
083: Fast Track to Fluency: Language Learning Secrets – Olly Richards
06/21/19 • 109 min
WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:
- Languages Olly Richards Speaks: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese, Arabic, some German and Thai.
- Love of Language: Olly's journey began with French, followed by Spanish and Portuguese. Japanese was his most challenging language.
- Learning Multiple Languages: Discussion on motivations and methods for learning languages, overcoming limiting beliefs about language learning.
- Limiting Beliefs Debunked:
- Anyone can learn a second language.
- Non-native speakers can learn Mandarin.
- Children can learn multiple languages without confusion.
- Believing in a bad memory can hinder learning.
- How to Learn a Language: Olly's courses use storytelling as an effective method. Start with basic courses and practice regularly.
- Spanish Learning: Recommendations for Olly's Spanish courses and the importance of practicing with native speakers.
- Practical Tips: Use online resources like iTalki, practice in real-world settings, and stay motivated to continuously improve.
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If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today's story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”CONCLUSION
This was truly a fascinating and interesting interview with Olly Richards from I Will Teach You A Language. This is the longest interview at 1 hour and 43 minutes because there was so much to learn. I’ve tried to learn Mandarin for 4 years and have been unsuccessful, now I know why. I learned to speak fluent Spanish in 3 months, how did I do that and not Mandarin? Olly explains why. As we’ve mentioned earlier on, the question really is can I learn to speak a foreign language, and the answer is a resounding YES! Please listen in if you’ve struggled with other courses and books and not had any success in moving forward. Maybe you just have not had the right learning tools for you. Give Olly’s course a try. If all else has failed, what have you got to lose? And if you are just starting out and you are starting at ground zero, this is the best language product I’ve come across. For 4 years I’ve tried cue cards and Mandarin dictionaries and they have not worked. This is the course for me and I hope you’ll take the time and wander through Olly’s website and sign up. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any questions for Olly or myself regarding the learning curve and what to expect. I’ll keep you posted on how my wife, daughter and mother make out taking Spanish Uncovered and the progress they all make in Panama.Mentioned in this episode:
Into The Amazon—Then Straight To The Beach
This year, I’m taking a private group into the Amazon rainforest—then we head to Fortaleza and explore Brazil’s booming Northeast coast. Think Amazon river cruises, beachfront developments, and wide-open opportunity. From the heart of the rainforest to pristine beaches most people only dream about—this is bucket-list meets Plan-B strategy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Brazil and scout investments along the way, this is it. Go to ExpatMoney.com/Brazil.
Brazil Tour August 2 - 9, 2025
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now o...
WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:
- Languages Olly Richards Speaks: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese, Arabic, some German and Thai.
- Love of Language: Olly's journey began with French, followed by Spanish and Portuguese. Japanese was his most challenging language.
- Learning Multiple Languages: Discussion on motivations and methods for learning languages, overcoming limiting beliefs about language learning.
- Limiting Beliefs Debunked:
- Anyone can learn a second language.
- Non-native speakers can learn Mandarin.
- Children can learn multiple languages without confusion.
- Believing in a bad memory can hinder learning.
- How to Learn a Language: Olly's courses use storytelling as an effective method. Start with basic courses and practice regularly.
- Spanish Learning: Recommendations for Olly's Spanish courses and the importance of practicing with native speakers.
- Practical Tips: Use online resources like iTalki, practice in real-world settings, and stay motivated to continuously improve.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today's story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”CONCLUSION
This was truly a fascinating and interesting interview with Olly Richards from I Will Teach You A Language. This is the longest interview at 1 hour and 43 minutes because there was so much to learn. I’ve tried to learn Mandarin for 4 years and have been unsuccessful, now I know why. I learned to speak fluent Spanish in 3 months, how did I do that and not Mandarin? Olly explains why. As we’ve mentioned earlier on, the question really is can I learn to speak a foreign language, and the answer is a resounding YES! Please listen in if you’ve struggled with other courses and books and not had any success in moving forward. Maybe you just have not had the right learning tools for you. Give Olly’s course a try. If all else has failed, what have you got to lose? And if you are just starting out and you are starting at ground zero, this is the best language product I’ve come across. For 4 years I’ve tried cue cards and Mandarin dictionaries and they have not worked. This is the course for me and I hope you’ll take the time and wander through Olly’s website and sign up. Please leave me a comment below and let me know if you have any questions for Olly or myself regarding the learning curve and what to expect. I’ll keep you posted on how my wife, daughter and mother make out taking Spanish Uncovered and the progress they all make in Panama.Mentioned in this episode:
Into The Amazon—Then Straight To The Beach
This year, I’m taking a private group into the Amazon rainforest—then we head to Fortaleza and explore Brazil’s booming Northeast coast. Think Amazon river cruises, beachfront developments, and wide-open opportunity. From the heart of the rainforest to pristine beaches most people only dream about—this is bucket-list meets Plan-B strategy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Brazil and scout investments along the way, this is it. Go to ExpatMoney.com/Brazil.
Brazil Tour August 2 - 9, 2025
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now o...
Previous Episode

082: Navigating Expat Finances: Pathways to Freedom – Shlomo Freund
Shlomo Freund is a serial entrepreneur. His latest company is called Free Financial Self, where he helps expats eliminate money as a source of stress and gain confidence in their future finances. In this episode of The Expat Money Show, we are going to discuss financial freedom for expats. .
WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:
- Financial Freedom for Expats: Mikkel Thorup and Shlomo Freund discuss strategies for expats to achieve financial freedom through careful planning.
- Starting Point (Point A): Define long-term goals, calculate net worth, and understand current financial status.
- Reaching Goals (Point B): Steps and strategies to achieve financial goals.
- Investment Concepts:
- Crowd Investing: Co-investing in businesses online.
- Equity Crowdfunding: Selling company shares to the public.
- Peer-to-Peer Lending: Lending money through online platforms.
- Digital Nomad Comparison: Differences between financial planning for expats and digital nomad lifestyles.
- Personal Financial Planning: Importance of planning for marriage, family, and retirement.
- Planning Significance: Necessity of a financial plan to avoid pitfalls and achieve life goals.
- Free Financial Self: Shlomo Freund's platform to help entrepreneurs achieve financial freedom.
As promised, from Free Financial Self: Click Here For Free Net Worth Calculator
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today's story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”CONCLUSION
I really got a ton of information from my interview with my good friend Shlomo Freund from Free Financial Self. We talk about how you can achieve financial freedom as an expat and the sooner you start implementing Point A, the faster Point B will happen. When I first started The Expat Money Show, my goal was to help expat entrepreneurs and in this interview, we’re still on track!Mentioned in this episode:
Into The Amazon—Then Straight To The Beach
This year, I’m taking a private group into the Amazon rainforest—then we head to Fortaleza and explore Brazil’s booming Northeast coast. Think Amazon river cruises, beachfront developments, and wide-open opportunity. From the heart of the rainforest to pristine beaches most people only dream about—this is bucket-list meets Plan-B strategy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Brazil and scout investments along the way, this is it. Go to ExpatMoney.com/Brazil.
Brazil Tour August 2 - 9, 2025
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Next Episode

084: Rethinking Offshore Investing: Why Americans Should Be Open – Mark Nestmann
Mark Nestmann has a Masters of Law in international tax law. In this interview with Mark Nestmann, they really dive deep on why the Americans have negative views towards offshore investing. .
WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:
- Negative View Towards Offshore Investing: US citizens often have negative attitudes about living and doing business overseas due to lack of travel experience and media portrayal of tax evasion.
- Tax Havens: The USA is seen as the largest tax haven due to FACTA and lack of information exchange. Many Americans abroad face higher taxes and banking challenges.
- Living Abroad: Despite higher taxes, many Americans move abroad for unique opportunities and personal reasons. Popular destinations include Canada and Mexico.
- Challenges: Cultural adjustment and logistical challenges are common for Americans relocating abroad.
- Tax Filing: Only a small fraction of Americans abroad file tax returns, raising concerns about tax evasion. Options exist for those who haven't filed.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today's story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”CONCLUSION
My interview with Mark Nestmann from the Nestmann Group was extremely educational. I’ve had several interviews that delve into the topics we discuss, like, why Americans have negative views towards offshore investing and overseas bank accounts. I always find it fascinating how different my guests are and how they explain what they know about these topics. I know you’ll find these topics very helpful in you are an American living overseas.Mentioned in this episode:
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
Into The Amazon—Then Straight To The Beach
This year, I’m taking a private group into the Amazon rainforest—then we head to Fortaleza and explore Brazil’s booming Northeast coast. Think Amazon river cruises, beachfront developments, and wide-open opportunity. From the heart of the rainforest to pristine beaches most people only dream about—this is bucket-list meets Plan-B strategy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Brazil and scout investments along the way, this is it. Go to ExpatMoney.com/Brazil.
Brazil Tour August 2 - 9, 2025
Into The Amazon—Then Straight To The Beach
This year, I’m taking a private group into the Amazon rainforest—then we head to Fortaleza and explore Brazil’s booming Northeast coast. Think Amazon river cruises, beachfront developments, and wide-open opportunity. From the heart of the rainforest to pristine beaches most people only dream about—this is bucket-list meets Plan-B strategy. If you’ve ever wanted to see the real Brazil and scout investments along the way, this is it. Go to ExpatMoney.com/Brazil.
Brazil Tour August 2 - 9, 2025
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way b...
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