The Fluent Show

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**The Fluent Show**

Learn a Language…Or Maybe Three!
The Fluent Show is on a mission to help you get excited about language learning. We learn languages every day in our lives, and have learnt over 15 different languages between us.

We share stories, news, tips, and ideas that will make you fluent…eventually. Subscribe to the show today to get your regular dose of Fluent love.

It is worth clarifying that we actively want to support anti-racism and will highlight and advocate for the equality of all. Language learning means committing to tolerance of other world views, and this open mind is a core value for me. This topic deserves well considered words so here are [the best Kerstin managed to put together.](https://www.fluent.show/blacklivesmatter)

Latest Episodes:

Indigenous Languages Explained (and the Real Meaning of No Woman, No Cry) Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

This episode effortlessly covers the full language world, from Sean Paul to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

via GIPHY

It's the United Nations Year of Indigenous Languages

Up to 95% of the world’s languages might be extinct or endangered by the end of the century. And most of them are indigenous, meaning that they spoken by the indigenous people of a region.

In this show, you'll discover

What’s an indigenous language?
Why does it matter so much that we preserve these languages?

Hint: Because it's a HUMAN RIGHT

Should any country at all have an official language?
And where do you start if you want to learn an indigenous language?

And we think you love a quiz as much as we do, so don't miss out the indigenous language quiz in this episode.

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:

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

Links:

Episode 37: The Secret Languages of Great Britain (with an expert from Omniglot) by Fluent Language
Language is Everything: Talking Language Activism with Wikitongues
UN information about indigenous languages
Language Stories
LangFest17 - Lindsay Willams - Why + how you should learn a language you've never heard of - YouTube
Emma Stevens - Blackbird by The Beatles sung in Mi'kmaq - YouTube
Wikitongues.org
Linguistic rights - Wikipedia
7000 Languages
Sean Paul: 'Language barrier' a problem for dancehall artists - BBC News
Jamaica's patois Bible: The word of God in creole - BBC News — A few Jamaican patois rules Plural nouns are made with the word "dem" ("they" or "them" in English) - so the plural of "uoli prafit" ("holy prophet") is "uoli prafit dem", and the plural of "enimi" ("enemy") is "enimi dem" The past tense is marked by the word "did" - so "he lived" is, in patois, "im did liv" The future tense can be marked with " a go" or "wi" ("will") - "Im a go siev" is "He will save", and "Yu wi nuo" is "You will know"
The World's Most Controversial K-Pop Group - YouTube
Omniglot - the online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages
Why Indigenous Languages Should Be Taught Alongside French and English - Chatelaine
Why cultural death is a shared loss | Inky Gibbens | TEDxCambridgeUniversity - YouTube
What Gets Easier When You Study More Languages? by Fluent Language
Talk To Me In Korean
The Add1 Challenge
The Alphabets : Atlas of Endangered Alphabets
Ethnologue: Languages of the World

Maintaining Old Languages While Learning New Ones Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

How can you keep an older language fresh while starting on a new one?

Do you have to worry about forgetting everything you've learnt within weeks?

This week, head over to the blog for detailed notes and an article on this topic:
Click or tap here to read the blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Conclusions:

You can’t just forget a language, but in order to keep it fresh you need to engage in maintenance activities and accept a learning curve when you immerse again
Learning more languages, even at the same time, is awesome
But don’t expect miracles, consider your goals and limitations
Interference is a normal process of language acquisition

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!

Sponsored By:

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

Links:

Language Exams: Are They Right For You? Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

This week, I'm answering a listener question with help from a special guest.

Gareth Popkins is a serial language learner with decades of experience. He's a native English speaker but fluent in Welsh, Russian, German, and currently learning Japanese and Basque. He regularly builds preparation for language exams into his study routines, so today I asked Gareth to come on the show and share his views on the following quesion.

Evan asks:

I see many people who reach advanced C1/C2 level with a few of their languages, but just learned them for the heck of it (or they grew up with it in their homes). These people probably never took an official test to get a certificate proving that they are C1/C2 level or something.

Why might one want to get this certificate, or any other sort of qualification, to prove their language abilities?

Is it worthwhile or not?

You may find yourself wondering why a language exam would be useful for you at all, especially if you’re not studying for work or school. But there are a few excellent reasons to dive into the idea of test prep.

Good question! Between our experiences taking the IELTS, Goethe Institut exams, the TRKI Russian exam, Gareth and I talk. Listen in to hear

the best reasons to prepare for a language exam
why exams are more than just a memory test
which situations mean you will never need a language exam to prove your skills

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: Gareth Popkins.

Sponsored By:

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

Links:

How to Learn a Language You Hated In School Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

How do you feel about your memories of learning languages at school?

Did you leave feeling like you were just not a language person? Got tales of cheating on every exam? Perhaps your teacher even threw things?

Oof! Language lessons can leave scars, and now that you're an independent learner it's time to break free and purge those bad memories.

This week, I'm bringing you real life stories from Canterbury, UK and my best strategies to help you turn the tables and start successfully learning a language as an adult.

