If you have tried to learn a language before and it did not stick, I want you to know something. It probably was not your fault. Most … Read More about Comprehensible Input: What It Is, Why It Works, & How to Actually Use It
How to Study
The Best Duolingo Alternatives for Serious Learners (An Honest 2026 Guide)
So, you have a 300-day streak! The little owl is delighted with you. Then someone actually speaks to you, in Spanish or French or … Read More about The Best Duolingo Alternatives for Serious Learners (An Honest 2026 Guide)
How To Learn Languages Abroad: 7 Tips To Learn On The Move
A lot of people have the same daydream: if only I could move to another country, I'd be fluent in no time. Live in Japan and Japanese would … Read More about How To Learn Languages Abroad: 7 Tips To Learn On The Move
Is There A Perfect Language Learning Environment?
A reader named Sonia recently wrote to me with a question I suspect a lot of people quietly ask themselves. She’s from China and had … Read More about Is There A Perfect Language Learning Environment?
When Should You Start Learning A Third Language?
A reader named Denise recently wrote to me with a dilemma I hear all the time: when to start learning a third language. She's from … Read More about When Should You Start Learning A Third Language?
How To Stop Mixing Up Spanish And Portuguese
A reader named Steve wrote to me with a problem I know all too well. He’d spent around two years learning Spanish — never quite fluent, … Read More about How To Stop Mixing Up Spanish And Portuguese
How To Use Language Textbooks The Right Way
Have you ever had the experience of learning a new word, completing some exercises in a textbook, feeling like you know it, and then … Read More about How To Use Language Textbooks The Right Way
The Only 4 TV Shows That Will Make You Fluent
The average person watches more than 9 years of TV in their lifetime! But if you’re wondering how to learn languages by watching … Read More about The Only 4 TV Shows That Will Make You Fluent
Motivation In Language Learning: How Can I Stay Motivated?
When it comes to motivation in language learning, you can feel unstoppable one week and like a failure the next. You start off strong, … Read More about Motivation In Language Learning: How Can I Stay Motivated?
The Only Four Types Of Language Learning Apps That Work
Are you learning a foreign language? Then get ready for a bit of detective work on your phone. Check it now because only four valuable types … Read More about The Only Four Types Of Language Learning Apps That Work
Top Language Learning Tips To Improve Your Fluency
There are several errors language learners make when trying to achieve fluency in their chosen language. The difference between success … Read More about Top Language Learning Tips To Improve Your Fluency
Core Study Sequences: Study Preparation
https://youtu.be/baTRLadNTJk Welcome to my series of articles in which I show you exactly how I'm learning foreign languages every … Read More about Core Study Sequences: Study Preparation
21 Bad Study Habits That Are Killing Your Progress
What would you say if I told you: "You already know everything you need to know about language learning"? "You know the bad study habits … Read More about 21 Bad Study Habits That Are Killing Your Progress
Sprint Learning – A Way to Stay Productive while Language Learning
My entire experience with language learning has led me to one important conclusion about the big question of setting goals and making … Read More about Sprint Learning – A Way to Stay Productive while Language Learning
Learning How to Learn: Mastering the Science of Learning with Dr Barbara Oakley
https://youtu.be/uHdTLMuV9do Dr Barbara Oakley is a lifelong learning enthusiast with a colourful past. After struggling with … Read More about Learning How to Learn: Mastering the Science of Learning with Dr Barbara Oakley
How to Maintain a Language: 7 Creative Ways to Keep Your Dream Alive
After all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to learn a foreign language… The one thing you really want to avoid is… Forgetting … Read More about How to Maintain a Language: 7 Creative Ways to Keep Your Dream Alive
Intensive Language Learning: How to Learn Faster
Today I'm delighted to feature a guest post by Chi Fang about the value of intensive language learning. In this post, Chi argues that … Read More about Intensive Language Learning: How to Learn Faster
Keep the Inconsistency Villain at Bay: Learning Consistency
https://youtu.be/lKNOd3wdTsQ If you're learning a new language, then you need to know that six villains are out to get you. Yes, … Read More about Keep the Inconsistency Villain at Bay: Learning Consistency
How to Learn a Language Fluently: The Secret to Success… | TROLL 012
https://youtu.be/u0AabTA81_0 She said: "Nobody ever told me!" I said: "What do you mean nobody ever told you?" "Nobody told me. I … Read More about How to Learn a Language Fluently: The Secret to Success… | TROLL 012
Best Way To Learn A Language For Free: 9 Free Language Learning Strategies
We live in an online world where you can easily learn a language for free. But, without the structure of formal classes, you may be … Read More about Best Way To Learn A Language For Free: 9 Free Language Learning Strategies
How to Stick to Routine Language Learning: 10 Years of Trial and Error
Brian Kwong from DaGeniusLab surveyed his audience on what was holding them back in their language learning. The overwhelming response? Time … Read More about How to Stick to Routine Language Learning: 10 Years of Trial and Error
Can You Learn Two Languages At Once?
It's the language learning question I get asked most often. It comes up again and again on the podcast. And no matter how often we … Read More about Can You Learn Two Languages At Once?
Language Learning For Introverts: 8 Things You Need to Know
I’m an introvert, but it took me years to understand what that means, and how that affects my language learning. In this post on language … Read More about Language Learning For Introverts: 8 Things You Need to Know
Language Immersion at Home: Where Do You Like To Do It?
On the sofa? In the bedroom? In the car? At work!? I do it in all these places. Everyday. And so should you! Want more details? Of course … Read More about Language Immersion at Home: Where Do You Like To Do It?
How to Set Smart Goals For Learning a Language
No path through the forest Goal setting - this is where it all begins. Whatever stage you're at in learning a language, without smart … Read More about How to Set Smart Goals For Learning a Language
How to Learn Language Through Songs
We all love music, so shouldn't we learn language through songs? I'm a jazz pianist and so songs have always been really important for … Read More about How to Learn Language Through Songs
How To Do Language Immersion The Right Way: Strategies For Expats
Today I’m delighted to feature a guest post from Alicia about creating a language immersion environment for yourself. … Read More about How To Do Language Immersion The Right Way: Strategies For Expats
The 10 Rules Of StoryLearning
https://youtu.be/PqCJSXHYth8 There are 10 golden rules for learning languages with stories. And if you apply even ONE of these 10 … Read More about The 10 Rules Of StoryLearning
6 Things Every Extrovert Needs To Know About Language Learning
Extroverts! It seems to me that you don’t really need much encouragement with language learning. As an extrovert, you’re normally … Read More about 6 Things Every Extrovert Needs To Know About Language Learning
Don’t Learn Two Languages At The Same Time | TROLL 25
https://youtu.be/cY9OOumMooY Now on the I Will Teach You a Language podcast… Which of course all self-respecting language learners … Read More about Don’t Learn Two Languages At The Same Time | TROLL 25
Ultralearning: Mastering The Principles Of Effective Learning with Scott Young
Scott Young is a writer and blogger who undertakes interesting and ambitious self-education projects. From attempting to learn MIT's … Read More about Ultralearning: Mastering The Principles Of Effective Learning with Scott Young
Quantity… Not Quality | TROLL 019
https://youtu.be/QOhSXXJuIEU Here’s a little known fact about me... Many years ago I used to practise martial arts. … Read More about Quantity… Not Quality | TROLL 019
Nobody Cares About Your Language Skills | TROLL 013
https://youtu.be/1g4g78JYQQQ Back in Rule 005, you may remember I mentioned a Spanish friend of mine, Tomás, who taught me how to … Read More about Nobody Cares About Your Language Skills | TROLL 013
Study Languages The Same Way Every Day! | TROLL 010
https://youtu.be/08WEnz1d9DQ In a previous life, I was a musician. And the piano was my weapon of choice. I was very serious about … Read More about Study Languages The Same Way Every Day! | TROLL 010
Don’t Learn It Just Because It’s In Your Textbook! | TROLL 009
https://youtu.be/rqiAHHst-Mo Back in the dizzy days of 2011, I was living in Japan, teaching English. It was the start of term, and I … Read More about Don’t Learn It Just Because It’s In Your Textbook! | TROLL 009
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat | TROLL 005
https://youtu.be/XLF9ZlJBaLA In my early days of language learning, I had a very close friend - a Spanish speaker called Tomás. He … Read More about Repeat, Repeat, Repeat | TROLL 005
Study At Your Desk With The Door Closed | TROLL 003
https://youtu.be/4aewHQhOgtw In years gone by, when I first started learning languages… In the “olden days” you might call it… I … Read More about Study At Your Desk With The Door Closed | TROLL 003
Don’t Take Language Learning Advice From Native Speakers | TROLL 001
https://youtu.be/gYx-gWK8bgI Let me ask you a very important question… Would you take business advice from someone who’s stinking … Read More about Don’t Take Language Learning Advice From Native Speakers | TROLL 001
The Ultimate MetaLearning Guide: 5 Strategies To Accelerate Your Language Learning From Cognitive Science
Today I'm delighted to feature a guest post from my friend Nasos Papadopoulos about metalearning techiques you can use to become a more … Read More about The Ultimate MetaLearning Guide: 5 Strategies To Accelerate Your Language Learning From Cognitive Science
Language Learning & Coffee: How To Use “Productivity Anchors” To Upgrade Your Language Study
It's been some time since we've had a really good look at productivity on the blog, so today I'm delighted to feature this guest post … Read More about Language Learning & Coffee: How To Use “Productivity Anchors” To Upgrade Your Language Study
Why Authenticity Is The Missing Link In Language Learning
In the following guest post, Lukas Van Vyve of The Polyglot Life discusses the importance of being authentic in your … Read More about Why Authenticity Is The Missing Link In Language Learning
Endangered Languages: Tips For Learning & Using The World’s Minority Languages
It’s easy to say how every language-learning journey starts. You may hear a friend say it. It may come to mind while daydreaming - namely, … Read More about Endangered Languages: Tips For Learning & Using The World’s Minority Languages
12 Language Immersion Tools For Google Chrome
You might have used the Google Chrome web browser before. But did you know Chrome is actually a powerful tool for foreign language … Read More about 12 Language Immersion Tools For Google Chrome
Core Study Time In Your Language Routine
I recently wrote about my new language routine in detail. It's a powerful routine (with a CRAZY early start) I've used to make fast progress … Read More about Core Study Time In Your Language Routine
My CRAZY 5AM Language Routine
For the last month, I’ve been on a crazy new language learning routine. I get up at 5 a.m. every day to study Cantonese, and have … Read More about My CRAZY 5AM Language Routine
5 Ways To Break Your Facebook Addiction And Create More Time For Language Learning
You have the best of intentions ... You plan to study ... But then Facebook happens. 45 minutes later, your textbook … Read More about 5 Ways To Break Your Facebook Addiction And Create More Time For Language Learning
8 Language Learning Hacks For Busy People
https://youtu.be/EprUIgxcgSM Are you too busy to learn a language? Do you always find it hard to make time to study? Me too. In … Read More about 8 Language Learning Hacks For Busy People
How I Learn Foreign Languages
https://youtu.be/5slVHy2JmcQ [For a complete script, scroll down to the end of the post] Hi, I'm Olly. Nice to meet you! As you … Read More about How I Learn Foreign Languages
Are You Wasting Your Money On Language Classes?
If you want to learn a new language, you've probably thought about taking language classes. But is this the best way to go? Are language … Read More about Are You Wasting Your Money On Language Classes?
Good Study Habits…For Lazy People
I've lost count of the number of books I've read about good study habits, willpower, and getting things done. And yet I still find it so … Read More about Good Study Habits…For Lazy People
What I Wish I Knew About Language Learning 10 Years Ago
When I was 20, I thought that the passing of time didn't apply to me. I didn't really think I'd get old. The future was … Read More about What I Wish I Knew About Language Learning 10 Years Ago
5 Study Hacks That Are Working For Me Right Now
I'm 3 months into my Egyptian Arabic project right now, so it's high time to write a bit about what I've been doing, how I've been learning … Read More about 5 Study Hacks That Are Working For Me Right Now
Choosing The Best Language Resources – Part 1: Self-Study
It's difficult to underestimate the importance of choosing the right language resources. Getting it right means choosing materials that … Read More about Choosing The Best Language Resources – Part 1: Self-Study
Is learning two languages at once a good idea? (plus big news!)
A couple of weeks ago, I got some big news. I'm moving to Cairo ! Or to be more accurate, I'm being sent to Cairo :) The organisation … Read More about Is learning two languages at once a good idea? (plus big news!)
How To Learn A Language With Movies: 10 Smart Tips
I’ve watched hundreds of movies over the years to help me to learn one language or another. I bet you have too. Who doesn’t like a good … Read More about How To Learn A Language With Movies: 10 Smart Tips
Want Motivation? Read This Now!
You sit down, exhausted. You know you should do a bit of studying, even though you really can't face it. Have to keep at it. But you're … Read More about Want Motivation? Read This Now!
8 Ways To Apply The 80/20 Rule To Language Learning
In this post I'll briefly describe the 80/20 rule, give some real-world examples of how it can be applied to language learning, and then … Read More about 8 Ways To Apply The 80/20 Rule To Language Learning
10 Principles For Language Learning
Are you wondering how you can learn a language fast? Is there a "best" way to do it? Which strategies can give you the most bang for … Read More about 10 Principles For Language Learning
Post-it® Heaven!
This one is nice and simple. It works on the principle of learning language that's around you first, because you encounter it everyday, … Read More about Post-it® Heaven!
How To Do 1 Hour’s Study In Only 5 Minutes
I'm writing this post right now because I just pulled 50 mins of quality study out of a hat. From nothing! And I'm chuffed! I'd … Read More about How To Do 1 Hour’s Study In Only 5 Minutes
Multilingual video – Portuguese, French, Spanish, Japanese
This is a multilingual video I recorded in sunny London the other day. In the video, I speak four languages besides English: Portuguese, … Read More about Multilingual video – Portuguese, French, Spanish, Japanese
Stealth Learning In The Field
This practical activity helps you deal with daily situations in a foreign environment and prioritise the learning of the language being used … Read More about Stealth Learning In The Field
