English with Kirsty

This is a really short episode, but it's important!What one thing can you work towards in English or another language that will be fun for you?Maybe you are learning a language for a specific reason. Maybe it isn't even your choice. But what is one thing that you can work towards that you will enjoy?I share something that I did recently and why this brought me closer to one of my goals for Romanian. How about you? Learning a language doesn't always have to be serious! We should find ways to make it enjoyable for ourselves too - even though it can be tough sometimes!If you find something that makes you feel good, it will motivate you to keep going!Here is the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode220

Diana is “a very curious woman from Venezuela and a big fan of languages!”We met on LinkedIn – it’s the place to be these days – and I want to share with you what happened when we got together a couple of weeks ago. We talked about: Diana’s story and language journey Why it’s important to have fun when you are learning languages and to find activities that are enjoyable for you Why it’s important to practise every day and not just when you go to classes How to avoid mixin up languages when you are learning several languages at the same time How using different languages helps you to highlight different parts of your personality How her knowledge of languages and her experience working with different cultures help Diana now with her work in communications How having something enjoyable to work towards can be both a motivator and a reward. Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode219

Practical advice for creating content in other languages, including the need for research and seeking help. Considering the audience and being prepared, finding a balance between overpreparing and underpreparing. Navigating feedback and minimizing mistakes, staying calm and thinking on your feet. Embracing mistakes and having fun when creating content in other languages.

Antoni Maroto is a freelance medical communicator who aims to produce accessible, clear, and inclusive documents for consumers, health care providers, patients, and regulatory agencies. His areas of specialisation are imaging and radiology. Antoni’s working languages are Catalan, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.We talked about:* How Antoni's early introduction to English opened up new opportunities, personally and professionally.* Moving to Portugal and beginning to learn Portuguese.* How writing in your additional languages can help you to consolidate what you've learned* The importance of finding role models who inspire you when you want to learn a new language* Ways to overcome the fear of speaking an additional language.Do you relate to any of the subjects that we discussed? Find out more on the show notes page:https://englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode217/

Sancha and I got to know each other on LinkedIn and I was interested to find out more about her, her work, her family, and her story.In this conversation, we talk about:Sancha's first experiences working with English speakersGetting used to listening to a variety of accents once you start using a language in the real worldLearning Korean as an adultBringing children up bilinguallySancha's journals for mothers and children. This is how Sancha introduced herself:“Mental and emotional health are by far what affects many parents / carers of people with disabilities, as we focus so much on caring for others, we tend to leave ourselves behind. I became a Thetahealer and I didn't stop since, I became a Reiki Master, studying Psychology at NUI Maynooth, joined the Irish School of Shamanic Studies to become a Shaman healer, started reading Angel Cards and made my mission to help all parents and carers of special needs children/adults , to balance their mental and emotional health on the daily basis. Because I know how it feels, the challenges, the daily struggles, the upper management of home, therapies, doctors, children, and life itself. I have created a range of products and published over 7 books to help on their daily self-care routine. As we all know we can’t give from an empty cup, so we must fill ours first.Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode216

Where do I start? When Rita and I get together we never really know what will happen! We have all kinds of ideas for projects and I’m sure you’ll hear more about those soon.But this time we talked about one of our favourite subjects: languages!That means• How we became interested in them and the role that they play in our lives• How we share this passion with others and help them to learn• Why Madonna is so important in Rita’s language learning story• How language without context won’t help you to communicate• How Rita’s English and Portuguese mentoring sessions work• Why it’s important to combine our other passions and interests with our additional languages.Actually it’s really hard to summarise our conversation because we cover so many topics, share what has worked for us, tell stories, and generally have a great time talking about everything around languages, linguistics, and learning!Find out more and how to connect with Rita on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode215

Nadezhda Chalykh is a trainer, consultant and lecturer working in the field of intercultural communication. Here are some of the topics that we discussed in our conversation about language, culture, and communication:* Nadezhda’s language learning journey* When it’s time to start actually speaking a new language* Different types of communication styles – influenced by language and culture* Ways to communicate better and to avoid misunderstandings* Cultural norms in terms of communication – what is polite? Which topics are considered too personal?* How learning about language and culture are connected and why they are both important* Ways for those using their first language to be more inclusive in professional situations.Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode214

Leanna and I connected when Leanna message me on LinkedIn. First I thought our conversation would be about language teaching, but in the end, we also talked about:How speaking (and learning) additional languages can make you a better teacherStrategies for learning new languages independently as an adult.Ways to make sure that you allocate time to different projects when you're learning multiple languages.Leanna's new blog and website, Learning with Leanna.This is how Leanna introduces herself:"I am Leanna Lee, and I started my teaching career with home-schooling my son for his Kindergarten and 1st grade years. After that, I worked as a Spanish and Mandarin Teacher for a private day care. During the pandemic, I obtained my TESOL certificate and started my journey as an ESOL Teacher. I started my company Learning with Leanna during this time and privately tutored through this. I have worked with children and adult students from all over the world and I enjoy helping my students reach their English goals. In my free time I enjoy reading, learning languages, and spending time with my son and husband."Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode213

Two things really impressed me about Maribel’s story: If you want something and it doesn’t exist, create the opportunity yourself! You’ll see how this worked out for Maribel as we talk about her story and how she built her business. Having your own business and using additional languages in business can be a way to help you develop and improve those language skills. Don’t wait till everything is perfect! Do your best, but the learning comes along the way as you use the additional languages in real situations. I need to remember this one too! Maribel Aburto is the CEO and co-founder of CREATIVA Design Studio, a Branding and Web Design Agency dedicated to providing flexible job opportunities to women of different backgrounds. Originally from Chile, she moved to New Zealand in 2009, where she lived for 13 years before recently relocating to Dublin in January. With a background in branding and website design, she’s passionate about helping value-driven women and businesses worldwide to grow and succeed by creating designs that effectively reach their ideal audiences. Her mission is to empower women like herself to achieve their business and professional goals and build successful businesses.Visit the show notes page to find out more and to access Maribel's links:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode212

Today I'm looking at some of the differences between studying a language at school and learning as an independent adult. We have more opportunities as an adult and more freedom to customise the learning process, but sometimes it can be too much freedom! So  we need to be proactive with time management, to actively seek out opportunities to practise, and have the discipline to stay on track. Understanding these differences can help us to make better choices, so I want to look at five of them. I talk about practical things, such as finding the right course, but also the way we manage our emotions around starting something new or not yet having the skills that we want because we are still in the process of developing them!Find out more on the show notes page:https://www.englishwithkirsty.com/podcast/episode211