StoryLearning Podcast
Olly Richards, who has learned eight languages through stories, hosts this weekly podcast answering language learning questions and interviewing world-class language experts. Each episode provides story-based techniques, practical strategies, and insider tips for learning languages efficiently. The podcast covers various languages including Spanish, German, and Japanese, emphasizing natural learning without flashcards or memorization.
Episodes
545: 7 speaking tips to get fluent in any language FAST
👉 Grab your FREE Speaking Guide: https://l.storylearning.com/speaking_guide Today's question is about speaking and how to go from knowing a lot of stuff in a language to actually speaking the language fluently. As I always say, if you want to speak fluently, so if you want to be able to interact in the real world confidently and fluently like a native speaker, you've got to be speaking a
544: How to finally get fluent... even when you're stuck
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/goalsAs a beginner language learner, you feel progress happening very quickly. Everything you learn is useful and practical. But once you've learned the basics, it’s normal to get stuck. In fact, it's so normal that it has a name: the intermediate plateau. Every learner reaches it, generally around the one to two year mark
543: The Introvert's Guide to Learning a Language FAST
👉 Grab your FREE guide, How to Read in Any Language: https://l.storylearning.com/6_steps_read I don’t know if you've noticed, but language learning advice is often geared towards extroverts - put yourself out there, just speak, don't be shy. That makes perfect sense if you're that way inclined. But if you're at all like me and you identify as an introvert, or at least have very str
542: How to choose the perfect language to learn
👉 Grab your FREE Language Difficulty Guide: https://l.storylearning.com/difficulty_guide Today we have a question about choosing your next language. And it comes from someone who's already a polyglot, who speaks four languages and is a bit confused over what their fifth language should be. An interesting problem. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://stor
541: How polyglots learn LOTS of languages FAST
👉 Get Your Free Guide, Dr Popkins' 8 Best Tips to Learn a Language and Keep Going https://l.storylearning.com/dr-popkins-tips In this episode, I'm very happy to welcome Gareth Popkins, longtime friend and language compadre, to the StoryLearning podcast. Gareth got the language bug in his early twenties and took his French further, learned Welsh and then worked on German and Russian. He’s h
540: How to ACTUALLY understand FAST speech
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/fluency-resourcesUnderstanding native speakers on the streets is one of the most difficult, challenging and disconcerting elements of language learning. But when you learn to deal with fast speech, it is the most exhilarating, wonderful, rewarding feeling you can possibly imagine. And this is the question we're go
539: How to learn a language when you feel like quitting
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/free-fluencyToday I’m answering a question from a frustrated Japanese learner with a 650-day streak on Duolingo. Their question: What do I do? Do I keep on, do I switch to a different language? Do you have any advice for a frustrated language learner? I really like this question. I've got so much to say about it
538: The ONLY way to learn 2 languages at the same time
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/fluency_goalsIn this episode I’m going to be talking about this old chestnut: learning two languages at the same time. I’ve got two questions on this that have come from a recent video. Long-term listeners will be very familiar with my take on learning two languages at the same time. But my questions today are about a rather speci
537: The ONE habit that made this American sound like a local
👉 Grab your FREE guide, Dave Pinto's 7 Best Tips to Sound Like a Local: https://l.storylearning.com/sound-localI am absolutely delighted to welcome to the StoryLearning podcast, my longtime friend, partner in crime and fellow language enthusiast, Dave Pinto. Professionally Dave focuses on language teaching, but many language teachers that I've met over the years in different countries neve
536: How to learn a language with ZERO motivation
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/fluencyIn this episode, I’m tackling a really difficult question that I feel a lot of sympathy for: how you can learn a language when you have no motivation? I taught English for five years in Asia and the Middle East. I met a lot of students who had to learn English because they needed it for their job. They had no d
535: I created the ultimate reading app for language learners
👉Join the app waiting list: https://l.storylearning.com/app_wait_listIn this episode, I’m doing something a little bit different. I'm going to take you behind the scenes of the new StoryLearning app that I've been building. It's a work in progress, but I thought you might like a sneak peek. I'm pretty excited about it. In fact, I haven't been as excited about something since I
534: How to read any language when you're a beginner
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner https://l.storylearning.com/goal_planHow do you bridge the gap between being a complete beginner and not being able to read anything and then doing what I did a few years ago, which is to learn Italian from scratch in 90 days through reading? That's what I'm going to cover in this episode.Mentioned in this episode: Olly Italian project playlist: https://www.y
533: He learned 15 languages with this simple reading habit
👉 Grab your FREE Guide, Luca's 12 Rules for Learning Any Language Faster in 2026: https://l.storylearning.com/Luca_tips I am absolutely thrilled to be joined by Luca Lampariello who has been teaching languages online longer than I have. He was one of my very first references when I first started creating content online. He’s been on the podcast a number of times over the years and here is agai
532: Should you use subtitles to learn a language?
