The Fluent Show

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Notes From An Intermediate Speaking Dilemma Dec 03, 2018

Show notes

What's more frustrating than speaking at intermediate level, where we stutter and stumble over words, and leave....lo o o o o ng...um....gaps in sentences because the words just won't come into our brains.

This week on the show, I'm answering a listener question from Elisabeth who is stuck in that dilemma. She says:

My tutor says I'm very close to B2. I've been hit with a puzzle though. (..) I have a lot of vocabulary but there seems to be a disconnect between my thoughts and my speech. (..) I stutter and pause a great deal when I speak in my target language.

Will this go away as I continue my speaking practice or should I be concerned? I just assumed that B2 would feel easy breezy beautiful when I talked and while I'm not there yet, I can't believe I'm close with all this difficulty connecting word bank to mouth.

Listen to the episode for my tips and insights on the intermediate language dilemma, and don't forget to click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

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 or go to your Podcasts app and leave us a review. Thank you!

Thank you to Rebecca from Irregular Endings for this episode introduction.

Sponsored By:

Drops: Play with your words in this beautiful language app - free on Android and iOS

Links:

What the Heck is Word Of The Year? Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

Self-care, backstop, vegan, glamping, problematic - those are evocative words and they have the power to sum up a whole year.

Join us as we delve into a selection of wonderful words of the year from many languages, figure out what “self care” even means, and discuss the ban on plastic straws.

Dive into this week's extra long link selection to find out more about the many words of the year we covered from Great Britain, Australia, the USA, Japan (it's a kanji!), France, Portugal, and Germany.

(I demonstrated some ignorance about the colours of the Jamaican flag 🇯🇲 and have educated myself since then. There is no red in that flag! My apologies.)

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

How to Get The Perfect Accent Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

Click or tap here to read the full show notes on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Learning a language is a long journey, and even after many years of dedication it can still feel like you're far from arriving.

One of the milestones we hope to hit along the way is to start creating a 'perfect accent' in another language, so we can fit in well. But how is that done?

In today's episode you'll hear a listener question all about accents, and I'll share my reflections and tips for improving your accent in any language, step by step.

Thank you to listener Stephen for this episode introduction.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

The Fluent Show: My Language Learning Secrets!!
100 language learning insights - How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins
The German Pronunciation Masterclass | Fluent Language
French Vocabulary & Pronunciation Program — by French teacher Géraldine Lepere (star of the bilingual episode of the Fluent Show)
Elena Mutonono -- English Accent Stylist for Expats.
Speechling - Get free language coaching on your speaking
Glossika - Sentence-Based Language Learning Method

Ellen Jovin Grammar Table New York halloween — **New York Language Stories At Ellen Jovin's Grammar Table** Nov 12, 2018
Show notes

Can you imagine how fun it would be to speak to a fellow language lover who's encouraging you to share ALL your language questions, from comma conundrums to relative clause regrets?

And how great would it be to have all this language joy just outside your front door?

With excitement about *any* language?

Let me tell you, this utopia exists in New York City. In today's episode, I brought back Ellen Jovin, one of the most inspiring language lovers I know. And Ellen has a brand new project to share - in fact, an **inspiring message of encouraging conversation about language .**

Ellen's new project is called Grammar Table, and it's free for all of us.

As ever, Ellen comes armed with a thousand hilarious stories and quotable sentences. Here are a few quotes - listen to our interview to hear these quotes and topics:

What is Grammar Table, and where can you find it?

"Some people stay away from grammar table, it’s like I have toxic grammar syndrome or something"

Why Ellen believes that the more we talk to people in person, the better

"Grammar humility is an important principle to me."

How the table encourages looking beyond just google for finding an answer to any question

"Grammar table enables me to have conversations with strangers about a topic I love. And it’s got drama!"

*There is one swearword in this episode which we announce way ahead of time with a warning. Language can be like that.*

Special Guest: Ellen Jovin.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

Grammar Table — You need nothing else in your life.

Follow Grammar Table on Facebook

Grammar Table (@grammartable) • Instagram photos and videos — Follow Grammar Table on Instagram

Grammar Table (@grammartable) | Twitter

Ellen Jovin Grammar Table New York — **New York Language Stories At Ellen Jovin's Grammar Table** Nov 12, 2018
Show notes

Can you imagine how fun it would be to speak to a fellow language lover who's encouraging you to share ALL your language questions, from comma conundrums to relative clause regrets?

And how great would it be to have all this language joy just outside your front door?

With excitement about *any* language?

Let me tell you, this utopia exists in New York City. In today's episode, I brought back Ellen Jovin, one of the most inspiring language lovers I know. And Ellen has a brand new project to share - in fact, an **inspiring message of encouraging conversation about language .**

Ellen's new project is called Grammar Table, and it's free for all of us.

