fluent in 3 months

Explore " fluent in 3 months" with insightful episodes like "#106 Zsuzsanna on Learning Languages as a Family", "#104 Corentin on How to Reinvent Yourself as a Language Learner", "#97 Louisa on Learning About Herself Through Italian", "#96 Fiona’s 90-Day Italian Challenge" and "#94 Sam on Comedy and Humor in Language Learning" from podcasts like ""Language Hacking", "Language Hacking", "Language Hacking", "Language Hacking" and "Language Hacking"" and more!

Episodes (40)

#106 Zsuzsanna on Learning Languages as a Family

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Spanish learner, Zsuzsanna, chats with Benny and Shannon about finally finding success in language learning, the importance of friendship and connections in language, and being a gregarious introvert.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

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Mentioned in this Episode

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Learning Spanish in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge and finally finding success in language learning
How friendships and connections can make learning languages a positive experience
Being a gregarious introvert and what that means for language learning
The importance of consistency
Raising a bilingual son
Learning Spanish through a non-native language
Why Office Hours are one of the best parts of the Challenge
How accountability can impact your success

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

en-usJuly 04, 2022

#104 Corentin on How to Reinvent Yourself as a Language Learner

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Dutch learner, Corentin, chats with Benny and Shannon about “redefining” yourself as a language learner and finding success in your new identity.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Patreon Extended Episode

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Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Living in Brussels and needing to learn Dutch
How to help your production in a language catch up to your comprehension
When to focus on one language learning skill and when to focus on the four core skills
“Redefining” yourself as a language learner
Why the Challenge helped Corentin more than traditional language classes
Taking control of your own language learning for success
Using a to-do app to coordinate with a team while language learning

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

en-usJune 20, 2022

#97 Louisa on Learning About Herself Through Italian

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Italian learner, Louisa, speaks to Benny and Shannon about how she learned as much about herself, as she did about languages, while taking part in the Challenge.

Louisa found as many opportunities to personally develop in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge as she did as learned Italian.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Language learning goals
Learning about yourself while learning languages
Starting over with language learning as an adult
Using role play to learn languages
Traveling to Italy and getting to use the language
The struggles and rewards of using a speaking-based approach to learning languages
The importance of breaks
Why language learning apps become “busy work”
Language learning routines during intensive study periods and around everyday life
How to get through moments of self-doubt
Building language islands

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usMay 02, 2022

#96 Fiona’s 90-Day Italian Challenge

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge winner, Fiona, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her progress learning Italian, the myth of “natural talent”, and how excited she is to speak to family, friends and Italian locals without the need of a translator.

This episode features Fiona, who made significant progress with Italian in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Busting the myth of “natural talent”
Getting help with you’re a technophobe
The two-way street of the Challenge community
Overcoming reluctance to create videos
Differences between learning in school and learning with the Challenge
How Fiona learns Italian from her daughter and practises with her husband
Tips for new language learners and first time Challengers
Finding every opportunity you can to talk in your target language
Combining language practise with exercise and building routines
Perseverance as the key to success and parallels with climbing a mountain
Benny’s approach to learning and maintaining multiple languages
How to mindfully approach strangers in their native language
Memorising ice-breaker phrases for striking up conversation, or just barging in!

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usApril 25, 2022

#94 Sam on Comedy and Humor in Language Learning

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant, Sam, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about how the Challenge changed the way he learned languages and helped him find consistency and discover new language learning methods.

This episode features Sam, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

Hating languages in school and going on to love them later in life
Discovering your learning style and how it leads to success
How the Challenge changed the way Sam learned languages
How to work through roadblocks in your learning
Why “done” is better than perfect
Using comedy as a language learning tool
Combining writing with shadowing as a learning method
How novelty and newness can keep you engaged and excited about your languages
Stick-with-it-ness and the power of consistency

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usApril 11, 2022

#93 Laetitia on How to Find a Great Language Tutor

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge coach, Laetitia, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her varied experience learning or dabbling in many languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Vietnamese.