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/TV_movies I've had a lot of comments come in all asking the same thing: when you watch TV or movies, should you use subtitles or not? Subtitle on or subtitles off? Subtitles in which language? Which subtitle-audio combination is best? I have a rather controversial take on this, which is that I generally don't
531: If you've got 15 minutes, you can learn a language
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/language_planWhy do we fail at language learning? It's not that we find it difficult, it's that staying consistent is difficult. We set ourselves this target of studying for an hour a day and invariably life gets in the way. And before you know it, three months have gone past and we've done nothing. This is the uncomfortable truth
530: How to learn any language fast starting from zero
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/plan_studyWhat's the best way to learn a language as a complete beginner? The whole premise of my method, StoryLearning, is that you learn a language through reading. People understand the concept. But then they say - I'm a complete beginner, how on earth do I start to read? I don't know any words! So how do you get s
529: I learned impossible languages with stories - here's why it worked
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/fluent_resources How do you learn difficult languages with the StoryLearning method? This is a question that came from Carlos Rabino 5125. He asked - how does your method work with Russian, Chinese, or Japanese? Reading between the lines, I guess what Carlos is asking is: how do you read when the language is really di
528: Polyglot reveals how to learn 10 languages FAST
👉 Grab your FREE Language Guide, A Polyglot's “No-Method” Method: https://l.storylearning.com/polyglot-tipsStefano Suigo is one of the most interesting language people (if I can put it that way) that I know, and I know quite a few. He’s fluent in 10 languages and can get by in more. A lot of people claim to speak lots of languages, but Stefano is the real deal, and I know he is because I'v
527: Why you can't stop translating in your head (and how to fix it)
👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/learn-vocab In this episode I'm going to tackle the second most popular question I've ever been asked about language learning: How do I stop translating in my head? It is easy to say "stop translating in your head" and that is well-intentioned advice, but not very practical. The truth is, translation
526: How to learn a language you hate (and actually enjoy it)
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/set-goalsWhat do you do if you hate the language you're learning? Is this even possible? I'm tackling a genuine listener question about this topic. It's something that can happen to a lot of immigrants, but there is a way around it. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storyl
525: The lazy language habit that actually builds fluency
👉 Grab your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint: https://l.storylearning.com/free_storyIn this episode of the StoryLearning podcast, I reconnect with longtime language-learning friend Kerstin Cable, creator of The Fluent Show podcast and teacher on my course, German Uncovered. Kerstin is one of my oldest internet friends who gave me some excellent advice in the early days of my blog that I still remember
524: 3 things I wish I knew when I started learning languages
👉 Grab your FREE Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/free_plannerThere are all kinds of techniques and tricks and that you can use to learn a language. But they're all just that - tactics and techniques. In today’s episode, I’m answering an interesting question about the deep truths that I’ve learned over the years that I’d like to pass on to the next generation of language learners. Lin
523: How to learn 2 languages without breaking your brain
👉 Grab your FREE Language Difficulty Guide: https://l.storylearning.com/free_difficultyToday's question is about the most asked about topic in the more than 10-year history of this podcast: learning two languages. So many of us want to learn tons of languages, so we often study two at once. And then we realise, hang on, this is creating a few problems because we get muddled up. This episode is
522: Can you really get fluent just by reading?
👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet : https://l.storylearning.com/read_sheetI'm always going on about why it's so important to read a lot if you want to learn a new language - and I'll do it again in this episode. But is it enough to be able to speak a language fluently? Links mentioned in this video: Reverse translation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VXmDiBfzwA👉 Got
521: Why people can't understand you (and how to fix it)
👉 Grab your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint: https://l.storylearning.com/free_fluencyIn this episode of the StoryLearning podcast I chat to my good friend and fellow podcaster Anna Tyrie, creator of the popular YouTube channel, English Like A Native. Anna started her career in acting and, via some twists and turns, made her way into teaching English to an audience of millions on YouTube. You’ll disco
520: How to learn a language at any age (7 tips)
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/lang_goals Can you be too old to learn a language? What about kids? They soak up languages like a sponge, so surely that means there's never any chance of me learning another language. Well, we'll see about that. Tune in for some inspiring examples of 60 + people learning languages and tips for any age. 👉 Got a question yo
519: How to learn kanji FAST (do this or keep struggling)
👉 Get your FREE Grammar and Vocab Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/study_kanjiIn this episode, I tackle a question from four years ago, but the topic is as relevant as ever: how to learn Japanese kanji. There are strong opinions online about the best way to learn Japanese, kanji included. I share my experience from learning Japanese in Japan and what I would do if I could start learning ka
518: NEVER use flashcards - learn vocabulary this way instead
👉 Get your FREE Grammar and Vocab Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/free_vocabIn this episode, we're revisiting a topic that I feel we'll be talking about until the end of time. The sun's going to expand to engulf the Earth and we're all going to be frazzled up like sausages and I'll be there until the end talking about this topic, which is flashcards. 👉 Got a question
517: How to learn a language without sacrificing your life
👉 Get your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint: https://l.storylearning.com/learn_storiesIn this episode of the StoryLearning podcast I chat to my good friend and fellow language enthusiast John Fotheringham, creator of Anywhere Immersion. John has been blogging and podcasting about language learning since 2009 and his podcast (formerly the Language Mastery Podcast) was the first one I ever went on! Now
516: Should I test my language level?
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/test_goalsShould you bother taking language proficiency tests like IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) or the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)? Two listeners asked me the similar questions about exams. As a former IELTS examiner and as someone who took the JLPT, I’ve got thoughts on the matter! 👉 Got a
515: The easiest way to remember new words when speaking
👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/vocab_sheet Today we've got a question that is going to strike to the heart of every single language learner listening to this podcast: why can’t I remember the words I know when I’m speaking? It’s something we all struggle with and it’s perfectly normal. In this video, I share 3 techniques to help you overcome it
514: This simple reading habit will 10x your vocabulary
👉Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/reading-goalsWant to pick up vocabulary naturally while exploring topics that interest you? I've got the perfect the solution and I lay it all out in this episode, including how I used this habit myself to expand my Japanese vocab about a rather specialised topic. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit
513: The harsh truth about advanced fluency
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/free-goalsI don't aim for C2 in the languages I'm learning and I don't think you should either. But it is possible to get there with a lot, and I mean a lot, of time and effort. So, the real question is, is it worth it? 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/a
512: The ONE language rule you should ALWAYS break
👉Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources: https://l.storylearning.com/binge-resourcesCan you really perfect your accent to the point where no-one knows you're not a native speaker? You can get close, even as an adult, but the real question is - is it actually worth the time and effort? Link mentioned in this episode: Speaking Accent-Free in L2 Beyond the Critical Period: The Compensatory Role of
511: The ONLY study habit that actually makes you fluent
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/set_goalsSuccess in language learning almost always comes down to a very small number of things done well. Successful language learners understand what those few things are, and they do them very consistently and very well. And thanks to this episode, you're going to join them. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the p
510: Why you can understand a language but can't speak
👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/goal-plannerStruggling to bridge the gap between understanding and speaking? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too, specifically when I learned Japanese. Discover the exact steps I took to go from silent to confident Japanese speaker. Links mentioned in this episode: 🗣️ LanguaTalk: https://l.storylearning.com/LanguaTalk💬 Langua: h
509: The hidden danger of AI language learning
👉 Grab your FREE Tips for Learning a Language with AI (inside the Bonus section of my FREE StoryLearning Kit): https://l.storylearning.com/fluency_AI The Black Friday offer mentioned in this video is no longer available. If you’ve learned languages in the last week or two, have you used AI? AI has landed like a rock in a pond in the last couple of years and is upending the way we learn. I'm fi
508: How to actually learn a language in 12 months
👉 Grab your FREE Language Difficulty Guide: https://l.storylearning.com/difficulty Can you really learn a language in 12 months? Definitely, with the right mindset, approach and effort. To give you inspiration for and insight into fast language learning, I look back on two of my wildest language learning challenges: Thai in 2 weeks and Italian in 3 months. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer
507: I don't maintain my languages...and you shouldn't either
👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/bingeI’ve learned eight languages - so how on earth do I maintain them all? It’s a question people often ask me. And my answer surprises and confuses them. Find out why. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to
506: Spanish vs Italian - which is easier to learn?
