The Actual Fluency Podcast for Language Learners

Joel (jan Telakoman), a Toki Pona speaker and YouTuber, dives into comprehensible input as a powerful tool for language learning. He shares insightful experiences from his journey with Toki Pona, a minimalist language with just 150 words, emphasizing its simplicity and creativity. The conversation contrasts traditional memorization with more natural methods, highlighting the challenges and joys of adult language acquisition. Joel encourages a blend of modern techniques with curious exploration, making language learning an engaging and fulfilling adventure.

Katie Pasco, co-founder of Dynamic Languages and language educator, discusses the exciting future of virtual reality in language learning. She highlights the importance of immersive experiences, sharing insights on how VR can enhance fluency and cultural understanding. The conversation delves into the gap between traditional education and real-world application, emphasizing engaging and enjoyable methods. Katie also reflects on her travels and the transformative power of basic language skills for enriching experiences abroad.

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

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 languages as equally important can help prevent confusion between sounds and pronunciation in different languages. Find Luca here: https://www.youtube.com/@LucaLampariello Smart Language Learning Academy: https://actf.lu/luca

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 finding a learning schedule that works for one's energy level and personal life. She also shares her language learning content on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and a new podcast called "The Language Wellness and Identity Podcast." Follow Emily Harris: YouTube: Language Travel Adoptee... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp-HcdqX1iSlUok92r8-t9wInstagram: @languagetraveladoptee... https://www.instagram.com/languagetraveladoptee/The Language Wellness and Identity Podcast ...https://open.spotify.com/show/2eVbzHTByRNVbxlkPPoICO

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 the Bite Size Listening Courses, produced by Actual Fluency: https://actualfluency.com/courses/

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 language and how to approach language learning without perfectionism. Heidi's website: https://lovejoyandlanguages.com/ More Actual Fluency Podcast: https://actualfluency.com/actual-fluency-language-learning-podcast/

Kris comes back with a quick update to announce the return of the Actual Fluency podcast.

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 School of Education where she taught education law and language policy. Check out Rosemary's new book here: The Rise of English: Global Politics and the Power of Language: https://amzn.to/3Fafmdx

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