I Will Teach You A Language | Weekly Motivation And Language Learning Tips To Help You Become Fluent In Any Language

In this episode, I discuss how introverts deal with learning foreign languages. In this episode: I am an introvert by nature, despite what you may guess from my public persona! How I suffer from shyness in groups How this has impacted my language learning Why living abroad hasn't been a "no-brainer" for me How I nevertheless enjoy speaking, and base my language learning on speaking with people I genuinely like Are you an introvert? Please let me know how this has affected your language learning: http://wp.me/p4wyTY-1kD Resources mentioned in todays episode:

One reader asks: "I want to try my hand at reading a book and wondered what you would recommend?" In this episode: The problem with children's books... Intended for children Low-frequency vocabulary What kind of books are best to read... Graded readers (not parallel texts) Short, non-fiction books on a topic that interests you (e.g. biographies, how-to books) Any book you've already read, translated into your target language If you have a book store close by with a good foreign book section - go and browse! If you don't like books, try Project Syndicate Judith Meyer from learnlangs.com mentioned: Crime stories, romance stories, autobiographies, travel stories. Translated books are easier than original ones.

Alex asks: "How should one go about gathering together language learning materials when there are none?" In this episode: Here are my suggestions for finding materials for minority languages: Reach out to people who have learnt the language before - there will be more than you think. Use Google to search for people, groups and blogs Even if there is little material, use what you can find. You can get far with little. Go to the country. Not always practical, but the best thing you could possibly do. Create your own materials by contacting native speakers and/or travelling to the country. This is a fantastic project and a great service to the community. Do you have anything to add about learning minority language or finding materials for them? Please leave a comment below to let us know! Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Ben asks: "I'm currently on a work placement in France. How can I make the most of living with native speakers?" In this episode: The huge opportunity of living with native speakers Create a no-English environment if at all possible Focus on the formulaic aspects of daily life Take notes of what you see Observe and imitate Think: "What would I say in English?" in order to decide what to say next. Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to create an immersion environment - a detailed post about creating an foreign language immersion environment in the comfort of your own home Start speaking today

Melissa asks: "I'm learning Spanish, but people keep replying to me in English. How can I solve this?" In this episode: The difficulties of finding native speakers to practise with How social pressure can lead people to reply in English Why you shouldn't judge your level based on your experience talking to strangers The importance of finding a safe person to practise with How to explain to a language partner you want to keep it in the target language Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to stop people talking to you in English Start speaking today

ManchesterAul asks (in an iTunes review): "What's the difference btw fluency and proficienncy? Do i consider myself fluent or proficient in my languages?" In this episode: Why I dislike the discussion about fluency and proficiency Certain professions may require a proven proficiency level How I define fluency The world of language testing The difference between accuracy and fluency How you can lose a level in a language Resources mentioned in today's episode: CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference Polyglot Workshops - regular workshops for language learners worldwide. Join us in London, UK, in November 2015 Speaking Fluently on Facebook, fr --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Nina asks: "How can I coach my mum to learn Italian?" In this episode: The most important things about coaching someone to learn a language Why fostering a passion for a language is so important Make sure the vocabulary you learn is actually useful for you Resources mentioned in today's episode: Duolingo Memrise Benny teaches a monoglot to learn Esperanto: https://youtu.be/UHPC5DN4eJA Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Shane asks: "I'm learning Chinese and Thai. What's the best way to learn the tones, or tonal languages in general?" In this episode: How to approach learning tonal languages Why top-down approaches beat bottom-up approaches for learning tones How I approach learning a tonal language: Make sure you understand the tones in the language you're learning Start listening to recorded dialogues from your textbook every day Work with a tutor right from the start, so you can practise speaking and get feedback Write down new words and phrases with the tone indicated Give yourself time to get used to it all! [Tweet "You don't learn a language, you get used to it - Khatzumoto"] Resources mentioned in today's episode: Tone Pair Drills - a great article on the Sensible Chinese blog. Olly speaking Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QRVpNbNzK8 Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers a

In this episode, I interview my Arabic teacher Mona about how I made quick progress in my Arabic. In this episode: My progress compared to Mona's other students In what ways I progressed What techniques I use during the lesson Here is a video of the conversation: https://youtu.be/TSsSO-JOcCA Resources mentioned in today's episode: Language Learning Foundations - my course for learning to speak a new language quickly, where you can find the full 1-hour interview Mona's iTalki teacher profile ArabicGlobal.com Start speaking today

Sebastian asks: "Should I learn single words or complete phrases?" In this episode: The disadvantages of learning single words Why learning vocabulary in complete phrases is so valuable Where you take your vocabulary from Resources mentioned in today's episode: Memrise.com Flashcards Deluxe My recommended resource today is: Make Words Stick video - my tutorial on using full sentences to memorise vocabulary Start speaking today

Jane asks: "What's your favourite mobile app for meeting and practising with native speakers?" In this episode: The importance of connecting with native speakers Language learning app: HelloTalk.com How their built-in features help you focus on the conversation Resources mentioned in today's episode: HelloTalk.com - available on iPhone and Android Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show.

