Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann
Steve Kaufmann
I speak 20 languages. I've been learning languages for over 50 years and I've tried all kinds of approaches. I talk about my experiences, my approach to language learning, what I enjoy about learning languages and all manner of other topics related to language.
If you love languages, or think you would if you hadn't been discouraged by past experiences, this is the podcast for you. Anyone can learn a language. You just need the right attitude and the right approach!
If you love languages, or think you would if you hadn't been discouraged by past experiences, this is the podcast for you. Anyone can learn a language. You just need the right attitude and the right approach!
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 18, 2023 • 8min
How This Polyglot Starts Learning Languages
Beginner material needs to contain lots of high frequency words and these words should repeat many times within one lesson. There should also be many lessons. The Mini Stores at LingQ check all these boxes. Watch my latest video to find out more about this fantastic beginner course and why I use it when I start out in a new language.
7 snips
May 16, 2023 • 6min
Why Some Language Learners Are Afraid to Speak
It’s easy to get caught up in negative thinking when learning a new language: I make so many mistakes, my speaking is so unnatural, I don’t understand when people speak to me, etc. What if we chose to break away from that thinking and believe instead that these things are part of the process and nothing to worry about? What if we chose to focus on the good instead of the “bad”?
May 11, 2023 • 6min
Boomers Need to Be More Grateful!
Should seniors pay more taxes? We are, generally speaking, a bigger burden on the health system. My answer might surprise you…
May 5, 2023 • 18min
Polyglot Learned 7 Languages on Her Own
To succeed in learning foreign languages, we need to be resourceful, taking advantage of people around us, and what the internet offers us. Iclal of Istanbul is an inspiring example.
May 2, 2023 • 11min
10 Language Learning Mistakes You’re Probably Making (And How to Fix Them)
Language learning isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to made more difficult. In this video I go over the 10 most common mistakes language learners make that I have noticed over the decades. Would you add any?
Apr 28, 2023 • 14min
DON'T Complicate Language Learning
Many people are put off learning languages because they think it is difficult to do. Language educators often don’t help, but instead complicate the process with jargon, seeking to describe the minute details of the natural and enjoyable process of language acquisition.
Apr 25, 2023 • 8min
Stay Curious, Stay Young: The Power of Lifelong Learning
It is so important to stay curious and keep learning new things as you age. I have most certainly found this to be the case. I don’t just learn languages, I am curious about many topics and I feed this curiosity every day.
Apr 21, 2023 • 8min
Do You Need to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone? Yes... & No.
Learning a language means leaving the comfort of your native language and confronting the challenges of a new language and its uncertainty. Call it the learning zone. How do we make it more comfortable?
Apr 18, 2023 • 8min
Which Language Should You Learn?
People often ask me which language they should learn and my answer is always the same: learn the language you are keenest to learn. Even if you learn for a few months then move on to another language, you don’t lose what you gained. Enjoy the language buffet!
Apr 13, 2023 • 20min
Culture, Language &…Ghosting: US vs. Europe with @FelifromGermany
Feli is from Germany but lives in the US. She talks a lot about cultural differences on her YouTube channel “Feli from Germany”. There are things she prefers about the US, and some things, not so much, like “ghosting”, a term I had never heard of before this chat.
