The Fluent Show

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Find Yourself a Language Avatar to Step into Fluency Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

You're leveling up in courses, going from A2 to C1 quickly...but stalling in real life. What gives?

This week's podcast covers a question from Maria, a talented language learner who has found herself stuck after moving to Germany. She says:

I am fluent in English, or at least my Cambridge Certificate says so, I've been studying to a certain level Spanish and Turkish, but I cannot achieve the desirable level in German language. I've moved to Germany a bit over two years ago after marrying my German husband and I quickly jumped from the A2 course to B1 to C1, got my Test DaF Certificate with maximum points and I even have some professional situations where I speak German but I am not fluent

What can Maria do to start feeling more comfortable with German?

Listen to the show to hear my discussion, including tips for

Learning a partner's language within a couple
Getting extensive input from the right places
Finding your language avatar
Having your own langauge retreat when you're an expat

Click or tap here to join Patreon and read the extended show notes for this episode

Thank you to Gabriela for this episode introduction.

Thank you for listening to the Fluent Show! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show by leaving a review in your podcast app or becoming a member of our Patreon community

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

If Language is On Fire, Who Puts it Out? (with Alexa Little from 7000 Languages 👩🏼‍🚒) Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, I bring you a touching interview with Alexa Little, a computational linguist who runs a non-profit building language apps for languages that REALLY need them.

Endangered Language Revival with Alexa Little from 7000 Languages

One common question about endangered languages is what that definition actually means. Here is how Alexa put it:

An endangered language is a language that is no longer being transmitted from older generations to younger generations. An indigenous language is a language that is spoken or belongs to an indigenous people.

In this interview, you'll hear about

how Alexa went from wanting to be an archaeologist to becoming a full-time language activist
what the organisation 7000 Languages is all about and how they help communities build language learning apps
how schools and school policies in Hawaii affected the survival of the island's own language
what you as an 'outsider' can do for language preservation without stepping on the toes of the people who know best
where you an find the apps that 7000 Languages creates and use them for free!

Plus a really good definition of the language vs dialect hot potato. 🥔

Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show is supported by you.

Special Guest: Alexa Little.

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

Mark Turin - Wikipedia
Blog – 7000 Languages
Doyon Foundation
First Peoples' Cultural Council | Language Nest
Wikitongues.org
Learn German in Berlin: Exclusive Retreat — Our German retreat is open for enquiries and bookings
The Fluent Show: Indigenous Languages Explained (and the Real Meaning of No Woman, No Cry)

Can Helpful Notes Cut Your Reaction Time in Conversations? Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

This week, I am on a listener inspired quest:

Is there a set of language learning notes that can make you better at speaking another language?

This Fluent Show episode brings you a discussion of the science of cognitive load, working memory, and long-term memory...all in the quest for finding the best notes ever to use in conversations.

Show Patrons can read the detailed show notes now over Patreon!

The truth is that there is absolutely no set of notes that will make the reactions faster because as soon as you focus on notes, you’re slowing down. A script comes closest. The purpose of notes in a conversation is to deal with the fact that you’re too busy to add more into your long-term mmory. That’s why it’s important to ask your tutor to note the new vocabulary, or to scribble or type it yourself for later review.

So what you want is a good blank page and the discipline and habit of reviewing what came at you in that conversation.

Thank you to Jacqueline for this episode introduction.

Support This Podcast
Thank you for listening to the Fluent Show! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting the show by leaving a review in your podcast app or becoming a member of our Patreon community.

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

Cognitive Load and Language Teaching – What Teachers Need to Know – ELT Research Bites — http://contact.teslontario.org/cognitive-load-theory-esl/
Cognitive load theory and teaching English as a second language to adult learners | Contact
Learn German in Berlin: Exclusive Retreat
How To Create An Amazing Language Journal by Fluent Language

Are You Intimidated by "Ultralearning"? Scott Young is Here to Reassure Us All Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Bestselling author Scott Young presents his book "Ultralearning".

Scott is well known for his project called "The Year Without English", which involved a year of full immersion and learning 4 languages. Intense, right? He thought so too, and became fascinated with this concept

"There was a look on the plane, and that was our last time speaking English for a year."

Scott's recently been obsessed with intensive personal learning projects (which he calls "aggressive" but that does NOT mean you need to be some kind of macho muscle man). What matters is this: the 9 principles of successful self-directed learning.

Metalearning (this is what you sort of heard about in episode 144 and Scott brings in new perspectives)
Directness
Focus
Drill
Retrieval
Feedback
Retention
Intuition
Experimentation

Thank you to Scott himself for this episode introduction.

Want to buy the book?
Use one of the links below to buy from Amazon or Hive. Or maybe your local library has a copy!

Support This Podcast
Become a Patron!

