to me during a language exchange/lesson Use the vocabulary for writing. For example, write a monologue/mini-speech, then memorise it. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: FluentU - Language learning with video My review of FluentU Let It Go (ありのままで): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvj3-MZO9Tw Olly singing in Portuguese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sReTCr-WPxc Olly singing in Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Z20Bg8Ppg Flashcard apps mentioned: Memrise Anki Flashcards Deluxe Other websites: Lang-8 - corrections from native speakers Rhinospike - audio recordings from native speakers Today's featured resource FluentU.com - language learning with video 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. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I'm giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the "I Will Teach You A Language Podcast" in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I'll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!
14 Apr 201514min

004: Can you learn 3 languages at the same time?
In today’s episode we feature a question from Terry: “Is it a good idea for me to learn three languages at the same time, or should I just focus on one?” In this episode: Is it possible to study three languages at the same time, and get good at all of them? Or should I just focus on one? Why depth and focus is the trick to making quick progress in a new language How to use the 80/20 rule if you do decide to study multiple languages at the same time The difference between learning and maintaining languages Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Blog post: 7-year-old speaks 5 languages: http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/7-year-old-speaks-5-languages/ Blog post from Luca Lampariello: Learning more than one language at the same time: http://www.thepolyglotdream.com/learning-more-than-one-language-at-the-same-time/ 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: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I’m giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the “I Will Teach You A Language Podcast” in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I’ll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! 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. 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!
6 Apr 201510min

003: How can I stay motivated in my language learning?
In today’s episode we feature a question from Adam: “How can I get back on the horse and keep myself motivated after a bad week of learning?” In this episode: What does it mean to “fall behind” in your language learning? Are your expectations realistic? Does it matter if you don’t study for a week? Whenever you find yourself getting frustrated, try being kind to yourself Whenever you find yourself getting frustrated, try being kinder to yourself. You can’t control how much you learn Learning is not linear Why taking a break can be a good thing Some specific tactics for staying motivated: Make sure you have a schedule and routine Do something different, add some variety to your routine Today’s quote: “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill 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: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I’m giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the “I Will Teach You A Language Podcast” in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I’ll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! 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. 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!
6 Apr 201511min

002: The story of my 8 languages
In this episode I tell you a bunch of stories about how I went about learning the 7 languages I speak (8 if you include English!). These are: French – in Paris Italian – in Italy Spanish – in London Portuguese – in London Japanese – in Japan Cantonese – in Qatar (!) Egyptian Arabic – in Cairo In this episode: The story of how I learnt my languages How to win a free copy of my Language Learning Foundations video course Links and resources mentioned in the episode: Blog post: How I learnt 7 foreign languages: http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/how-i-learnt-seven-languages/ 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: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I’m giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the “I Will Teach You A Language Podcast” in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I’ll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! 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. 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!
6 Apr 201521min

001: Introduction | About the Podcast | Who is Olly?
Welcome to the first ever episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast! I created the IWTYAL podcast so that I have the opportunity to help you with your language learning, beyond what’s possible on the blog. The podcast will be released twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursday, and this is the place for you to get a regular dose of inspiration and motivation with your language learning, so that you can keep going and move towards becoming fluent in your language learning. In this episode: Introduction to the show What to expect Why I started the podcast Who is Olly Richards? A bit about me and what I do How to win a free copy of my Language Learning Foundations video course Links and resources mentioned in the episode: The I Will Teach You A Language blog: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ Get your language question answered on the podcast: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask All Japanese All the Time: http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/ Today’s quote: “You don’t know a language, you live it. You don’t learn a language, you get used to it.” – Khatzumoto 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: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Win a copy of my course! To celebrate the launch of the podcast, I’m giving away 3 free copies of my Language Learning Foundations video course, worth $97 each! To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to iTunes, search for the “I Will Teach You A Language Podcast” in the store, and leave me an honest review and rating for the show! After episode 10 of the podcast, I’ll choose 3 lucky winners from around the world! Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! 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. 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!
6 Apr 201510min