The Intensity of Learning Chinese in Diplomacy

Steve Kaufmann is a very prolific language learner. He has learned at least 20 languages to varying degrees during his life. Some of them he learned during his career as an international diplomat and businessman, and others he has learned during his (semi) retirement. In this interview Steve talks about his language learning experiences, methods and motivations. We talk about various metaphors and similes for language learning including ocean voyages 🚢, cows 🐮, skiing ⛷ and cutting grass🏡 and and I ask Steve about cross-cultural experiences he has had during his career.

There is a video version on YouTube but only the audio version contains my intro and ending rambles about getting my hair cut and how you need to remember that you're a baby cow-shark on skis 🐄🦈🎿😅.

Episode page with video, comment section, MP3 download link etc https://wp.me/p4IuUx-sLt