Language & Travel Hacking

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.

Have you ever been trying to learn one language, but found yourself tempted by a new one and distracted from your original goal? Benny is here to help! He shares ideas for staying engaged and interested in the language you're learning, which will help stop your eye from wandering.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 Shannon chat with Dayna Brockbank about learning languages on a budget with Duolingo, italki and Anki by building systems for motivation.Featured ResourcesitalkiAtomic HabitsAnkiMentioned in this EpisodeitalkiAtomic HabitsAnkiFluent in 3 Months blogDuolingoHappily Ever TravelsVIP KidUniverse of MemoryEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning Spanish while living in Chile in complete immersionWhat makes language immersion workHow language learners waste time to try to be more effectiveTips for budget travelingBuilding a career you can take travelingFinding motivation with systemsHow to choose which languages you learnBuilding conversation skills in a new languageLearning for the sake of learningCommon struggles amongst English language learnersSomething is better than nothing 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.

Benny and Shannon discuss dual identities, language learning, and strategies for reviving a language with Alex Rawlings, who was once named Britain’s most multilingual student.Featured ResourcesHow to Speak Any Language FluentlyAssimilTeach YourselfRoutledgeMentioned in this EpisodeThird Year Abroad, now Global GraduatesHow to Speak Any Language FluentlyAssimilTeach YourselfRoutledgeAlex RawlingsAlex’s TwitterAlex’s InstagramMore Than Words PodcastEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How Alex became Britain’s most Multilingual StudentHow a polyglot keeps their languages active and prioritizes what to work onDealing with dual identities as someone who’s biculturalTaking language learning from hobby to careerLiving in South Africa and learning AfrikaansExtensive reading as a language learning strategyStrategies for reviving a language you’ve studied in the pastUsing courses at the beginner stage of learningWhy you should adopt the philosophy of a “non-perfectionist”Learning strategies for advanced language learnersFinding your voice in another languageDiscovering stories in other 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.

When it comes to learning vocabulary, is it best to learn individual words, or phrases with the words in context? Benny gives his opinion, talks about his insights and explains how he likes to use flashcards and other techniques to learn vocabulary both as standalone words and in context. 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 Sarah Gillespie, who learned conversational Hiligaynon 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 Elizabeth have a conversation with Sarah Gillespie about her experience of learning a heritage language with few resources as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiSarah’s WebsiteSarah’s Article on Fluent in 3 MonthsTogglAudacityPaul SoderquistIllonggo BoyzEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Learning Hiligaynon in 3 months with the ChallengeLearning heritage languagesEnjoying the learning process with songsUsing trends to learn languagesFinding resources for more obscure languagesUsing lots of apps, software, and habit forming techniques like habit stackingHow to use your target language with family and getting to know them betterPodcast 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 Luca Lampariello, a well-known polyglot and language coach, about learning “useful” languages, breaking through limiting beliefs, and the most important thing when learning another language.Featured ResourcesLuca’s CoachingCommunities of PracticeAtomic HabitsMentioned in this EpisodeLuca’s CoachingCommunities of PracticeAtomic HabitsLuca’s TwitterLuca’s FacebookLuca’s InstagramLuca’s YoutubeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How languages can change your lifeLearning “useful” vs “useless” languagesGoing into language learning when coming from a technical backgroundBreaking through limiting beliefsHow Luca started his career in languagesCommon mental blocks for language learnersHow to speak with a native-like accentBidirectional translationThe most important thing when learning another languageHow the desire to be a part of a community can be powerful motivationHow to juggle 14 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.

This week Benny gives some advice about how to watch movies and TV in your target language, especially when it comes to subtitles. Watching media is a fantastic way to improve your language skills, but you need to do it the right way if you want to get the most out of it. 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 Ashton Bitten, who learned conversational Spanish 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.In this episode, Benny and Shannon talk to Ashton about her experience of going from intermediate (B1) to advanced (C1) Spanish in 48 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeGenkiTandemBenny’s Ted TalkEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Being a language dabblerGoing on a trip to Rwanda, learning the language, and getting inspired to learn more languagesHow failing a language proficiency exam led Ashton to focus on speakingDiscovering the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge and going from B1 to C1 in Spanish in 3 monthsUsing materials for native speakers to learn SpanishBreaking down the CEFR language levelsLearning completely new languages after learning your first second languageGoing from theory to speaking the languageOvercoming nervousness about speaking another languageOn changing personalities with each languageFinding the “right” time to learn a language and time managementHow COVID has impacted her language learning and dealing with those guilty feelingsPodcast 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 talk to Damon Dominique, a French educator who got his start online as part of Damon and Jo, about learning languages to build connection, teaching without lecturing, and how to find confidence teaching online.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeFluentCityDamon and JoShut up and goDamon’s YoutubeDamon’s InstagramDamon’s TwitterEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Going from traveler to travel vloggerBeing excited by learning languages through travel and creating connectionsHow reality tv inspired Damon to travel and learn languagesCreating entertaining language learning content on YouTubeTips for building confidence and getting comfortable in front of the cameraHumor in language learningDating and navigating relationships in other languagesBeing honest when sharing content onlineHaving different personas in different languagesHow languages offer you a new perspective and shape who you arePodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.