Language & Travel Hacking

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Will John, a professional soccer player from the US who has played for teams in many different countries, including Denmark, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Georgia. Will shares his top tips from his experience learning languages as he travels the world…Featured ResourcesMuzzy in GondolandMentioned in this EpisodeMuzzy in GondolandGoluremiGoluremi on YoutubeGoluremi on Youtube in SpanishThe Way of Will JohnWill John’s Instagram11th Commandment YouTubeForeign footballers speaking Finnish videoEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Will’s first foreign language: learning Spanish as a kid by watching Spanish-language TV shows.The strategies Will used to learn Danish when he moved to DenmarkTips for learning a language with immersion and with immersion.The power of rehearsal in language learningHow to avoid the “English bubble” when living abroadJob opportunities that open up when you’ve got language skillsHow Will mixes his languages and football skills, and applies his football training methods to language learningFacing fears and creating online videos in other languagesWhy reading matters in language learningFeeling “ok” in the danger zone - and why that matters for language learnersPodcast 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 Deb Bensauls, an enthusiastic language learner who learned conversational French AND Italian in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.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.Debs shares about travelling on her own using her French skills, using the language at work to create a better experience for her clients. She also discusses the power of friendship in language learning, and how being in a learning community changed her approach to French and gave her the confidence to learn Italian.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeThe Courage to SpeakMentioned in this EpisodeDuolingoFluent in 3 Months, the bookFluent in 3 Months ChallengeThe Courage to SpeakDropsEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The power of learning a language with friends and community.Why being the quiet one in the back makes the language classroom ineffective.How to build confidence in your languages and speaking.How the online language community helped Debs become the polyglot she was always meant to be.Why it’s important to share both the ups and downs of language learning.The dangers of comparison and how to overcome them.Strategies for overcoming overwhelm when it comes to learning resources.How learning your second language is different than your first.How Debs has been able to use her language skills at work in the medical field.What happens when a giant spider interrupts your language exchange.Debs favorite language learning rituals including mindmaps and sticky notes.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.

Shannon joins the co-founders of the Women in Language conference, Lindsay Williams and Kerstin Cable. Together with Elizabeth Bruckner they share the story behind the Women in Language online event and what’s in store for this year’s conference.Register for the Women in Language conference at: https://fluentin3months.com/women-in-languageFeatured ResourcesWomen in LanguageMentioned in this EpisodeWomen in LanguageWomen in Language InstagramWomen in Language FacebookEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The story behind Women in LanguagePast events and stories from attendeesElizabeth’s Women in Language workshop about language exchangesWhy it’s important to amplify and champion lesser heard voicesHow Women in Language’s speaker selection process brings new speakers to the conversationHow you can attend the 2020 Women in Language eventPodcast 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 and Shannon Kennedy have a conversation with Idahosa Ness, founder of the Mimic Method. In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Idahosa details his language learning strategies, employing music, rapping, mimicry and deliberate practice.Featured ResourcesThe Mimic MethodEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:How Idahosa developed the Mimic Method by learning multiple languagesFreestyle rapping as a language toolMouth and tongue training to form sounds in a new languageLearning to tune your ear to a new languageHow to sound like a native and integrate into other culturesHow to overcome perfectionism by getting into the flowPodcast 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 Suzanne, who learned several languages to the conversational level 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, Shannon and Benny chat with Suzanne about how learning in community built confidence in her language skills and provided her with the support she needed to “lean in” on the parts of language learning that made her uncomfortable. She also talks about how the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge provided her with the support and nurturing environment to make doing those things possible.Featured ResourcesThe Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeMeet UpRadio AmbulanteEl Washington Post PodcastEl PaisNews in Slow GermanCoffee BreakInner FrenchFrancais AuthentiqueEl Ministerio del TiempoGran HotelWhy Hungarian is EasySuzanne’s InstagramEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:What it was like being in Madrid after years of Spanish study, unable to speak Spanish.Why it’s important to find the right tutor and not use English in your lessons.The difference between learning languages at university and learning in community with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.Learning languages as a shy person and why it’s important to lean into your discomfort.How to choose your first words in a new language.Overcoming obstacles in language learning and building confidence.Combining language learning with other activities, including self-care.Suzanne’s favorite language learning rituals and how she incorporates language learning into her day.Learning multiple languages and managing notes with different colored notebooks.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.

