Language & Travel Hacking

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.

Benny and Elizabeth speak with French YouTube superstar Géraldine Lepère about the importance of understanding culture when learning a language.Featured ResourcesComme une FrançaiseMY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une FrançaiseMentioned in this EpisodeComme une FrançaiseMY STORY: How Culture Shock Inspired Me To Create Comme une FrançaiseGéraldine Lepère FacebookGéraldine Lepère InstagramGéraldine Lepère YouTubeGéraldine Lepère TwitterEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:What to say to sound more FrenchDifferences between French and Mexican cultureAdjusting to French cultureHow to connect with French peopleReading French literaturePodcast 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 and Shannon dive deep with Netflix star, YouTube influencer and polyglot Jo Franco about growing up bilingual, developing a love of travel and language learning, and building connection through language.Featured ResourcesJoClubThe World’s Most Amazing Vacation RentalsMentioned in this EpisodeJoClubThe World’s Most Amazing Vacation RentalsThe CircleShut Up and Go Travel ShowJo Franco TwitterJo Franco InstagramJo Franco YouTubeHow Jo Franco Bought a House in CashJo Franco Reveals She Was Shot in BrazilEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Immigrating to the US and learning English in an ESL campLiving between cultures and finding your identityThe language learning “spark”Overcoming the fear of making mistakesJo’s travel show on NetflixBuilding connections through languageNegative travel experiences and why they don’t stop Jo from travelingFinding joy in challengesJournaling as a language learning toolWhy the Circle is the best show for language learnersThe importance of mindset 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.

Native Italian speaker and teacher Elfin Waters shares with Benny and Shannon about falling in love with languages as an escape, using Instagram as a language learning resource, and building Italian language content for language learners.Featured ResourcesWomen in LanguageAll About ItalianMentioned in this EpisodeWomen in LanguageAll About ItalianAll About Italian RetreatsAll About Italian InstagramCon Parole Noste - Italian ConversationsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Growing up in a family that prioritizes language learningShifting from language learner to language teacherGetting in touch with the country with the languageUsing Instagram as a learning toolThe power of compounding lots of small tasksSlow learning and having fun with creativityFinding joy in language learningWhat language retreats are and finding the right oneLearning specific Italian dialectsUsing food 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.

Benny and Elizabeth chat with Jim and May of Spanish and Go about meeting to exchange Spanish and English, falling in love, and creating a language business together. Jim and May are the founders of Spanish and Go, language podcasters, content creators, and language teachers.Featured ResourcesitalkiSpanish and GoMentioned in this EpisodeitalkiSpanish and GoSpanish and Go PodcastHow to Order Food in Spanish (Ordering a Meal at a Restaurant)Day of Dead Children’s BookDay of Dead videoSpanish and Go YoutubeSpanish and Go InstagramSpanish and Go FacebookEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Combining love, travel, languages, and content creationDeveloping content for language learners based on their greatest needsCreating projects when you travelSwitching from English to Spanish in a relationshipAdjusting to Puerto Rican Spanish from Mexican SpanishCultural immersionDay of the DeadImmersion retreats in MexicoPodcast 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 and Shannon have a discussion with Anja Winter about creating an online business and developing interesting, compelling lesson content to help students with language learning motivation.Featured ResourcesitalkiLingQLanguage Hacking booksMentioned in this EpisodeitalkiLingQAnja’s AcademyLanguage Hacking booksAnja’s InstagramAnja’s YoutubeLearn German with AnjaLearn German with Anja on InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Being a German language YouTuber and a digital nomadIncorporating body movement into language learningThe importance of asking for helpFinding inspiration for lesson material as a language teacherAdvice for language teachers for creating an online businessLimiting the amount of resources you useMaking grammar fun with dialogues and phrasesHelping students overcome their biggest challengesStudying abroad and immersion in languagesUsing dialogues to learn languagesMaintaining motivationUsing Netflix and movies to learnStudent-teacher relationships and building connectionsPodcast 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 gives a brief update about his current language projects, and how he's easing himself back into good routines. After a significant period away from language learning, it's important to take the time to figure out your methods and rebuild your study habits. The goal is to return to a place of consistent progress.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.

Benny and Elizabeth chat with Mark Pentleton about how he started the Coffee Break language podcasts and how his role shifted from language teacher to language learner.Featured ResourcesCoffee BreakMentioned in this EpisodeCoffee BreakEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Starting and developing Coffee Break language podcastsMoving from teacher to learner on the podcastHelping his children learn languages at homeHow students can overcome the intermediate plateauHaving patience and avoiding comparison with othersThe opportunities that come from speaking languagesHow to view mistakes and be resilientHow Mark found and built the Coffee Break teamPodcast 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 and Shannon chat with Dustin Luke and Ruben Adery about how to develop an authentic Spanish accent by using rhythm, musicality, body language, and other local insider information.Featured ResourcesEnglish Speaking HacksSpanish Speaking HacksMentioned in this EpisodeCosas Que Dicen Los Argentinos Hecho Por Un YanquiEnglish Speaking HacksSpanish Speaking HacksSpanish Speaking Hacks InstagramEnglish Speaking Hacks InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:What happens when a language scientist and a casual learner team upTips for rolling your r’sHaving an authentic accent beyond pronunciationRhythm and musicality of pronunciationLearning colloquial phrases and chunking phrasesMindset and “getting into character” in a languageBody language and other local insider tips for learning languagesGetting local, native speakers to open up and use the language with youLearning a specific dialect without moving to the country with the Five I’sThe sounds with the most variance in SpanishFinding viral videos in your target languageHow learning another language is like living another lifeTeaching your nonnative 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.