Motivation
03Jul
3 Jul 2018
Why Learn Another Language?
There are many reasons we might decide to try to learn another language. We might need the language for study or work purposes, to communicate with family or friends or to connect with the culture of the country where the language is spoken.I must admit, I am motivated initially just by the possibility of accessing a new culture, with all that that can bring me in terms of learning about [...]
Read more Why Learn Another Language?12Jun
12 Jun 2018
Can We Learn to Speak a Foreign Language Like a Native Speaker?
I can speak 17 or so languages to varying degrees of fluency. Some I speak really well, like French, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. Even in languages that I speak less well, like Swedish, German, or Russian, my accent is not too bad, people tell me.
Read more Can We Learn to Speak a Foreign Language Like a Native Speaker?15May
15 May 2018
Online Language Learning & Measuring Progress
Traditionally, language learners have been divided into three groups: those who learn informally on their own, those who attend school, and those who do both. In a classroom environment, the teacher can assign tasks to the learner and provide some overview and even coercion to ensure that the learner carries out these tasks, regardless of […]
Read more Online Language Learning & Measuring Progress23Apr
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 Effortlessly22Aug
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 Month