Language & Travel Hacking

Latest Episodes:

#73 Juliana Russell on “Do Kids Learn Languages Better than Adults?” Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with Juliana Russell of Language Mindset about supporting kids learning languages, resilience in language learning, and if kids really are better language learners than adults

Featured Resources

italki

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Developing a passion for languages through failure
Building a language business
Strategies for teaching children languages
Are kids really better language learners than adults?
Advantages and disadvantages for kids learning languages
How parents can support their children learning another language even if they’re not a native speaker
How to be a more resilient language learner
How to support a child who is resisting learning a new language
Ways to practice language with your kids outside of the classroom
How to maintain your languages when you can’t travel

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Ask Benny: What Should I Do Differently in Speaking Lessons at Different Levels? Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

This week Benny talks about how to approach speaking sessions with a teacher differently, depending on your level. The "Speak from Day One" approach is an excellent starting point for beginners, but it's important to make sure you're improving and being challenged as you move into intermediate and beyond. Benny describes how and when he likes a teacher to correct mistakes, and how you can use homework assignments to really drive improvement.

To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#72 Jeremy Bardo on Going Viral in Another Language Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy chat with musician and translator Jeremy Bardo about his experience going viral with a Spanish language music video. We also discuss the myth of the language gene and finding joy in embarrassing moments.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

The myth of the “language gene”
Overcoming perfectionism by finding joy in embarrassing moments
Finding balance in your language studies
The power of technology in language learning
Cognates and how they can help you
Using a Spanish phrase book as a conversation starter
How learning languages helps you become a more compassionate language teacher
Important qualities language teachers should have
Identifying when an error is important and deserves feedback with your students
Using your interests to learn languages
Recording music and going viral in your non-native language
Finding a foothold in a new language with just a few words

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#71 Brittany Williams’ 90 Day Japanese Challenge Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

This episode features Brittany, who learned conversational Japanese 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.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How the Challenge helped Brittany become an effective, independent language learner
How and why the Speak from Day 1 approach works
Ways to stay engaged in your language learning
The power of scripting as a language learning tool
The impact of community in language learning
Building confidence through consistency
How the Challenge helped Brittany become a better English tutor
Strategies for overcoming perfectionism
Japanese resources for independent study
Why it’s important to understand the culture of your language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Ask Benny: How Can I Speak Zero English in a Language Lesson? Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

As a beginner, the idea of having a lesson where you only speak your target language can seem impossible. Benny shares some great ideas and resources that you can use to avoid your native language and start as you mean to go on. Speaking from day one is a daunting prospect, but with a bit of preparation and planning, it's absolutely achievable.

To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#70 Herr Professor on How Engineers Approach Language Learning Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Manuel of “Herr Professor” about growing up multilingual, teaching German, and how engineers approach language learning.

Featured Resources

Herr Professor

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How Manuel used his technical background to learn new languages
How to turn language input into output
Why speaking is one of the biggest challenges for language learners
What makes input useful and how to avoid passive listening
What to do when you have trouble focusing on your language learning tools
How to find compelling, comprehensible input at your language level
Why building habits is so important in language learning
The importance of being able to drop things that don’t work and focus on the things that do

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#69 Sara Maria Hasbun on the Psychology of Language Learning Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

Sara Maria Hasbun, founder of Meridian Linguistics, shares about psycholinguistics, working in the language industry, and “extreme” language learning.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Choosing which language to learn
Learning languages in diverse language families
Studying psycholinguistics
Dialect and accent in sign languages
Living in different countries and learning the languages
Differences between a polyglot and a linguist
Learning a language with few resources
Why fluency doesn’t need to be the end goal for learning a language
Deciding when to learn a new language and when to focus on past languages
Technology and language
Balancing entrepreneurship in languages with language learning
Using accountability systems for motivation
Rote learning and its benefits
Combatting the boring aspects of language learning with tricks and bribes
Lessons from living abroad
“Extreme” language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Ask Benny: How Can I Start Reading in My Target Language? Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

Reading in your new language can be a daunting task, but Benny has some great advice this week for taking it one step at a time. By starting small and building up gradually, you'll make steady progress. There are so many brilliant resources out there that you can use, and reading isn't just a solo activity, so make sure it's something you practise with your teacher or exchange partner.

To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.com

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#68 Anthony Metivier on Building a Magnetic Memory Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

“Warrior of the mind” Anthony Metivier chats with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis about his Brain Exercise Bootcamp and memory strategies for language learners.

Featured Resources

Brain Exercise Bootcamp

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Memory methods for language learners
Why personalization is necessary for language learning
Learning German and Mandarin with memory techniques
Why language learning is more than just memorizing
How it’s easy to cheat your learning with SRS
How to get better at building mnemonics
Ways to speed up your memorizing
How memory exercises can benefit your mental health
Tips for learning “dead” languages

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

#67 Mari Silvestrini on Energy and Momentum in Language Learning Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

Polyglot Mari Salvestrini shares how she uses Instagram for accountability in her language learning, how to develop language routines based on energy, and why breaks are important in this episode with hosts Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy.

Featured Resources