Language & Travel Hacking

Language dabbler and native Spanish speaker, Elena Guillén, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning Hindi during the pandemic, as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.This episode features Elena, who found the routine and structure of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped her make significant progress with Hindi in just 90 days.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 ChallengeitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeLingua Latina Per Se IllustrataFluent in 3 Months ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The pros of being an introverted language learnerLearning languages with ADD and finding focusUsing structures vs frameworksOvercoming perfectionism and distractionTips for studying lesser-learned and ancient languagesFinding commonalities between languagesAdvantages and disadvantages of knowing multiple languagesLearning through music, songs and filmsLearning vocabulary with the “goldlisting” methodThe power of community and accountabilityThe fun of learning different writing systemsPodcast 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 gives a pep-talk to help you find motivation and courage to start a conversation in your target language. It can be so tempting to avoid speaking, whether it's because you're shy, embarrassed, or scared of making mistakes. But if you can bite the bullet and take the leap, you'll be surprised by just how much you can achieve. Listen to this episode if you need a bit of a confidence boost!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.

Listening expert, Cara Leopold, talks with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about how she helps people improve their ability to understand fast-talking native speakers.For the majority of people, listening is the first language skill we develop - it actually starts before we’re born! Cara explains how visual context, transcripts, and relevant content are all crucial for effective listening development. She also talks about how English changes when it’s spoken quickly, and gives advice for using subtitles effectively to learn a language by watching movies.Mentioned in this EpisodeLeo ListeningANV Cop 21AlternatibaL’Affaire du SiècleEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The stress of classroom listening activities at schoolWhy our listening ability may be behind our other language skillsOvercoming the fear that comes with not understanding when someone speaksVisual clues playing an important role in listeningHow to improve your listening comprehensionWays to use TV and movies as tools to improve listeningDifferent ways to use subtitles effectivelyBeing an eco-friendly language learnerPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Language Mastery creator and author, John Fotheringham, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to discuss “anywhere immersion”, learning difficult languages, and finding the fun in language learning.John has a wealth of experience learning Japanese and Mandarin, which he shares with us in this episode. If you’re interested in learning either of these, or any other “difficult” language, this is the episode for you.Featured ResourcesMaster JapaneseMaster ChineseMentioned in this EpisodeMaster JapaneseMaster ChineseGretchen Rubin’s Four TendenciesTotal Physical ResponseIs Japanese Hard to Learn?5 Steps to Learn Japanese Anywhere in the WorldGabriel WynerThe Power of WhenAtomic HabitsFour Tendencies BookBetter Than BeforeGoodreadsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning “difficult” languages like Japanese and MandarinHow to immerse yourself in a language at homePractising your language with AlexaLearning languages through activities that you loveLiving abroad and creating memories in the local languagesHow to choose language learning tools and methods suited to you personallyFun ways to learn languagesExperiencing languages as a learner, teacher, and mentorRecommended books for language learnersPodcast 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 week's "Ask Benny" episode, Benny addresses the problem of finding content in a less commonly spoken (or learned) language, and shares how he "trains" online algorithms to find the content he wants. He also reveals his method for finding good radio stations in your target language, and who he likes to ask for recommendations.Benny put together this episode based on his recent experience seeking out engaging content in Catalan, Irish, and American Sign Language (ASL). 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.

Soccer coach and fitness trainer, Andrew Hamerlinck, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning German and Spanish to chat with his fellow soccer players in their native languages.This episode features Andrew, who made significant progress with his German and Spanish 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 ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLanguage Hacking SpanishEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How language and sports intersectUsing mini milestones or missions to say motivatedThe importance of discipline, accountability, and communityHabit-stacking fitness and language learningBuilding scriptsLanguage islandsUsing “dials” to assess your workloadPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Writer and long-term expat, Alicya, speaks with Benny and Elizabeth about learning French through the lens of another passion - wine tasting.This episode features Alicya, who made significant progress with her French speaking ability in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.We actually 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 EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeWine Tasting CourseEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Arriving in France with zero FrenchWhy the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge is so good, even for a shy or introverted personWhat it’s like living in France as an AmericanWhy Alicya had a harder time with French than Spanish and ItalianHow to make the most of a language exchange opportunityRaising a bilingual childLearning to read, and reading to learnWine as a gateway to learning about French culture and historyDeveloping a French “wine language island”Learning to do things using your target languageHow to tackle a polyglot ChallengePodcast 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 Benny talks about his experience with Mandarin, and why it doesn't deserve its reputation of being a difficult language for native English speakers to learn. He explains that if you focus on speaking, and leave the Chinese characters to one side, there are actually a lot of things that make Mandarin less complicated than many other languages.Benny discusses learning and teaching Mandarin with Northwestern University professor, Dr. LiCheng Gu in more detail in episode 85. Benny, Shannon Kennedy, and Dr Gu worked together to write the new "Language Hacking Mandarin" book, which is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to make quick and effective progress speaking Chinese.You can get a copy of "Language Hacking Mandarin" here.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.

Northwestern University Professor and author, Dr. LiCheng Gu, has a conversation with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about co-authoring Language Hacking Mandarin, how language education has changed over the last 30 years, and why Chinese is easier than you think.Language Hacking Mandarin is available now. You can order it from your preferred retailer, online or in stores.Featured ResourcesLanguage Hacking MandarinMentioned in this EpisodeLanguage Hacking MandarinChinese for Heritage LearnersPicture CharactersChinese with Lulu and MaomaoIntegrated ChineseEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Teaching foreign languages at the university levelHow language education has changed over the last 30 yearsLearning Chinese charactersWhy Chinese is easier than you thinkCommon challenges Chinese learners face and how to overcome themCreating language courses and booksWorking on the Language Hacking Mandarin book, and how its approach to language teaching is vastly different from traditional language learningThe conversational approach to language learning and how it “sits” in academiaAdvice for getting started with ChineseUsing pinyin when learning ChineseHow languages are taught and learned in China versus the USPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Inner French podcast creator and host, Hugo Cotton, chats with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about using languages as tools to learn about other things, choosing compelling language content, and how to use what you’re hearing in another language in conversations.Hugo knows how to both choose and create compelling comprehensible input for language learners. He uses this strength to host the popular language podcast, Inner French.Featured ResourcesInner FrenchMentioned in this EpisodeInner FrenchReal Polish podcastInner French Apple PodcastsInner French SpotifyInner French YoutubeLanguage Hacking podcast episode with Anja WinterEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The story behind the creation of Inner FrenchUsing languages as a tool to learn about other thingsWhat Hugo likes about certain language learning podcastsGood resources for learning a language in this way, without being too complicatedTricks for finding good resources in another languageChoosing compelling content as a language teacherUsing controversial conversation topics to spark interest and passionBiggest struggles French learners faceHow to use what you’re hearing and learning in another language, in conversationsPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.