This episode features Laetitia, who made significant progress with several language in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

The importance of having an inspirational tutor
Things to consider when looking for a tutor
Finding your tribe with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
The pitfall of expecting learning to be passive
Why you should take the time to find out which methods and resources work for you
Being as nice to yourself as you would be to a friend
The pointlessness and dangers of comparisons and perfectionism
Remember, you don’t know every word in your native language!
How technology can be a great tool for learning, so don’t be scared of it
Reading to maintain languages and being happy to understand 60%
Culture shock and learning “on the job” in Japan - a little goes a long way
How to create an effective language exchange

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usApril 04, 2022

#92 Tom O’Neill on Language Learning for Introverts

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, Tom, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his building confidence and courage as an introverted language learner as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

This episode features Tom, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

Learning new writing systems and Asian languages
Using scripts to get ahead in your conversations in another language
Why you sometimes need to do things that are outside your comfort zone, like videos, to get ahead in your learning
How introversion impacts your language studies - both good and bad
How to pick the right language tutor
How to build confidence and courage in yourself and your language skills
Maintaining motivation when life throws curveballs at you
Tips for avoiding the comparison trap
Choosing things to talk about in another language
How to get through moments in conversations where you don’t understand
Why it’s important to celebrate success - whether big or small
Juggling multiple languages as a hobbyist

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usMarch 28, 2022

#91 Manish on Juggling Multiple Languages

Long-time participant in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Manish, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his experience learning a wide variety of languages through many different methods.

This episode features Manish, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Finding the confidence to talk to strangers in another language
What to do if someone close to you doesn’t support your language goals
Moving from in-person to online learning
Juggling multiple languages from diverse language families
The value of community and support
Manish’s many years of experience with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
Strategies for reviewing languages and notes
Paying it forward and sharing your experience with new learners
The importance of learning colloquial language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usMarch 21, 2022

#90 St. Patrick’s Day Special: Sadelle’s Irish Journey

In this week’s special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Community Coach for the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Sadelle Wiltshire, talks with Elizabeth and Benny about learning Irish and joining the Challenge at an upper-beginner level.

This episode features Sadelle, who made significant progress with her Irish speaking abilities in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Additional Recommended Resources

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Joining the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge at an A2 level
Humor as a motivator when learning
Music and singing when learning Irish
Getting your head around Irish pronunciation
How to deal with the different Irish dialects
Gaelic vs Irish
How to build a community in your target language
First steps and resources for Irish
The secret to having fun in your target language
Overcoming shyness, perfectionism and fear of speaking

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usMarch 14, 2022

#89 Elena Guillén on Going from Dabbler to Consistent Learner

Language dabbler and native Spanish speaker, Elena Guillén, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning Hindi during the pandemic, as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

This episode features Elena, who found the routine and structure of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge helped her make significant progress with Hindi in just 90 days.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

The pros of being an introverted language learner
Learning languages with ADD and finding focus
Using structures vs frameworks
Overcoming perfectionism and distraction
Tips for studying lesser-learned and ancient languages
Finding commonalities between languages
Advantages and disadvantages of knowing multiple languages
Learning through music, songs and films
Learning vocabulary with the “goldlisting” method
The power of community and accountability
The fun of learning different writing systems

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usMarch 07, 2022

#86 Andrew Hamerlinck on What Sports Coaches Can Teach Language Learners

Soccer coach and fitness trainer, Andrew Hamerlinck, speaks with Benny and Shannon about learning German and Spanish to chat with his fellow soccer players in their native languages.

This episode features Andrew, who made significant progress with his German and Spanish speaking abilities in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How language and sports intersect
Using mini milestones or missions to say motivated
The importance of discipline, accountability, and community
Habit-stacking fitness and language learning
Building scripts
Language islands
Using “dials” to assess your workload

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Language Hacking

en-usFebruary 14, 2022

#85 Alicya on Wine Tasting to Learn French

Writer and long-term expat, Alicya, speaks with Benny and Elizabeth about learning French through the lens of another passion - wine tasting.

This episode features Alicya, who made significant progress with her French speaking ability in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Arriving in France with zero French
Why the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge is so good, even for a shy or introverted person
What it’s like living in France as an American
Why Alicya had a harder time with French than Spanish and Italian
How to make the most of a language exchange opportunity
Raising a bilingual child
Learning to read, and reading to learn
Wine as a gateway to learning about French culture and history
Developing a French “wine language island”
Learning to do things using your target language
How to tackle a polyglot Challenge

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Language Hacking

en-usFebruary 07, 2022

#80 Yawhann’s 90 Day Language Challenge

This episode features Yawhann, who learned conversational Cantonese and Mandarin in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How parents can encourage their kids to embrace their heritage languages
Why “I don’t have enough time” is usually an excuse rather than a good reason
Strategies for keeping conversations with natives in your target language
Using your technical skills in learning languages
The ways language creates cultural connections
Hann’s experience in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge and the importance of accountability
Learning similar languages
When it’s the right time to learn your second, second language
Reframing your language learning progress as successes rather than small steps

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Language Hacking

en-usDecember 27, 2021

#78 Christmas Special: Top Gifts for Language Learners

Benny, Elizabeth, and team members from Fluent in 3 Months share their favourite gifts for language learners. Use this to get ideas for your festive shopping this year, or pass this wishlist on to your friends, family, and Santa Claus!

