Language & Travel Hacking

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.

Benny and Shannon talk to Chuck Smith, a notable figure in the language learning and Esperanto communities about Esperanto and its culture, and why Esperanto should be your next language.Featured ResourcesAmikumuInnovative LanguagesMentioned in this EpisodePolyglot GatheringAmikumuInnovative LanguagesChuck SmithChuck’s TwitterChuck’s InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:What Esperanto is and its historyWhy learn Esperanto?Does Esperanto really help you learn other languages?The lack of irregular verbs in EsperantoThe lack of taboos and exclusivity in EsperantoThe empowering nature of Esperanto conversationsThe unique aspects of Esperanto cultureGoing to Esperanto events in EuropeFounding AmikumuWhy grammar books may not be the best way to reach your language learning 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.

This episode features Bryce, who learned conversational Portuguese 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 with two Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participants, Bryce and Michele, who are husband and wife learning their native languages with help from one another.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Connecting with your partner and their family through their native languageSpeaking Portuguese for an hour during the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeLanguage learning milestones and building confidenceLearning English while living in Kansas and dealing with culture shockHaving patience with your partnerFalling in love as a motivationRaising multilingual children and connecting with them through languageHow to practice a language with your partnerApproaching language learning like an air infantrymanUsing Dream Teams in the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeBringing Brazilian culture into the American homeAdvice for when you and your partner don’t speak the same 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.

This is the first episode of our new "Ask Benny" series where Benny answers listener questions. In this episode, Benny gives an update on where he is with his own language learning projects.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.