011: I'm 17. Should I bother learning a language?
Today's episode features a question from Ben: "I'm 17. Should I bother learning a language, when technology can already do so much for us?" In this episode: Technology is advancing quickly We're getting to the stage where technology can translate for us Is it still worth learning a language in 2015 with all this technology? 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!
5 Maj 201511min
010: How can you learn a completely different language?
Today's episode features a question from Cecilia: "How can I learn a language that's completely different to my own?" In this episode: How can you learn a completely different language? Why closer languages are easier to learn The three keys: Time to get used to it Regular exposure Deliberate practice Today's featured resource Talk In Arabic - a fantastic new resource for learning Arabic. 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!
30 Apr 201512min
009: How can I avoid confusing two languages?
Today's episode features a question from Nicki: "I'm learning Turkish and Kurmanji, how can avoid confusing them on my trip to Turkey?" In this episode: What is Kurmanji and where is it spoken? The surprising roots of Turkish Learning 2 languages at the same time Soufflé and Baked Alaska Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Map of Kurdistan (click to enlarge): Soufflé: Baked Alaska: Today's featured resource Fluent in 3 Months: How to speak multiple languages, and not mix them up! A great post from Benny where he gives his own unique take on keeping languages separate! 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!
28 Apr 201510min
008: How can I make sure I don't forget a word?
Today's episode features a question from John: "I recently learnt the word for Heathrow in Chinese. How can I make sure I don't forget it?" In this episode: How can I learn a word that I've learnt recently? What kind of vocabulary should you prioritise learning? The memory techniques that will help you Links and resources mentioned in this episode: The Polyglot Gathering, Berlin 2015 Lang-8.com The forgetting curve Anki Memrise Flashcards Deluxe Principles of memorising vocabulary: See the vocabulary often See and use it in different contexts Personalise it Practical ideas for memorising vocabulary: Drop it into conversation Write sentences using the vocabulary Have your tutor or a native speaker correct these sentences Put those corrected sentences into your SRS flashcards Put the word on Post-it notes and stick them around the house! Set calendar reminders to bring up the word on your phone/computer Today's featured resource Hacking Chinese: Remembering is a skill you can learn. A fantastic post about the myth of "bad memory" and the fact that you can train your memory. 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!
23 Apr 201513min
007: How can I learn the Russian cases?
Today's episode features a question from Tom: "I'm not getting anywhere with Russian cases. Can you help me make progress with this?" With special guest: Alex Rawlings. In this episode: What are Russian cases? How do they work? How to learn Russian cases Links and resources for Russian cases: Today's featured resource Private Russian coaching with Alex - Zero to intermediate in four months. 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!
21 Apr 20159min
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