Whether you’re thinking about what to buy or what you’d like to receive, this episode is packed with ideas that will help make this a perfect polyglot Christmas. We’ve got suggestions for all budgets, all language levels, and all ages, so you’re bound to find something that will put a smile on a language learner’s face this festive season.

Featured Gifts

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the gift ideas mentioned during the episode are:

A bullet journal, colourful pens, and sticky notes
A ringbinder, plastic pockets, paper, and hole puncher
Books, and graphic novels
The Harry Potter series, Marc Levy, and Edward Rutherford books
Recipe books, and cooking a traditional Christmas dish
A magazine subscription
Making a playlist of target language songs
Giving someone the gift of time so they can study
A board game, and children’s activity books
Gift cards for books or online lessons, and coupons for tech support
Keyboard cover/skin, and wireless or waterproof headphones

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Language Hacking

en-usDecember 13, 2021

#71 Brittany Williams’ 90 Day Japanese Challenge

This episode features Brittany, who learned conversational Japanese in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How the Challenge helped Brittany become an effective, independent language learner
How and why the Speak from Day 1 approach works
Ways to stay engaged in your language learning
The power of scripting as a language learning tool
The impact of community in language learning
Building confidence through consistency
How the Challenge helped Brittany become a better English tutor
Strategies for overcoming perfectionism
Japanese resources for independent study
Why it’s important to understand the culture of your language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Language Hacking

en-usOctober 11, 2021

#62 Relearn a Language with Marissa Blaszko

This episode features Marissa Blaszko who joins Benny and Elizabeth to discuss their language learning journey as a polyglot and keen heritage language learner! Marissa is the creator of Relearn a Language, a website that aims to popularize understandings of heritage language while sharing fun language learning resources.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Creating viral memes around language learning
Celebrating diversity and inclusion in the language learning community
Analysing data across the online language learning community
How to identify in the language learning community
Self care, therapy, and shame
Learning their heritage language and speaking with their grandparents

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usAugust 09, 2021

#61 Svenja on Language Islands, Daily Habits and Finding Breakthroughs

This episode features Svenja, who learned conversational Russian and Arabic in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Benny and Shannon have a conversation with Svenja about her experience of learning several languages as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How the Challenge helped Svenja make a breakthrough with her Arabic studies
Differences between learning a language in school versus on your own
Building language islands
Language learning struggles with grammar, pronunciation, and time management
Maintaining multiple languages
What a polyglot’s daily learning routine looks like
How to gain confidence as a language learner
Why it’s difficult to learn a language alone

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usAugust 03, 2021

#60 Katie Pascoe on Virtual Reality Language Learning

This episode features Katie Pascoe, editor of the Language Hacking podcast. Katie also co-founded VR Languages and helped create Dynamic Spanish.

Dynamic Spanish gets you speaking Spanish confidently in VR with the Starter Pack for beginners. More advanced learners can explore Spain in 360 guided tours with Dynamic Spanish Trips.

Katie also discusses her recent experience with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

Getting an ear for languages by eavesdropping on family conversations in Punjabi
Living in, and learning languages in Korea, Brazil and Spain
The dynamic of learning languages as a couple
Creating VR Languages and a virtual reality Spanish course, Dynamic Spanish, for beginners and more advanced speakers
The immersion and experiential learning of language courses in virtual reality
How to use VR with a phone or an Oculus Quest
How Katie improved her past tense and subjunctive with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usJuly 26, 2021

#06 Benny & Shannon Answer Your Language Learning Questions

Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy answer listener questions about language learning as a part of a special live episode of the Language Hacking Podcast.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

How often should I review what I’ve already learned in my target language? - Danni
Am I alone in thinking: I can’t learn Past , Present and Future? - Brian
What’s the best routine to learn a new target language? - Tony
What’s the best way to get full immersion in a new language? - Dennis
How can you pick up a language even if you can’t practice speaking it very often? - KT
Is it possible to learn a new language fluently in three months? - Maya
I took a three-year break from learning Spanish. Do you have any tips for getting back into studying a language after a long break? - Jean
What do you recommend to maintain languages you have previously worked on? - Ledys
Can someone learn a second language for the first time in their mid-40s and be fluent? - Caroline
Do you have any suggestions about study methods for a stay at home parent with three young children, as well as ADHD? - Andy

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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en-usJuly 13, 2020