

StoryLearning Podcast
Olly Richards
Got a burning language learning question? I’m Olly Richards and I've learned 8 languages through stories. Every Wednesday, I answer your questions and chat to world-class language experts. Whether you're learning Spanish, German, Japanese, or something else, tune in for insider tips and practical strategies to get fluent fast.
Each week you get:
- Answers to your biggest language learning challenges
- Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress
- Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience
No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.
Each week you get:
- Answers to your biggest language learning challenges
- Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress
- Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience
No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2022 • 13min
424 - Behind the scenes at the StoryLearning team retreat in Turkey
In this episode you’ll drop in on the StoryLearning team retreat in Bodrum, Turkey. 14 of us descended on a hilltop villa for an entire week to spend some quality time together and plan for the future.

Apr 18, 2022 • 6min
Announcement: New intermediate StoryLearning courses!
We're about to release a special new range of intermediate StoryLearning programmes, and I'm sooo excited!
And as a loyal listener, I'd like to offer you early access and a very special offer to celebrate the launch. (It's something I always like to do whenever we release something new!)
To get on the notification list, click: https://storylearning.com/intermediate
The new programmes are:
Spanish Uncovered (Intermediate)
German Uncovered (Intermediate)
French Uncovered (Intermediate)
Italian Uncovered (Intermediate)
Japanese Uncovered (Intermediate)

5 snips
Apr 5, 2022 • 53min
423: Lessons on Languages, Life & Leadership with Mike Shangkuan (CEO, Lingoda)
In this episode, Olly speaks with Mike Shangkuan, CEO of Lingoda.
In a wide-ranging discussion, you'll hear about:
Growing up as a Chinese-American with a passion for languages
How Mike pivoted his career from banking to language tech
The challenges of building a tutoring business
Adapting language teaching for the online world
Do You Have A Language Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://storylearning.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
Olly's Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://storylearning.com/language-courses-select-your-language

Mar 31, 2022 • 17min
422 - I'mmmm back!
In this episode, you'll hear from Olly about plans for StoryLearning in 2022!
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://storylearning.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
StoryLearning Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://storylearning.com/language-courses-select-your-language

Nov 19, 2021 • 20min
421 - Are Most YouTube Polyglots Lying?
🤥 From people claiming to learn a language in 24 hours to those shouting that "all YouTube polyglots are FAKE!", the online language learning world is fraught with controversy and vitriol. So what's the truth? And can a so-called "YouTube polyglot" (man, I hate that term) comment on YouTube polyglots lying? Well, I’m going try...
🦃 BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Get my Uncovered courses for just $97 each (up to 75% off) from Friday, November 19th to Saturday, November 27th!
👉🏼 https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/blackfriday21-iwtyalpod
🇫🇷 French Uncovered: $297 👉🏼 $97
🇩🇪 German Uncovered: $297 👉🏼 $97
🇮🇹 Italian Uncovered: $297 👉🏼 $97
🇯🇵 Japanese Uncovered: $397 👉🏼 $97
🇪🇸 Spanish Uncovered: $297 👉🏼 $97
My story-based Uncovered courses take beginners up to an intermediate level (B1) through engaging stories instead of boring textbooks. Stop translating and learn how to think in a foreign language with the power of story!
⏰ I have poured a lot into these courses and rarely discount them. The sale ends November 27th, so act now to get an Uncovered course for up to 75% off!
👉🏼 https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/blackfriday21-iwtyalpod
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
My Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/language-courses-select-your-language

Oct 12, 2021 • 1h 5min
420 - JJsays (雪莲说) on How to Learn Chinese, Conquer Insecurities & Figure Out What Methods Work For You
Julian (a.k.a. "JJ") is the woman behind two popular YouTube channels: 1) JJsays - 雪莲说 (where she shares Chinese language learning tips and videos), and 2) JJsings (where you can hear her singing in Mandarin together with her mother). JJ is an extremely passionate language learner, and I really enjoyed digging into her methods and philosophy. We discuss the challenges of overcoming insecurities, how the Dunning-Kruger effect manifests in language learning, how she learned Chinese characters, and much more.
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
My Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/language-courses-select-your-language

4 snips
Oct 5, 2021 • 48min
419 - Shocking your best friend with AMAZING language skills
Today I’m speaking with Jannah Hossain, who learned to speak Japanese in 6 months to surprise her best friend. Here’s her original video:
https://youtu.be/W6Lnaf7Um2c
To find out more about the course she used, Japanese Uncovered, visit:
http://japaneseuncovered.com
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
My Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/language-courses-select-your-language

Sep 16, 2021 • 7min
I'm releasing 3 new Uncovered courses!
I'm thrilled to be released three new StoryLearning courses:
Russian Uncovered
Chinese Uncovered
Turkish Uncovered
Only those on the mailing list will be notified about the launch of these courses, so click below to join the list if you're interseted:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/new

Sep 14, 2021 • 17min
418 - How I Learned Spanish
I love the Spanish language and the many cultures who speak it, but my journey to learn the language was anything but easy. There was pain, struggle, and even a near-death experience! In this episode of the podcast (originally published on my YouTube channel), I share the whole story of how I learned Spanish (my second foreign language after French), including all the bumps and mistakes along the way. You'll also learn why I speak Spanish with a Canary Island accent!
Videos Mentioned in the Episode
How I Learned French
Who Is Olly Richards? My Life, Language & Teaching Background
Download a FREE Story in Spanish!
Click below to get free access to my Spanish StoryLearning pack and discover how to learn a new language quickly and naturally through stories:
https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/cu-es-storylearningpack
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
My Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/language-courses-select-your-language

Aug 31, 2021 • 15min
417 - How I Learned French
Learning French completely changed my life. It set the stage for learning 7 more foreign languages, writing dozens of language learning books, and starting a language learning company that employs dozens of people and reaches millions of people around the world. In this episode of the podcast (originally published on my YouTube channel), I share the story of how I learned French and how it all started with heartbreak...
Download a FREE Story in French!
Click below to get free access to my French StoryLearning pack and discover how to learn a new language quickly and naturally through stories:
https://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/cu-fr-storylearningpack
Do You Have A Question?
This show exists to answer your language learning questions! Send me your questions by visiting:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/ask
...and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show!
Leave a Review
If you'd like to support the show, the best way to do that is to:
Leave an honest review of the show wherever you get your podcasts. (You can normally do this within the app you're using.)
Share this episode with a friend (use the share buttons on your screen)
My Language Courses
If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.
Please visit:
https://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/language-courses-select-your-language