👉 Get your FREE Difficulty Guide: https://storylearning.com/difficulty_ES_ITSpanish vs Italian: which is easier to learn for native English speakers? I’ve learned both - find out which one I found easier and why and which one I recommend you learn. And above all, how long would it take to pass my famous fluency "pub test" in these languages? 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on th
505: Are hard languages even worth it?
👉 Grab your FREE Difficulty Guide: https://storylearning.com/difficulty-guide-super-hard👉 Get your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://storylearning.com/goal-planner-super-hardAre super hard languages like Japanese or Mandarin worth learning? I've learned three of the world's hardest languages, Japanese, Cantonese and Arabic. These category five languages were worth it for me, but what abo
504: How I learn languages fast without studying
👉 Grab your FREE Goal Planner: https://storylearning.com/goal_planner_CIWhat if you could learn a language without studying? Discover how to learn a language through reading and listening instead of memorising and drilling. Find out where to find the right materials as a beginner, why children's books don't work, and the 6-step process for learning naturally. No flashcards required.👉 Got a
503: You don't ACTUALLY need grammar
👉 Grab your FREE Study Sheet: https://storylearning.com/free_grammar_vocab_sheetStop obsessing over grammar rules! Discover why grammar study shouldn't be your focus, especially as a beginner language learner. Find out where to put your time and energy instead. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day
502: The hidden cost of learning two languages at once
👉 Grab your FREE Goal Planner: https://storylearning.com/goal_planner_2_languagesWant to learn multiple languages? Here's the truth nobody tells you: there's a specific level you need to reach in your first language before starting another. Miss this, and you'll stay stuck at beginner level in both.👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storyle
501: The real reason I wrote my language story books
👉 Get your FREE Fluency Blueprint: https://storylearning.com/fluency_blueprintI've sold over 1.5 million copies of my short story books for language learners. But why did I write them all those years ago at my parent's kitchen table? Get the unfiltered, untold story of my books, including details of new languages coming soon. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here:
500: Meet the viral brain scan guy who speaks 26 languages
👉 Grab your FREE Fluency Blueprint: https://storylearning.com/freefluencyblueprintVaughn Smith is a 26-language polyglot who had his brain scanned at MIT. Discover the man behind the scan and the surprisingly simple ways he learned so many languages.👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to o
426: Which language should I think in?
In this episode, Juan asks: “I’m learning Portuguese. Which language should I think in - English or Spanish?“ Find a 5* language tutor!
We're proud to recommend LanguaTalk as the best place to take language lessons online with a real teacher. StoryLearning is now part-owner of LanguaTalk, and that's because we're committed to building the best possible service out there to practise speaking, find
425: The anatomy of a language learning "masterplan"
In today's episode, Olly speaks with Sam Hendry, who lives in Dubai, about his amazing journey learning Spanish in one year.
Here's where you can watch the video of Sam surprising his girlfriend in Spanish:
Watch on Facebook
Watch on Instagram
Find a 5* language tutor!
We're proud to recommend LanguaTalk as the best place to take language lessons online with a real teacher. StoryLearning
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.
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:
Spanis
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 answe
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 s
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
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, h
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.
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
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
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 sta
416 - How Can I Prepare To Travel Abroad In 1 Month?
