Conversations with language learners, polyglots and teachers about what actually works when learning a language: methods, motivation and the messy reality of fluency.
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This episode explores comprehensible input (CI) as a powerful language learning method, contrasting it with traditional memorization. Joel shares his experience using the minimalist constructed language Toki Pona as a unique experiment for CI. The discussion covers practical applications for adults, the role of implicit knowledge, and challenges in formal education, aiming to help learners trust the natural acquisition process.
Kris Broholm speaks with Katie Pascoe about virtual reality for language learning. As a co-founder of dynamiclanguages.org, Katie shares insights into how this emerging technology aids language acquisition.
Kris Broholm interviews Benny Lewis about his recovery from personal struggles like divorce and debt. They discuss Benny's current Korean language mission, exploring his methodology and the meaning of achieving fluency in three months.
Kris Broholm welcomes polyglot Luca Lampariello back to the podcast for an update. They explore developing an effective mindset for language learning, including how to take on different identities in each language. The discussion details the crucial elements needed to learn a new language.
Kris Broholm hosts Emily Harris to discuss her experiences as a transracial adoptee. They explore how cultural background, identity, and language learning intertwine when cultural ties are fragmented. Emily shares her journey through multiple languages, reflecting on perfectionism in her linguistic pursuits.
Kris and Cara Leopold discuss expat experiences, including culture shock and integrating into a new country like France. They also cover Cara's work helping English learners improve listening and speaking skills using movies in her specialized club.
Kris Broholm welcomes guest Heidi Lovejoy to discuss perfectionism in language learning. They explore how striving for perfection can hinder progress and offer strategies for overcoming this challenge. The conversation provides practical advice for language learners struggling with self-criticism.
Kris and Rosemary Salomone discuss the global rise of English and its political and social implications. They examine the impact of universities teaching solely in English and Salomone's shift from language education to law to advocate for minority language groups.
Kris and Sadelle Wiltshire discuss her experiences learning languages across different ages, including how language learning keeps minds sharp at 60+. They also explore the specific challenges and rewards of studying minority languages and the importance of community in language acquisition.
Kris Broholm interviews Rick Dearman, founder of language-learners.org, about using online forums for language learning success. They discuss how forums foster community and motivation, alongside Rick's personal language learning journey and experiences at conferences.
Kris Broholm welcomes Jennifer Degenhardt to discuss strategies for improving school learning. They explore methods for creating educational materials that are inclusive and benefit all students.
Kris Broholm welcomes Liz Sharma from Talk The Streets to discuss European Portuguese. They cover Liz's background as a language teacher, tips for learners, and differentiating between European and Brazilian Portuguese. Kris also shares his personal experience learning the European variant while living in Portugal.
Kris Broholm interviews Hacking Chinese founder Olle Linge. They explore language learning from academic and non-academic perspectives, offering insights applicable to Chinese and other languages.
Kris Broholm hosts Hēmi Kelly to discuss Māori language and culture. Hēmi introduces Māori as New Zealand's indigenous language, part of the Polynesian family, and explains its current status as the second most spoken language. They examine the historical context and interaction between language groups in New Zealand.
Kris Broholm interviews Kerstin Cable about the Women in Language conference and how language teachers can earn income online. They also discuss Cable's personal language learning, including Mandarin Chinese, and her new membership group for online teachers.
Kris Broholm and Lina Vasquez delve into the psychology of self-development and the drive for personal improvement. They discuss how language learning serves as a metaphor for achieving goals across all life areas, focusing on underlying motivation and mindset. Lina also shares her early exposure to languages.
Kris Broholm and guest Gloria Spagnoli discuss the differences between language teaching and learning. They explore how teachers can better motivate students, the impact of teacher quality, and the challenges of freelance versus institutional teaching. The episode also covers how learners can maximize their lessons.
Kris Broholm hosts Spanish teacher Maria Ortega Garcia to explore personalizing language learning for greater fluency. They discuss methods for learners and students to connect deeper with a language, making it their own. Maria shares her journey from a difficult start learning English to discovering a passion for cultural connection through immersion.
Kris Broholm interviews Tetsu Yung about raising his children to speak five languages. They discuss Yung's specific method for fostering multilingualism and how the approach has evolved as his children have grown older.
Kris Broholm interviews Peter Strang about his move from the UK to rural Russia. Peter shares his experience becoming an English teacher, learning Russian, and assimilating into the local culture, eventually marrying and raising a family there. They discuss the challenges of full integration.
Kris Broholm and guest Anthony Metivier discuss mental health and well-being. They explore how language learning positively impacts mental balance, provides purpose, and fosters connection. Metivier's new book, "The Victorious Mind," offers insights into holistic mental health.
Kris Broholm interviews Dick Howeson from uTalk, who shares his personal struggles with French language learning in school. Howeson discusses the evolution of language education technology, from early interactive video and CD-ROMs to modern app-based learning, tracing uTalk's history. He also highlights the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods.
Kris Broholm hosts Matt vs Japan to discuss his "all Japanese, all the time" mass immersion concept. They explore this extreme immersion method for fast, high-level language acquisition, including its application to other languages. Kris questions the method's efficacy, and Matt addresses his criticisms.
Kris Broholm interviews Mark Pentleton, founder of Coffee Break Languages. They discuss Mark's transition from a language teacher to a podcaster and how Coffee Break Languages delivers millions of lessons monthly. The conversation also covers Mark's passion for language learning, including his interest in Scandinavian languages.
Kris Broholm outlines his plans and upcoming events for 2020. He details polyglot gatherings like the Language Influencer Workshop and his Polyglot Cruise, also announcing OptiLingo as a new podcast sponsor.
Kris Broholm interviews Ekaterina Matveeva about her book "Language Alter Ego," exploring how cultural identity influences language learning. They also discuss Ekaterina's personal language journey, her upbringing, and how she became a polyglot.
Kris Broholm interviews Lea Tiralarc, creator of the Staircase method. Lea discusses her experience as an online teacher, having completed over 5,000 lessons. She also explains the Staircase method, which uses laddering vocabulary to build longer sentences.
Kris Broholm interviews Scott Young about his book, Ultralearning. They discuss his language learning project, "A Year Without English," where he traveled to four countries speaking minimal English. Young also shares insights from his MIT challenge, completing a four-year degree in one year.
Kris Broholm interviews Mait Müntel, a physicist who helped discover the Higgs boson at CERN. They discuss his transition from nuclear physics to founding the Linguist language learning app. Mait explains how his scientific background informs his approach to language acquisition and designing a tool for faster learning.
Kris Broholm welcomes Steve Kaufmann to discuss his popular YouTube channel, world travels, and passion for language learning. Steve shares his journey from diplomatic and business careers to semi-retirement, where he co-founded LingQ and continued acquiring new languages. The conversation explores strategies for language learning at any stage of life.
