Language & Travel Hacking

Latest Episodes:

Ask Benny: Should I Learn Two Languages at Once? Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

The answer to this week's question may surprise you. People often assume that polyglots learn multiple languages at the same time, but as Benny explains, this isn't as common as you might think. Listen to find out why learning more than one language at a time isn't necessarily the best tactic.

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

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#44 Lizzy Rimington Shares Insider French Secrets from 30 Years Living in France Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Benny and Elizabeth get the inside scoop on how to become a French cultural insider with Lizzy Rimington who has lived in France for the past 30 years.

Mentioned in this Episode

Benny’s Spanish Challenge

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Studying French at school and not actually learning the language
How living as an au pair kicked off Lizzy’s French understanding
How to integrate into French culture and build friendships
Why French etiquette is so important
Humor and how it can help you build relationships inner languages
The ways customer service is different in France than in other countries
What it’s like being vegetarian in France
What to do when the French insist on speaking English
When to use formal speech vs informal speech in French
Tips for getting French practice when you aren’t ready for a native speaker
Tricks you can use when you’re a beginner in a language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#43 Eliza Simpson on Accent Training with Hollywood Stars Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Shannon chat with Hollywood Accent Training Coach to the stars, Eliza Simpson, on finding your voice in another language through accent and pronunciation.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Techniques and mechanics you learn to pick up accents
Visual aspects of learning the sounds of a language
What does vocal coaching look like?
Difference between dialect and accent
Dealing with difficult sounds in a language
How learning the accent of the language you’re learning in your native language helps you speak and other techniques you can use to learn accent
Tips for improving accent and pronunciation
Using comedy as a tool for language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Ask Benny: When Do I Learn Grammar? Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

You asked, and Benny is here to answer! In this short episode he talks about why he thinks tackling grammar shouldn't be your top priority when learning a new language - phew, what a relief!

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

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#42 Jessie and Kike on Lockdown Language Success Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

This episode features Jessie, who learned conversational Catalan 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.

In this episode, Benny and Shannon speak to Jessie who learned her partner Kike’s native language as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Tackling a language like Catalan with few resources
What it’s like to have your partner learn your native language
Helping your partner learn your language
The benefits of doing more than one Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
How Jessie’s language learning progress inspired Kike to learn a language too
Why it’s a myth that you need to live in a country to learn the language
Learning a very specific dialect like Menorquin
The power of community in language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#41 Benny Lewis on How Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is Like Learning Languages Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

Elizabeth interviews Benny about his experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and how it parallels learning a language.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and achieving a travel dream
Giving up on language learning
The compare and despair trap
Being okay with mistakes
Letting go of other people’s judgements
Finding the silver lining
How focusing on the end goal blinds you to the day to day progress
The importance of asking questions and getting an outside perspective
Why you make sure you have good people behind you

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Ask Benny: How Do You Remember Vocabulary in Another Language? Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

You wanted advice for memorising vocabulary, and Benny is happy to deliver. Benny explains that it’s not about having a particularly great memory, but instead, using specific tactics to make things stick.

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

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#40 Kris Broholm on Anti-Goals in Language Learning Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Benny and Elizabeth talk to Kris Broholm from Actual Fluency about language learning with depression, the language community, and the power of finding support.

This episode discusses depression. If you are currently experiencing depression, we recommend speaking with a professional. You can call Safe Help Line at (888) 379-6507 or any other support hotline

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Challenges of living abroad and why it’s not the secret to language learning
Learning languages with depression
How language learning can counter the effects of depression
The benefits of support and accountability from other people
Creating wins in language learning
Avoiding the comparison trap
Anti-goals

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#39 Julie Ferguson on Speaking 5 Languages as a Deafblind Polyglot Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, we talk to Julie Ferguson who has learned five languages and is getting ready to learn her sixth – Scots Gaelic. She’s severely deaf and legally blind and has come up with loads of creative strategies for learning languages which she shares in this podcast as well as accessibility for both language resources and travel.

Featured Resources

Julie’s articles on Fluent in 3 Months

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Overcoming physical challenges to learn languages
Being a visual learner while legally blind
Getting help from a tutor and not solely relying on self-study
Creative strategies for improving the accessibility of language learning resources
How the accountability of the classroom helps Julie keep on top of her studies
What it was like learning Swedish in Sweden
Getting over the frustration of asking people for help
How to keep conversations in the local language
Traveling and accessibility
Tips for avoiding language interference
Building resilience in your language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Ask Benny: What’s the Simplest Thing I Can Do to Learn a Language? Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

We continue our new "Ask Benny" series with one of your most common questions. This week Benny talks about why he thinks speaking from day one is the key, and how you can do this even when travel is not an option.

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

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