Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann
Steve Kaufmann
I speak 20 languages. I've been learning languages for over 50 years and I've tried all kinds of approaches. I talk about my experiences, my approach to language learning, what I enjoy about learning languages and all manner of other topics related to language.
If you love languages, or think you would if you hadn't been discouraged by past experiences, this is the podcast for you. Anyone can learn a language. You just need the right attitude and the right approach!
If you love languages, or think you would if you hadn't been discouraged by past experiences, this is the podcast for you. Anyone can learn a language. You just need the right attitude and the right approach!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 4, 2022 • 12min
How I Learned Italian
I hitchhiked in Italy in the 60's, getting by with French and Spanish. In the '70s I got a Linguaphone Italian course. I avoided the exercises but listened over and over again, occasionally reviewing the grammar explanations. That was it until I discovered the power of audio books.
Dec 30, 2021 • 11min
Language And Culture - First Learn The Language, Then The Culture
When I learn a language I'm curious about the culture. However, I first need to get a sense of the new language using subject matter familiar to me. More exotic details of the culture can wait. Unfortunately these are often included in beginner texts.
Dec 28, 2021 • 8min
Don't Just Learn Business English
Many people need English for the workplace, including immigrants in English speaking countries. To learn the technical language mine the many publications, articles, YouTube videos, podcasts etc. from the Internet for the words and phrases you need to learn.
Dec 24, 2021 • 8min
Shadowing Technique - Arabic And Persian
Shadowing is a language learning technique developed and popularized by polyglot Alexander Argüelles. The idea is to repeat what you hear while listening in order to improve pronunciation and speaking. I have not used this much in the past but want to give it another try.
Dec 20, 2021 • 13min
How I Learned German
I started learning German before the age of the Internet. I'd had some exposure as a young man, but during a month between jobs, in 1987, I really went at it. I found second hand German readers, and I went at then, massive comprehensible input.
Dec 17, 2021 • 7min
Seniors Should Learn Languages
I used to say that age is no obstacle to language learning. I want to state that differently now. I think seniors should learn languages. The benefits are many.
Dec 14, 2021 • 12min
My Language Learning Motivation
In my latest video I talk about how much my interest in history has influenced my language learning. It has been my inspiration, my source of interesting content, and represents much of the time that I have spent learning these languages. And just about all of them my interest in history sustained me.
Dec 10, 2021 • 8min
Learning A Language Involves Indirect Motivation
To achieve a comfortable level in a language you first have to have a reason, a subject of interest, a friend, something that you focus on directly. Your ultimate goal of fluency is the indirect result of his first step.
Dec 3, 2021 • 12min
CI / Compelling Or Comprehensible Input In Language Learning
The realization, thanks in large part to Stephen Krashen, that meaningful, comprehensible, and compelling input (CI) is the key to language learning success is changing how languages are taught. But how does it work, given that the new language is incomprehensible when we start?
Dec 1, 2021 • 13min
How Should Languages Be Taught In School
I favour using content of interest, compelling content, to make language learning enjoyable. But many school learners simply aren't interested. Can setting a specific list of words to learn make things better?
