Language & Travel Hacking

Jonathan Huggins first discovered his love for learning languages when he started diving into his father’s language learning library. That passion brought him to France to study music and continues to be a part of his life as he teaches English online while living abroad and raising his kids to speak multiple languages.In this episode, we chat with Jonathan about why classroom learning worked for him, how to learn languages in the age of distraction, and how to create sustainable language routines.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months Challenge30 Day Speaking ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFrench in ActionPimsleurToeflFluent in 3 Months Challenge30 Day Speaking ChallengeJonathan’s siteJonathan’s InstagramJonathan’s YouTubeJonathan’s FacebookEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How he excelled at classroom learningLearning in the age of distractionSticking to one method and systemRaising multilingual childrenStudying music abroad and in another languageCreating sustainable language routinesRecommendations for the first few months of language learningCommon misconceptions and stereotypes about language learningParallels between learning languages and learning musicUsing Instagram and social media to learn 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.

Benny Lewis chats with Shannon Kennedy and Caitlin Sacasas about how they use the language app Drops. Drops is a visual, vocabulary language learning game that helps you build your foundation in a new language in 5-minute sessions.Shannon and Caitlin share why they love Drops, how they use the app, and how Drops teaches vocab without translation.Featured LinksFluent in 3 Months Black Friday DealsDropsMentioned in this EpisodeDropsFluent in 3 Months ChallengeTerrace HouseShannon’s Italian RefreshHolly’s Mosalingua ReviewShannon’s InstagramLanguage Hacking Interview with Will JohnGus on the GoEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The history of Drops and its multinational backgroundWhy Drops focuses on helping learners with just one thingHow Drops pays special attention to teaching a language through gamesLearning a language without translationKeeping up your language learning motivation and how Drops’ 2-Day RuleHow 5 minutes a day adds up to a language learning habit and lots of learned wordsWhy learning vocabulary is so importantThe difference between the free version of Drops and Drops PremiumHow Drops decides on what new content gets addedLearning travel essentials with Drops’ “Travel Talk” featureDrops partnership with K-pop star and artist Amber LiuLanguage laddering with DropsPodcast 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 Bruckner shares her journey of learning multiple languages in her 40s. Topics include using neuroscience in learning, overcoming emotional excuses, and the importance of community. She also discusses coaching in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, offering insights on language learning gremlins and creating systems for success.

Michele Frolla grew up hearing Italian, but didn’t learn to speak it until she was a bit older. After picking up her heritage language, she went on to live and work in Italy, fully immersing herself in the language. She then went on to create the Intrepid Guide where she shares her experience and tips for learning languages and living abroad.In this episode, we chat with Michele about her experiences learning, living and working in another language and how this lead to her creating her own language business.Featured ResourcesMondlyIntrepid SpanishIntrepid ItalianIntrepid FrenchMentioned in this EpisodeMondlyMichel ThomasUTalkMichele’s siteMichele’s InstagramMichele’s YouTubeMichele’s FacebookMichele’s TwitterNetflixEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Michele’s experience with her heritage language and its impact on finally learning ItalianMoving to Rome and living the Italian lifeThe power of modal verbsLearning with pen and paperHer challenges with learning NorwegianThe origins of her blog, the Intrepid GuideLeaning into the fear of language learningMaking friends with her languagesTips on finding jobs in foreign countriesLearning a language to live in a country that speaks itPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Famous polyglot Steve Kaufmann joins us in this inspiring episode of the language hacking podcast. In our chat with Steve, we discuss comprehensible input and compelling input, what LingQ is and why Steve created it, and the early disagreements between Benny and Steve.Featured ResourcesLingQMentioned in this EpisodeLingQComprehensible InputSteve’s YouTubeSteve’s InstagramSteve’s TwitterSteve’s websiteEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Steve’s background with his many languages and his “allergy” to his heritage languagesThe story behind creating LingQ, one of the most popular language learning appsSteve’s job experience with languages and why he believes languages can be tied into any jobConsuming massive amounts of input as a method to learn languagesBenny and Steve’s early disagreements on language learningThe importance of keeping a positive attitude when learningLearning languages after age 60 and why you learn better the older you getComprehensible input versus compelling inputWhat language hacking is to Steve KaufmannPodcast 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 Avi, who learned conversational Chinese 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 our chat with Avi, a Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, she shares how rediscovered her love of languages and came to the realization that she is a polyglot while learning Chinese in the Challenge.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLingQEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:“Forgetting” French as a childWhat it was like learning English as a foreign language in IsraelFiguring out how to learn a language through self-studyWhat it’s like being Shannon’s language exchange partnerUsing poetry, recipes, and martial arts to learn languagesAvi’s amazing progress with Mandarin in the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeComing to the self-realization she is a polyglot and falling back in love with languagesLearning how to maintain multiple 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.

