Language & Travel Hacking

Have you ever struggled to find a language teacher who feels like a good fit for your learning style? You're not alone! What works for one person might not work for you, and Benny has some great tips this week for finding someone you can work well with. Knowing what you want from a teacher is an important starting point, and trying out a few people and reflecting on the experiences is crucial to finding a successful working relationship.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.

Shahidah Foster, founder of Black Girls Learn Languages, chats with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis about learning languages as a black woman and inspiring black voices in the language community.Featured ResourcesSisters Only Language SummitMentioned in this EpisodeSisters Only Language SummitBlack Girls Learn LanguagesBlack Girls Learn Languages MerchBlack Girls Learn Languages FacebookBlack Girls Learn Languages TwitterBlack Girls Learn Languages InstagramBlack Girls Learn Languages YouTubeGet Featured on Black Girls Learn LanguagesEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Starting your own language learning business and eventChallenges learning languages as a woman of colorImposter syndrome in language learningLiving and learning languages abroadInspiring black voices in the language communityPushing yourself to your limitsUsing wordplay as an entrepreneurFinding your connection and why in language learningPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Halima Salim, founder of Blackboard English and the Fearless English Podcast, discusses empowering women language learners, overcoming negative self-talk and changing ideologies in the ESL community with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis.Featured ResourcesBlackboard EnglishMentioned in this EpisodeBlackboard EnglishFearless English PodcastFearless English CourseBlackboard English FacebookBlackboard English YoutubeBlackboard English InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Living in Saudi Arabia as an illegal immigrant and its impact on educationMoving to the UK and learning EnglishBecoming a fearless language learnerShutting down negative self-talkFacing your greatest fearsLearning to read and write at a later ageCreating opportunities for women through EnglishChanging ideologies in the ESL communitySupporting your children learning another languageCreating a supportive Instagram communityGaining confidence “being yourself”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.

Benny answers the question of how to start speaking a language before you know any words. He shares a couple of language hacks - like becoming familiar with cognates - that you can use ahead of your first conversation. His advice will help you feel prepared enough to dive in and speak from day one.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.

This episode features Marissa Blaszko who joins Benny and Elizabeth to discuss their language learning journey as a polyglot and keen heritage language learner! Marissa is the creator of Relearn a Language, a website that aims to popularize understandings of heritage language while sharing fun language learning resources.Featured ResourcesRelearn A Language YouTube ChannelWho are Language Learners - 2021 study of dabblers, polyglots, hyperglotsMentioned in this EpisodeRelearn A Language YouTube ChannelWho are Language Learners - 2021 study of dabblers, polyglots, hyperglotsMarissa’s InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Creating viral memes around language learningCelebrating diversity and inclusion in the language learning communityAnalysing data across the online language learning communityHow to identify in the language learning communitySelf care, therapy, and shameLearning their heritage language and speaking with their grandparentsPodcast 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 episode features Svenja, who learned conversational Russian and Arabic 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.Benny and Shannon have a conversation with Svenja about her experience of learning several languages as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiMimic MethodEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How the Challenge helped Svenja make a breakthrough with her Arabic studiesDifferences between learning a language in school versus on your ownBuilding language islandsLanguage learning struggles with grammar, pronunciation, and time managementMaintaining multiple languagesWhat a polyglot’s daily learning routine looks likeHow to gain confidence as a language learnerWhy it’s difficult to learn a language alonePodcast 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 discusses languages with different writing systems, and when he starts learning to read and write. Depending on the language and writing system, it can be a few weeks or sometimes several months into the process before he tackles the writing system of a new language.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.

This episode features Katie Pascoe, editor of the Language Hacking podcast. Katie also co-founded VR Languages and helped create Dynamic Spanish.Dynamic Spanish gets you speaking Spanish confidently in VR with the Starter Pack for beginners. More advanced learners can explore Spain in 360 guided tours with Dynamic Spanish Trips.Katie also discusses her recent experience 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 ResourcesDynamic SpanishFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeDynamic SpanishDynamic Spanish InstagramDynamic Spanish FacebookVR Languages YoutubeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Getting an ear for languages by eavesdropping on family conversations in PunjabiLiving in, and learning languages in Korea, Brazil and SpainThe dynamic of learning languages as a coupleCreating VR Languages and a virtual reality Spanish course, Dynamic Spanish, for beginners and more advanced speakersThe immersion and experiential learning of language courses in virtual realityHow to use VR with a phone or an Oculus QuestHow Katie improved her past tense and subjunctive with the Fluent in 3 Months 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.

Poet, artist and polyglot Maria Ortega Garcia talks to Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about mindfulness, language learning as an introvert, and the power of using art and poetry as language learning tools.Mentioned in this EpisodeMaria Ortega GarciaMaria’s InstagramMaria’s FacebookMaria’s YoutubeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning languages as an introvertMindfulness in language learningUsing poetry as a tool for languagesThe biggest struggles students face trying to learn languages with poemsHow artistic expression and creativity fit into language learningExploring identity through languagesUsing art as an inspiration for language learningPodcast 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 teacher and expat Janina Klimas shares how to create compelling language lessons for students, how acting is like language learning, and why recording yourself speaking your target language is so important.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeReal Life LanguageMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeNetflixYablaReal Life LanguageReal Life Language PodcastEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Language acquisition vs language learningHow acting can boost your language learning and teachingBuilding excitement around languages for your students as a teacherWhat being a “reading specialist” meansTeaching and studying abroadFiguring out your proficiency and levels in a languageWhy recording yourself speaking is so importantIndependent vs academic language learning successGames you can play to learn languagesLanguage, culture, racism, and biasPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.