Language & Travel Hacking

Language Hacking Podcast co-hosts, Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy, bring on Kittichai, known as “The Duke” to talk about his role at Fluent in 3 Months, learning English and Japanese, and becoming a travel vlogger.Mentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeKittichai’s Youtube ChannelEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning Japanese using the Speak from Day 1 approachHow Kittichai learned English and how it differed from his experience learning JapaneseWorking at an international company and adapting to the cultural differencesHow Fluent in 3 Months has influenced Kittichai’s language journeyBeing inspired by Benny’s travels and becoming a travel vlogger in ThailandKittichai’s perspective on foreigners learning ThaiThe biggest struggles Thai learners faceWhy foreigners in Thailand often don’t learn ThaiUsing video games as a tool for learning languagesPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Benny is a big fan of using social media to practise his languages, and in this Ask Benny episode, he shares tips and tricks for getting the most out of each social media platform. From making multiple profiles and choosing who to follow, to training the algorithm, Benny has figured out how to make Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok work for him.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

Creator and proprietor of The Grammar Table, Ellen Jovin, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about traveling the country to discuss grammar, learning the languages of New York, and finding joy in learning grammar.Featured ResourcesRebel with a ClausePatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to extended episodes and loads more content. Here’s what you’ll hear in the long-form episode:The most common grammar questions Ellen encountered on the road with The Grammar TableHow knowing more grammar frees you from the confines of grammarEllen’s ideal day with languagesEllen’s advice for someone who dreads learning grammarWays to make learning grammar easier and how to remember it betterEllen’s grammar pet peevesLearn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.Mentioned in this EpisodeRebel with a ClauseEssential Grammar for BusinessEllen’s TwitterEllen’s InstagramEllen’s FacebookEllen’s websitePimsleurVocabulearnMichel ThomasEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Words and Worlds of New York and learning the languages of the cityWhy many people hate grammar and why Ellen doesn’tThe positives of getting outside and pairing language learning with walkingThe story behind “The Grammar Table”Setting boundaries around grammar and common misconceptionsWays grammar rules are actually somewhat arbitraryRegional uses of languages and loving our linguistic diversityHow The Grammar Table has also been an opportunity for Ellen to learn about other languagesThe power of humility in all thingsPlaying with language and loving grammar and how things are put togetherPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

In this Ask Benny episode, Benny explains how he goes about making a personalised phrasebook. He shares examples of useful sentences that he knows he needs to use when introducing himself, as well as phrases for talking about his interests and work. Benny then explains how he compiles a vocab database, how he makes flashcards, and what other resources he uses during the process.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

Creator of the immensely popular YouTube channel LangFocus, Paul Jorgenson, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about building a Youtube channel around a passion for languages, living abroad, and language dabbling.Paul also shares his secrets for effective time management as he balances family life with his life as a creator and language learner by using non-negotiable routines.Featured ResourcesitalkiPatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to extended episodes and loads more content. Here’s what you’ll hear in the long-form episode:How to learn languages with different writing systems without appsTips for overcoming stress and burnoutBenny and Shannon’s strategies for speaking multiple languages without mixing them upPaul’s language survival resourcesPaul’s ideal day of language learningAdvice for a complete beginner to language learningLearn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.Mentioned in this EpisodeLiving Languages HebrewitalkiArabic with MahaLangFocus WebsiteLangFocus on YouTubeLangFocus on TwitterLangFocus on InstagramLangFocus on FacebookGeoFocus on YouTubeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning languages with few accessible resourcesStrategies for making “difficult” languages easy to learnMoving to Japan and living in JapaneseDabbling in dozens of languages as a Youtube creator in order to create contentBuilding a YouTube channel around an interest in languagesCrowdsourcing audio samples of different languagesHow Paul’s language learning strategies have changed as tech has improvedBeing a public figure as an introvertTime management and the importance of non-negotiable routines as a content creator, language learner, and parentBeing a role model and inspiration in the language communityPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Spanish learner, Zsuzsanna, chats with Benny and Shannon about finally finding success in language learning, the importance of friendship and connections in language, and being a gregarious introvert.We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengePatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.Mentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning Spanish in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge and finally finding success in language learningHow friendships and connections can make learning languages a positive experienceBeing a gregarious introvert and what that means for language learningThe importance of consistencyRaising a bilingual sonLearning Spanish through a non-native languageWhy Office Hours are one of the best parts of the ChallengeHow accountability can impact your successPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Benny explains how to apply the Pareto Principle (aka the 80/20 rule) to language learning. Benny shares how to go about focusing on 20% of a language to get you 80% of the results. He explains his ideas for what you can save until later, and what you should prioritise, so that you can keep your learning as efficient as possible, and make as much progress as you can without wasting time and effort on non-essential elements.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

Enthusiastic learner, New York resident, musician, and polyglot, Fiel Sahir, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about finding mentors, learning heritage languages, studying Chinese with the Language Hacking Mandarin book, and using languages in a non-language-related field.Fiel, in his own words, says one of his greatest strengths is his endless curiosity. It’s led to him making incredible connections, learning lots of languages, finding community, and a life of learning. If you’re interested in learning a heritage language, learning without strictly “studying” or how music influences your language learning, this is the episode for you.Featured ResourcesLanguage Hacking MandarinitalkiPatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to extended episodes and loads more content. Here’s what you’ll hear in the long-form episode:How to learn languages without “studying”The influence music has on language learningHow Benny and Shannon’s language learning philosophies have developed over years of learningFiel’s future language learning plansLearn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.Mentioned in this EpisodeLanguage Hacking MandarinitalkiPolyglot GatheringGlossikaAnkiEasy LanguagesOlly Richard’s BooksXiaoManNYCSpeak from Day 1How to Use Chunking to Fire Up Your Language LearningFiel’s Chat with Olly RichardsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How a long car ride led to Fiel’s passion for language learningFinding mentors and the role a good mentor can play in your growthThe power of curiosityStudying music at a German universityLearning a heritage language and connecting with cultureWhat it’s like living in one of the most multilingual cities in the worldThe powerful influence of community in language learningPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Dutch learner, Corentin, chats with Benny and Shannon about “redefining” yourself as a language learner and finding success in your new identity.We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengePatreon Extended EpisodeEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.Mentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengePaul NationMicrosoft To DoEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Living in Brussels and needing to learn DutchHow to help your production in a language catch up to your comprehensionWhen to focus on one language learning skill and when to focus on the four core skills“Redefining” yourself as a language learnerWhy the Challenge helped Corentin more than traditional language classesTaking control of your own language learning for successUsing a to-do app to coordinate with a team while language learningPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Benny shares the reasons he learned Esperanto and why it's so useful, despite it not being an officially recognized language. The international Esperanto community is one that Benny loves being a part of, not least because they know how to throw a good party! And learning this as one of your first languages has been shown to have significant benefits for learning subsequent languages, giving you momentum, confidence, and skills that are highly transferable. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com