Thank you to Anne 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:

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

Links:

The First Annual Polyglot Cruise — Meet me on the Polyglot Cruise from 18-25 April 2020
How to Learn a Language You Hated In School | Joyoflanguages
BBC World Service - The Documentary, The Superlinguists, The Superlinguists
The Language Habit Toolkit [Bonus Edition] | Fluent Language

How to Play With a Language You Love (with María Ortega Garcia) Jul 01, 2019

Show notes

“If we can produce proficient, correct language, it seems all is great no matter how we feel about it.”

My guest for this week’s podcast is María Ortega Garcia, who you will get to know well during the course of our interview.
María is a rebel. She encourages you not to break the rules, but to look beyond the rules.

Here are some questions we discussed:

How could you play with a language you love?
Who owns the rules of a language?
Can we see beyond the need to be correct, to achieve a higher level of connection and an authentic self-expression?
Does being so touchy-feely mean we'll miss all our goals?

This was a fascinating conversation about permission, ownership, and what we think we’re all allowed to do in another language. It helped me understand my role as language coach and language teacher in a whole new way.

“It doesn’t need to have any specific goal or purpose. It’s just pleasure and self-expression.”

“For me, a foreign language has to come along with my own personality and background. I can’t be following someone else’s rules.”

Workshop: Creative Writing, Public Speaking and Performance

I want to let you know as early as possible that María and I are actually taking this one step further. We have been working on a joint language workshop inviting you to explore how creative writing and performance find your voice and courage to speak and elevate your communication skills.

If you struggle to express your true self in another language, and wish you could find the right words for how you feel, this new workshop is just perfect for you.

You can catch this workshop at Langfest in Montréal (tickets available now, 15% off using code KERSTIN).

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: María Ortega García.

Sponsored By:

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

Links:

How To Create An Amazing Language Journal by Fluent Language
LangFest 2019 — Get 15% off with promo code KERSTIN
The Fluent Show: How Can I Inject FUN Into Language Learning (with Olly Richards)
Savvy Online Teacher Marketing - Facebook Group
Creative Writing, Performance, and Public Speaking - Workshop Info

Effective Language Teaching and Successful Collaborations Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

I'm continuing the Fluent Show's little business series with a solo episode about online language teaching.

Last week you already heard a little bit about how Lindsay and I got started, what we value in our businesses and our brutally honest views about both the sacrifices and the rewards of doing this work.

So in today's episode:

Effective Teaching!

I've got three fundamentals that I believe made me a better language teacher.

Let your student do their student thing. Allow them to know their own answers and ask more questions.
Put effort into explaining grammar in a way that makes sense.
Make the tech and the setup a non-question. This includes boundaries.

In today's show, I'm also answering a listener question from Chenelle about successful collaborations

How do I go about approaching someone about my project in order to get them to come on board with me?

For us as one-person enterprises, it's often so beneficial to collaborate with others when it comes to creating successful projects like courses, books, and lessons. Look around you and you will see DOZENS of collaboration examples. In the online teaching space, here are a few that are successful:

Languagelovers.au by Penny and Bec in Melbourne
Con Parole Nostre by Elfin, Silvia and Barbara in 3 countries
Women in Language by Lindsay, Shannon and me (and all of you!)

And of course let's not forget [Teach & Thrive](www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/teach-thrive) by Lindsay and me. And [German Uncovered](www.german2019.com) by Olly and me. You've got me, I love collaborating. It's more social, compensates for weaknesses and creates cool results.

So how do collaborations work best? How do you become a success? Listen in to hear my 5 most important tips - all hard won through experience.

Thank you to Maria for this episode introduction. Sorry about the slightly lower quality sound - next week back to the usual high standards.

Teach & Thrive: Open Now!

The Teach & Thrive workshop series is opening its doors to you this weekend. Sign up at www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/teach-thrive to join our 6 monthly masterclasses on creating and selling product, reaching an audience through marketing, and of course staying sane while becoming more successful.

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:

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

Links:

Live Lesson Strategies for Online Teachers and Tutors

The 4 Hour Work Week, Right? Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

This week…something completely different. If you ever wondered what it’s like to run an online business in languages, this episode is for you. Lindsay and I offer you one of the most in-depth looks we have ever offered into our businesses, mindsets, and how we work.

Did you enjoy this chat? Then there is MORE!

We have recorded more episodes in this business series, and they can all be yours.

Get our chat about MAKING AND SELLING PRODUCTS at www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/teach-thrive-success
Get our chat about ONLINE MARKETING on the Teach Languages Online podcast -- published on 21 June 2019
And finally, our conversation about OUR FIRST ONLINE COURSES at www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/teach-thrive

13 Tool Recommendations

✅ Click or tap here to to get a list of recommendations for the essentials we use every single day in our business.

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:

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

Links:

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It: Michael E. Gerber: 0099455020992: Amazon.com: Books
Tim Ferriss and The 4-Hour Workweek
Teach & Thrive — Lindsay & Kerstin's new workshop series for ambitious online language teachers and creators. Sign up between 28 June and 7 July to join.

What Happens When You Design Your Own Immersion Day? Jun 10, 2019

Show notes

This week I'm answering a listener question from Erin who was curious about applying her skills when she cannot attend a language retreat!

