Benny and Elizabeth speak with French YouTube superstar Géraldine Lepère about the importance of understanding culture when learning a language. Featured Resources Comme une Française MY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une Française Mentioned in this Episode Comme une Française MY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une Française Géraldine Lepère Facebook Géraldine Lepère Instagram Géraldine Lepère YouTube Géraldine Lepère Twitter Episode Overview Some of th...
Jul 05, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Benny and Shannon dive deep with Netflix star, YouTube influencer and polyglot Jo Franco about growing up bilingual, developing a love of travel and language learning, and building connection through language. Featured Resources JoClub The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals Mentioned in this Episode JoClub The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals The Circle Shut Up and Go Travel Show Jo Franco Twitter Jo Franco Instagram Jo Franco YouTube How Jo Franco Bought a House in Cash Jo Franco Reveal...
Jun 28, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Native Italian speaker and teacher Elfin Waters shares with Benny and Shannon about falling in love with languages as an escape, using Instagram as a language learning resource, and building Italian language content for language learners. Featured Resources Women in Language All About Italian Mentioned in this Episode Women in Language All About Italian All About Italian Retreats All About Italian Instagram Con Parole Noste - Italian Conversations Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up d...
Jun 21, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Benny and Elizabeth chat with Jim and May of Spanish and Go about meeting to exchange Spanish and English, falling in love, and creating a language business together. Jim and May are the founders of Spanish and Go, language podcasters, content creators, and language teachers. Featured Resources italki Spanish and Go Mentioned in this Episode italki Spanish and Go Spanish and Go Podcast How to Order Food in Spanish (Ordering a Meal at a Restaurant) Day of Dead Children’s Book Day of Dead video Sp...
Jun 14, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Benny and Shannon have a discussion with Anja Winter about creating an online business and developing interesting, compelling lesson content to help students with language learning motivation. Featured Resources italki LingQ Language Hacking books Mentioned in this Episode italki LingQ Anja’s Academy Language Hacking books Anja’s Instagram Anja’s Youtube Learn German with Anja Learn German with Anja on Instagram Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Being a Ger...
Jun 07, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 53
This week Benny gives a brief update about his current language projects, and how he's easing himself back into good routines. After a significant period away from language learning, it's important to take the time to figure out your methods and rebuild your study habits. The goal is to return to a place of consistent progress. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly excl...
Jun 02, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Benny and Elizabeth chat with Mark Pentleton about how he started the Coffee Break language podcasts and how his role shifted from language teacher to language learner. Featured Resources Coffee Break Mentioned in this Episode Coffee Break Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Starting and developing Coffee Break language podcasts Moving from teacher to learner on the podcast Helping his children learn languages at home How students can overcome the intermediat...
May 31, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Benny and Shannon chat with Dustin Luke and Ruben Adery about how to develop an authentic Spanish accent by using rhythm, musicality, body language, and other local insider information. Featured Resources English Speaking Hacks Spanish Speaking Hacks Mentioned in this Episode Cosas Que Dicen Los Argentinos Hecho Por Un Yanqui English Speaking Hacks Spanish Speaking Hacks Spanish Speaking Hacks Instagram English Speaking Hacks Instagram Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the in...
May 24, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Have you ever been trying to learn one language, but found yourself tempted by a new one and distracted from your original goal? Benny is here to help! He shares ideas for staying engaged and interested in the language you're learning, which will help stop your eye from wandering. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives....
May 19, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Benny and Shannon chat with Dayna Brockbank about learning languages on a budget with Duolingo, italki and Anki by building systems for motivation. Featured Resources italki Atomic Habits Anki Mentioned in this Episode italki Atomic Habits Anki Fluent in 3 Months blog Duolingo Happily Ever Travels VIP Kid Universe of Memory Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Learning Spanish while living in Chile in complete immersion What makes language immersion work How l...
May 17, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Benny and Shannon discuss dual identities, language learning, and strategies for reviving a language with Alex Rawlings, who was once named Britain’s most multilingual student. Featured Resources How to Speak Any Language Fluently Assimil Teach Yourself Routledge Mentioned in this Episode Third Year Abroad, now Global Graduates How to Speak Any Language Fluently Assimil Teach Yourself Routledge Alex Rawlings Alex’s Twitter Alex’s Instagram More Than Words Podcast Episode Overview Some of the top...
May 10, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 49
When it comes to learning vocabulary, is it best to learn individual words, or phrases with the words in context? Benny gives his opinion, talks about his insights and explains how he likes to use flashcards and other techniques to learn vocabulary both as standalone words and in context. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives....
May 05, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode features Sarah Gillespie, who learned conversational Hiligaynon in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . Benny and Elizabeth have a conversation with Sarah Gillespie about her experience of learning a heritage language with few resources as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Chal...
May 03, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Benny and Shannon chat with Luca Lampariello, a well-known polyglot and language coach, about learning “useful” languages, breaking through limiting beliefs, and the most important thing when learning another language. Featured Resources Luca’s Coaching Communities of Practice Atomic Habits Mentioned in this Episode Luca’s Coaching Communities of Practice Atomic Habits Luca’s Twitter Luca’s Facebook Luca’s Instagram Luca’s Youtube Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the intervi...
