How to get started in a brand-new language with Mari Polyglot

In this episode, I speak with Mari Salvestrini, a polyglot based in the Netherlands who has had language learning adventures all over the world, including time in Spain, Belgium, and Italy. She speaks Spanish, English, Dutch, Italian, and Portuguese, and is currently learning German and Japanese.

In the conversation, we discuss:

• How learning foreign languages helped pull Mari out of depression and make new friends.
• Why creating YouTube videos can be a powerful way to keep oneself accountable and “learn how to learn.”
• Mari's approach to language learning, how she creates a custom study plan, and why community is such an important ingredient in successful language learning.
• What Mari does to get started in a new language and why she focuses on pronunciation first.
• The most common mistakes new learners make and how to overcome them.
• How the online language learning world has changed over the years.
• The language learning tasks that are best suited for online learning.
• How to conquer the dreaded “intermediate plateau”.
• The importance of reading and learning in context.

Connect with Mari

• Mari's site: MariPolyglot.com
• Mari's YouTube channel: Mari Polyglot
• Mari's Instagram account: @maripolyglot

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If you're learning a new language, or improving an existing one, then check out my language courses. From complete beginner courses, to grammar and listening training, I've created unique, story-based programmes to help you reach you language goals.

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.