Johan Tekfak, creator of Français Authentique, shares how he uses Kaizen and other productivity systems to build his language business and improve his language skills each and every day.Mentioned in this EpisodeFrançais AuthentiqueGetting Things Done by David AllenEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How Johan learned German for his job as an engineerCreating systems to learn languagesMaking use of “dead time” in language learningFocusing on interesting and compelling content in your target language - not just material that’s availableThe 7 rules of Français AuthentiqueWhat is “Kaizen” and how does it apply to language learning?How Johann built his own language company a little bit at a timeSimplifying and de-stressing the language learning processCommon roadblocks faced by language learnersHow to attach rewards to language learning to boost motivationPodcast 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 Turia, who learned Spanish to the conversational level in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Turia shares her experience going from an on-again-off-again Spanish learner to a confident Spanish speaker with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. She also shares how she travels alone with her children in Spanish-speaking countries, developing a homeschooling curriculum for Spanish for her children, and how she responded to emergency situations in Spanish.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 ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLingQFrench UncoveredMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeLingQFrench UncoveredWorkawayFabulinguaFable CottageThe Spanish ExperimentRadio AmbulanteScott Young’s Year Without EnglishEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped Turia become a confident learner after 20 years of learning on and off againHow Turia is teaching her three kids to speak fluent SpanishMoving to Spain for immersion and learning about the cultureIncorporating Spanish into a homeschooling curriculumNavigating tricky or nightmare situations in another languageWhat it’s like traveling alone with kidsTuria’s favorite rituals and resources for learning SpanishMaking friends and building relationships in SpanishLetting kids’ language studies be child-ledMore ResourcesAfter we recorded this episode, Turia was kind enough to share more specific resources with us.Spanish champs - a program that includes a script and is song/activity based. It also includes a dvd with clips incorporating the songs taught.Talkbox Mom - a subscription service that offers resources to help you switch your day to day interactions into your new language.Whistlefritz - a foreign language show for kids by kids available on Amazon prime.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.

Kerstin Cable from the Fluent Language Blog shares her experience learning English to full fluency as a native German speaker, her method for acquiring new vocabulary and her long-term, slow approach to learning new languages.Featured ResourcesYour Solid Vocab MemoryGerman UncoveredMentioned in this EpisodeThe Fluent ShowThe Four Tendencies by Gretchen RubinGerman UncoveredDuolingoFluentlanguage.co.ukKerstin’s InstagramKerstin’s Youtube channelKerstin’s Twitter accountEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How the bigness of our world inspired Kerstin to learn languagesLearning English using 90s Brit-popKerstin’s curiosity and excitement for learning WelshKerstin’s biggest challenges learning MandarinUsing mnemonics and visual images to learn new vocabularyHow to find your language learning personality so you can find the right approaches and resources for youHow Kerstin takes language learning slow, studying only 2-3 hours a weekKerstin’s top tips for language learners from her experience as a one-to-one language coachHow to choose the best language learning resources for youUsing handwriting in vocab notebooks as a memory strategyHow teaching German helps Kerstin feel like she knows the language better than everKerstin’s German student immersion retreats“Your solid vocab memory” - Kerstin’s method of acquiring, memorizing, and reviewing vocabularyPodcast 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 Jane T, who learned several languages to the conversational level in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Jane quit her job after her husband retired to start traveling around Europe in a motorhome, learning languages along the way. Shannon and Benny talk with Jane about her motorhome journeys and how she learns languages while she travels. Jane also shares how community helps with overcoming limiting self beliefs in language learning.We 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 ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiLingQMentioned in this EpisodeJane’s blogEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How Jane quit her job after her husband retired to start traveling around Europe, learning languages along the wayHow traveling in a motorhome gives Jane and her husband the freedom to travel affordably while always having their home with themHow the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped Jane get through the false starter phase of language learningThe power of accountability and communityHow to learn languages with an unpredictable schedule and unreliable InternetThe Comprehensible Input approach to language learningTalking to yourself in a language to get both practice and build your confidenceHow to overcome self-limiting beliefsCommon language learning roadblocks and tips for getting through themHow to filter what you’re learning to what’s relevant to 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.