In this episode I'm joined by Toki Pona speaker Joel, also known as jan Telakoman. During the call we discuss comprehensible input as one of the strongest ways to learn a new language, and we both share our experiences learning toki pona - a tiny, constructed language of only ~150 words. Joel's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@jantelakoman Toki Pona Comprehensible Input Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_a0s0wowhE&list=PLwYL9_SRAk8EXSZPSTm9lm2kD_Z1RzUgm...
Dec 16, 2024•47 min
Katie from Dynamic Languages comes on the podcast to share what the future of virtual reality might look like. During the conversation we also cover topics like learning whilst travelling, language learning in schools, and much more. About Dynamic Languages: App on the Meta Store: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/dynamic-languages/4890053391081880/ Website: https://www.dynamiclanguages.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dynamiclanguages Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dynamic_lang...
Nov 09, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In this episode we catch up with Fluent in 3 Months founder Benny Lewis about his latest language learning mission (Korean), the new and improved Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp, and a very open discussion on how he recovered from a few horrible years of depression, divorce, debt, and weight gain. Benny's Website where you can find everything including his book, and bootcamp: https://fluentin3months.com Bite Size Language Courses from Actual Fluency: https://bitesizelanguages.com...
Jun 15, 2023•55 min
In this episode, Kris and Luca Lampariello discuss the importance of building confidence and identity in a language to overcome perfectionism and fear of making mistakes. They also touch on the impact of mindset on language learning, the benefits of speaking a language even imperfectly, and the challenge of maintaining multiple languages. Lampariello emphasizes the importance of exposure and practice in language learning, and suggests that building an identity in a language and treating all lang...
May 12, 2023•48 min
In this podcast episode, language learner and transracial adoptee Emily Harris discusses her own experiences as an adoptee when it comes to learning her heritage language, and her experiences with perfectionism and finding balance in language learning. She also talks about her language learning journey, including her initial attraction to German and her future language goals, such as learning Persian and improving her Arabic skills. Harris emphasizes the importance of individualized goals and fi...
Apr 28, 2023•58 min
In this podcast episode, I'm joined by Cara Leopold, an English listening specialist, and founder of Leo Listening to talk about her experience learning French, moving to France, and eventually integrating in the local community as an expat. We also discuss English listening skills, and her new project: The Movie Club, which helps English speakers learn more idiomatic and casual language through the use of movies and TV. Check out Cara and the Movie Club here: https://leo-listening.com Check out...
Apr 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of the Actual Fluency Podcast, host Kris Broholm interviews Heidi Lovejoy, the creator and host of The Love, Joy and Languages Podcast. They discuss the topic of perfectionism and its effects on language learning, mental health, and imposter syndrome. Lovejoy shares her struggles with perfectionism while learning Italian, how it affected her mental health, and her journey to overcome it. They also explore the ideal process of moving to a foreign country while learning the local l...
Apr 01, 2023•2 hr 7 min
Kris comes back with a quick update to announce the return of the Actual Fluency podcast.
Jun 24, 2022•16 min
In this episode I'm joined by Rosemary Salomone to discuss the role of English on a global academic level, and some of the challenges faced by minorities and non-english native speaking students and countries in the world. Rosemary is the Kenneth Wang Professor of Law at St. John's University in Queens, New York. Prior to joining the legal academy, she taught English to international students, developed bilingual programs for immigrant students, and was a faculty member at the Harvard Graduate S...
Dec 18, 2021•46 min
In this podcast episode I'm joined by Sadelle Wiltshire, who shares her story of learning languages at different ages, including her passion for Irish and the community of learners she's found for the language. Sadelle's website: https://www.sadellewiltshire.com/ The Fluent in 3 Months Challenge: https://actf.lu/fi3m-challenge
Nov 17, 2021•49 min
In this episode Kris is joined by Rick Dearman to talk about using forums to help support you in your language learning, language conferences, and much more. Special thanks to OPTILINGO for sponsoring the podcast. You can check out this innovative language learning app, designed to make you SPEAK a language by going to https://optilingo.com To find out more about Rick go to: https://forum.language-learners.org/ https://autodidactic.info/ Announcement: The podcast is now on YouTube! That means yo...
