This episode is about habits and how we build and create them. Listen to find out what our tendencies are and how we use them to make our language routines. What motivates us to do things? What motivates us to keep going? Do you set yourself goals and always meet them? Or do you hate goals? Are you likely to spend weeks just looking for the perfect textbook before you start? Or are goals only meaningful when others set them for you? Or do you only set them when they make sense? Do This: In the e...
Jan 31, 2016•1 hr 1 min
Topic: Watching TV in a Foreign Language Welcome to Episode 31, where Lindsay and I took a deep dive into revealing our TV watching habits and how they aid our language learning. Plus: Listener feedback and over 20 show recommendations. We are sponsored today by Savvy Brand Academy , a mastermind & brand course for onlinte teachers, as part of our "podcasters are doin' it for themselves month". 1) What type of TV do you watch? Listener Colin likes to watch with the whole family Chris Stewart...
Jan 19, 2016•59 min
We discuss language progress. Lindsay has been extremely disciplined, and Kerstin's been to a community class. How to find the time for language even when you're megabusy Community Classes and Polyglot Clubs have lots in common New Year's Resolutions! What we think about the resolution that is "I will become fluent in..." or "I will learn the language..." Why "fluency" is an ambition and not a goal The unfailing SMART goalsetting technique Working out what is driving your resolution and "what yo...
Jan 03, 2016•1 hr 1 min
Note the episode contains two mild swearwords!! Things get real with Michael Schmitz, creator of the SmarterGerman blog and teaching system. Michael is dedicated to bringing German learners to a high level in just a few months. And he has some frank opinions about what it takes to get there. If you want to learn about efficient German learning, this is your show. Listen to discover: Why teaching at Berlitz made Michael want to start his own thing Why having fun is way overrated in language learn...
Dec 21, 2015•1 hr
Welcome to Episode 28, a fun collection of language learning news. Lindsay and I shared our progress in Japanese and Welsh, read out wonderful listener feedback, and finally moved on to 3 big news items. What's it like when your language changes to express who you are? The episode features an interview with J from Compassionate Language Learner who identifies as gender-neutral and has some fabulous things to say about the topic. Swedish introduces "hen" pronoun Oxford Dictionary introduces "Mx" ...
Nov 30, 2015•1 hr 16 min
This episode is brought to you with support from Other Cats to Whip , a super cute book of French idioms. Get 10% off with the code FLUENT at www.othercatstowhip.com. In this episode, Lindsay went out and discovered the world of Brian Kwong, creator of the #add1challenge . Brian has studied 5 languages and created one of the most successful trends in the polyglot world. Listen to hear more about how it all works inside the challenge: How the Study Groups and Mastermind Groups work Which schools ...
Nov 22, 2015•55 min
This episode is brought to you with support from Other Cats to Whip , a cute French book that you can buy for 10% off using the code FLUENT. What was language learning like before the internet? What’s so great about an event like the Language Show? Our ideas for Langathon and Language Speed Dating Language and Careers: What’s out there beyond Teaching and Translating? Lindsay’s passionate explanation of “Primary Languages” in the UK, and how to instil a language passion for life in younger learn...
Nov 09, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Take just 2 minutes and win prizes by telling us about you in our Creative Language Learning Podcast Listener Survey. In Episode 25, I enjoyed a conversation with Shannon Kennedy. Shannon writes the travel, language and life blog Eurolinguiste . She's a musician. And knows seven languages. During the course of this interview I took the neatest notes I have ever written. My guest Shannon Kennedy just has that effect on you. She's calm, considered and very experienced in language learning. You'll ...
Oct 18, 2015•1 hr 8 min
Welcome to our first ever LIVE episode of the Creative Language Learning Podcast! In episode 24, we treat you to a piece of the European Day of Languages broadcast which was the first time ever that Lindsay and I tried something like this. There was so much going on: Music! Live comments! A Revival of the Languages vs. Dialects Debate! Reports on Log Sawing in Germany! And a special: Kerstin Is British Moment In this podcast I caught myself being super British all of a sudden. I mentioned teenag...
Oct 01, 2015•1 hr 24 min
It's episode 23 and I'm back with another lovely and inspiring interview. Tammy Bjelland sparkles with all the energy she brings to language learning and teaching. She teaches, trains, offers curriculum design and runs her own podcast, the Business of Language Podcast . Let her enthusiasm pull you along in this interview! You'll hear about: What you're going to do with that language later The many secret benefits of languages in your career The 7 superhero skills of language learners: Empathy, I...
