eBooks: A Language Learner’s Best Friend
by John Fotheringham Just as the printing press democratized access to the written word, ebooks are again revolutionizing how information is produced,...
Is Your Native Language a Help or a Hindrance?
When I started my Vietnamese intensive course, a lot of non-linguistists said that the Chinese students would have an advantage because they already speak a tonal language. As it turns out, their native language offers just as much hindrance as help...
“The Polyglot Project” is Now Available!
The Polyglot Project, a collection of language learning tips from polyglots and language enthusiasts across the globe (including yours truly), is now available...
The Input vs. Output Debate: John’s 2¢
by John Fotheringham As a language learning addict, I follow lots (and I mean lots) of polyglot blogs and podcasts. It is always interesting to see what has...
Is That Word Difficult or Just Unfamiliar?
I often hear English learners and English native speakers alike complain that certain English words are “difficult” (in fact, I’ve heard...
Is the Problem Your English Level or Your Education Level?
Guest post by Antonio Graceffo Antonio Graceffo is an applied linguist and martial arts and adventure author living in Asia (check out our interview with him...
How Many Words is Fluent?
Guest post by Antonio Graceffo Antonio Graceffo is an applied linguist, and martial arts and adventure author living in Asia (check out our interview with him...
How Languages are Learned
I was just poking around LingQ.com, a fantastic language learning site I can’t recommend enough, and saw this video on how languages have been learned...
The Get-it-done Guy Features Foreign Language Mastery
Stever Robbins, The Get-it-done Guy, has just released an episode on learning foreign languages quickly, featuring tips provided by yours truly! He has done a...
Showing Up is the Key (Guest Post by Khatzumoto of AJATT)
The following post is by Khatzumoto of All Japanese All the Time and is republished here with his permission. Khatzumoto’s posts are funny, pragmatic,...
Empty Compliments and the Language Learner
Guest post by Antonio Graceffo Antonio Graceffo is a martial arts and adventure author living in Asia (check out our interview with him here). His books,...
Dr. Orlando Kelm shares his 6 fundamentals for language learning success
Dr. Orlando Kelm holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a Spanish and Portuguese professor at the University of Texas, and Associate Director of the Center for International Business Education and Research. In our interview, Orlando shares what he believes to be the 6 most important factors in effective language learning.
Why Grammar-based Instruction is Bunk
In recent years, grammar mavens and traditional language educators have been up in arms against a perceived attack on ”the righteous study of...
10 Things Your Language School Doesn’t Want You to Know
Find out why schools are a bad place to learn languages, the difference between "tacit" and "explicit" knowledge, why textbooks suck, and more.
Attitude is All in Language Learning
When someone fails to learn a language in school (and most do), the standard practice is to blame one's inadequate natural abilities, intelligence or discipline. While these factors do play a small role in learning and skill acquisition, they do NOT account for most people's inability to master a foreign tongue. So what does?...
An ALG Approach to Self-Study
Guest post by Antonio Graceffo Antonio Graceffo is a martial arts and adventure author living in Asia (check out our interview with him here). His books,...
Activating Your Foreign Language: You Gotta’ Learn it To Say It
Guest post by Antonio Graceffo Antonio Graceffo is a martial arts and adventure author living in Asia (check out our interview with him here). His books,...
How to Foster & Sustain Motivation in Language Learning
by John Fotheringham Most language learners fail because they lack the motivation to put in the time and consistency needed to succeed. But this is not...
Being Efficient vs. Effective in Language Learning
by John Fotheringham There is an immense and highly under-appreciated difference between being “efficient” and being...
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