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with Matt Kepnes, also known as Nomadic Matt. Matt shares his experiences learning languages as he travels the world on a budget as well as his best budget travel tips in this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast.Featured ResourcesHow to Travel the World on $50 a DayMentioned in this EpisodeNomadic MattCoffee Break FrenchCoffee Break SpanishMatt’s PatreonThe Nomadic NetworkEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Traveling on a budgetMatt’s experience learning French in ParisThe importance of getting private tutors for your languageMatt’s experience learning ThaiUsing hand signals to aid your communication in a new languageAdvice on traveling after the pandemicTop tips for budget travel and local travelPodcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon KennedyJoin Our PatreonEnjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Polish-American language learner and educator Nikki Prsa shares what it was like growing up as a native Polish speaker in the US and what inspired her to go on to study languages abroad. Benny and Shannon also chat with her about her linguistics studies at university, what it’s like teaching languages online, and her experience teaching her son new languages.Mentioned in this EpisodeSpeak at Home TonightMaster ChefTop ModelNikki’s InstagramNikki’s FacebookNikki’s TwitterEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Nikki’s experience speaking Polish at home while growing up in the USNikki’s experience moving to Germany with a host family at 15 years oldHow travel has helped Nikki become better at immersing herself in a language even when not abroadHow important it is to have a teacher you can trustWhat inspired Nikki to start Speak at Home TonightLearning Croatian and traveling in the BalkansWhy it’s important to even do just a little bit each dayTeaching your child multiple languagesFocusing on accent and pronunciationHow to keep from mixing up languages when studying multiple languages at the same timeLearning languages with prayerFinding the best approach 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.

Peter Galante, the founder of Innovative Languages, shares how he went from creating a Japanese podcast to running a company that teaches more than 30 languages. He also discusses running a language learning business and his personal tips for learning a new language.Featured ResourcesInnovative LanguagesMentioned in this EpisodeJapanesePod101Innovative LanguagesFluent in 3 MonthsBringing back a dead language - Benny’s Hungarian projectEurolinguisteEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:The story behind how Peter Galante started Innovative LanguagesHow to find the best people for your teamHow to start a language learning businessTips for creating a language learning systemHow to find a job where you can use your language skillsDeveloping a language learning businessHow Peter got started with Japanese3 ways to think about learning languages - language profile, routine, anchor pointsThe future of Innovative LanguagesHow to be self-motivated and goal-orientedHow a teacher or advisor can help you stay on or get back on trackPodcast 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 Louisa, 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 this episode, Shannon and Benny talk to Louisa about how creating a system for self-learning Chinese helped her find success in her language learning after failing to make significant progress in a night class. She also shares the role community and the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge have played in her methods for learning Chinese.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeitalkiMentioned in this EpisodeFluent in 3 Months ChallengeGoldlistingitalkiLydia Machova’s Goldlisting explanationGoogle TranslateEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Why language learning in night classes isn’t right for everyoneThe best thing about the Fluent in 3 Month ChallengeStrategies for incorporating language studies into your family lifeBuilding a system to learn ChineseThe Goldlist MethodOvercoming challenges with language learningLouisa’s progress made during the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeLouisa’s favorite resources for learning languagesLessons learned from participating in the Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeLouisa’s biggest surprise from learning a new languageIs learning Chinese difficult?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.

This episode features Fluent in 3 Months team member Caitlin Sacasas sharing her story of when she took part in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. The Fi3M Challenge is a 90-day language learning challenge where participants aim to have a 15-minute conversation in their new language as a part of a supportive community. It can help you start conversing a new language while providing you with accountability and guidelines to make huge strides in your language in just three months. Learn more and get notified when the next Challenge opens for enrollment by signing up here.Caitlin shares how she’s made drinking coffee part of her routine for learning Japanese and how meditation helps her be more productive in her studies. She also shares tips for learning Japanese and the importance of making learning fun.Featured ResourcesFluent in 3 Months ChallengeMentioned in this EpisodeJLPTCaitlin’s Makeup Tutorial in JapaneseTerrace HouseHow Caitlin found her language exchange partnerFluent in 3 Months ChallengeStudying in the BathroomCasa de FloresBilingirl ChicaAbroad in JapanRebel Heart BeautyCaitlin’s InstagramCaitlin’s Articles on Fi3MEpisode OverviewSome of the topics brought up during the interview are:Sharing a language with your childrenThe importance of finding a long-term language exchange partnerHow watching TV helps you pick up more natural language patternsHow important it is to study during your peak times during the dayTips for pairing your language learning with another activity like drinking coffeeHow meditating to clear your mind before your learning benefits your memoryWhy you should start small when starting a new habitWhy you should learn Japanese kana early onFitting in your language studies by breaking up your learning throughout the dayWhy you should enjoy your language and not get bogged down with the technical aspectsPrioritizing your time with 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.