Language & Travel Hacking

The answer to this week's question may surprise you. People often assume that polyglots learn multiple languages at the same time, but as Benny explains, this isn't as common as you might think. Listen to find out why learning more than one language at a time isn't necessarily the best tactic.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.

In this episode, Benny and Elizabeth get the inside scoop on how to become a French cultural insider with Lizzy Rimington who has lived in France for the past 30 years.Mentioned in this EpisodeBenny’s Spanish ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Studying French at school and not actually learning the languageHow living as an au pair kicked off Lizzy’s French understandingHow to integrate into French culture and build friendshipsWhy French etiquette is so importantHumor and how it can help you build relationships inner languagesThe ways customer service is different in France than in other countriesWhat it’s like being vegetarian in FranceWhat to do when the French insist on speaking EnglishWhen to use formal speech vs informal speech in FrenchTips for getting French practice when you aren’t ready for a native speakerTricks you can use when you’re a beginner in a 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.

Benny and Shannon chat with Hollywood Accent Training Coach to the stars, Eliza Simpson, on finding your voice in another language through accent and pronunciation.Featured ResourcesDialects NowAccent GymMentioned in this EpisodeKnight-Thompson SpeechworksDialects NowAccent GymEliza’s TwitterEliza’s YouTubeEliza’s InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Techniques and mechanics you learn to pick up accentsVisual aspects of learning the sounds of a languageWhat does vocal coaching look like?Difference between dialect and accentDealing with difficult sounds in a languageHow learning the accent of the language you’re learning in your native language helps you speak and other techniques you can use to learn accentTips for improving accent and pronunciationUsing comedy as a tool 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.

You asked, and Benny is here to answer! In this short episode he talks about why he thinks tackling grammar shouldn't be your top priority when learning a new language - phew, what a relief!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 Jessie, who learned conversational Catalan 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 speak to Jessie who learned her partner Kike’s native language as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeAnkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeAnkiEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Tackling a language like Catalan with few resourcesWhat it’s like to have your partner learn your native languageHelping your partner learn your languageThe benefits of doing more than one Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeHow Jessie’s language learning progress inspired Kike to learn a language tooWhy it’s a myth that you need to live in a country to learn the languageLearning a very specific dialect like MenorquinThe power of community 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.

Elizabeth interviews Benny about his experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and how it parallels learning a language.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and achieving a travel dreamGiving up on language learningThe compare and despair trapBeing okay with mistakesLetting go of other people’s judgementsFinding the silver liningHow focusing on the end goal blinds you to the day to day progressThe importance of asking questions and getting an outside perspectiveWhy you make sure you have good people behind youPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

You wanted advice for memorising vocabulary, and Benny is happy to deliver. Benny explains that it’s not about having a particularly great memory, but instead, using specific tactics to make things stick.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 talk to Kris Broholm from Actual Fluency about language learning with depression, the language community, and the power of finding support.This episode discusses depression. If you are currently experiencing depression, we recommend speaking with a professional. You can call Safe Help Line at (888) 379-6507 or any other support hotlineFeatured ResourcesLost ConnectionsActual Fluency PodcastMentioned in this EpisodeLost ConnectionsPolyglot GatheringActual Fluency PodcastActual FluencyKris’s EmailCortisol relief in natureEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Challenges of living abroad and why it’s not the secret to language learningLearning languages with depressionHow language learning can counter the effects of depressionThe benefits of support and accountability from other peopleCreating wins in language learningAvoiding the comparison trapAnti-goalsPodcast 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 of the Language Hacking Podcast, we talk to Julie Ferguson who has learned five languages and is getting ready to learn her sixth – Scots Gaelic. She’s severely deaf and legally blind and has come up with loads of creative strategies for learning languages which she shares in this podcast as well as accessibility for both language resources and travel.Featured ResourcesJulie’s articles on Fluent in 3 MonthsMentioned in this EpisodeJulie’s articles on Fluent in 3 MonthsSatori ReaderTranscript for this episodeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Overcoming physical challenges to learn languagesBeing a visual learner while legally blindGetting help from a tutor and not solely relying on self-studyCreative strategies for improving the accessibility of language learning resourcesHow the accountability of the classroom helps Julie keep on top of her studiesWhat it was like learning Swedish in SwedenGetting over the frustration of asking people for helpHow to keep conversations in the local languageTraveling and accessibilityTips for avoiding language interferenceBuilding resilience in your 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.

We continue our new "Ask Benny" series with one of your most common questions. This week Benny talks about why he thinks speaking from day one is the key, and how you can do this even when travel is not an option.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.