Language & Travel Hacking

Latest Episodes:

Ask Benny: What Language Is Benny Learning Now? Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Did you hear about Benny’s new project? He’s learning a new language, and to keep in style, he will treat his new mission as a full-time job! Having relocated to Bali for this, he has until May to get “fluent” in this new language.

So which one is he learning?

Drum roll… The reveal is in the episode!

PS: He also explains what he means by “fluent”. This one is for the skeptics!

Follow Benny’s progress on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp.

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

#132 Emanuel on “Stage Fright” in Language Learning Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

How can tutors help their students avoid anxiety and the feeling of “stage fright” when speaking a new language?

Emanuel Vasconcelos is one of the favorite Spanish teachers among the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp community, and Elizabeth’s primary Spanish tutor. In this interview, they discuss Emanuel’s journey to becoming a Spanish language teacher and the methods he uses to help his students improve their language learning effectively.

Emanuel explains how his focus is working with students using constructive techniques rather than the usual error-correction dynamic that many teachers follow.

A lot of the Language Hacking Podcast guests are students from the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp (formerly, the Challenge), so Emanuel’s perspective is an eye-opener!

PS: Plenty of personal anecdotes from Elizabeth’s and Benny’s learner experiences in this episode, so don’t miss out on them!

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

#131 Deanna on Avoiding Language FOMO Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

What does it feel like to learn the language you have always wanted to learn?

Fluent in 3 Months student and Italian learner, Deanna, talks about the power of accountability, finding the right resources, and what it feels like to finally learn the language you always wanted to learn.

In this interview, Deanna, Benny, and Shannon discuss how to figure out whether a tool isn’t working for you or if you’re just not ready for the tool and to choose which language learning tools you’re going to use. The episode also covers topics such as avoiding FOMO when it comes to language resources and pushing through when your efforts aren’t giving you results.

If you’ve been wondering how to surround yourself with your target language, Deanna’s advice will help you get started the right way.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Ask Benny: How Do You Prepare For a 3 Month Mission? Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Benny pulls back the curtain to reveal behind the scenes when he prepares for a new 3 months challenge, and how this helps him get the most out of the learning period.

Between clearing his schedule, dealing with the logistics of his new move, and preparing updates for followers, there is a lot to do beforehand!

PS: All is fair in language learning: going for a retreat before getting started is a great idea to relax ;)

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com.

Follow Benny’s progress on [his YouTube channel(https://www.youtube.com/@irishpolyglot).

Benny's Fluent in 3 Months Projects History (+ a Big Announcement) Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Benny is ready for a new Fluent in 3 Months project, during which he will focus for 90 days on becoming conversational in a new language! In this episode, Benny revisits his past projects and reflects on what he can take from his experience onto this new adventure.

Tune in to Benny’s YouTube channel and the Fluent in 3 Months YouTube channel in the month of February to follow Benny’s progress!

PS: Benny will announce the language for his new project very soon in a new Language Hacking Podcast episode, so stick around!

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com.

#130 TY on Finding the Fun in French Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Is it easier to learn a language when it’s fun?

Fluent in 3 Months student and French learner, TY, discusses taking part in Fluent in 3 Months programs and finding the fun in language learning with hosts Benny and Shannon.

A language teacher herself, TY discusses her experience creating a program for kids to create their own languages and how recording videos of yourself speaking your language can be used as an effective learning tool.

Listen to this episode if you wonder how you can creatively learn a language alongside others, stay on track with your learning when major life events happen, and how to efficiently work with your spouse as you learn their native language.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

#129 Philippa Wentzel on Lingoda and Language Technology Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Will technological advances keep impacting language learning positively?

This is a question that Philippa Wentzel, Curriculum Team Lead of the popular online language resource Lingoda, attempts to answer in her discussion with Benny.

In this interview, Philippa explores topics such as how academic learning can be unsatisfying, how Lingoda relies on UX analysis to make sure they stay on track with learners’ needs, and the pros and cons of using technology in language learning.

Philippa also explains how Lingoda offers learners control over their language learning and curriculum by using a “choose your own path” approach.

Mentioned in this Episode

Lingoda

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

#128 Greg on “To-Do” Lists to Learn Czech Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Is it possible to learn a language better from home than in a foreign country?

Fluent in 3 Months student and Czech learner, Greg, explained to Benny and Shannon how he spoke more Czech in 90 days of learning with Fluent in 3 Months than while living in the Czech Republic.

In this interview, he also talks about ditching the perfectionist mindset and using to-do lists to improve his learning, as well as finding a connection between project management and language learning.

This episode is for you if you want to learn how you can stay on track when things come up that could derail your learning and utilize the people around you to keep from burning out

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

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Mentioned in this Episode

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

New Year's Special: Reflections and Resolutions Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

New year, new goals! In this special episode, Benny is joined by four other Fluent in 3 Months team members⁠—David, Alice, Elizabeth, and Ashley⁠—to reflect on their language learning in 2022 and discuss their 2023 learning goals.

Techniques that haven't worked, exciting new launches, tips and tricks to achieve new goals... Hear all about what the Fluent in 3 Months team has to say about these topics and get inspired to stick to your language learning resolutions in 2023.

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

#127 Honorée on Learning Languages Through Passion and Asking for Help Dec 26, 2022

Show notes

What exactly do you need to learn a language?

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and French learner, Honorée, chats about taking part in the Challenge, her plan to learn 5 languages in 10 years, and the importance of consistency and accountability in language learning.

Honorée’s advice ranges from how to identify your weak points so you can focus on where your efforts will have the most impact to how building confidence is important and how to do it. She also discusses time management, language islands, and maximizing learning efficiency in learning a language as an adult.

(Pss… Listen to this episode to hear Honorée switch the papers and be the one to ask Benny and Shannon questions.)

Featured Resources

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.

Mentioned in this Episode

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Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy