Language & Travel Hacking

Latest Episodes:

#09 Peter Galante on Creating Podcasts in 34 Languages Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Peter Galante, the founder of Innovative Languages, shares how he went from creating a Japanese podcast to running a company that teaches more than 30 languages. He also discusses running a language learning business and his personal tips for learning a new language.

Featured Resources

Innovative Languages

Mentioned in this Episode

JapanesePod101
Innovative Languages
Fluent in 3 Months
Bringing back a dead language - Benny’s Hungarian project
Eurolinguiste

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

The story behind how Peter Galante started Innovative Languages
How to find the best people for your team
How to start a language learning business
Tips for creating a language learning system
How to find a job where you can use your language skills
Developing a language learning business
How Peter got started with Japanese
3 ways to think about learning languages - language profile, routine, anchor points
The future of Innovative Languages
How to be self-motivated and goal-oriented
How a teacher or advisor can help you stay on or get back on track

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#08 Louisa on the Goldlist Method & Learning Chinese in 90 Days Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

This episode features Louisa, who learned conversational Chinese 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, Shannon and Benny talk to Louisa about how creating a system for self-learning Chinese helped her find success in her language learning after failing to make significant progress in a night class. She also shares the role community and the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge have played in her methods for learning Chinese.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Why language learning in night classes isn’t right for everyone
The best thing about the Fluent in 3 Month Challenge
Strategies for incorporating language studies into your family life
Building a system to learn Chinese
The Goldlist Method
Overcoming challenges with language learning
Louisa’s progress made during the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
Louisa’s favorite resources for learning languages
Lessons learned from participating in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
Louisa’s biggest surprise from learning a new language
Is learning Chinese difficult?

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#07 Caitlin Sacasas on Meditating & Binge-Watching Netflix to Learn Japanese Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

This episode features Fluent in 3 Months team member Caitlin Sacasas sharing her story of when she took part in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. The Fi3M Challenge is a 90-day language learning challenge where participants aim to have a 15-minute conversation in their new language as a part of a supportive community. It can help you start conversing a new language while providing you with accountability and guidelines to make huge strides in your language in just three months. Learn more and get notified when the next Challenge opens for enrollment by signing up here.

Caitlin shares how she’s made drinking coffee part of her routine for learning Japanese and how meditation helps her be more productive in her studies. She also shares tips for learning Japanese and the importance of making learning fun.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Sharing a language with your children
The importance of finding a long-term language exchange partner
How watching TV helps you pick up more natural language patterns
How important it is to study during your peak times during the day
Tips for pairing your language learning with another activity like drinking coffee
How meditating to clear your mind before your learning benefits your memory
Why you should start small when starting a new habit
Why you should learn Japanese kana early on
Fitting in your language studies by breaking up your learning throughout the day
Why you should enjoy your language and not get bogged down with the technical aspects
Prioritizing your time with languages

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#06 Benny & Shannon Answer Your Language Learning Questions Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy answer listener questions about language learning as a part of a special live episode of the Language Hacking Podcast.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How often should I review what I’ve already learned in my target language? - Danni
Am I alone in thinking: I can’t learn Past , Present and Future? - Brian
What’s the best routine to learn a new target language? - Tony
What’s the best way to get full immersion in a new language? - Dennis
How can you pick up a language even if you can’t practice speaking it very often? - KT
Is it possible to learn a new language fluently in three months? - Maya
I took a three-year break from learning Spanish. Do you have any tips for getting back into studying a language after a long break? - Jean
What do you recommend to maintain languages you have previously worked on? - Ledys
Can someone learn a second language for the first time in their mid-40s and be fluent? - Caroline
Do you have any suggestions about study methods for a stay at home parent with three young children, as well as ADHD? - Andy

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#05 Olly Richards on Living Abroad and Story Learning Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

Language educator and author Olly Richards joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy in this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast. He shares about his “Story Learning” method and how his experience learning languages led him to develop this approach.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How motivation is the most important ingredient in language learning
Music and language learning
Advice for new language learners
Comprehensible Input - Listening and Reading above your current level
How Olly chose “Story Learning” as his method of teaching
How to use comprehensible input and reading materials when learning a language
How Olly studies languages, from beginner to advanced - Directness
How Olly stays motivated when learning languages
Olly's language challenges and how he overcame them
Olly's latest language teaching projects

Quote: “Do what makes you happy.” - Olly Richards

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#04 Shannon Kennedy on Musicianship, Shyness and Scripting in Language Learning Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of The Language Hacking Podcast, Benny Lewis interviews his co-host, Shannon Kennedy about how she made the transition from music to languages, raising multilingual children, and what it’s like speaking another language when you identify as a shy introvert.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

How Shannon went from music to languages and how she connects them
What skills in learning music she has been able to transfer over to language learning
Language journalling
How foreign languages help you become a better musician
How to get comfortable speaking languages as a shy introvert
Scripting
How to use language islands to steer conversations into topics you’re comfortable with
How to pick up language learning after a break
Time management and energy management strategies
Tips for raising multilingual kids

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#03 Paulette on Inventing Your Own Language Path Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Learning languages at university
How to overcome language learning failures and keep learning
How to build confidence in your language skills
Finding accountability with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
Having fun while learning languages
How to best use your time when learning a language
Learning French while battling cancer
Staying motivated using emotional connections
Peaks and valleys of motivation
Self-awareness and self-compassion when studying languages
Being a renaissance woman
Coming to peace with the space-time continuum

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#02 Benny Lewis on Ignoring Destiny and Embracing "Failure" Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Meet Benny Lewis, the creator of Fluent in 3 Months and the Language Hacking Method. In this episode, Benny shares how he got started in languages, why “fluent” in 3 months, and he offers some universal language hacks.

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

What does “fluent” mean to Benny?
What are Benny’s goals for a 3-month mission?
How many languages does Benny Lewis speak?
Benny’s take on the evolution of the Fi3M challenge.
What is “language hacking”?
What are some universal language hacks?
Advice on “not having time” to learn a language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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#01 Scott Young on Learning Four Languages in One Year Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

Scott Young shares his experience going a year without English and why immersion is the path to least resistance in language learning in this episode of The Language Hacking Podcast. Benny and Shannon also ask Scott about ultralearning and how it relates to language learning.

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

What is ultralearning?
The effectiveness of total immersion
How to gain language proficiency quickly
Learning through social interaction
How did you approach languages with different writing systems and more distance from your native language?
How do you get to a level where you can give presentations in a language?
Why other people switching to English doesn’t happen as often as you worry it will and how to keep the conversation in the language you’re learning if it does
The importance of immersion and why it removes anxiety around speaking a language
How to maintain your motivation for language learning
How to prioritize what you work on
How to approach language learning for an exam

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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