It's a philosophical one with Lindsay this week! Quick note on the topic of audio quality: In this week's episode, you'll hear Lindsay coming through at a slightly lower quality than usual. Our apologies! We'll be back to our usual high standards in the next episode. Here are our two big topics. Donald Trump Is A Tweeter If you're au courant with the news these days, you may have noticed that Donald Trump is a prolific user of Twitter. But what do his tweets reveal about him? Language analysis p...
Jul 02, 2018•1 hr 9 min
In this week’s episode, I have a fascinating Q&A question, which didn't at all bring the answer that my questioner might have been expecting. My question asker Andy is learning Russian, and finding the amount of word changes overwhelming. We started with grammar, but then discovered a meaningful SECOND issue, which you have probably dealt with in the past, too. Why your success depends on knowing how to analyse the problem How a relationship with a language teacher may hold you back How to creat...
Jun 25, 2018•31 min
Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk (http://fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/podcast-episode-93-france) Bonjour les auditeurs, and welcome to a special édition française of the Fluent Show, with my native French speaking guest Géraldine Lepere. Check out Géraldine's AWESOME site Comme Une Française (http://www.commeunefrancaise.com) This show is a bilingual podcast, meaning you'll hear me do my best in French. Bilingual? How does that work? It's ...
Jun 18, 2018•1 hr 1 min
How do you feel about learning two dialects of a language at the same time? The Dictionary of Linguistics (http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199202720.001.0001/acref-9780199202720) defines dialect as a variety of a language used by people from a particular geographic area. So in other words, you’re ALWAYS learning a language and often you might be learning one that is a dialect of another. Romanian and Italian are dialects of Latin, if we zoom out far enough. So for you as th...
Jun 11, 2018•27 min
In this podcast and blog article, we're discussing words that mean a lot to many people, answering questions such as: What is "fluency" and how do you know you're fluent? How can I achieve "mastery" in a language? What can you gain from being a "polyglot" or "digital nomad"? enter image description here https://uploads.fireside.fm/images/9/9103f3da-a263-4bfe-b5a3-58649ff9b5f7/CL2CtwvG.jpg Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk (http://fluentl...
Jun 04, 2018•1 hr 10 min
You can find language tutors on sites like italki (http://www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/italki), in online communities, or by searching for your target language on social networks. Instagram is particularly great here. Before Your First Lesson With A New Skype Tutor Be clear about what you want to get out of your set of lessons, and communicate this to your teacher. Here's a list of suggested questions (http://fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/9-questions-language-tutor) to ask them. Decide if you want to fo...
May 28, 2018•29 min
It's time for our seasonal countdown of what's hot in language learning. Lindsay and I have been collecting our top tools, and we select our list of top 3 recommendations on the Fluent Show. Lingodeer Text Inspector Talkalang /r/languagelearning FutureLearn Babadum A lovely image-based vocab game to play in your browser, made by a non-profit design studio from Poland. The range of langauges is massive! Plus: A news segment on what the French have been up to.. 🇫🇷🍔🌭
May 21, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Today’s show is based on a question I have been asking myself. And that is… “Should I Give Flashcards Another Chance?” The way I learn vocabulary is always changing, and my methods and strategies evolve all the time. For many years, learning with vocabulary notebooks was my prime way of reviewing new words. But there are also other techniques, and recently I’ve started using a flashcard app, Smartcards+. I review vocab with * Labels * Lists (hand written and regularly reviewed and condensed) * F...
May 14, 2018•30 min
This week, I talk to language and grammar fanatic Ellen Jovin. Ellen has spent the last (nearly) decade learning and forgetting over 20 languages, and reviewing hundreds of language learning materials. In this interview, you will learn about How to select the best materials for teaching yourself a language How to grow as a person through using Facebook Why it doesn't matter if a language is hard Why Ellen stopped going to language classes How even the best book can be one you don't enjoy, and wh...
May 07, 2018•1 hr 16 min
Re-learning sounds like a daunting task, but today's episode will guide you through what you need to think about. In this episode, you'll * learn about the difference between conscious and unconscious language acquisition. * discover how to learn vocabulary so you always remember it * and the right learning plan for getting that language skills back. Check out The Vocab Cookbook (http://www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/vocab) for more about the vocab method Acquire, Memorize, Review. Tips For Starting A...