Oct 04, 2021•42 min
In the episode I'm joined by Spanish Teacher and Educational Author, Jennifer Degenhardt. We go over why school language learning is in such a bad state in many schools, and what innovative and energetic teachers like Jennifer can do to improve the results the kids get from the classroom. We also talk about her diverse and inclusive range of educational materials, as well as her experience spending a year learning Spanish abroad in latin America. === SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by OptiLing...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 8 min
In the episode I'm joined by Portuguese teacher and YouTuber Liz Sharma to talk about Portugal, Portuguese (European vs Brazilian) and how Liz moved from the U.K to Portugal. Since I just moved to Portugal myself I got to ask a lot of curiosity-driven questions, including what Portuguese learners normally struggle with. === SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by OptiLingo. Go check out a modern language learning app that focuses on speaking EARLY without the boring drills and grammar memorisation....
Jun 18, 2021•56 min
Brought to you by OPTILINGO -- https://optilingo.com In this episode I'm joined by Olle Linge from Hacking Chinese to talk about his "random" journey into Chinese, founding the Hacking Chinese website (10 years anniversary this year) and a ton of language learning methodology and academic vs non-academic perspectives. A lot of the advice in the episode are centered around Chinese, but almost all of it is applicable to every language. Enjoy! Here's what we talk about in the episode: How Olle "ran...
Nov 26, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Brought to you by OPTILINGO -- https://optilingo.com Editor's Note: A previous version of this episode had some audio issues, which have been fixed. In this episode I'm joined by "A Māori Phrase a Day" author Hēmi Kelly, to find out a little more about Māori, which is the name of the indigenous people of New Zealand, as well as the language. Hēmi is a full-time lecturer in te reo Māori at the Auckland University of Technology. His academic research and writing focus largely on the revitalsation ...
Nov 06, 2020•41 min
Brought to you by OPTILINGO -- One of the most popular guests of the podcast returns to share all the details for her upcoming project, that she co-hosts with Lindsay Williams and Shannon Kennedy: Women in Language (September 17-20, 2020) Here are some of the things we discuss during the episode: * What Kerstin has been up to for the past 2 years since her last appearance * How did the idea for Women in Language come about? * Why there is a need for a conference like Women in Language * What sep...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by my friend Lina Vasquez, an amazing polyglot who shares her passion for languages, self-development, and many other topics on her YouTube channel. In the episode we dive DEEP into the mindset behind self-development and language learning, and offer some ideas on how anyone can level up their life and be better in every way they want. Resources: Lina on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClZjE2TEk59ZbxH_hZiBkog ---- Get a free lesso...
Aug 23, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 178
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by Italian teacher Gloria Spagnoli who shares her insights as both a language learner and teacher. She specifically talks about finding your confidence and inner resources. Finally we touch on the difference between a teacher and a student, and how you can level up your language lessons. Resources: http://speakita.com/how-to-find-your-italian-voice/ ---- Get a free lesson with Optilingo: https://optilingo.com...
Aug 15, 2020•49 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by Spanish teacher Maria Ortega Garcia, who shares unique insights as both a language learner and teacher. She specifically talks about connecting with the language you're trying to learn, and making it yours. This has been the most succesful approach she has seen over the years. We also touch on some ideas of improving tutoring for students and teachers alike. Resources: ---- Get a free lesson with Optilingo: https://optilingo.com...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 7 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode Tetsu Yung returns to update on his childrens' language learning (5 languages!) and talks in detail about the ONE PARENT ONE LANGUAGE methodology, he's been using for over 8 years now. We also chat briefly about LangFest, the annual conference usually held in Montreal, Canada. The event is currently postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing situation. Resources: Tetsu on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/asktetsu LangFest: https://langfest.org (post...
