This is my story of how I found an online language buddy for a conversation exchange, which took me from feeling terrified of speaking a new language to having real conversations in that language. My heart was pounding when I received the call. Would they be offering me a job in the Middle East? Yes! […]
MOREThe Amazing Moment Speaking German Finally Clicked [Mission Complete!]
![The Amazing Moment Speaking German Finally Clicked [Mission Complete!]](https://www.fluentin3months.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/one-month-without-english-150x150.jpg)
I never thought I’d make it. Yet here I am, one month later, at the end of my One Month Without English language mission. It’s a day that felt so far away but at the same time came around so quickly. I know the question you’re dying to ask me: Did I really make it […]
MORECultural Immersion: How Learning 20 Basic Phrases Transformed My Travel Experience
For ages I’ve recognised, at least in theory, that learning even just a small handful sentences in a new language can take you a long way on a holiday, and give you a unique experience of cultural immersion. I really enjoyed reading about Fluent in 3 Months founder Benny Lewis’s experience getting by with limited […]
MORELearning a Third Language: An In-Depth Guide
I know lots of people who speak their second language at a very good level, and yet hesitate to jump into learning a third language. Why is this? Well, some people are perfectly happy stopping at one foreign language. That was their goal, and they reached it. That’s all good. On the other hand, too […]
MORENerves, Tears and a Breakthrough: 2 Weeks Without Speaking English [Mission Update]
What’s it really like giving up your mother tongue? If you’ve read my last update you’ll know that I gave up speaking English for 30 days to focus on only speaking German. My goal was to reach the B2 level by the time the Cologne Carnival came around. As I write this, I’m in the […]
MOREHow I Learned Portuguese in 3 Months (Mission Complete!)
I made it! I reached the end of my three-month mission to learn Portuguese. Be sure to catch up on earlier updates if you haven’t already: Portuguese Mission: Day 0 Portuguese Mission: 1 Month Update Portuguese Mission: 2 Month Update The question is: Did I reach the B1 (lower-intermediate) level of Portuguese that I wanted to? Here’s […]
MOREMayan Languages: How I Learned to Speak Tz’utujil in Guatemala
Have you ever wondered what ancient Mayan languages sound like? I did. My curiosity, in fact, led me to the indigenous town of San Juan La Laguna in Sololá, Guatemala where I volunteered my time at a health clinic and studied the language of Tz’utujil in my spare time. Six months have passed and I […]
MOREHow to Improve Your Basic Writing Skills: Hacks for Language Learners
Basic writing skills matter – there’s no denying that. However, there’s a good reason writing skills aren’t central to the Speak From Day One method for language learning: Languages are made to be spoken. Real conversations with real people is what it’s all about. Connecting with people is what makes a language come to life. […]
MOREThe Coolest Jobs! Get Paid to Learn a Language
What if you could get paid to learn a language? I’ve spent most of my adult life doing this. I’ve gotten jobs overseas and then learned the local language on the job. While I don’t think it’s necessary to live in a foreign country to learn a language, I will admit that I see the […]
MOREHow Getting Older (and Wiser) Improved My Language Learning Skills
“I’d love to learn a new language, but I’m just terrible at it. Plus, the best time to learn a language is when you’re young.” People say this to me a lot. I can relate. When I decided to quit my job and take a sabbatical year, in part to regain my fluency in Spanish, […]
MOREHow to Overcome the Fear of Speaking a New Language
“Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” ― Steven […]
MOREHow I Learned to Speak Mandarin Chinese while Living in Kansas
If there is one language where it is important to speak to natives regularly, it’s Mandarin Chinese (or any Chinese dialect really). The reason for this is simple: you must practise Chinese tones if you want to be able to speak the language! A year ago I was in a pretty difficult situation: I had […]
MOREHow to Make Money as a Language Tutor
I still remember my first gig as a Spanish language tutor. I loved learning languages, and was fluent in Spanish after having studied it for a few years in university the US and abroad living in the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking country in the Caribbean. I was passionate about learning the language and invested all […]
MOREWhat’s it Like to Be a Language Hacker?
So, my new Language Hacking courses are on their way to bookstores around the world, and we’ve already had over a thousand pre-orders (if you want to make sure you get the best bonuses, pre-order the courses you want now). While the courses are en route, I’ve got together a group of language learners who […]
MORELearn a Language Faster: 8 Simple Language Hacks
“How has this gone so badly?” I thought. I was taking the official listening exam in Chinese proficiency, and I could not understand a single word of the recording. The test was “elementary” level, and I was there, handing the paper to the teacher at the entrance to the classroom, confused. I had studied by […]
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