As ever, Ellen comes armed with a thousand hilarious stories and quotable sentences. Here are a few quotes - listen to our interview to hear these quotes and topics:

What is Grammar Table, and where can you find it?

"Some people stay away from grammar table, it’s like I have toxic grammar syndrome or something"

Why Ellen believes that the more we talk to people in person, the better

"Grammar humility is an important principle to me."

How the table encourages looking beyond just google for finding an answer to any question

"Grammar table enables me to have conversations with strangers about a topic I love. And it’s got drama!"

*There is one swearword in this episode which we announce way ahead of time with a warning. Language can be like that.*

Special Guest: Ellen Jovin.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

Grammar Table — You need nothing else in your life.

Follow Grammar Table on Facebook

Grammar Table (@grammartable) • Instagram photos and videos — Follow Grammar Table on Instagram

Grammar Table (@grammartable) | Twitter

Can You Decide Which Languages To Kick Off Your To-Learn List? Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

Every other week on the Fluent Show, I answer your listener questions.

Today a question from Sheela: How to Simplify Your List of Languages To Learn

Here are a few options for getting more clarity in your ‘to learn’ list:

Do allow yourself a dabble in some languages and choose only one or two big focus languages every year, or even for several years.
Your reasons and useful/practical considerations can always vary so of course it’s ok to focus on the languages that are most relevant to your life right now.
Take the risk of having to re-learn a language and that means, yes of course it is ok to let go of some languages.
Follow the answers you indicated in your question. You 1) want to focus deeply on a small number of languages 2) want to give priority to languages that feel relevant for the future 3) want to focus away from languages that are not relevant to your current goals. All three of these goals are more than legitimate, and can give you a more simplified bucket list.

There are many more notes and tips over on the Fluent Language website:
Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Thank you to Jo-Anne for this episode introduction.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

How many languages are there in the world? | Linguistic Society of America
[Conquer Your Bucket List: Should You Choose a "Useful" Language, or a Language You Love? - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB-CHsL3nNI&t=909s "Conquer Your Bucket List: Should You Choose a "Useful" Language, or a Language You Love? - YouTube")
How to become a polyglot - Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips
Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything That You Love [Amazon.com] — A careers advice classic from Barbara Sher
How to Learn Several Languages At The Same Time by Fluent Language
The Fluent Show: Q&A: How to Re-Learn a Language You’ve Forgotten

Find Friends Who Love Language Learning [with Polyglots in Ljubljana, Slovenia] Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

Our theme for today’s show is language learning friendship and having buddies who truly love language learning.

We are recording this week in Ljubljana from the Polyglot Conference, so in the show you'll also hear from a few of the many language loving people visiting the city this weekend.

The polyglots you heard in interviews from the Polyglot Conference were Katie Harris, Ruslan Kokorin, Irena Dahl, and Gabriel Gelman. Congratulations to Alex Rawlings and Richard Simcott for a great event.

Only A Few Days Left

Tickets for Women in Language are open until 3 November 2018, but make sure you join by 31 October if you want to participate in our special Language BF for the Day programme.

Special Guests: Gabriel Gelman and Katie Harris.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

Do You Need a Language Study Buddy? (+ 6 Tips on How to Make it a Success) - Lindsay Does Languages
Women in Language Camp on 3 November | Women In Language — A Big, Beautiful Get-together for Smart Language Learners Just like You
The Best Language Learning Tools for Autumn/Winter 2018 by Fluent Language
Dear Lindsay: Learning the Korean Alphabet | Eurolinguiste - YouTube — Shannon's message to language buddy Lindsay
FroggyLand
What's The Secret To The Greatest Language Exchange Ever? by Fluent Language
Home - Polyglot Conference

Script on Lindsay's dress - inspired by Amélie — **Top Tools for Autumn/Winter 2018** Oct 22, 2018
Show notes

Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Every month, a staggering amount of new ideas, apps and websites burst onto the scene of language learning. It can be hard to keep up, but here at the Fluent Show we've got your back.

We regularly choose our list of **top tools** in language learning and present them to you in a special episode of the show.

Listen to this to find out what apps and tools you have GOT to check out this season. Plus:
The events you should not miss this year!

And you'll hear why the next thing you'll see is a picture of Lindsay's wedding dress:

If you read the words on her dress thinking "weird", here's an explanation from Lindsay:

Amélie is one of my favourite films and I figured a quote from Amelie was more wedding day appropriate than a quote from A Clockwork Orange or Mean Girls my other favourite films!

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

Homepage | Women In Language — Women in Language Camp - Join us online on 3 November 2018

Polyglot Conference

The Language Show | For language learners, language teachers and everyone who loves languages

Sütterlin - Wikipedia

Learn 50 Languages Online for Free - book2 Audio Trainer — "Ugly" way of looking at 50 languages

Learn languages online or with Android and iPhone app for free — "Pretty" way of looking at 50 languages

Crawford and Black Calligraphy Set | Calligraphy Pens at The Works

Yask - Say it right in any language!

Omniglot - the online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages

LingYourLanguage

Wreck This Journal: To Create is to Destroy, Now With Even More Ways to Wreck!

Lang-8

Episode 37: The Secret Languages of Great Britain (with an expert from Omniglot) by Fluent Language

3 Useful Rules For Remembering Grammar Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

In today's episode I discuss the question of how to have the best memory possible for learning a langauge. There are a bunch of rules of thumb to help you work out if memorizing can help you progress from where you are right now.

Speaking requires quick recall, agile thinking. Writing requires attention to detail.

Rule of Thumb: Understand the concept, learn details on a need-to-know basis.

Rule of Memorizing: Know the difference between cramming and acquiring.

Rule of Thumb for Learning a Language: Aim to make mistakes and be understood, not to be perfect and silent.

Press play and have a listen to the show for more detailed advice about memorizing, plus my personal declaration of love for post-it notes.

Thank you to Owain for this episode introduction.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

The Vocab Cookbook
How to Memorize Vocabulary - Memory Techniques Wiki
How do you memorize all those Latin noun and verb endings? : Learning Latin
The Fluent Show: Q&A: Help! Frustration And Mental Blocks Are Destroying My Confidence!
Are You Learning Grammar in The Most Effective Way? by Fluent Language
The Fluent Show: What To Do When You're Overwhelmed In Language Lessons — Andy's original question - a different way of looking at corrections and mistakes
Crack the Grammar Code — Stress-Free Techniques for Learning the Grammar of Any Language

How To Start An Amazing Language Journal (with Instagrammers Kathryn and Sam) Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

Click or tap here to get inspired with a gallery of inspiring pages from the best instagram journalers

What if you had a language learning tool that costs you hardly anything, adapts to your own preferences, boosts your memory and helps concentration?

Turns out you do, and it's probably in your bag right now: Your notebook!

In this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by language lovers Kathryn and Sam who are passionate about taking creative language notes. Listen to discover their experiences, language learning tips and strategies for effective note taking and creating an amazing language journal for yourself.

Special Guests: Kathryn (365smallsteps) and Sam Grigg.

Sponsored By:

Live Lingua: A Free Skype Class For Everyone! Claim It From Live Lingua Today

Links:

The Miraculous Benefits of Keeping a Language Notebook by Fluent Language
How To: Bullet Journal for Effective Language Learning by Fluent Language
Notetaking techniques - Skills for OU Study - Open University
Gallery of Beautiful Language Notebooks
Leuchtturm Dotted Notebooks
Watercolour Washi & Stationery by NoteAndWish on Etsy
The Language Habit Toolkit | Fluent Language — Templates for building your language learning routine
MUJI Online - Welcome to the MUJI Online Store. — Kathryin's sticky tape dispenser
Fineliners | STAEDTLER — One of Sam's top pen choices
Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens — I love these pens
Irregular Endings — Celebrate & Get Some Paper From Irregular Endings - 20% Off When You Use Code FLUENTSHOW20

Bored by Duolingo - What Now? Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Every other week on the Fluent Show, I put aside a little time to answer your listener questions. Email your question to me at kerstin@fluentlanguage.co.uk or tweet it to @thefluentshow

Click or tap here to read the full show notes in my blog article on www.fluentlanguage.co.uk

Luka asks:

I have been learning Spanish for 3 months. I started learning with Duolingo and was really into it, and recently I have been using a textbook as well but have become really demotivated - not because I give up, because I am bored of duo lingo. I’m tired of the way it’s trying to teach me and I don’t feel like I’m progressing. [..]

My question is, if I’m not using Duolingo, what can I actually do to learn Spanish? I’ve looked everywhere and all the websites have a lot of ‘tips’ but not an actual guide saying things like resources to use etc.

Tips for Dealing with Duolingo boredom - while using Duolingo!

Get on the web version so you can read explanations
Restrict yourself to a few minutes a day - pairing is good here, how about Duolingo while waiting for your kettle to boil or your bus to arrive
Try out a club so you can compete

Beyond Duolingo, the key to stop yourself getting bored and to staying interested in your target language is to take control of your own language routine.

If you want to learn more about this, the Language Habit Toolkit is designed to help you set up exactly this way of thinking and create a solid language learning routine.