Apr 30, 2018•30 min
When I first moved to the UK, I had no idea that Welsh was a living language. Now it's 15 years later and I can speak it, watch TV in Welsh, and connect with thousands of learners around the world. Welsh is considered a success story by many people who want to revive minority languages. 150 years ago, it was banned by the English speaking government and the English language became the norm. Today, Welsh medium education is on the rise and the Welsh Assembly is promoting a target of getting a mil...
Apr 23, 2018•25 min
Great news, everyone! The Fluent Show is now newly available on Spotify, TuneIn Radio, and I Heart Radio. How do you listen? Shout out to our new sponsor, Smartcards Plus (http://www.smartcardsplus.com/fluent). In Today's Show: A Q&A with a question from Shannon on Twitter. She asked: Got advice on how to get bilingual speakers of your native language and your learning language to stick to the language you’re learning? Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluen...
Apr 16, 2018•28 min
This week on the podcast, I am joined by Olly Richards from I Will Teach You A Language. We present to you a project that we have been working on together for a while: German Uncovered, a course for beginners who want to become fluent in German. I've been working on this for a few months, and we are slowly getting ready for launch. Exciting times! The special thing about German Uncovered is that it is entirely story-based, meaning you will not just learn the language step by step, but you'll als...
Apr 09, 2018•49 min
Rebecca from New York asked Can you talk about how to set up a reasonable weekly schedule for language learning? In this show, I've got five simple steps for you that will help you plan a successful week in language learning. I'll talk about setting goals, managing your energy, analysing your calendar, and matching your activity to your strengths. A reasonable schedule for learning languages is one that doesn’t make you groan, but isn’t empty either. Here's what matters most: prefer regular to a...
Apr 02, 2018•28 min
The most rewarding way of practicing your language is by connecting with people on a 1-to-1 basis. It takes commitment to make any language exchange successful. On today's show, we discuss what it takes to have the best language exchange experience possible. We also welcome special guest Jonathan Huggins, who knows lots about language exchanges. Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk (http://fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/great-language-exchange-p...
Mar 26, 2018•1 hr 13 min
Today on the show, I'll share a few tips and considerations about studying languages at university. Plus: My own story of doing Translation Studies at the University of Manchester. Chenelle asks: I wanted to know did you only get your bachelors degree or did you actually go and get a masters degree and languages? Listen to get the full details of my tips. At postgrad level, you tend to go either into research or applied mode. Most specialised ones Applied Linguistics / Linguistics Intercultural ...
Mar 19, 2018•30 min
Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk (http://fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/podcast-episode-79) In this episode, we caught up, talked about a new directive on language use in a very special setting: Childbirth! We also discussed language learning apps and how to make the most out of them.
Mar 12, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Elisabeth asks: “How do you fit hearing comprehension into your daily routine? I find myself daydreaming a lot during my hearing comprehension time.” What are you training, exactly? Listening comprehension will aid you in understanding spoken language. For most independent language learners, listening comprehension is what starts bridging the gap between reading a textbook and moving on to confident and independent language use. For Elisabeth as a French learner in particular, there’s a lot to u...
Mar 05, 2018•30 min
As a German native speaker who speaks English all day long, I find the prospect of bilingual parenting both daunting and fascinating. I have been looking for an expert on bilingual parenting, and here she is: Marianna du Bosq, host of the awesome Bilingual Avenue (https://www.bilingualavenue.com/) podcast, a show for parents who are raising bilingual children. Marianna's incredible energy shines through and she's got SO many tips. I came away with so much more knowledge about what bilingual pare...
Feb 26, 2018•1 hr 13 min
"How Can I Get Off The Intermediate Plateau?" If you're stuck somewhere in the language weeds, this show will help you untangle them and get those wheels turning again. You'll learn Why you're feeling stuck How to start feeling like the wheels are turning again How to re-think your feeling of being stuck for an instant mood boost Why rewards make all the difference How to figure out the next step
Feb 19, 2018•30 min
In The News This Week A deaf woman wanted to attend a pop concert with her young daughter, but had to fight and even sue the company until she was granted a sign language interpreter. Is this fair? We discuss what 'disability' is, how sign language is very different from other languages in music, and how awesome it is to have interpreter companies in this world. Make sure you watch the great video showing how signers interpret music (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-42776454). How to Learn Se...
