Motivation
08May
8 May 2018
How Long to Get to a Conversational Level in a Language?
Conversation implies a two-way exchange of language. Therefore, reaching a conversational level implies quite a high level of comprehension of the language so that we can understand what is being said to us. That means in order to converse properly we need to prepare ourselves.
Read more How Long to Get to a Conversational Level in a Language?23Apr
23 Apr 2018
Learning a Language is Like Falling in Love
I have been asked to redo the recording for this podcast that I did over two years ago. Here it is again. This evening I have to give a short talk in Japanese to about 30 members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. I am a Director of this Cha...
Read more Learning a Language is Like Falling in Love27Mar
27 Mar 2018
A Language Learner’s Manifesto
Have you been studying a language for a while? Are you still afraid to speak ? Follow the Language Learner’s Manifesto and become confident and FLUENT in your chosen language.
Read more A Language Learner’s Manifesto13Feb
13 Feb 2018
Meaningful Language Learning Goals
The goal of fluency in a foreign language can often seem vague and elusive. It is not always clear what fluency means. Those who have not experienced the feeling of achieving fluency in another language doubt they can get there, and doubt they would know if they did. Learners often feel they are not making […]
Read more Meaningful Language Learning Goals30Jan
30 Jan 2018
How to Learn Any Language Effortlessly
When I wrote my book The Linguist: A Personal Guide to Language Learning, I began with what I called ‘The Parable of the Crooked Tree’. The author of the parable was Zhuangzi, an early exponent of Taoism, a school of Chinese philosophy from over 2,000 years ago. I referred to Taoism on a number of occasions in my book. Zhuangzi’s basic principle in life was to follow what was natural, what [...]
Read more How to Learn Any Language Effortlessly02Jan
2 Jan 2018
How Can You Become Fluent in a Foreign Language?
Can I become fluent in a foreign language? If your answer to this question is no, then you are best to stop trying. If you don't believe that you can reach the destination in your journey, why start? On the other hand, if you believe you can become fluent in a foreign language, you are well on your way to achieving fluency.
Read more How Can You Become Fluent in a Foreign Language?22Aug
22 Aug 2017
How to Learn Any Language: 7 Tips for Staying on Task
We live in the golden age of language learning. The Internet brings us an unprecedented cornucopia of language learning resources, tools, communities, exchange websites and more. We can buy audiobooks, ebooks, access online newspapers and magazines in the language of our choice. We can follow these resources on our iPhones and iPads, and have them […]
Read more How to Learn Any Language: 7 Tips for Staying on Task09Aug
9 Aug 2017
Inspiring Words: Find Your Language Learning Motivation
Sometimes I wonder if I am just spinning my wheels writing and doing videos about language learning. Maybe I am beginning to sound like a broken record. And then there are moments that make it all worthwhile. This was in response to a Tweet from Roman Waschuk, the Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine. I immediately remembered […]
Read more Inspiring Words: Find Your Language Learning Motivation29May
29 May 2017
Starting My Slavic Languages Month
Heureux qui, comme Ulysse, a fait un beau voyage, Ou comme cestuy-là qui conquit la toison, Et puis est retourné, plein d’usage et raison, Vivre entre ses parents le reste de son âge! Quand reverrai-je, hélas, de mon petit village Fumer la cheminée, et en quelle saison Reverrai-je le clos de ma pauvre maison, Qui […]
Read more Starting My Slavic Languages Month12May
12 May 2017
Getting Back Into Korean with New Comprehensible Input: A Netflix Drama!
Meaningful content, compelling content, comprehensible input, these are terms that we often hear from people talking about language learning. Stephen Krashen points out that we learn languages when we receive messages that are important to us, that have meaning. These messages should be of interest and yet not too difficult. As we read and listen […]
Read more Getting Back Into Korean with New Comprehensible Input: A Netflix Drama!