Sep 18, 2015•52 min
This episode features two core themes of discussion: travel and tutor tips. "I buy everyone a little lollipop in my lessons" Why does "Germany" have so many different names in different languages? Should you study pronunciation first or just go all in with vocabulary? (hint: whatever you like) When is it too late to learn? (hint: never) What do you need to buy before you set off? (hint: nothing) In the article discussion of this episode, we took apart the step-by-step process of finding a langua...
Aug 24, 2015•1 hr 15 min
In this short solo episode, Kerstin announces the launch of her brand new German pronunciation course. It's been something long anticipated and it's finally here. Check out Speak German like a Native today to get the special podcast deal and learn how to speak German with your best accent ever. You also get a special appearance from slightly angry Kerstin to learn home truths about goal setting. If your current language learning goal is "fluency" or "a 15 minute conversation", then you need to l...
Aug 12, 2015•18 min
Big news for the ladies of the Creative Language Learning Podcast in episode 20: Lindsay is engaged and Kerstin is married! In this episode, you’ll hear: What makes a German wedding and an English engagement special Lindsay's and Kerstin's recent language learning updates - we've been learning Semaphore and Welsh! How do you use Memrise for language learning? Lindsay's exact process for learning a new way of communicating with online resources Should you speak early? Is there any reas...
Jul 19, 2015•1 hr 1 min
“Languages are ultimately designed to bring people together.” Welcome to an inspiring interview with one of my favourite language bloggers: Ron Gullekson from Language Surfer . His relaxed language learning attitude will make you so comfortable. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Ron's blog is called Language Surfer How formal language learners all know what "drawing a line down the middle" means :) How Ron structures his on curriculum for language learning Which level of language learning...
Jul 05, 2015•51 min
Episode 18 was packed full of language learning news and chat with Lindsay from Lindsay does Languages , my trusty and lovely co-host. I hope you'll join us for all the debate and learning! We discussed A truly useful and helpful definition of Polyglot by Richard Simcott What the Polyglot Gathering is and how it went down in Berlin in 2015 If a language you learn really makes you think differently, and Whether Kerstin should make herself study more Russian or allow herself the fun of exploring a...
Jun 22, 2015•57 min
This episode is supported by FlashSticks , the printed language learning post-its. Use code KERSTIN10 for 10% off. In Episode 16, I'm introducing our new co-host: Lindsay Dow from Lindsay Does Languages I’m bringing Lindsay in for more Creative Language Learning Podcast because she's just been so much fun for you to listen to. In Episode 16, you’ll hear: A discussion of the world’s many different scripts and writing systems, with Lindsay’s recent forays into Amharic and how I worked in Korea for...
May 17, 2015•58 min
My guest this week is Angelika Davey, owner of the blog angelikasgerman.co.uk. Angelika has been teaching German independently for many years. Listen to our interview to find out more about Keeping your mind agile, and whether it really matters to anyone under 50 The ultimate showdown: Age vs. Attitude! Which one makes you a better learner? Why learning German is your best choice for business What it’s like to date someone from a different country A new and innovative approach that makes even th...
Apr 20, 2015•56 min
Beyond what it is that the Memory Palace can actually do for you, Anthony and I dug a bit deeper and discussed some really interesting perspectives. Check out the interview for Thoughts on what it is that will stop you from giving up Competition in language learning, and where exactly Freud comes in The point when giving up might be the right decision How a memory palace can be a source of happiness and comfort in your life Fifty shades of German “There should be some fire under your backside.” ...
Mar 23, 2015•1 hr 9 min
Hey, welcome to lucky episode 13 of the Creative Language Learning Podcast. In this episode, I'll be sharing a delicious foodie article and talking about Kid World Citizens with Becky Morales. You Will Learn More About: How Becky went from Maths major to Spanish lover in college What it takes and what it means to become bilingual How to put together a golden approach to teaching language Why pronunciation can be something you master at any age if you only have time, dedication and fun How t...
Feb 26, 2015•52 min
In Episode 12 of the Creative Language Learning Podcast, I interviewed a fellow podcaster! Chris Broholm is a language learner with a big mission: 10 Languages in 10 Years! “As long as you’re doing something, you’re doing it right.” — Chris on Language Learning Methods Article of the Week Duolingo is Getting More Serious by Kay Alexander on Fair Languages Tips of the Week Chris chose Tip 1 as his favourite, because goal setting is still WAY undervalued in learning a new lan...
