Language & Travel Hacking

Benny, Elizabeth, and team members from Fluent in 3 Months share their favourite gifts for language learners. Use this to get ideas for your festive shopping this year, or pass this wishlist on to your friends, family, and Santa Claus!Whether you’re thinking about what to buy or what you’d like to receive, this episode is packed with ideas that will help make this a perfect polyglot Christmas. We’ve got suggestions for all budgets, all language levels, and all ages, so you’re bound to find something that will put a smile on a language learner’s face this festive season.Featured GiftsFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLanguage Hacking booksPreplyThe Bullet Journal MethodPanda PlannerTime TimerDabble Spanish courseScript Hacking booksOlly Richards’ Short StoriesUrbion Card GameKindle Fire tabletMentioned in this EpisodeChristmas food traditions around the worldBook DepositoryEpisode OverviewSome of the gift ideas mentioned during the episode are:A bullet journal, colourful pens, and sticky notesA ringbinder, plastic pockets, paper, and hole puncherBooks, and graphic novelsThe Harry Potter series, Marc Levy, and Edward Rutherford booksRecipe books, and cooking a traditional Christmas dishA magazine subscriptionMaking a playlist of target language songsGiving someone the gift of time so they can studyA board game, and children’s activity booksGift cards for books or online lessons, and coupons for tech supportKeyboard cover/skin, and wireless or waterproof headphonesPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Gabriel Silva, a polyglot and language coach, discusses learning two languages at once with Benny Lewis and Elizabeth Bruckner. They cover topics like managing motivation, avoiding grammar-centric courses, finding joy in language interactions, and the importance of community support. Silva's #1SentenceChallenge is highlighted, emphasizing consistency, managing expectations, and the value of diverse learning approaches.

Benny shares how he manages lessons when he is particularly busy. We all have weeks that are busier than usual. Benny recommends that you resist the temptation to cancel your lessons! It's not ideal to skip the prep, but the lesson can still be really valuable if you follow Benny's advice.To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.comJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

19-year-old student, Ben Phillips, talks to Benny Lewis and Elizabeth Bruckner about his experience of doing a highschool German exchange programme, and how he stayed focussed and motivated enough to reach C1 level after just a year.Ben explains how, after unsuccessfully dabbling in Japanese, Greek and Mandarin, he was able to excel at German in such a short period of time, how and why reading is so integral to his learning, and the ways he has been able to travel and live abroad more or less for free.Featured ResourcesAnkiitalkiLingQMentioned in this EpisodeBen’s article on the Fluent in 3 Months blogAnkiitalkiLingQMemriseCongress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)WorkawayWorldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)Episode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:High school language exchanges and language camp with the Congress-Bundestag Youth ExchangeAttending a German school and the joy of finally being able to participate in a class discussionTaking and passing the C1 test in German after only a year of learningHow to make the most of opportunities to learn a language while living abroadThe importance of keeping your goal in mindHow speaking with people and learning about a culture in your target language is its own rewardOvercoming the temptation to slip back into English while living abroadHow to set monthly goals and why they’re usefulHow to find time to study and still do the things you enjoy in your free timeTracking your accomplishments, like finishing a book in your target languageReading as a key part of your language practice - novels, Twitter, and using LingQFinding motivation to study when you don’t have the pressure of being in the countryScholarships and work exchanges as ways to travel and have enriching experiences abroad for freePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Polyglot and avid traveller, Doree Huneven, joins Benny Lewis and Elizabeth Bruckner to talk about her experience learning multiple languages, travelling the world, and how the violin has made her a better learner.Doree shares why she thinks discipline is the key to being a successful language learner and having fun, and why the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge is so appealing, even to an experienced language learner. 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 ChallengeLinguaphoneEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How a family camping trip to Mexico sparked her love of languagesTeaching English in Egypt and learning ArabicHow studying and teaching the violin help with language learningWhy discipline is an invaluable assetThe value of being active in the Fi3M Challenge communityWhy, as an experienced language learner, she still joined the Fi3M ChallengeDeveloping communities as you travelThe desire to connect with people as a driving force for learningHow language resources have changed over the last 50 yearsMimicking phrases, copying body language, and blending in with locals when you travelSaving money, cutting costs, and making travel more financially accessibleThe “Doree Huneven Reward System”What Doree does with her “sleeping” languagesPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Benny shares his advice about how to prepare for a 1-1 language lesson, and his method for note taking before, during, and after lessons. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.comJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Linguist and professional researcher joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to discuss comprehensible input, compelling input, and language acquisition.Stephen Krashen is a professor emeritus who is well-known for his work and research into comprehensible input. He has hundreds of publications to his name and has greatly contributed to the field of language acquisition.Featured ResourcesStephen KrashenMentioned in this EpisodeStephen Krashen’s WebsiteStephen Krashen on TwitterSteve KaufmannNoam ChomskyTracy TerrellBiological Foundations of LanguageTPRSBeniko MasonBill VanPattenFlow by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How a trip to Ethiopia led to Stephen Krashen’s career in linguisticsHow adults go through a predictable language acquisition patternWhy we know grammar but struggle to use it correctly, and how to bridge this gapWhat comprehensible input is and why it worksHow comprehensible input differs from compelling inputWhy graded readers are effective resources for language learnersThe power of reading fictionHow the speaking approach is still a mostly input approachMaking the shift from input to outputAccents, and how we’re better at them than we thinkManaging your time with multiple languagesRomanization and its role in language acquisitionPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with Juliana Russell of Language Mindset about supporting kids learning languages, resilience in language learning, and if kids really are better language learners than adultsFeatured ResourcesitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeitalkiGus on the GoDuolingoThe Language MindsetJuliana’s InstagramJuliana’s FacebookEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Developing a passion for languages through failureBuilding a language businessStrategies for teaching children languagesAre kids really better language learners than adults?Advantages and disadvantages for kids learning languagesHow parents can support their children learning another language even if they’re not a native speakerHow to be a more resilient language learnerHow to support a child who is resisting learning a new languageWays to practice language with your kids outside of the classroomHow to maintain your languages when you can’t travelPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Benny, language learning expert, discusses different approaches to speaking sessions based on your level. Beginners can start with 'Speak from Day One', while intermediate learners should focus on improvement and challenges. Benny shares tips on when and how to correct mistakes and use homework assignments effectively for progress.

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with musician and translator Jeremy Bardo about his experience going viral with a Spanish language music video. We also discuss the myth of the language gene and finding joy in embarrassing moments.Featured ResourcesSpeak from Day 1Language Hacking SpanishMentioned in this EpisodeSpeak from Day 1Language Hacking SpanishMemriseStop Making ExcusesJeremy Bardo’s YoutubeLas Flores Se AbriránJeremy’s WebsiteEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The myth of the “language gene”Overcoming perfectionism by finding joy in embarrassing momentsFinding balance in your language studiesThe power of technology in language learningCognates and how they can help youUsing a Spanish phrase book as a conversation starterHow learning languages helps you become a more compassionate language teacherImportant qualities language teachers should haveIdentifying when an error is important and deserves feedback with your studentsUsing your interests to learn languagesRecording music and going viral in your non-native languageFinding a foothold in a new language with just a few wordsPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.