To learn a new language, you need a fire inside you. My identity as a language learner was forged by a spark that left me in tears. I made a little girl cry. Now, I actually started “learning” languages when I took French my sophomore year of high school. I thought it would be fun […]
MOREThe Rule of 80%: How to Curb Your Expectations and Reach Sustainable Success
My language learning philosophy is “always give 80%”. Wait. What? Let me explain. Yoga class helps keep me sane. Mostly, I think it’s because of my yoga teacher, Marie. She’s a very hip thirtysomething small business owner, mom, yoga teacher and part-time voice of the universe all rolled into one. I’d like to share one […]
MOREHow to Learn a Language by Self-Study
You’ve decided you want to learn a language. Good call! When you start a new language, you can find yourself with a lot of questions about where to start. Should you buy a textbook? Enrol in classes? Sign up for Skype classes via italki? Should you get help – for example with the Add1Challenge – […]
MORE47 Funny, Inspiring and Motivational German Quotes To Help You Learn German
Are you looking for German quotes? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to use quotes to help you learn German or you want some beautiful words to brighten up your day, you’ll find them right here. Below is a list of 47 funny, life-affirming and motivational quotes from some of our […]
MOREHow Rodylyn had a 15-Minute Conversation in Japanese — After Just 90 Days of Study
One of the inspiring things about working at Fluent in 3 Months is all the success stories we see in the Add1Challenge. You may already know that in the Add1Challenge, language learners aim to have a 15-minute conversation with a native speaker after just 90 days. It sounds like a big goal, but we know […]
MOREHiragana vs Katakana: What’s the Difference?
Struggling to grasp how to write in Japanese? It’s not as hard as it seems! Sure, hiragana and katakana, two of the key systems in Japanese writing, look so foreign and intimidating, but they can actually be quite simple. The characters don’t represent unique meanings the way Chinese characters do. They’re more like a Japanese […]
MOREMy Add1 Story: Caitlin’s Intensive 90-Days of Japanese
I thought I had good study habits. I’ve studied Japanese for some time. I took it in college, then continued to study it after I graduated. I studied most days and even met with Japanese language exchange partners. But… I had stopped growing in my Japanese ability. I wasn’t sure why. I kept doing the […]
MOREThe Shy “Delusion”: Stop Being Shy and Just Start Speaking!
This is another post that is going to ruffle some feathers, but it has to be said. Unless you suffer from a social anxiety disorder or experience severe, constant shyness, YOU ARE NOT SHY. Stop describing yourself as such. If you do suffer from severe shyness or social anxiety, then this blog post is not […]
MORE“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” — Here’s Why Friends Are So Important in Language Learning
Having a friend by your side as you learn a language is the best (and most fun) way to succeed. Do you know the Hank Williams classic “I’m so lonesome I could cry”? Studying a language can be a bit like that — especially when you’re learning on your own. It’s weird when you think […]
MOREHow to Practise Speaking a New Language… Without the Anxiety Rush!
I felt lost. I’d finished school, where I’d fallen in love with languages. And I wanted to keep learning. But I had no teacher to tell me how to learn. I tried a few different things, but nothing seemed to be working. So I turned to my trusty friend, Google. “How to learn a language”, […]
MOREMake the World Your Home: 7 Ways Language Learning Gives You a Global Mindset
What would we do without language? Such a scenario is almost too absurd to even imagine. Language is intertwined with almost every aspect of our daily lives. No matter where we live, language is the means by which we formulate and express our sentiments, wishes, thoughts, ideas and questions to the world and those around […]
MORELanguage Learners! Why Your Comfort Zone = the Danger Zone
A few years ago, I started out learning languages through self study. It’s an adventure! I’ve enjoyed the process, but things haven’t always gone as well as I’d hoped. So, I’d like to share one of most important things I’ve learned. My hope is that you can avoid the mistakes I made. How I Hit […]
MOREYou CAN Learn a New Language After Age 10! Response to Steven Pinker’s Fascinating “Critical Period” Research (and Bogus News Reports)
Up until what age can you become very fluent in a language? It’s a good question, and it’s one I’m going to answer, looking at some new research from linguist and psychologist Steven Pinker. First, I’d like to bust a few myths about the “critical window” for language learning that have popped up in the […]
MOREWhy Language Learners Quit – The 7 Key “Motivation Killers” (Plus, How to Beat Them)
Have you ever met someone who speaks another language, and been amazed at what you hear when their mouth opens… You have no clue what they’re saying, but they’re having a real conversation – using sounds that make absolutely no sense to you. It’s like a small miracle, right in front of your eyes. It’s […]
MOREPassion Power! How I Learned English (and Spanish) by Sharing My Art With the World
During my first year at my Italian university, I dropped my language degree course in English and Spanish after just three months. Back then, in addition to studying English and Spanish at university, I was also studying at an art academy in Rome to become a professional cartoonist (cool, right?). As you may imagine, doing […]
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