Language note: when I said in my sponsor read that no-one who teaches themselves a language would "go around recommending italki", of course I meant they wouldn't "get around recommending italki". In other words, it's essential! I would absolutely GO around recommending italki. English is hard. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Special Guest: Scott Young.

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

Unusual Ways to Remember Vocabulary That Describes Ideas Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

The German Retreat in Berlin

Today I answer a listener question from Hadassah about memorizing vocabulary that describes ideas, not objects

Here are a few handy tips in summary - listen to the show to hear my many examples and in-depth explanations.

The post-it method. Write your words on post-its and stick them up around quirky places that do have a connection to the ideas you’re describing. The added creativity involved in connecting the abstract concept to the object will help you remember it as you spent more time contemplating the word and making it ’sticky'
The Language Play Method In addition to associating the concept with an object, you can also use the linguistic characteristics of the word you’re trying to remember. This can be sound, spelling, etymology. Find what your word rhymes with, associate the sound of the word with its meaning, or research exactly where it comes from.
Chunks of Language Instead of individual words, the idea is to study chunks of language, that could be short sentences or little phrases that you can use. So instead of “hungry” you’d learn “I’m so hungry, I want to eat” or instead of “where” you’d learn the whole phrase “where is the bathroom?”. For your question of abstracts, this can be helpful because you now have a full sentence to write down and something that you can sing to yourself.
Find examples of the concept in music and art

The forgetting curve: humans tend to halve their memory of newly learned knowledge in a matter of days or weeks unless they consciously review the learned material.

Thank you to Wesley for this episode introduction in Persian.

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

**Did You Miss the Outstanding Langfest 2019? Catch Up Here!** Sep 02, 2019
Show notes

Hooray, it's conference time! In today's episode I'll bring you a mix of language learning goodies straight from Montréal, Canada. You'll hear

What a language conference is all about

Poetry, written on the spot by language learners

A drinking song in a minority language you may have never heard of

Language learning tips from an 8-year old who speaks four languages

And how you can make the most out of attending these language events!

As a podcaster bonus, I've also added reflections on Podcast Movement 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

Which Language Events are Coming Up?

Here's a list of the next language learning events for your diary:

Polyglot Conference in Fukuoka, Japan, in October 2019

Women in Language in March 2020

Polyglot Cruise sailing from Barcelona, Spain, that’s in April 2020

Polyglot Gathering in Terezin, Poland, that’s in May 2020

All links below!

And Here Are a Few of Your Poems!

Paglalakad sa Montreal

*This poem was written by Lance Gough during our workshop Creative Writing, Public Speaking, and Performance*

Naglalakad ako sa mga kalye ng lungsod

Hindi ako tumitingin sa iba pang tao
Mag-áakalá yata ang mga babae na nanonood ako sa kanila
Mag-áakalá yata ang mga lalaki na gusto kong makipag-away sa kanila
Sa wakas, tumítíngalá ako, sa mga tao
Ayos! Walang sinuman ay tumitingin naman sa akin

Nagsasalita sila sa mga smart phone nila
Tumitingin din sila sa mga relo nila
Nanonood din sila sa bangketa sa ilalim ng paa.
Pero, walang sinuman ay tumitingin sa iba pang tao.
Iniisip lang silang lahat sa sariling buhay nila.

*Translation* Walking in Montréal

I’m walking on the city streets
Not looking at anyone else.
Women might think I’m looking at them!
Men might think I want to fight!
But finally, I look up at the people
Wow! No one is looking back at me.

They’re talking on their smart phones,
They're also looking at their watches,
They’re also watching the sidewalk under foot.
But, nobody is looking at anyone else.
They’re all only thinking of their own lives.

Carol's Poem in French

Les gens heureux rirent
Ils partagents les histoires bilingues
Je' peux pas parler

Jonathan's Visual Poem

**Support This Podcast**

Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show is supported by your online reviews and word of mouth.

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

*Thank you to Scottie for this episode introduction.*

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

The Fluent Show Episode 38: Polyglot Club Certificates Available Now — A great one for those who worry if they're a polyglot or not

Wondery - Feel The Story » Dr. Death Announcement

LangFest 2019

Polyglot Gathering 2020

Home - Polyglot Conference

Step Into Podcasting Mini Guide

LangFest Moment 2019 - Google Photos — The official LangFest photo album

FLUENT SHOW Special Offer – Polyglot Cruise

8 Life-Changing Language Learning Events Around the Globe by Fluent Language

Welcome! - Speak from day one with Elisa

Kentelioù brezhoneg

EduBreizh – Une multitude d’activités pour apprendre le breton !