In this live episode of the podcast, I answer YouTube user Kay Koopmans' excellent question:
"I have a month before I go to Germany for a 10-month foreign exchange program, but I don’t know any German. With a month's time to prepare, what do you suggest I do? Just learn like anyone else? Just memorize vocab? What’s the most effective thing to focus on when you only have a very short amount of time
415 - Can you get fluent just by reading?
If you've listened to this podcast or watched some of my videos, you may be thinking to yourself: "Wait a minute... Olly's method seems to be ALL ABOUT READING! What about listening and speaking? Does this guy think you can get fluent by reading alone?!" In this episode of the podcast (originally published on my YouTube channel), I answer this exact question.
Note: I refer to a simple graph in the
414 - How this Mormon Missionary Learned AMAZING Korean
Imagine that you got a letter in the post announcing that you will be put on a plane to Korea in just 9 weeks, where you will stand on a street corner and talk to strangers about your faith IN KOREAN. Add to this the fact that you don't yet speak a single word in the language!
That is precisely what Derek Driggs experienced when he trained to be a Mormon (LDS) missionary at the Missionary Training
413 - Can you learn two new languages at the same time?
In this LIVE recording of the I Will Teach You A Language Podcast on YouTube, I answer YouTuber user @Bash Fakosh's question: "Do you think learning 2 languages together works? Or is it a recipe for disaster?"
Free Download: StoryLearning Kit
Click below to get free access to my StoryLearning Kit and discover how to learn a new language quickly and naturally through stories:
ht
412 - How can you read when you're still a beginner?
In this LIVE recording of the I Will Teach You A Language Podcast on YouTube, I answer the question: "I'm a complete beginner. How can I possibly start reading?" Many assume that my StoryLearning method only works for more experienced learners, but the truth is that there is a way for even complete beginners to start reading books and learning through stories. You just have to get 3 things right f
411 - Should you look up words as you read?
In this live recording of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast on YouTube, I answer a question from @rightinfrontofmysalad! about whether you should read a book straight through or stop to look up words you don't know. This is a really good question, and one that I get a lot. And my answer to this is a really important part of making StoryLearning work...
Resources & Links Mentioned
The 1
410 - When's the right time to start speaking?
In this live recording of the I Will Teach You A Language podcast on YouTube, I answer the question: "When is the right time to start speaking a foreign language?" I also answer:
Why is this question asked in the first place?
What are the most popular theories and methods?
What are people's actual experience in real life with these methods?
What is my personal perspective on the best approa
409 - How To Learn a Language by Watching TV With Ethan Wanger
Ethan Wanger is an English teacher, world traveler, and the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of RealLife English, a popular site, YouTube channel, podcast, course, and app which helps people learn English through popular TV series. He has lived in Germany, Poland, Brazil, Thailand, and Chile, and is currently based in Barcelona. In his words, Ethan's mission in life is to "diminish cultural
Introducing July’s StoryLearning Challenges!
Our newest 30-Day StoryLearning Challenges begin on Thursday 1st July!
Here are the topics:
SPANISH - Real Good Reflexives
FRENCH - 101 Essential French Verbs
ITALIAN - Spoken Italian Made Simple
GERMAN - Spoken German Made Simple
JAPANESE - Spoken Japanese Made Simple
To enrol, visit:
http://storylearningchallenge.com/
408 - How to develop TRUE spoken fluency in a foreign language
Have you been learning a language for a while but still can't speak it? Do you believe that there is a secret, hack, or ultimate method waiting to be discovered that will finally launch you to true spoken fluency? If so, then this episode (previously shared on my YouTube channel) is a must for you!
Resources Mentioned
Here are some of the tools, videos, and links I mentioned in the episode:
My Y
407 - Two polyglots geek out on teaching methods (with Lukas Van Vyve)
Lukas van Vyve is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the co-founder of Spring Spanish, a new site and YouTube channel that uses the power of "Conversation Based Chunking" to help you get fluent faster.
In our conversation, we talk about:
What it's like to grow up in a country where 3 languages are spoken (Hint: it's not what you think!).
