
#89 Elena Guillén on Going from Dabbler to Consistent Learner
03/07/22 • 36 min
Language dabbler and native Spanish speaker, Elena Guillén, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning Hindi during the pandemic, as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.
This episode features Elena, who found the routine and structure of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped her make significant progress with Hindi in just 90 days.
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
Mentioned in this Episode
Episode Overview
Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:
- The pros of being an introverted language learner
- Learning languages with ADD and finding focus
- Using structures vs frameworks
- Overcoming perfectionism and distraction
- Tips for studying lesser-learned and ancient languages
- Finding commonalities between languages
- Advantages and disadvantages of knowing multiple languages
- Learning through music, songs and films
- Learning vocabulary with the “goldlisting” method
- The power of community and accountability
- The fun of learning different writing systems
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.
Language dabbler and native Spanish speaker, Elena Guillén, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning Hindi during the pandemic, as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.
This episode features Elena, who found the routine and structure of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped her make significant progress with Hindi in just 90 days.
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
Mentioned in this Episode
Episode Overview
Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:
- The pros of being an introverted language learner
- Learning languages with ADD and finding focus
- Using structures vs frameworks
- Overcoming perfectionism and distraction
- Tips for studying lesser-learned and ancient languages
- Finding commonalities between languages
- Advantages and disadvantages of knowing multiple languages
- Learning through music, songs and films
- Learning vocabulary with the “goldlisting” method
- The power of community and accountability
- The fun of learning different writing systems
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.
Previous Episode

Ask Benny: How Do You Gather the Courage to Speak?
In this episode Benny gives a pep-talk to help you find motivation and courage to start a conversation in your target language. It can be so tempting to avoid speaking, whether it's because you're shy, embarrassed, or scared of making mistakes. But if you can bite the bullet and take the leap, you'll be surprised by just how much you can achieve. Listen to this episode if you need a bit of a confidence boost!
To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]
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Next Episode

#90 St. Patrick’s Day Special: Sadelle’s Irish Journey
In this week’s special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Community Coach for the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Sadelle Wiltshire, talks with Elizabeth and Benny about learning Irish and joining the Challenge at an upper-beginner level.
This episode features Sadelle, who made significant progress with her Irish 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
Mentioned in this Episode
- Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
- Benny’s Irish Instagram
- Benny’s Irish TikTok
- Benny’s Irish Twitter
- Teanglann dictionary
- Focloir dictionary
- Tearma dictionary
- Potafocal dictionary
- Futurelearn Irish from Dublin City University
- Gaeilge Gan Stró beginner textbook
- Ranganna beginner course
- Free Zoom classes from Philo-Celtic Society
- Let’s Learn Irish
- Tuairisc news site with learner content
- Nós online magazine
- Childrens’ stories
- Craic le Gaeilge Discord server
- Irish Wordle
- TG4 streaming TV shows in Irish
- Raidió na Gaeltachta
- Seachtain na Gaeilge
Additional Recommended Resources
- Conradh na Gaeilge Los Angeles
- Daltaí na Gaeilge
- Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir / The North American Gaeltacht
- Irish language book club
- Video news clips and transcripts from Maynooth University - intermediate
- Children’s newsletter from Maynooth University - beginner
Episode Overview
Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:
- Joining the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge at an A2 level
- Humor as a motivator when learning
- Music and singing when learning Irish
- Getting your head around Irish pronunciation
- How to deal with the different Irish dialects
- Gaelic vs Irish
- How to build a community in your target language
- First steps and resources for Irish
- The secret to having fun in your target language
- Overcoming shyness, perfectionism and fear of speaking
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.
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