I first started The Language Mastery Show in 2009 as a short-term experiment. My initial goals were:
- To test drive the new medium of podcasting.
- To serve and empower independent language learners.
- To have a good excuse to meet some of my linguistic heroes.
Now eleven years later, I am happy to say that the podcast has exceeded all initial expectations. I’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people, interviewed 50 of the world’s best language learners, and befriended many in real life.
Before kicking off Season 3 of The Language Mastery Show next week (launching on Friday, July 24, 2020), I wanted to go back and highlight some of my favorite lessons from the amazing guests that have shared their time and wisdom with us over the years, including polyglots, hyperpolyglots, linguists, professors, teachers, and passionate enthusiasts.
I’ve learned countless lessons on how to make my own language learning more fun and effective along the way, and I hope you have gleaned some useful strategies, methods, and resources, too.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Master your mindset.
Lesson 2: Maximize fun and joy.
Lesson 3: Set realistic goals and create robust daily habits.
Lesson 4: Make (don’t find) the time.
Lesson 5: Practice what matters directly (in the right order).
Lesson 6: Make stickier memories through personalization and context.
Lesson 7: Question self-limiting beliefs.
Featured Voices
In order of appearance
Jan van der Aa
- Interview: Listen to the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Site: Language Boost & Langpreneur
Olly Richards
- Interview 1: Listen on the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Interview 2: Listen on the full interview on The Language Mastery Show (2 parts)
- Site: I Will Teach You a Language
Steve Kaufmann
- Interview: Listen to the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Site: LingQ
Richard Simcott
Katie Harris
Lýdia Machová
Benny Lewis
Dr. Orlando Kelm
- Interview: Listen to the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Site: University of Texas at Austin
Gabriel Gelman
- Interview: Listen to the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Site: Sprachheld (“Language Hero”)
Lindsay Williams
Luca Lampariello
Gabriel Wyner
- Interview: Listen to the full interview on The Language Mastery Show
- Site: Fluent Forever