Why Lukas can get in the car, drive 45 minutes i
406 - How Aletta Mazlin built storytelling websites for language learners
Like me, Aletta Mazlin is a big believer in learning languages through stories. Her passion for story-telling has led to the creation of a number of fantastic language learning resources, including The French Experiment, The Italian Experiment, The Spanish Experiment, and The German Project.
Her latest project is called The Fable Cottage, a delightful site which shares bilingual ta
405: How to start a new life abroad as an expat with Mikkel Thorup
Today I'm joined by Mikkel Thorup, host of the Expat Money Show podcast.
ExpatMoneyShow.com
Have you ever dreamt of living abroad? Well today, you're going to find out everything you need to know about the nuts and bolts of becoming an expat, including:
The best places to become an expat
The difference between: Tourist visas, Permanent residency, and Citizenship
The easiest countries for
404 - How to get started in a brand-new language with Mari Polyglot
In this episode, I speak with Mari Salvestrini, a polyglot based in the Netherlands who has had language learning adventures all over the world, including time in Spain, Belgium, and Italy. She speaks Spanish, English, Dutch, Italian, and Portuguese, and is currently learning German and Japanese. In our conversation, you'll hear how she has learned so many languages, her tips for both absolute beg
403 - Is this the smartest way to learn German? With Michael Schmitz
In this episode, I speak with Michael Schmitz, the man behind the site Smarter German and the author of How to Learn German Faster. He holds a master's degree in German as a Foreign Language, and has been teaching the language all the way back to 1999. After teaching in traditional language schools for many years, Michael grew increasingly frustrated with the mainstream approach to teaching langua
402 - Is it a good idea to copy entire books by hand???
Carmela asks: "My professor likes to choose a random book and copy it out by hand. Is this a good method?"
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401 - The 3 secrets of adult language learning with Elisa Polese
In this episode, I speak with Elisa Polese, a professional language teacher, coach, and author well-known for teaching multiple languages at once in the same classroom! To date, she has studied a staggering 25 languages, and teaches 13 of them, including Italian, German, English, Spanish, Russian, French, Dutch, Catalan, Portuguese, Greek, Hindi, Arabic, and Esperanto!
In our conversation, we disc
400 - How to start a new life in a tiny Spanish village with Casie Tennin
In this episode, I speak with Casie Tennin, a blogger and avid world traveler from New York City. Her international adventures began with a one-way ticket to rural Spain in 2014, where she went from broken high school Spanish to fluent español in less than a year! Since then, she has visited 27 countries in total, which you can hear all about on her blog, A Wandering Casiedilla. In our conversatio
399 - How to make a gringo fluent in Spanish! With Jim & May from Spanish and Go
In this episode, Olly chats with the dynamic duo behind Spanish and Go, Jim Fricker II, a self-proclaimed 'gringo from Minnesota', and May Larios García, a teacher from Colima, Mexico. On their site, podcast, and popular YouTube channel, they share tips and tools for learning the real Spanish you need to speak the language with confidence, travel more easily in Spanish-speaking countries, and havi
398 - Chasing dreams & mastering languages with Dustin Luke and Ruben Adery
In this episode, I speak with Ruben Adery, a linguist, polyglot, dialect coach, and Fulbright Scholar, and Dustin Luke, a content creator, travel show host, and a YouTuber with over half a million subscribers. In 2020, they combined forces to create Spanish Speaking Hacks, where they help learners sound more like native speakers and less like gringos. In our conversation, we will dive into some pr
397 - How to get booked solid as an online language teacher
In this episode, Olly speaks with Wesley Swanson about becoming a successful online language teacher.
Wes decided he wanted to move to China, and was looking for ways to earn an income while he was there, which led him to Olly's Online Teaching Accelerator programme. He had no teaching background, but loved languages and was attracted by the idea of earning a living online doing something me
396 - The music-lover's guide to becoming fluent in Spanish with Tamara Marie
In this episode, I speak with Tamara Marie, the founder of Spanish con Salsa, where Spanish learners can get fluent faster through the fun of Latin music. In the conversation, she shares the many advantages of learning languages through music, why narratives and rhythm are such powerful memory-enhancers, and how she herself got fluent in the language. You all know that I'm a big advocate for learn
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