Language & Travel Hacking

Latest Episodes:

#60 Katie Pascoe on Virtual Reality Language Learning Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

This episode features Katie Pascoe, editor of the Language Hacking podcast. Katie also co-founded VR Languages and helped create Dynamic Spanish.

Dynamic Spanish gets you speaking Spanish confidently in VR with the Starter Pack for beginners. More advanced learners can explore Spain in 360 guided tours with Dynamic Spanish Trips.

Katie also discusses her recent experience 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.

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Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Getting an ear for languages by eavesdropping on family conversations in Punjabi
Living in, and learning languages in Korea, Brazil and Spain
The dynamic of learning languages as a couple
Creating VR Languages and a virtual reality Spanish course, Dynamic Spanish, for beginners and more advanced speakers
The immersion and experiential learning of language courses in virtual reality
How to use VR with a phone or an Oculus Quest
How Katie improved her past tense and subjunctive with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#59 Maria Ortega on the Poetry of Learning Languages Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Poet, artist and polyglot Maria Ortega Garcia talks to Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about mindfulness, language learning as an introvert, and the power of using art and poetry as language learning tools.

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Learning languages as an introvert
Mindfulness in language learning
Using poetry as a tool for languages
The biggest struggles students face trying to learn languages with poems
How artistic expression and creativity fit into language learning
Exploring identity through languages
Using art as an inspiration for language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#58 Janina Klimas on Using Acting Techniques to Improve Your Languages Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

Language teacher and expat Janina Klimas shares how to create compelling language lessons for students, how acting is like language learning, and why recording yourself speaking your target language is so important.

Featured Resources

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Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Language acquisition vs language learning
How acting can boost your language learning and teaching
Building excitement around languages for your students as a teacher
What being a “reading specialist” means
Teaching and studying abroad
Figuring out your proficiency and levels in a language
Why recording yourself speaking is so important
Independent vs academic language learning success
Games you can play to learn languages
Language, culture, racism, and bias

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#57 Géraldine Lepère on Cultural Clues to Sound More French Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Elizabeth speak with French YouTube superstar Géraldine Lepère about the importance of understanding culture when learning a language.

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Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

What to say to sound more French
Differences between French and Mexican culture
Adjusting to French culture
How to connect with French people
Reading French literature

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#56 Jo Franco on Being a Netflix Travel Chick Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Shannon dive deep with Netflix star, YouTube influencer and polyglot Jo Franco about growing up bilingual, developing a love of travel and language learning, and building connection through language.

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Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Immigrating to the US and learning English in an ESL camp
Living between cultures and finding your identity
The language learning “spark”
Overcoming the fear of making mistakes
Jo’s travel show on Netflix
Building connections through language
Negative travel experiences and why they don’t stop Jo from traveling
Finding joy in challenges
Journaling as a language learning tool
Why the Circle is the best show for language learners
The importance of mindset in language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#55 Elfin Waters on Falling in Lust with Languages Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

Native Italian speaker and teacher Elfin Waters shares with Benny and Shannon about falling in love with languages as an escape, using Instagram as a language learning resource, and building Italian language content for language learners.

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Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Growing up in a family that prioritizes language learning
Shifting from language learner to language teacher
Getting in touch with the country with the language
Using Instagram as a learning tool
The power of compounding lots of small tasks
Slow learning and having fun with creativity
Finding joy in language learning
What language retreats are and finding the right one
Learning specific Italian dialects
Using food for language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#54 Jim and May on Spanish and Go Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Elizabeth chat with Jim and May of Spanish and Go about meeting to exchange Spanish and English, falling in love, and creating a language business together. Jim and May are the founders of Spanish and Go, language podcasters, content creators, and language teachers.

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Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Combining love, travel, languages, and content creation
Developing content for language learners based on their greatest needs
Creating projects when you travel
Switching from English to Spanish in a relationship
Adjusting to Puerto Rican Spanish from Mexican Spanish
Cultural immersion
Day of the Dead
Immersion retreats in Mexico

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#53 Anja Winter on How Engaging Language Content Keeps you Coming Back Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Shannon have a discussion with Anja Winter about creating an online business and developing interesting, compelling lesson content to help students with language learning motivation.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Being a German language YouTuber and a digital nomad
Incorporating body movement into language learning
The importance of asking for help
Finding inspiration for lesson material as a language teacher
Advice for language teachers for creating an online business
Limiting the amount of resources you use
Making grammar fun with dialogues and phrases
Helping students overcome their biggest challenges
Studying abroad and immersion in languages
Using dialogues to learn languages
Maintaining motivation
Using Netflix and movies to learn
Student-teacher relationships and building connections

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Ask Benny: Update on Benny's Language Projects Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

This week Benny gives a brief update about his current language projects, and how he's easing himself back into good routines. After a significant period away from language learning, it's important to take the time to figure out your methods and rebuild your study habits. The goal is to return to a place of consistent progress.

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

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#52 Mark Pentleton on Creating Coffee Break Podcasts May 31, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Elizabeth chat with Mark Pentleton about how he started the Coffee Break language podcasts and how his role shifted from language teacher to language learner.

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