Culips Everyday English Podcast Simplified Speech #243 – How we learn our second languages
22 snips
Mar 5, 2026 Two language teachers compare their journeys learning Japanese, German, Korean and more. They discuss daily habits, immersion versus flashcards, and how to use tools like Anki and AI. Practical speaking tactics and creative ways to practice without embarrassment are shared. The conversation explores visual versus auditory learning and how language quirks spread between speakers.
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Use Anki Daily With Short Sessions
- Do use Anki daily but keep sessions short to build habit, focusing on spaced repetition for vocabulary retention.
- Indiana recommends 15-20 minutes a day and explains SRS shows difficult words more often so you remember them.
Switch To Immersion After Core Vocabulary
- Shift from flashcards to immersion once you know most high-frequency words to learn vocabulary in natural context.
- Andrew described moving off Anki after ~5k–6k words to learn words organically from TV, novels, and conversations.
Limit Time Spent Making Flashcards
- Avoid spending most study time making flashcards; allocate Anki only a small portion of study.
- Andrew warns he once spent hours creating cards instead of listening to podcasts or watching shows and recommends keeping Anki ~10–15% of study time.