Jul 23, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by Peter Strang from the United Kingdom, who took up a position as English teacher in Russia. What was initially a temporary stay turned into starting a family and settling down full-time. In the episode we talk about his experience moving to Russia, settling in, and learning the language whilst coping with being one of few foreigners at his workplace and in the local community. ---- Get a free lesson with Optilingo: https://optilingo.com...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 12 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by podcast regular Anthony Metivier, to talk about his new book The Victorious Mind, mental health, and how language learning as well as memory training play a role in improving your life. Resources mentioned: Anthony's new book: The Victorious Mind (Amazon) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorious-Mind-Master-Meditation-Well-Being/dp/0648751902 Anthony's website and podcast - https://magneticmemorymethod.com Anthony's June 2020 TEDx talk: Two...
Jun 28, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm joined by Richard 'Dick' Howeson from uTalk to discuss how he started the company, and developed it from a CD-ROM based language learning system, to now a modern app system with over 140 languages. Resources mentioned: uTalk: https://actf.lu/utalk Polyglot Cruise: https://polyglotcruise.com Disclaimer: uTalk is a sponsor of the Polyglot Cruise organised by Actual Fluency, and paid to be featured in this Actual Fluency Podcast episode....
Jun 17, 2020•58 min•Ep. 172
In this unnumbered Actual Fluency episode I'm getting into a few updates as of April 2020. Here's what you'll hear about in the episode: Why the podcast was on a minor break Why you shouldn't necessarily feel pressured to learn a new language during the pandemic What happened to the Polyglot Cruise New Course Launch: Bite-Size Languages What else is new on Actual Fluency What is happening to the polyglot events around the world, which ones do I hope to attend? This podcast is brought to you by O...
Apr 30, 2020•32 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm happy to be joined by Matt from "Matt vs Japan" to share his ideas about immersion (Mass Immersion Approach / AJATT) and how he learnt Japanese in 18 months. Resources mentioned: Matt vs Japan YouTube Channel > https://www.youtube.com/user/MATTvsJapan Mass Immersion Approach > https://massimmersionapproach.com/ All Japanese All The Time > http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/ Matt on Twitter > https://twitter.com/mattvsjapan...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 17 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I'm extremely honoured to be joined by one of my very own podcasting idols. Mark has been running Coffee Break Podcasts for over a decade, and now delivers over 2,500,000 language lessons every month to listeners around the world. In the episode we discuss his language past, present, and future, as well as how he started Coffee Break and grew it to where it is today. We also talk a bit about the state of language education in schools today, and speak ...
Feb 17, 2020•53 min
Brought to you by Optilingo. In this episode I preview 2020, and share a few updates about Actual Fluency. The regular episodes with guests are returning next week! Events mentioned: The Edinburgh Language Event The Polyglot Cruise The Polyglot Gathering The Polyglot Conference LangFest
Feb 06, 2020•28 min
Ekaterina Matveeva comes on the show to talk about her amazing polyglot story, as well as the concept of the language alter ego and cultural personalities. We also share notes on what happens to the personality and identity of an individual as one goes abroad and stays for an extended period of time. Show Links: Ekatarina's book - Language Alter Ego: https://amzn.to/30T1foi Business: http://amolingua.com Personal site: http://matveevaekaterina.com Teacher Training: https://amolingua.com/programm...
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 7 min
On this episode, I chat to French teacher Lea Tiralarc, who's taught over 5000 lessons on italki about her experiences as a teacher and a learner. We also talk about her method (The Staircase) and how to make teaching languages your career. Show Links: The Staircase: https://thestaircase.org/ ============== 📣 This podcast is sponsored by Italki ! Learn REAL language through the power and convenience of personal tutoring lessons, for any language at VERY affordable rates. 💰 You can get a $10 cr...
Oct 01, 2019•43 min
On this episode I chat to entrepreneur, blogger and author Scott Young about his experiences learning 4 languages in a single year (without speaking any English) and his new book Ultralearning: Accelerate Your Career, Master Hard Skills and Outsmart the Competition. Show Links: Scott's Blog: http://scotthyoung.com Ultralearning on Amazon: https://geni.us/ultralearn ============== 📣 This podcast is sponsored by Italki ! Learn REAL language through the power and convenience of personal tutoring l...
Sep 20, 2019•1 hr 16 min
