Language Hacking

In this week's "Ask Benny" episode, Benny addresses the problem of finding content in a less commonly spoken (or learned) language, and shares how he "trains" online algorithms to find the content he wants. He also reveals his method for finding good radio stations in your target language, and who he likes to ask for recommendations.

Benny put together this episode based on his recent experience seeking out engaging content in Catalan, Irish, and American Sign Language (ASL).

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

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Listening expert, Cara Leopold, talks with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about how she helps people improve their ability to understand fast-talking native speakers.

For the majority of people, listening is the first language skill we develop - it actually starts before we’re born! Cara explains how visual context, transcripts, and relevant content are all crucial for effective listening development. She also talks about how English changes when it’s spoken quickly, and gives advice for using subtitles effectively to learn a language by watching movies.

Mentioned in this Episode

• Leo Listening
• ANV Cop 21
• Alternatiba
• L’Affaire du Siècle

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

• The stress of classroom listening activities at school
• Why our listening ability may be behind our other language skills
• Overcoming the fear that comes with not understanding when someone speaks
• Visual clues playing an important role in listening
• How to improve your listening comprehension
• Ways to use TV and movies as tools to improve listening
• Different ways to use subtitles effectively
• Being an eco-friendly language learner

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Writer and long-term expat, Alicya, speaks with Benny and Elizabeth about learning French through the lens of another passion - wine tasting.

This episode features Alicya, who made significant progress with her French speaking ability in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• Wine Tasting Course

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

• Arriving in France with zero French
• Why the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge is so good, even for a shy or introverted person
• What it’s like living in France as an American
• Why Alicya had a harder time with French than Spanish and Italian
• How to make the most of a language exchange opportunity
• Raising a bilingual child
• Learning to read, and reading to learn
• Wine as a gateway to learning about French culture and history
• Developing a French “wine language island”
• Learning to do things using your target language
• How to tackle a polyglot Challenge

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

This week Benny talks about his experience with Mandarin, and why it doesn't deserve its reputation of being a difficult language for native English speakers to learn. He explains that if you focus on speaking, and leave the Chinese characters to one side, there are actually a lot of things that make Mandarin less complicated than many other languages.

Benny discusses learning and teaching Mandarin with Northwestern University professor, Dr. LiCheng Gu in more detail in episode 85. Benny, Shannon Kennedy, and Dr Gu worked together to write the new "Language Hacking Mandarin" book, which is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to make quick and effective progress speaking Chinese.

You can get a copy of "Language Hacking Mandarin" here.

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Soccer coach and fitness trainer, Andrew Hamerlinck, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning German and Spanish to chat with his fellow soccer players in their native languages.

This episode features Andrew, who made significant progress with his German and Spanish speaking abilities in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• Language Hacking Spanish

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

• How language and sports intersect
• Using mini milestones or missions to say motivated
• The importance of discipline, accountability, and community
• Habit-stacking fitness and language learning
• Building scripts
• Language islands
• Using “dials” to assess your workload

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.