Feb 12, 2018•59 min
It's 2018, guys. Time to admit something major: AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR A 4 WORD PODCAST TITLE 😂 As of today, I am so excited to announce that this podcast is now The Fluent Show, and we are going WEEKLY. Every week from today, I'll be bringing you an interview or a short episode full of actionable, practical language learning advice. The Fluent Show is here to encourage and support you in your language learning journey. There is much more to discover such as: A new jingle (no more "Christmas...
Feb 11, 2018•4 min
Click or tap here to read the full show notes (http://www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/podcast-episode-74) In the News... Kazakhstan is going to change the official script of its language from the Cyrillic to the Latin alphabet by 2025 - we admire their SMART goal setting skills and discuss what could motivate a country to make such a big change. Main Topic: The Future of Language Learning What does the future hold for language learners? When a device translates what you say directly into another l...
Jan 29, 2018•59 min
Click or tap here to read the full show notes (http://www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/podcast-episode-73) German Learners: Click this link to download a full transcript (bilingual) of our conversation, so you can listen and read along at the same time. (https://fluentlanguage.activehosted.com/f/41) Judith Meyer is well-known in the language learning world for co-founding the Polyglot Gathering event and writing several language books and courses. She's consulted by many and freely shares her own t...
Jan 15, 2018•57 min
Hello from Kerstin and happy new year! In today's show, I've got notes for you on what really mattered for language learning in 2017, and how you can make the most out of these for your own path to fluency. Lessons from 2017: Best practices aren’t going anywhere Ask yourself what you want to achieve Get out of the house and use what you know Contribute to your community Getting organised is the key to actually using those best practices: Plan - Track - Review Setting goals helps me get out of my...
Jan 01, 2018•27 min
Click or tap here to read the full shownotes. (http://fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/language-tools-winter) Follow up on a topic: Pop Music Bilingual lyrics, Spanglish and Justin Bieber of all people winning a Latin grammy. Lindsay brings up the Despacito Effect and we discuss if that's a thing. If you love music, check out our pop music episode (http://podcast.fluentlanguage.co.uk/62). Top Tools for Winter 2018 Here are the nominees - listen to the show to find out how they can help you learn langua...
Dec 18, 2017•1 hr 7 min
These days, the Polyglot Gathering (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_8BR59zKgBzeWPxFtmHSwA) pulls in hundreds of language learners who share and enjoy community in the heart of Europe. A lot of this is thanks to Chuck's contributions, along with the wonderful Polyglot Gathering team. This year, Chuck published his first language learning app, Amikumu (https://amikumu.com/en/). What is Amikumu? Want to text another person and ask them to meet up and practice a language...without looking creepy?...
Dec 04, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Beware listeners: This episode contains a discussion of a few English swearwords, so if you are listening with kids please skip the first 20 minutes. And on to what's in this show: Language Stories: Lindsay has a new podcast, reporting back from her adventures around the language landscapes of cities like Montréal, New York, and more. Even after 20 years of English, I still don't know all the words. We discuss an English slang word that was news to me. Tip: The Psychology of Rewards We discussed...
Nov 20, 2017•1 hr 13 min
On this show, I spoke to Gabriel (Gabe) Wyner (http://fluent-forever.com), a well known name to many language learners thanks to his bestselling book "Fluent Forever". In this interview, you will get to know the story of "Fluent Forever", the approach he takes to language learning, and a little bit about what makes him tick as a person. The theme I saw come through in Gabe's approach was that of engineering language learning to be as efficient and productive as it can possibly be. He's an engine...
Nov 06, 2017•58 min
Words in the Wild: Equality and Tea I've been out in the wild, seeing and discussing words in the English language, and in this episode I presented the best of them to Lindsay to discuss what they can reveal about us and about society. First, we discussed social justice words. What really IS mansplaining? Is it just a word to describe any occasion when a man explains something to a woman? Or is there more to it? What do you think of the social justice words like hepeating, mansplaining, manel, a...
Oct 22, 2017•1 hr 19 min