Marcus asks: "Should I learn a German dialect or standard German?" In this episode: The advantages of learning standard German Why you might want to learn a German dialect German dialects and identity How dialects might effect how you learn Resources mentioned in today's episode: Deutsche Welle Dialektatlas - an atlas of German dialects. Speak German Like A Native - Kerstin's brand new German pronunciation course that teaches you to leave your foreign accent behind and sound just like a native. Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I'll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for lis

Many people have asked: "I'm struggling to learn my partner's language, why is it so hard?" In this episode: Why it can be so difficult to learn your partner's language The danger of looking to your family or loved ones for language practice How you can make regular, consistent progress by externalising your learning routines Resources mentioned in today's episode: Lasting Love Connection - a great podcast about relationships you should check out Language Learning Foundations - my flagship video course. My specific strategies for learning to speak a new language fluently Language learning with a Chinese girlfrie --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Alex asks: "How can stop listening becoming a chore?" In this episode: The key to reading usefully is choosing material where you already understand 90% of the contents Try to find material that is short, broken down into manageable chapters Common European Framework of Reference As far as possible, try to live with the ambiguity of not understanding everything you read Resources mentioned in today's episode: IWTYAL Episode 6 - Which is better, intensive or extensive reading? Spanish Short Stories for Beginners - my new book of short stories in Spanish: 

Max asks: "How can I improve my listening comprehension?" In this episode: Three reasons you might not understand a native speaker: You don’t know the words You can’t distinguish the individual words (whether you know them or not) You understand the individual words, but you still don’t understand what they’re trying to say A simple process for using textbook dialogues for improving your listening skills Today's featured resource: A manifesto for better listening - a detailed blog post I wrote about improving your listening skills   Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I'll do my best to feature it on the show! A --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

My new book of Spanish short stories was published today. Grab your copy on Amazon Kindle for only $0.99 for a few days only. "Spanish Short Stories for Beginners" - Olly Richards Click the link below to grab your copy: http://amzn.com/B010BO84W0 Thanks so much for your support, Olly --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Ferdaous asks: "I'm learning English, how can I develop a good American accent quickly?" In this episode: Why a good accent is important The difference between phonemes and prosody Why developing a good accent is the result of extensive communication in your target language Tips for improving your accent: Tackle pronunciation immediately with a native speaker to perfect your pronunciation, before you develop any bad habits. Observe native speakers in action and their voices when they interact, especially at key social moments, such as introductions or meeting friends. If you only work with a teacher, how is their voice when they greet you? This is often the most authentic moment of the conversation. TV and movies are also a good place to focus in on this. Imitate how native speakers say common words and phrases that you’re familiar with. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Doug asks: "I know I need to focus on one language, but I'm torn between two languages. What should I do?" In this episode: Why it's important to focus on one language The difficulty of leaving behind one language Why a language is never "lost" Three ideas for choosing which language to focus on: Learning one language well will be beneficial for all the others A language is never lost - you can always come back to it The "Rocking Chair Test": Imagine your 80-year-old self sitting in a rocking chair looking back on your life. Look at your current dilemma through those eyes. What should you do? Today's quote: Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  Do y --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Cecilia asks: "How do you stay motivated when you don't speak much of the language and it's such a long way ahead" In this episode: The importance of identifying your core reasons for learning a language Knowing your "why" helps you concentrate on activities that fulfil you How motivation can actually come from hard work Today's featured resource: The Add 1 Challenge - a fantastic support community where language learners from around the world come together to motivate themselves over 90 days Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I'll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to g --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message

Greg asks: "There are so many varieties of Spanish. Which dialect should I focus on?" In this episode: How I learnt Spanish About different varieties of Spanish Why going "narrow and deep" is better How this applies to learning varieties of Spanish Today's featured resource: Where's the best place to learn Spanish in South America? Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I'll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks for listening Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you've got --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iwillteachyoualanguage/message