Language & Travel Hacking

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge winner, Fiona, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her progress learning Italian, the myth of “natural talent”, and how excited she is to speak to family, friends and Italian locals without the need of a translator.This episode features Fiona, who made significant progress with Italian in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeBenny’s Mt. Kilimanjaro StoryBenny’s InstagramBenny’s TwitterEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Busting the myth of “natural talent”Getting help with you’re a technophobeThe two-way street of the Challenge communityOvercoming reluctance to create videosDifferences between learning in school and learning with the ChallengeHow Fiona learns Italian from her daughter and practises with her husbandTips for new language learners and first time ChallengersFinding every opportunity you can to talk in your target languageCombining language practise with exercise and building routinesPerseverance as the key to success and parallels with climbing a mountainBenny’s approach to learning and maintaining multiple languagesHow to mindfully approach strangers in their native languageMemorising ice-breaker phrases for striking up conversation, or just barging in!Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Business coach and self-proclaimed “VietNomad”, Jeremy Ginsbury, talks with Benny Lewis about his experiences living in Israel, Ghana and Vietnam, and being on reality TV in another language.Ready to get back into more serious language learning, Jeremy reflects on the bits and pieces of different languages he has picked up throughout his life, and how the positive feedback he has received by locals has been a great source of motivation.Featured ResourcesSpeak in a WeekMentioned in this EpisodeJeremy’s websiteJeremy’s FacebookJeremy’s InstagramSpeak in a Week courseJeremy’s Fluent in 3 Months articlesWim Hof and ice bathsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics discussed in the interview are:The impact of using the foreign version of your name when travellingStudying abroad in Israel and GhanaFacing depression when living and working abroadWays personalities change in different languages and countries“Beginner’s mind” and the power of naivetyFailing fast and failing oftenKnowing yourself being very important for learningJeremy’s experience on a Vietnamese reality TV showIntegrating your interests into your language learning - yoga, music, ice bathingUsing communities you’re part of through hobbies, as a way to practise languagePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

In this episode, Benny talks about why, after many years of using it, Anki is still his favourite app for language learning. Anki is a free flashcard app that utilises spaced repetition theory to help you learn vocabulary that you input yourself. While some people may find Anki a bit bland, Benny explains how the simplicity of the software not only makes learning more efficient and focussed, but also has a lot of specific benefits for someone with ADHD. Benny guides you through the key features of Anki and the process of importing your own vocabulary lists, so you can make sure you're learning words that are relevant to you.You can find a more detailed guide to using Anki here: https://www.fluentin3months.com/anki-cards/To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.comJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant, Sam, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about how the Challenge changed the way he learned languages and helped him find consistency and discover new language learning methods.This episode features Sam, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengeLingQGlossikaMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLingQGlossikaDaily ShowQuizletEpisode OverviewSome of the topics discussed in the interview are:Hating languages in school and going on to love them later in lifeDiscovering your learning style and how it leads to successHow the Challenge changed the way Sam learned languagesHow to work through roadblocks in your learningWhy “done” is better than perfectUsing comedy as a language learning toolCombining writing with shadowing as a learning methodHow novelty and newness can keep you engaged and excited about your languagesStick-with-it-ness and the power of consistencyPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge coach, Laetitia, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her varied experience learning or dabbling in many languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Vietnamese.This episode features Laetitia, who made significant progress with several language in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengeitalkiDuolingoMentioned in this EpisodeitalkiDuolingoDiscordLearning with TextsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The importance of having an inspirational tutorThings to consider when looking for a tutorFinding your tribe with the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeThe pitfall of expecting learning to be passiveWhy you should take the time to find out which methods and resources work for youBeing as nice to yourself as you would be to a friendThe pointlessness and dangers of comparisons and perfectionismRemember, you don’t know every word in your native language!How technology can be a great tool for learning, so don’t be scared of itReading to maintain languages and being happy to understand 60%Culture shock and learning “on the job” in Japan - a little goes a long wayHow to create an effective language exchangePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