The ASL App - The ASL App

Big Bong - YouTube

A Language Learner's Guide to Mindset, Mantras & Emotions Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Free gift with today's podcast: Sign up here for free affirmation cards to print & save

Read the in-depth blog article for this podcast on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Do any of these sound familiar?

"I'm just not where I should be in languages, somehow everyone else seems to make better progress than me."
"I don't have a talent for languages."
"I don't know if I'm learning languages in the right way."
"I struggle to remember things and my language skill just isn't coming along."

Like a narrative, a mindset is the mental filter you add to everything that happens in your life.

In today's episode, we explore how you can

Change the script on your doubts so that they become encouraging ideas
Work with a growth mindset to use psychology to support yourself in language learning
Develop a successful mantra to help you get over a moment when you're stuck

Plus, we've got woo-woo affirmations and the new and improved version of the CEFR: the Bambi scale.

Support This Podcast
Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show needs you!!

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

The Fluent Show: Help! Frustration And Mental Blocks Are Destroying My Confidence!
New test for ‘growth mindset’, the theory that anyone who tries can succeed | Education | The Guardian
Labeling students 'gifted' isn't helpful - working harder makes you smarter | Teacher Network | The Guardian
Developing a Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck - YouTube
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance — on amazon.com
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — on amazon.com
Lindsay's Ultimate List of Language Learning Resources
#clearthelist August 2019: How I Keep Motivation for Learning Languages by Fluent Language
clearthelist
Carol Dweck: The power of believing that you can improve | TED Talk
the limit does not exist mean girls at DuckDuckGo
[Mean Girls - "The limit does not exist!" - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EligNcjdyyI "Mean Girls - "The limit does not exist!" - YouTube")
The Fluent Show: My Language Learning Secrets!!
Louise Hay - Official Website of Author Louise Hay

How to Increase Your Vocabulary so You Can Talk about Anything Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Today’s theme: How to Learn Specialist Vocabulary

Thank you to Bonnie for this episode introduction.

Support This Podcast
Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show is supported by your online reviews and word of mouth.

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

For a deep dive into growing, memorizing and reviewing your own vocabulary so you can make any word memorable, check my course Your Solid Vocab Memory

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

LangFest 2019 — Get 15% off with promo code KERSTIN
Kerstin's 3 Steps for Learning Topical Vocabulary by Fluent Language
Drops | Play with your Words | Available for 32+ Languages
How To Create The Best Vocabulary Learning Technique In Any Language by Fluent Language
Bilingual Books | Languages
FlashSticks French Beginner Post-it Notes Box Set (600 words) — from Amazon UK
Langenscheidt Deutsch für polnische Pflegekräfte
S4C - Y Fets

Professor Emoji 👩🏼‍🏫 Stops by to Explain How We Use Language Online 😍 (with Dr Monica Riordan) Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

You can't see their faces, you can't see their hands, you can't hear their voices. But somehow, you still know how people are feeling when they communicate with you online. How does that work? 🤔

In this episode, I'm speaking to Dr Monica Riordan. She's an emoji expert and researcher who designs and conducts studies into how people express their feelings online.

Here's the tweet I mentioned in the episode. How would you read it?

a dog person!?!? (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ https://t.co/HoyMRqWoq1

— Christian Cable (@christiancable) July 11, 2019

Insights:

We impose our own meaning on what other people write and imagine what they would look and sound like if they said this.
When your friends and language partners type in casual language that's difficult to understand...it's because you're doing well!
Emoji are limited in what they can express and insufficient for the full range of human emotions
Emoji are also used as self-expression, rather than a means of communicating the message
Emoji is not an international language: it can transcend linguistic differences but it can't do the same for cultural and social differences

Support This Podcast
Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show is supported by your online reviews and word of mouth.

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

Special Guest: Monica Riordan.

Sponsored By:

italki: Get $10 USD in italki Credits with your first lesson purchase - no code required, click here to claim this offer

Links:

A yerba mate emoji is coming, thanks to a passionate campaign — Quartzy
How Emojis took center stage in American pop culture
BBC - WebWise - What is netiquette?
Beyond The Smiley Face: Communicating Affect Online with Dr — Monica's talk at Women in Language. Ticket required to view.
Bitmoji
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language on Amazon.co.uk

Study Grammar? 🤓 Speak from Day 1? 😮 What is the Right Mixture for Language Learning Success? Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

In this episode you'll hear how courses like the Michel Thomas series change the script on language learning and why they work. I'll share my personal language success mixture, and why I don't debate study methods on social media.

Thank you to Maksimilian for this episode introduction.

Support This Podcast
Like all podcasts, the Fluent Show is supported by your online reviews and word of mouth.

If you liked this episode, please tell someone about it. Click here to tweet about the show, go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review, or simply text a friend about the Fluent Show. Thank you!

Sponsored By: