The Unconventional Polyglot: A Unique Approach to Learning Languages
This is a podcast about languages and language-learning from a unique perspective. Since 2018, I have spent thousands of hours studying (to varying degrees) 16 languages (!), and I have learned a lot about what works and what doesn't, from apps to websites to books to YouTube channels, podcasts and more. Join me as we explore the process of language learning, as well as the languages themselves (the true stars of the show!).
Episodes
39 episodes
Language-learning app review -- Busuu
In this episode I cover which languages Busuu offers, how their language courses are structured, what makes Busuu different from other apps (particularly Duolingo), and my personal likes and dislikes related to the app.
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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17:21
Is your language study diverse enough? (Mine wasn't)
In this episode, based on recent personal experience, I advocate maintaining a language study routine that encompasses all four major aspects of language: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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16:17
Duolingo courses ranked WORST to BEST
In this episode, I rank the 18 Duolingo courses that I have personally worked through.
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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25:42
My method for maximizing vocabulary retention while reading
In this episode, I lay out the method I use to best ensure that I retain as much vocabulary as possible while I read materials in one of my target languages.
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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13:59
How can you most effectively retain vocabulary in your target language?
In this episode, I outline a method I use to organize and retain vocabulary into my long-term memory. I am confident that if you follow the steps in this method, you will be able to add many, many new words into your target-language vocab...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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12:38
A review of 2022 and preview of my 2023 language study!
In this episode, I look back at my goals for language-learning in 2022 and how well I met those goals. Then I discuss what my language-learning goals are for 2023.
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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19:45
How can you tell if you're REALLY fluent in a language?
In this episode, I take a look at a question that any language-learner is likely to ask themself numerous times along the language-learning process, along with tips on how to measure progress toward fluency.
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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22:16
Is it REALLY a good idea to study several languages at the same time?
In this episode, I discuss, largely based on my own (extensive) personal experience, why it may or may not be a good idea to study several languages at once, depending on the language learner.
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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18:14
Overcoming the dreaded 'intermediate plateau'
In this episode, I discuss the so-called 'intermediate plateau' in language-learning, its cause, and several ways to overcome it.
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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15:00
Is it okay to study closely related languages at the same time?
In this episode, I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning multiple closely-related languages at the same time.
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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16:31
My recommendations of reading materials for learning French
In this episode, I recommend French Short Stories For Intermediate Level, a 3-volume series by Frederic Bibard, Intermediate French Short Stories by LingoMastery, Short Stories in French and 101 Conversations in Simple/Intermediate French by Ol...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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16:54
My recommendations of YouTube channels and podcasts for learning French
In this episode, I cover five Youtube Channels (Easy French, Français Authentique, Parapluie French, French with Pascal, and C'est pas Sorcier) and four podcasts (Inner French, Français avec Yasmine, Français Authentique, and Français avec Flui...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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12:57
My recommendations of apps for learning French
In this episode, I discuss most of the apps that I have used to learn French.
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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23:42
Can you become fluent in a language using only apps?
In this episode, I discuss how feasible it is to achieve fluency in a target language using only apps.
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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14:52
The Danger of Frustration
In this episode, I discuss the inevitable frustration that occurs in language learning, and how that frustration can either be turned into motivation or it can lead to giving up.
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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12:43
The Danger of Tunnel-vision
In this episode, I discuss why I highly recommend using a variety of different resources to learn a language, rather than relying on one or two resources alone.
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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14:00
The Danger of Overconfidence
In this episode, I discuss some of the ways that overconfidence, particularly influenced by some apps and level-assessment tests, can arise. This overconfidence can then easily turn into self-doubt once the reality of how much time and ef...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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11:17
The Danger of Self-doubt
In this episode, I discuss the self-doubt that commonly accompanies the frustrations that arise during language-learning, and I offer a couple of ways to minimize that doubt.
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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10:46
The Power of Talking to Yourself
In this episode, I give suggestions for speaking activities that you can do with nobody else around to help strengthen your ability to think more quickly and naturally in your target language, leading to better speaking.
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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12:42
The Power of Patience
In this episode, I talk about the importance of being patient as a language learner, and how a lack of patience can result in a lot of unnecessary frustration and self-doubt.
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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12:14
The Power of Listening
In this episode, I discuss what is perhaps the most important part of language-learning: listening. When done in a sufficient quantity and with the right listening materials, listening can significantly advance your language learning.
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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11:05
The Power of Repetition
In this episode, I discuss how powerful repetition has been in my language-learning, after having avoided it for a long time. I give examples of the use of repetition in reading, listening, and usage of apps.
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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12:55
Reflections on 2021 and Plans for 2022
In this episode, I evaluate how close I came to accomplishing the language-learning goals I had set up for myself at the beginning of 2021, and I introduce my goals and 2 "new" primary target languages for 2022.
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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8:52
What is fluency? How can we measure progress toward fluency?
In this episode, I address the fairly subjective concept of fluency, as well as common-sense benchmarks to indicate how far you are along the path to fluency.
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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12:30
My recommendations of reading materials for learning Spanish
In this episode, I highlight the books of three particular authors (Paco Ardit, Juan Fernández and Olly Richards) who each have series of graded readers for learners of Spanish. I also mention an app, LingQ, which is a very useful resourc...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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16:19