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July 10, 2025 46 mins

How to Learn a Foreign Language

In today’s show I interview Kerstin Cable of the Fluent Company about ways we can improve our language learning skills.  We learn what works and what doesn’t in our quest of how to learn a new language.

We cover:

  • Why it’s smart to learn at least a few phrases of a foreign language before you visit a country that speaks it
  • Why bumbling and massacring a language is a great way to learn
  • The importance of +1 or ‘zone of proximal development’ is important
  • How much time it usually takes to learn the key phrases of a new language before traveling
  • Why it’s great to be in the ‘waffle’ stage of learning before going in country
  • About trying to learn several new languages simultaneously
  • Why motivation can mean more than aptitude
  • How to deal with locals who switch to English on you
  • Why grammar isn’t the most important thing
  • Great ways to immerse yourself in a new language
  • How to use the internet to speed language acquisition
  • The most effective way to use flash cards and four great apps
  • The importance of ‘pattern spotting’ when it comes to grammar
  • The most effective way to spend your time when learning a new language
  • And much more!

COMPLETE SHOW NOTES  See important links and tips for learning a foreign language

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