Language & Travel Hacking

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

Linguistics expert and language enthusiast, Simon Ager, talks with Benny and Elizabeth about creating one of the internet’s biggest (and first) encyclopedias of languages and writing systems.On his website, omniglot.com, Simon has cataloged over 340 writing systems and collated information about more than 1,600 languages. Simon has studied a wide range of languages including Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and he has a particular interest in Celtic languages.Mentioned in this EpisodeSimon’s WebsiteSimon’s TwitterRadio OmniglotOmniglot on FacebookDuolingoMemrisePatreon 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:Comparing learning music and languagesSinging as pronunciation practiceMetaskills: The skill of learning a new skillBenny and Elizabeth’s best languagesLearn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.Episode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Making the most of immersion experiencesSimon’s favourite resources, including Duolingo and MemriseA typical day of language learningFirst steps for using Omniglot.comUsing your languages to aid research on WikipediaGetting a Masters in Linguistics, and where it can take youCeltic languages and their revivalResponding to “why bother?” criticismIntegrating the four pillars of language into daily lifePeople-watching in your target languagePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Professor, polyglot and all-round language expert, Alexander Argüelles, talks with Benny and Elizabeth about his routines, methods, favourite activities and language learning interests.Professor Argüelles employs his vast experience to help people learn languages through a variety of methods, including reading circles and videos on his YouTube channel, and he shares a lot of advice and inspiration during this conversation.Mentioned in this EpisodeProfessor Argüelles‘ websiteProfessor Argüelles‘ Q&A pageProfessor Argüelles‘ YouTube channelThe Assimil MethodEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:What it’s like to be inside the brain of someone who speaks numerous languagesLearning a language in 15 minutes a dayDoing what you love in your languageReading in target languagesA daily language learning routineHow to learn a language through reading circlesWhat shadowing isThe “scriptorium” methodMythology, religion and languageDigital detox and screen-free timePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

This week Benny shares some exciting news in a special Ask Benny episode. Benny is heading back out on the road, to live the nomadic life he loves. This means new language challenges and lots of interesting updates from his travels. Things are also changing for the podcast, as this week we launch the option to support us on Patreon. The podcast is still continuing as normal on the usual channels, and if you sign up to Patreon at https://languagehacking.com/patreon you'll now get access to extended interviews, exclusive content from our hosts, discounts on Fi3M products and lots of other valuable language learning content.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

World traveler, tour coordinator, and language learner, Scott Brills, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to chat about “faking” comprehension, deep-diving into cultural experiences, and cross-country adventures around the world.Scott has an impressive travel résumé having taken part in the Mongol Rally, traversing India in a rickshaw, and building a business that provides travelers with rich cultural immersion experiences. If you’re interested in travel, living abroad, or multicultural entrepreneurship, this is the episode for you.Mentioned in this EpisodeScott’s WebsiteScott’s FacebookScott’s TwitterScott’s InstagramMongol RallyRickshaw RunPamoja SafarisBenny’s Mt. Kilimanjaro StoryPatreon 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:Dealing with the logistics of building work and making a living in other countriesScott’s ideal language learning routineScott’s 3 Language Survival ResourcesHow to fit in language learning as a busy entrepreneurWhat the hosts’ favorite languages areWhat languages the hosts struggled with mostMemorable gaffs the hosts made in their languagesLearn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.Episode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Living abroad at a young age in JapanCombatting loneliness and fear of living alone in another countryHow to get through the roadblocks along the path to fluencyWhy you sometimes just need to be thrown into the deep endRunning culinary tours in Japan and safaris in TanzaniaTaking part in the Mongol Rally, driving through 16 countries for charity and learning to rely on the support of strangersTraveling across India in a rickshaw on three different occasionsLearning a language by “faking” comprehensionGaining the confidence to approach complete strangers in another languagePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy