The Fluent Show

Latest Episodes:

Will the Real Multilinguals Please Stand Up? Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

How does being multilingual affect your identity? Do you feel that through these language journeys you've taken, your identity and world views have changed?

When recording this week's episode, Lindsay and I dug deep and discussed our perspectives about being multilingual people. It was a surprising discussion!

Click or tap here to let us know what you think over on Patreon

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

And click here to get your ticket for our 4-day online conference Women in Language

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

Going Up, Up, Up - How to Reach Higher Language Levels Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

You've come a long way from being a beginner in your target language, so you know that you can make great progress. But the better you get, the harder it seems to improve even more. How can you reach the next level?

In this episode of the Fluent Show, I'm sharing a few tips to help you feel GREAT about your language skills no matter where you're at. Learn more about the role of patience, clarity and expectation as you get better at your language.

Oh, you want to be sure you reach the next level too? Don't worry, I have hands-on steps included for you too.

Thank you to Ethan for this episode introduction.

Want to read my full show notes?
If you want to get more details and full notes for this episode and all the solo episodes of the Fluent Show, head to Patreon and back this podcast for any amount of your choice.

Where do you listen?
Take a photo of where you're listening to the Fluent Show and share it on social media to say hello! Here's where you can tag me:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thefluentshow
Instagram: http://instagram.com/kerstin_fluent/ and #thefluentshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fluentlanguage

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

Bilingual Episode (Spanish): Language Learning con Salsa 💃🏾 with Tamara Marie Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

When was the last time you sang a song in your target language? What about dancing in it?

In today's interview, you'll learn what it means to connect to a language through music, and how the culture-first approach helped my guest Tamara Marie from Spanish con Salsa discover new connections, experiences and even insights into her own ancestry.

The origins of Salsa as a music style and a way of life
How the song Rebelión by Joe Aroyo changed Tamara's life as a language learner
How learning Spanish helped Tamara connect to her ancestry as a black woman in the USA
Why the Caribbean music scene can teach you an authentic and diverse way of speaking Spanish
How to switch off your thinking mind as a language learner

Bilingual Episode

I took the opportunity to ask Tamara a few questions in Spanish in this episode. You will hear her reply in Spanish and conduct the conversation like that for about 10 minutes. If you are not a Spanish learner, don't worry as we'll always switch back to English.

Here I always like to remember what the late Ron Gullekson from Language Surfer told me: "in a new language, I like to get uncomfortable as early as possible." So enjoy the challenge and enjoy the practice!

Gracias to Lindsay Williams for her linguistic support in Spanish. and to 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.

Special Guest: Tamara Marie.

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

Spanish Con Salsa — All of Tamara's courses (affiliate link)
Joe Arroyo y la verdad - La rebelion
Biography – Malcolm X
Marc Anthony - Vivir Mi Vida (Official Video) - YouTube
Alberto Barros - Mano a mano — If you have Yabla, check out this salsa video series

Don't Let the Streak Run the Show: How to Be Consistent in Language Learning Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever broken a streak or lost track? Powered by lots of fun real life examples, this episode will help you learn how to stay consistent in language learning.

Put this on your schedule and structure your time.
Be super specific
Trust your gut and choose what you enjoy and what challenges you
If you lose your streak, reconnect to your original motivation

Thank you to Dela 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.

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

When You've Got a Notebook, You've Made Space for a Language Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

We're discussing all things pen & paper! We discuss the state of handwritten notes in modern language learning, how we do it ourselves, and why pen and paper could be the key to giving you an everlasting language memory.

Also featured: Soap operas, Lindsay's a student again, and the Women in Language conference running 17-20 September 2020: www.womeninlanguage.com

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:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

[The Fluent Show: Is "Natural Language Learning" even a thing?](https://www.fluent.show/170 "The Fluent Show: Is "Natural Language Learning" even a thing?")

Teacher Chat — **What It Takes to Become a Professional Tutor** Jul 20, 2020
Show notes

This week's listener question comes from Lee, a new online tutor looking for guidance on the difference between community and professional tutoring on italki.

After working at italki as a community tutor, I want to branch out and become a professional tutor. My lessons are extremely structured and informative although I am not a professional teacher so I was wondering as to whether or not I should move to a professional tutor. I think typically professional teachers are seen to be more prepared and knowledgeable. I’m not too sure to be honest. I just know that I love online education!

What does it mean to **act like a professional** as a tutor?

**How good do you have to be** at a language before you can teach it?

Why are there **community and professional tutors** on italki?

**What qualification** do you need to get their professional status?

How can you start **going full-time** as a professional online language teacher?

*Thank you to Gosia for this episode introduction.*

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

How do I become an italki teacher? – italki Help and Support

Live Lesson Strategies for Online Teachers and Tutors

The Fluent Show: Good Lessons vs. GREAT Lessons: Life’s Too Short Not to Find a Great Tutor

What types of certification or credentials are required for a Professional Teaching Profile? – italki Help and Support

Facebook Group: Fluent Language Learners

Beyond 1:1 — Slides for my workshop from the Teach & Thrive Summit

italki: Learn a language online

Kinyarwanda alphabet, pronunciation and language

Bilingual Episode 🇩🇪 : Learn Languages from the Streets with Easy Languages Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

Imagine you're walking down the street in another country, bumping to lots of cool new people and chatting about big and small life questions with them. And all that in another language!

Can't quite travel there? Not ready to speak fluently? Don't worry, Easy Languages has your back!

This hugely popular YouTube channel brings you conversations with people from the street, sharing authentic language and culture from dozens of countries. It all started in Münster in Germany, when a group of students recorded themselves shouting "Hallo!" at random people during a media workshop led by Janusz Hamerski.

Today Easy Languages is a global organisation making videos in over 32 languages. In this Fluent Show episode, you'll get to know co-founder Janusz and producer Manuel.

Bilingual Episode
This episode contains a lot of fun conversation in English and a little fun conversation in German. Janusz and Manuel are German speakers like me, so we switched into German for a little bit to give you some listening practice as a learner. If you are not a German learner, don't worry as we'll always switch back to English and make sure you don't miss anything.

Here I always like to remember what the late Ron Gullekson from Language Surfer told me: "in a new language, I like to get uncomfortable as early as possible." So enjoy the challenge and enjoy the German practice!

👩🏾 👩🏿‍🦱🖤 Event Announcement
And one more thing I want you to know about: The Sisters Only Language Summit is running its second virtual summit on 25 July 2020. This event is going to be fantastic, so make sure you check it out and support them. Fluent Show listeners who are students and women of African descent can apply for one of 3 scholarship tickets that are donated by the Fluent Show.

Special Guests: Janusz Hamerski and Manuel Salmann.

Sponsored By:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

The Easy German Podcast
What is the meaning of life? | Easy German 129 - YouTube — Janusz's favourite!
Dreams and Wishes | Easy German 22 - YouTube — Manuel's fond memory of presenting a video in freezing cold Kiel ❄️
Sisters Only Language Summit 25 July 2020 — All women of African descent are invited to join the Sisters Only Language Summit on Saturday, July 25 -- 3 Tickets sponsored by the Fluent Show 🥳
Easy German is creating videos and a podcast for learning German | Patreon

My Language Plan: Halfway Through 2020 Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

We're halfway through the year, so today's episode is an in-depth review of how it's gone so far.
This is my #clearthelist entry for July 2020.

I'm sharing how it's going with my Chinese studies, my Welsh language, and what I want to try next. You are invited to review your year and make notes as you follow along with this episode.

Here are a few questions you can use for reviewing your own progress:

What are the 3 biggest experiences that shaped your first half of 2020?
What are 3 things you want to remember about learning languages in the last 6 months?
How different do you feel about your language skills compared to the start of the year?
What are you working on right now?
Which specific actions will you take to make language learning progress in the next 30 days?

Thank you to Cait 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:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

Your Solid Vocab Memory | Fluent Language
The Language Dabbler’s Guide to Welsh — A fun mini course for people who are curious about Welsh
The Fluent Show on Patreon
Create Your Study Plan for 30 days of language success
italki - find online tutors
Chinese Audio Lessons – Learn Mandarin Chinese
#ClearTheList

Revisiting Duolingo Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

After a ridiculous change of topic from ✊🏾 to 🍷 and a discussion of what's new in emoji world, Lindsay and I go back to the deep, deep well that is talking about Duolingo!
We both have the apps on our phones and we use Duolingo in different ways. How do you use yours?

We Shared These Tips for Getting More Out of Duolingo

Use the "Practice" button to get unlimited hearts and review what you've learnt before
Write down sentences from Duolingo lessons in your notebook to practice in a new environment
Make sure you read the "Tips" for handy explanations that give you helpful context
Instead of letting the course lead you, use its "Test Out" feature to check in on your learning progress
Check out the Duolingo Stories to use your target language
Always use the Streak Freeze and Double or Nothing features to boost your little Duolingo gems
Add friends on Duolingo (I'm kerstin_fluent)
Switch your source language to access even more courses in unusual languages, such as Guarani and Catalan through Spanish
Check the forums for questions & use the vocab lists (great link below)
Go to the meet-ups to meet fellow Duolingo fans
Read the Duolingo blog for interesting stats

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:

Yabla: Stream authentic shows you enjoy and learn at the same time. Give Yabla a try with a free trial for Fluent Show listeners

Links:

White Wine Emoji Fails to Get Approval from Unicode (Again) | Food & Wine
3 Tutor-Approved Ideas For Learning a Language With Duolingo by Fluent Language
Changes in Duolingo usage during the COVID-19 pandemic
List of Vocabularies for Language Courses of Duolingo - Duolingo
Upcoming Duolingo Language Events | Duolingo
In case you missed the #duocon livestream... - Duolingo
The Fluent Show: A Statement About Racism
🥟 Dumpling Emoji
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language
Speaking Confidence Challenge — Can't speak as confidently as you'd like? Join Lindsay's new challenge in July!

Love Your Accent in Any Language 💛 Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

You say "either" and I say "either"
You say "neither" I say "neither"
"Either" "either", "neither" "neither"
Let's call the whole thing off

George & Ira Gershwin

This week on the Fluent Show, I'm answering a listener question about accents.

What is an accent?
Can your accent change even though you're not trying?
Is it possible to learn a different accent?
Can you get an accent by listening to podcasts? ...and more mysteries!

Listen to the episode to hear my answers to these questions and find out why my approach when speaking a foreign language is like this:
DO learn pronunciation (IPA if you like)
DON’T worry about your accent

Thank you to Antonio for this episode introduction.

Where do you listen?
Take a photo of where you're listening to the Fluent Show and share it on social media to say hello! Here's where you can tag me: