Foreign Language Roadmap

Foreign Language Roadmap

Here we talk about how busy adults learn a foreign language. You know when you move abroad and its tough to fit in, get the hang of the language quickly and make friends? Well, here you learn everything you need to know and do to make that process easier. In fact, you get my approach that let me learn 3 languages (Italian, French, and Spanish) in the last 5 years, all on my own while juggling everything else in my life. Welcome!

Episodes

July 1, 2025 7 mins

Today’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re constantly restarting their language routine—only to fall off track again and again.

Because, honestly? That’s been me lately.

And if you’ve ever felt stuck in that cycle—of wanting to stay consistent, but ending up tired, overwhelmed, or just plain forgetting—I want to share something that’s been helping me lately: a psychological trick called the Fresh Start Effect.

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In today’s episode,

We’ll talk about:

  • The difference between translated and authentic content
  • Why jumping into native materials too early can actually slow you down
  • And how to strategically work your way up to using real-world resources—without getting discouraged

Let’s dive in! 

  1. Find me here on my website https://lgelena.com/
  2. or here on Instagram- https://www....
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Have you ever studied something—really studied it—only to completely blank when you needed to use it?

That sinking feeling of “I KNOW I’ve learned this before… so why can’t I remember it now?”

If you’ve been there—you’re not alone. In fact, I’ve been there too.

And today, I want to tell you how one frustrating experience almost made me give up learning Italian—and how a tool you probably haven’t fully tapped into yet saved me from ...

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Today’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt behind, too slow, or not “enough” on their journey. Maybe that’s how you feel right now—like others are speeding past you in their language learning or personal goals.

But what if the key to success isn’t speed or the time spent… it’s consistency?

Find me here on my website https://lgelena.com/

or here on Instagram- https://www.ins...

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Today, we’re going to dive into something that might feel uncomfortable, even a little scary—making mistakes. But what if I told you that the very thing you fear most could actually be the key to your success? That’s right, I’m talking about embracing your mistakes as part of the language learning process.

In this episode, we’re going to explore why mistakes aren’t something to be afraid of, but rather something to be enjoyed and c...

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What if the secret to speaking a new language confidently… was becoming someone else? No, seriously, a little element of disguise can make a huge difference. Whether it’s a hat, a scarf, or just a new mindset—tapping into an alter ego can change everything.

Today’s episode is all about overcoming speaking anxiety with a trick that performers and athletes swear by.

Ready to become the bolder, freer version of you?

  1. Find me here ...
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We all know how busy life can get—work, family, social commitments, and everything else on our plate can leave little time for language learning. But here’s the good news: you don’t need hours of study each day to make significant progress in your language journey. In fact, just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference.

If you are ready to try it out, download my free mini roadmap to a foreign language -  Free Mini Roadmap - htt...

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Let’s be real—language learning is rarely a smooth upward slope.Sometimes, it’s a shuffle. Sometimes it’s a backslide. Sometimes… you completely forget to study. And that happened to me. In my last German update, I shared how I was getting into the groove of learning the grammar foundation of my 6th language—how I’d found some tools that worked and was starting to build a rhythm. Well, today’s episode is the follow-up—the honest ch...

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Today, we’re tackling something that might be holding you back more than you think—perfectionism. We’ve all been there: that overwhelming pressure to say everything just right, to get the grammar perfect, to pronounce every word as if we were a native speaker. But here’s the thing: perfectionism could be slowing down your progress.

In this episode, we’re going to explore how the pursuit of perfection in language learning can actual...

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If you’re someone who’s constantly on the move—whether it’s juggling work, running errands, or handling family responsibilities—you might be feeling like there’s just not enough time in the day to study your new language. You’re not alone! Many of us lead busy lives, and it can be hard to find dedicated study time. But what if I told you that you don’t need hours of free time to make real progress?

If you want to have a solid plan ...

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Let’s be real—when you first start learning a new language, it’s exciting. You’re enthusiastic, you can’t wait to dive in, and every new word and grammar rules feels like a piece of cake. But eventually, that initial excitement starts to fade, and you may find yourself asking: "How do I keep going now?"

In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how to keep the fire burning in your language learning journey—even when things feel to...

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If you've been learning a new language for a while, you know that expanding your vocabulary is one of the most crucial aspects of becoming conversational. But let’s be real—remembering new words can be tricky, and it often feels like no matter how hard you try, there are just so many words to learn!

In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how to build your vocabulary faster and more effectively. Whether you’re just starting or h...

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Today, we’re tackling one of the biggest roadblocks that holds so many of us back: the fear of speaking. Whether it’s the fear of making mistakes, sounding “silly,” or being misunderstood, speaking in a new language can be incredibly intimidating. But here’s the good news: this fear is completely normal. The key is learning how to overcome it so you can speak with confidence, make connections, and truly embrace the process of learn...

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March 18, 2025 7 mins

If you’re new, I’m on a mission to become conversational in my sixth language – German – and I’m doing it using my own method, which I call the Foreign Language Roadmap (FLR). It’s a step-by-step process that takes you through four clear stages, and today, I’m sharing an honest and entertaining update on my progress after five months of learning German.

I’ll tell you how I’m tackling the challenge of understanding spoken German, th...

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If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “How can I actually stick to a study plan that works?” or “How can I make language learning fit into my busy life?”, then this episode is for you! Creating a personalized study plan is one of the most powerful ways to make consistent progress in your language learning journey. But here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You need a study plan that’s tailored to your specific ...

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Have you ever found yourself feeling frustrated, stuck, or discouraged in your language learning journey? What if I told you that your mindset could be the secret ingredient that makes all the difference? In this episode, we’re diving into the incredible power of shifting your mindset and how a positive, growth-oriented perspective can transform your language learning experience. It’s not just about memorizing vocabulary or masteri...

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If you’ve ever been in the middle of a conversation and found yourself completely stuck because you couldn’t remember that one word that you need, don’t worry. We've all been there.

Today, we’re diving into something that will change the way you think about communication in a new language: Why You Don’t Need to Know Every Word to Be Understood. Yup, that’s right—you can have a meaningful conversation even if your vocabulary isn’t p...

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Let's face it: language learning can get expensive. Apps, classes, private tutors... It all adds up, right?

But what if I told you that you can make significant progress in your target language without spending a fortune? Yes, you heard that right. Today, we’re talking about language learning on a budget—and I’m going to share some of my favorite FREE (yes, free!) and low-cost resources that will actually help you improve your skil...

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If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself hanging out in the 'expat bubble'—you know, that cozy group of people who all speak your native language, share similar experiences, and are also trying to navigate life in a new country.

But while it’s comforting, it can also feel a bit... limiting. If you’re craving those authentic connections with locals, your language skills are key to breaking out of that bubble.

In today’s epi...

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Today, we’re tackling a big one—what to do when your motivation takes a nosedive. You know the feeling: you’re excited when you start learning a language, but then life gets busy, progress feels slow, and suddenly you’re questioning if it’s worth it.

If you’ve ever thought, ‘Why am I even doing this?’ or felt like giving up, this episode is for you. We’re going to talk about what motivation really is, the difference between intrins...

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