408 - How to develop TRUE spoken fluency in a foreign language

In this solo episode, I describe what I consider to be the most effective approach to learning a language. Episode Summary: Begin by getting a thorough grounding in the basics - quantity over quality is best at first Start speaking early on with a language tutor Grow your vocabulary while getting used to the sounds of the language - listening & reading Practise what you learn directly with a language partner or tutor Create a lifestyle that involves using your new language as much as possible Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Language Learning Foundations - a step-by-step guide to learning a new language quickly 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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

7 Aug 201719min

In this solo episode I discuss the design and creation of my new Spanish course for beginners. Episode Summary: Why I created a Spanish Beginner course The main aims of the course The concept I landed on How it all came together through story Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Fluent Spanish Academy Beginner - Join as a BETA member (limited time) 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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

31 Juli 201722min

Daco asks: "Should I learn Mandarin or Cantonese?" Episode Summary: Mandarin is the main international Chinese language, with around 1bn speakers Cantonese is a related language/dialect of Mandarin, with far fewer speakers - around 60m In many Chinatowns around the world, Cantonese is spoken, due to historical migration However, Mandarin is the dominant language worldwide by far The choice of which to learn can only depend on your personal motivations Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: IWTYAL 042: Which language should I learn?  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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

27 Juli 201711min

Crystal asks: "What do you think about watching English movies with foreign language subtitles" Episode Summary: If studying in a way that's helping, keep doing it! With movies, it's worth experimenting with different audio/subtitle combinations To improve your listening comprehension, it makes sense to have your movies set to the target language audio Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: Are you wasting your time watching foreign language movies?  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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

24 Juli 201711min

Myles asks: "Where can I find audio with transcripts?" Episode Summary: Why listening is important, and why transcripts matter Considerations for beginners, intermediate and advanced The trouble finding good material Resources that are unhelpful: YouTube videos Movies Radio Podcasts Resources I consider helpful: Graded readers with audiobooks (with caveats) FluentU, Easy Languages, etc (with caveats) Persist with native speaker resources that really interest you Podcasts for language learners with transcripts (mostly for English learners) Random language blogs and products I have hired people to transcribe material I like in the past Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: IWTYAL 185: How to make your sentences less English The Big Listening Con - Why Most Listening Practice Material Isn't Fit For Purpose  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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

20 Juli 201715min

In this episode, I chat with Dr Barbara Oakley about her fascinating career in languages and learning. Episode Summary: For the full notes accompanying this episode, please see this post.   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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

13 Juli 201754min

Kyle asks: "What are some good careers using languages?" Episode Summary: My experience using languages abroad Careers where you're likely to have opportunities to use your languages The reality of "language jobs" Designing your ideal life with languages at the centre Resources Mentioned In Today's Episode: An insightful video from Steve Kaufmann about careers with languages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIRef1BryPM   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! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

7 Juli 201715min

Welcome to episode 200 of the podcast! For this landmark episode, I decided to invite two of my favourite language podcasters to come together for a cosy fireside chat: Kris from the Actual Fluency Podcast Kerstin from the Creative Language Learning Podcast Episode Summary: This episode is a long, unstructured conversation, in which we discuss topics of personal importance to us. The include: What we really think about language learning? What we are trying to achieve with our websites? Do we practise what we preach? The sound quality isn't always great, I'm afraid, due to a less-than-ideal Skype connection, but hopefully that won't prevent you from enjoying the 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 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!

4 Juli 20171h 15min