Language Learning Made Simple - The MezzoGuild Podcast

Language Learning Made Simple - The MezzoGuild Podcast

Are you learning a foreign language (or want to)? Get the best and most unique advice and tips from Donovan Nagel, author of the well-known blog 'The Mezzofanti Guild - Language Learning Made Simple'. Also check out Talk In Arabic, a sister project.

Episodes

May 21, 2019 12 mins

Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/better-language-learning/

In this episode, I share 9 actionable steps you can take right now that will guarantee you better language learning.
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For inexpensive language tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)
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Read more: https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-blogging/

In this episode, I talk about language learning blogging, how it's all changing and how to stay relevant in 2019.

This is a follow-up to my guide: https://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-a-language-blog/

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

 

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Order it here: https://amzn.to/2FnjwkE

Read more: https://www.mezzoguild.com/egyptian-arabic-easy-stories/

The first paperback edition of our new series called Egyptian Arabic: Easy Stories With English Translations is up now on Amazon.

It consists of 12 mini stories in colloquial Egyptian that incrementally rise in length and difficulty.

Here’s what you’ll find in the book:

* 12 mini stories on various focus topics, full of high-f...

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October 27, 2018 10 mins

 

Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn-language-like-a-child/

In this episode, I talk about my son and his language development, and how as adults we can learn in much the same way.

We have advantages as adults in many ways but the idea that we can never learn the way children do is false.

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get...

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Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/cultural-identity

In this episode, I reflect on the personal challenge and pain I've experienced assimilating into various cultures and then having to leave.

Language maintenance is easy - cultural identity maintenance is the real challenge.

Why are assimilators the best language learners?

How do we perpetuate our assimilation into foreign cultures long after we've left and is it even poss...

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/fluency-proficiency/

In this episode, I reflect on the difference between language fluency and proficiency.

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/one-year-old-language-learning/

In this episode, I talk about my 1 year old son's language development and how the observations I've made can apply to natural adult language acquisition.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/koine-greek-isnt-hard/

In this episode, I share more about my current approach to learning Koine (New Testament) Greek. I offer suggestions for how seminaries and colleges can improve on teaching it.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/koine-greek-modern-greek/

In this episode, I share a bit about my own personal goal for 2018 to learn Koine and Modern Greek simultaneously. To what extent do they benefit each other? We'll see.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/syrian-iraqi-refugees-jordan/

See the project we're working on here: https://www.talkinarabic.com/

In this episode, I share more specifics on our time in Jordan and our time working with the Iraqi and Syrian refugees there.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

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Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-immersion-with-children/

See the project we're working on here: https://www.talkinarabic.com/

In this episode, I share an update from our time in Jordan and some observations from doing our first language immersion trip as a family with a child.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and ...

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Read my full article here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/foreign-language-careers/

Read my guide for language learning blogging here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-a-language-blog/

In this episode, I share some of the best foreign language career ideas and my experience with each of them.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a f...

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Read my full article here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/8-important-things-to-do-language-immersion-trip/

In this episode, I share some important advice for anyone wanting or planning to go on a language immersion trip abroad in order to get the most out of the trip.

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

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Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/aussie-australian-english-the-best-english/

In this episode, I talk about the different types of Australian English, how they came about and why it's the best variety of English on earth (clear bias!).

 

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For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

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Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/michel-thomas-review/

In this episode, I share the results of my detailed review and analysis of the Michel Thomas Method (Total and Perfect Arabic specifically).

Overall I don't recommend it and here are the reasons why I reached this conclusion.

 

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For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here ...

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In this episode, I walk you through how I continue to work on improving foreign languages when I'm already at a high level.

I share some examples from my own journey with Arabic.

Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/improve-when-youre-already-fluent/

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For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

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In this episode I talk a bit more about my 'chunking' technique which I argue is a far more natural way to learn to speak a foreign language than traditional grammar study.

I share a simple example from my time in Egypt as a new learner of Arabic.

Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/chunking-and-language-learning/

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For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzog...

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April 15, 2017 15 mins

In this episode, I talk about how I originally learned Arabic over a decade ago and how I'd do it differently if I had the chance to start all over again.

This advice will benefit you if you're considering learning Arabic yourself.

Read my full article right here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-learning-arabic/

 

Join our site TalkInArabic.com here: http://www.talkinarabic.com/

Get more of my recommendations for Arabic reso...

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In this episode, I discuss performance anxiety and how it affects me with regard to learning languages.

I also offer strategies to overcome it.

Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/anxiety/

 

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In this episode, I discuss in detail some of the differences that Moroccan and other Maghrebi dialects have from the more popular Arabic varieties like Egyptian and Levantine.

Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/moroccan-arabic/

Visit Talk In Arabic here: http://www.talkinarabic.com/

Find Moroccan Arabic teachers here (and get a free lesson): http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki

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