For this episode, Benny shares his opinions and experience of the Duolingo app. Getting points and maintaining a streak may be great motivators, but does it really work if you want to speak the language? Benny explains how gamified apps can be a valuable part of your language learning, but to be successful, there is another important element that should be central to your practise.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.comJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, Tom, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his building confidence and courage as an introverted language learner as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.This episode features Tom, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengeitalkiDuolingoMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiDuolingoMel RobbinsTodoistEpisode OverviewSome of the topics discussed in the interview are:Learning new writing systems and Asian languagesUsing scripts to get ahead in your conversations in another languageWhy you sometimes need to do things that are outside your comfort zone, like videos, to get ahead in your learningHow introversion impacts your language studies - both good and badHow to pick the right language tutorHow to build confidence and courage in yourself and your language skillsMaintaining motivation when life throws curveballs at youTips for avoiding the comparison trapChoosing things to talk about in another languageHow to get through moments in conversations where you don’t understandWhy it’s important to celebrate success - whether big or smallJuggling multiple languages as a hobbyistPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Long-time participant in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Manish, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his experience learning a wide variety of languages through many different methods.This episode features Manish, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengePimsleuritalkiAnkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeGoldlist MethodSpanish Speaking HacksEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Finding the confidence to talk to strangers in another languageWhat to do if someone close to you doesn’t support your language goalsMoving from in-person to online learningJuggling multiple languages from diverse language familiesThe value of community and supportManish’s many years of experience with the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeStrategies for reviewing languages and notesPaying it forward and sharing your experience with new learnersThe importance of learning colloquial languagePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

This week’s Ask Benny is a celebration of the Irish language. Benny talks about some of his favourite websites for learning Irish, including dictionaries, media sites, and other useful resources. This special episode is essential listening for anyone learning, or wanting to learn, Gaeilge (the Irish language). Links to all of the resources Benny mentions in this episode can be found below.To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.comFeatured ResourcesTeanglann dictionaryTG4Mol Scéal news siteGaeilge Amháin Facebook groupGaeilge SubredditMemesAsGaeilge SubredditTuairisc news siteNós news siteLearning with TextsGaelGram grammar checkerFoclach - Irish WordleBenny’s Irish TwitterBenny’s Irish InstagramBenny’s Irish TiktokJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

In this week’s special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Community Coach for the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Sadelle Wiltshire, talks with Elizabeth and Benny about learning Irish and joining the Challenge at an upper-beginner level.This episode features Sadelle, who made significant progress with her Irish speaking abilities in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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 ChallengeClozemasteritalkiBenny’s top Irish resourcesMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeBenny’s Irish InstagramBenny’s Irish TikTokBenny’s Irish TwitterTeanglann dictionaryFocloir dictionaryTearma dictionaryPotafocal dictionaryFuturelearn Irish from Dublin City UniversityGaeilge Gan Stró beginner textbookRanganna beginner courseFree Zoom classes from Philo-Celtic SocietyLet’s Learn IrishTuairisc news site with learner contentNós online magazineChildrens’ storiesCraic le Gaeilge Discord serverIrish WordleTG4 streaming TV shows in IrishRaidió na GaeltachtaSeachtain na GaeilgeAdditional Recommended ResourcesConradh na Gaeilge Los AngelesDaltaí na GaeilgeGaeltacht an Oileáin Úir / The North American GaeltachtIrish language book clubVideo news clips and transcripts from Maynooth University - intermediateChildren’s newsletter from Maynooth University - beginnerEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Joining the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge at an A2 levelHumor as a motivator when learningMusic and singing when learning IrishGetting your head around Irish pronunciationHow to deal with the different Irish dialectsGaelic vs IrishHow to build a community in your target languageFirst steps and resources for IrishThe secret to having fun in your target languageOvercoming shyness, perfectionism and fear of speakingPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.