The key with a retreat is to step out of learner mode and step into speaker mode, so that you apply what you are learning. But do you have to get away for that?

This question is HUGE - it could really crack how you approach language learning and make a difference to whether you are successful or not. So in today's podcast episode, I'll share one idea that

Design Your Own Immersion Day

Make sure you PREP!! Queue up podcasts, decide what you're reading, book conversations, look around for recipes or restaurants, listen to top tools. And set a date in the diary!
Radio or TV in the morning, perhaps a podcast - try to take in your target language first thing in the morning.
Get chatty with some self-talk in the kitchen while you're making breakfast.
On the commute, why not read in your target language or get some sat nav cues for a route you know?
Not everyone speaks their target language in the workplace or at school, so sometimes we've got to allow the good in place of the perfect.
Lunch could be your chance to go out with another learner, perhaps have a conversation in your target language or simply enjoy an old-school phone conversation.
Social media? Totally doable in your target language.
After work, it's time to refuel and relax. By now you might be in the mood for some music on Spotify, a nice meal cooked at your fave resto or by yourself in a TL, or a trip to the cinema. Again, yes they might show subtitles but...

Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

And if you DO want to join me at the next language retreat, I'm planning a German one returning to beautiful, majestic, thousand-year old, wine-fuelled Trier in December! I say it's Germany's best Glühwein.
Sign up here for updates so you can book a place when the retreat opens.

Thank you to Aleksandr Ivanov 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:

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

Links:

Radio Garden
TuneIn | Free Internet Radio | NFL, Sports, Podcasts, Music & News
Focus & Fluency — A course for language learners who want to find a stress-free approach to productivity.
The Fluent Show: What Can You Gain From a Language Retreat?
My Challenge Results & 17 Tips For Language Learning on Social Media by Fluent Language
The Fluent Show: Language Immersion On Any Budget — related podcast episode

Top Tools for Spring/Summer 2019 Jun 03, 2019

Show notes

It's Top Tools time!

In this regular feature, Lindsay and I dedicate the full episode to bringing you our tips for the most exciting language learning tools of the season.

In this episode, get to know

Music Planet Roadtrip
Insight Timer
Evertype
Teach Yourself Library
Genius
Pleco

Click or tap here to read full show notes and get all links on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Teach & Thrive
Sign up here if you're interested in Lindsay & Kerstin's new workshop series for ambitious online language teachers and creators.

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!

You can now play the Fluent Show through google home devices (“play the Fluent Show podcast”) and add us to the Alexa flash briefing. The feed URL you need for that is https://www.fluent.show/alexa

Sponsored By:

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

Links:

Not A Year Off: The Story Behind Language Stories
How to customize your Alexa speaker's Flash Briefing - CNET
Flowlingo: Learn a Language for Free
The Best Language Learning Tools for Winter 2017/2018 by Fluent Language
Evertype
[The Fluent Show: "You assume they don't have chick lit in Polish"](https://www.fluent.show/65 "The Fluent Show: "You assume they don't have chick lit in Polish"") — Our in-depth episode about reading in other languages
‎LyricsTraining Learn Languages on the App Store
BBC Radio 3 - Music Planet: Road Trip
Stars in Their Eyes - Wikipedia
ROSALÍA - MALAMENTE (Cap.1: Augurio) - YouTube
ROSALÍA – MALAMENTE (Cap.1: Augurio) Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
AbSoLuTe WorSt Of GeNiUS🙃 *compilation* - YouTube — Recommended by Lindsay. I (Kerstin) don't get it.
Kerstin (@kersydysgu) • Instagram photos and videos
COMEDIANS of the world | Netflix Official Site
Teach & Thrive

Frustrated! 🔥 What To Do When You Just Can't May 27, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, I am answering a listener question from Leandro.

I'm going through a really hard time on learning languages. I'm a Portuguese native speaker and I'm learning English and French. Most of time I'm really motivated learning English, because I love British 19th century literature and I fancy reading all the books in English. My level is not that bad, I guess.
But, most of time I'm so unmotivated to learn French and keep with my daily studies. Sometimes I get so frutrated I want to burn all my materials of study out.

I have two questions: how to handle with frutration? And how to get better at pronunciation by myself?

Ready to hear my answers? Then tune in!

Leandro's good practices with English:

You have a very clear thing that you love and enjoy in the target language - English 19th century literature
You can picture a goal, a situation that feels possible to you - reading all the books in English
You are feeling fairly confident and you don’t struggle with self doubt - like you say, your level is not so bad. You’re working within the realm of what’s possible, you’re not asking anything impossible from yourself, you are not obsessed with progress, just having a good time.

Before you set fire to your books and possibly other things, know this: IT IS OKAY TO FEEL UNMOTIVATED. IT IS NORMAL.

The most important question you haven’t answered is why do you feel so unmotivated

Teach & Thrive
Sign up here if you're interested in Lindsay & Kerstin's new workshop series for ambitious online language teachers and creators.

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 listener Bonnie for this episode introduction.

Sponsored By: