StoryLearning Podcast

Wendel asks: "I need to learn a 3rd European language, but none appeals to me. What should I do?" In this episode: What's a good reason to learn a new language? The dangers of learning a language you're not passionate about How to decide on a new language to learn Resources mentioned in todays episode: IWTYAL 025: I'm torn between two languages British Council "Languages for the future report" Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit:http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I’ll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you’ve got any comments about the show then please leave them in the “comments” section below! If you’d like to help me out, then I’d love it if you could… Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help me to reach other aspiring language learners out there! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

In this episode, I discuss how introverts deal with learning foreign languages. In this episode: I am an introvert by nature, despite what you may guess from my public persona! How I suffer from shyness in groups How this has impacted my language learning Why living abroad hasn't been a "no-brainer" for me How I nevertheless enjoy speaking, and base my language learning on speaking with people I genuinely like Are you an introvert? Please let me know how this has affected your language learning: http://wp.me/p4wyTY-1kD Resources mentioned in todays episode:

One reader asks: "I want to try my hand at reading a book and wondered what you would recommend?" In this episode: The problem with children's books... Intended for children Low-frequency vocabulary What kind of books are best to read... Graded readers (not parallel texts) Short, non-fiction books on a topic that interests you (e.g. biographies, how-to books) Any book you've already read, translated into your target language If you have a book store close by with a good foreign book section - go and browse! If you don't like books, try Project Syndicate Judith Meyer from learnlangs.com mentioned: Crime stories, romance stories, autobiographies, travel stories. Translated books are easier than original ones.

Alex asks: "How should one go about gathering together language learning materials when there are none?" In this episode: Here are my suggestions for finding materials for minority languages: Reach out to people who have learnt the language before - there will be more than you think. Use Google to search for people, groups and blogs Even if there is little material, use what you can find. You can get far with little. Go to the country. Not always practical, but the best thing you could possibly do. Create your own materials by contacting native speakers and/or travelling to the country. This is a fantastic project and a great service to the community. Do you have anything to add about learning minority language or finding materials for them? Please leave a comment below to let us know! Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Ben asks: "I'm currently on a work placement in France. How can I make the most of living with native speakers?" In this episode: The huge opportunity of living with native speakers Create a no-English environment if at all possible Focus on the formulaic aspects of daily life Take notes of what you see Observe and imitate Think: "What would I say in English?" in order to decide what to say next. Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to create an immersion environment - a detailed post about creating an foreign language immersion environment in the comfort of your own home Start speaking today

Melissa asks: "I'm learning Spanish, but people keep replying to me in English. How can I solve this?" In this episode: The difficulties of finding native speakers to practise with How social pressure can lead people to reply in English Why you shouldn't judge your level based on your experience talking to strangers The importance of finding a safe person to practise with How to explain to a language partner you want to keep it in the target language Resources mentioned in today's episode: How to stop people talking to you in English Start speaking today

ManchesterAul asks (in an iTunes review): "What's the difference btw fluency and proficienncy? Do i consider myself fluent or proficient in my languages?" In this episode: Why I dislike the discussion about fluency and proficiency Certain professions may require a proven proficiency level How I define fluency The world of language testing The difference between accuracy and fluency How you can lose a level in a language Resources mentioned in today's episode: CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference Polyglot Workshops - regular workshops for language learners worldwide. Join us in London, UK, in November 2015 Speaking Fluently on Facebook, fr

Nina asks: "How can I coach my mum to learn Italian?" In this episode: The most important things about coaching someone to learn a language Why fostering a passion for a language is so important Make sure the vocabulary you learn is actually useful for you Resources mentioned in today's episode: Duolingo Memrise Benny teaches a monoglot to learn Esperanto: https://youtu.be/UHPC5DN4eJA Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki

Shane asks: "I'm learning Chinese and Thai. What's the best way to learn the tones, or tonal languages in general?" In this episode: How to approach learning tonal languages Why top-down approaches beat bottom-up approaches for learning tones How I approach learning a tonal language: Make sure you understand the tones in the language you're learning Start listening to recorded dialogues from your textbook every day Work with a tutor right from the start, so you can practise speaking and get feedback Write down new words and phrases with the tone indicated Give yourself time to get used to it all! [Tweet "You don't learn a language, you get used to it - Khatzumoto"] Resources mentioned in today's episode: Tone Pair Drills - a great article on the Sensible Chinese blog. Olly speaking Cantonese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QRVpNbNzK8 Start speaking today I'd like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question? Ask me your language learning questions by clicking here, and I'll do my best to feature it on the show! Also, please subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you've got any comments about the show then please leave them in the "comments" section below! If you'd like to help me out, then I'd love it if you could... Share the episode using the social media buttons around you Leave an honest review and rating of the podcast on iTunes (click here to do that) iTunes reviews in particular really help the rankings of the podcast and help me to reach other aspiring language learners out there! See you in the next episode of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast!

In this episode, I interview my Arabic teacher Mona about how I made quick progress in my Arabic. In this episode: My progress compared to Mona's other students In what ways I progressed What techniques I use during the lesson Here is a video of the conversation: https://youtu.be/TSsSO-JOcCA Resources mentioned in today's episode: Language Learning Foundations - my course for learning to speak a new language quickly, where you can find the full 1-hour interview Mona's iTalki teacher profile ArabicGlobal.com Start speaking today