Apr 26, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 47
This week Benny gives some advice about how to watch movies and TV in your target language, especially when it comes to subtitles. Watching media is a fantastic way to improve your language skills, but you need to do it the right way if you want to get the most out of it. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives....
Apr 21, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This episode features Ashton Bitten, who learned conversational Spanish in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In this episode, Benny and Shannon talk to Ashton about her experience of going from intermediate (B1) to advanced (C1) Spanish in 48 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. ...
Apr 19, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Benny and Shannon talk to Damon Dominique, a French educator who got his start online as part of Damon and Jo, about learning languages to build connection, teaching without lecturing, and how to find confidence teaching online. Featured Resources Fluent in 3 Months Challenge Mentioned in this Episode Fluent in 3 Months Challenge FluentCity Damon and Jo Shut up and go Damon’s Youtube Damon’s Instagram Damon’s Twitter Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Going ...
Apr 12, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 45
The answer to this week's question may surprise you. People often assume that polyglots learn multiple languages at the same time, but as Benny explains, this isn't as common as you might think. Listen to find out why learning more than one language at a time isn't necessarily the best tactic. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives....
Apr 07, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode, Benny and Elizabeth get the inside scoop on how to become a French cultural insider with Lizzy Rimington who has lived in France for the past 30 years. Mentioned in this Episode Benny’s Spanish Challenge Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Studying French at school and not actually learning the language How living as an au pair kicked off Lizzy’s French understanding How to integrate into French culture and build friendships Why French etique...
Apr 05, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Benny and Shannon chat with Hollywood Accent Training Coach to the stars, Eliza Simpson, on finding your voice in another language through accent and pronunciation. Featured Resources Dialects Now Accent Gym Mentioned in this Episode Knight-Thompson Speechworks Dialects Now Accent Gym Eliza’s Twitter Eliza’s YouTube Eliza’s Instagram Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Techniques and mechanics you learn to pick up accents Visual aspects of learning the sounds...
Mar 29, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 43
You asked, and Benny is here to answer! In this short episode he talks about why he thinks tackling grammar shouldn't be your top priority when learning a new language - phew, what a relief! To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.
Mar 24, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This episode features Jessie, who learned conversational Catalan in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In this episode, Benny and Shannon speak to Jessie who learned her partner Kike’s native language as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. Featured Resources Fluent in 3 Months Ch...
Mar 22, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Elizabeth interviews Benny about his experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and how it parallels learning a language. Featured Resources Fluent in 3 Months Challenge Mentioned in this Episode Fluent in 3 Months Challenge Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and achieving a travel dream Giving up on language learning The compare and despair trap Being okay with mistakes Letting go of other people’s judgements Finding the silver lining Ho...
Mar 15, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 41
You wanted advice for memorising vocabulary, and Benny is happy to deliver. Benny explains that it’s not about having a particularly great memory, but instead, using specific tactics to make things stick. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.
Mar 10, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Benny and Elizabeth talk to Kris Broholm from Actual Fluency about language learning with depression, the language community, and the power of finding support. This episode discusses depression. If you are currently experiencing depression, we recommend speaking with a professional. You can call Safe Help Line at (888) 379-6507 or any other support hotline Featured Resources Lost Connections Actual Fluency Podcast Mentioned in this Episode Lost Connections Polyglot Gathering Actual Fluency Podca...
Mar 08, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, we talk to Julie Ferguson who has learned five languages and is getting ready to learn her sixth – Scots Gaelic. She’s severely deaf and legally blind and has come up with loads of creative strategies for learning languages which she shares in this podcast as well as accessibility for both language resources and travel. Featured Resources Julie’s articles on Fluent in 3 Months Mentioned in this Episode Julie’s articles on Fluent in 3 Months Satori...
Mar 01, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 39
We continue our new "Ask Benny" series with one of your most common questions. This week Benny talks about why he thinks speaking from day one is the key, and how you can do this even when travel is not an option. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.
Feb 24, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Benny and Shannon talk to Chuck Smith, a notable figure in the language learning and Esperanto communities about Esperanto and its culture, and why Esperanto should be your next language. Featured Resources Amikumu Innovative Languages Mentioned in this Episode Polyglot Gathering Amikumu Innovative Languages Chuck Smith Chuck’s Twitter Chuck’s Instagram Episode Overview Some of the topics brought up during the interview are: What Esperanto is and its history Why learn Esperanto? Does Esperanto r...
Feb 22, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 38
This episode features Bryce, who learned conversational Portuguese in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge . We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here . In this episode, Benny and Shannon talk with two Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participants, Bryce and Michele, who are husband and wife learning their native languages with help from ...
Feb 15, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 37
This is the first episode of our new "Ask Benny" series where Benny answers listener questions. In this episode, Benny gives an update on where he is with his own language learning projects. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com Join Our Patreon Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.
Feb 10, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 1