Jan 23, 2015•1 hr 4 min
You wanna learn a language? Then I've got the guy for you! In today's podcast episode, I'm speaking with Olly Richards, the man behind I Will Teach You a Language . Olly is an expat Brit with a lot of travel experience under his belt, and his considered and smart answers really put me to shame. You Will Learn More About: Our Dreams of how Education can Make the Language Learning World so much Better What to Look Out for When Taking a Teaching Qualification How to Make Motivation Work What Beginn...
Dec 07, 2014•59 min
This time, I am talking to an expert in the area of course design and online education. Breanne Dyck knows how to make people learn, she's got lots of information about neuroscience and learnt quite a few languages herself. “It’s not abstract motivation that keeps us going. It’s all about checking in along the way.” In this Interview you'll be finding out about Why languages are the daddy of self-teaching The big mistake all self-learners tend to make Where the MOOC concept comes fro...
Nov 16, 2014•58 min
Welcome to episode 9, where I'm featuring an AMAZING article of the week and an interview with Benny Lewis from Fluent in 3 Months. In this interview you'll be finding out about The single one problem that's stopping everyone from language learning Why the "Learn my language, I won't learn yours" is NOT just an English world view Confidence vs Discipline: Which one is more important? What you should focus on when you start learning a new language How important it is to personalize your learning ...
Oct 27, 2014•49 min
In Episode 8, my guest is Lindsay Dow , a really enthusiastic and cool independent language teacher from the UK. Lindsay is well-known for her great Youtube videos about all aspects of language learning, and she was also a winner in the Sensational Fluent Giveaway . “No one learns a language because they want their life to stay the same.” The show doesn't follow the usual interview format, instead Lindsay came on as a co-host and talked about her favourite blogs and articles, as well as her own ...
Oct 13, 2014•56 min
Welcome to episode 7 of the Creative Language Learning Podcast with Kerstin Hammes! In today's episode, I'll be sharing a news article about getting lost in translation, an interview with yours truly and a great announcement about the first Fluent Meetup in London! My interviewer for this episode was John Colley, a business strategist with his own Online Learning Podcast . Rushing to competency with the 80/20 rule is fine for Tim Ferriss, but maybe I prefer a stroll. In today's interview and pod...
Sep 26, 2014•44 min
In Episode 6 of the podcast, I’m talking to an everyday language learner. My longest-standing student Randy is our guest, and he talks about what it’s like to become a language person later in life and one tool that got him right through his first 6 months of learning: Rosetta Stone . Review Podcast for Rosetta Stone Advanced Randy and I have both been trying Rosetta Stone to test their new system, Rosetta Stone Advanced, and we decided to record our verdicts in a podcast for all of you. So in t...
Sep 01, 2014•59 min
Hey everyone, welcome to podcast episode 5! The interview in today's episode was one of the most amazing and inspiring ones that I have ever recorded. I loved talking to André Klein, a fellow German native speaker and teacher of German. It is really a gem, there is so much in there just for you to take a new, fresh, alternative approach to language learning. Fluent News My books Fluency Made Achievable and The Vocab Cookbook are finally here, and you can buy them to really impro...
Jul 30, 2014•57 min
Hey folks, welcome to episode 4 of the Creative Language Learning Podcast. This one is a solo show, just me sharing what's new and what's been catching my attention recently. We'll be getting nerdy and practical! Here is the Itunes Link Where you can Subscribe and Leave Comments in iTunes img ©HBO and Marvel Over the past few weeks I have been writing a lot for my new book which is due to come out on the 31 July so I figured it was time to speak to you instead of writing even more! We will ...
Jun 09, 2014•32 min
In today's episode, you will hear from Jade Joddle, a coach in English and Speaking Skills from Jadejooddle.com . Jade and I found something in common: We are both very strong examples of the introvert and extrovert personalities. Jade is an introvert and uses her experiences to help others. In today's podcast we make a start in exploring that both introverts and extroverts have their strengths in language learning. Here is the Itunes Link Where you can Subscribe and Leave Comments in iTunes Jad...
Apr 21, 2014•1 hr
In today's episode, you will hear from Jason Levine, the Fluency MC - one of the most creative and unusual language teachers out there. Jason has brought his passion for HipHop and rap into language teaching and now uses his skills in English teaching through a bunch of excellent rap songs. Fluency MC and I will be talking about What the science of collos is all about and how they can help you learn a language more easily What learning your times tables in Maths has to do with success in languag...
Jan 13, 2014•41 min
