Forget Counting Countries: I’m Visiting Every State on the Map
Forget ticking off countries like Pokemon. Why I'm visiting every state and region instead, and how it makes for deeper travel and real connections.
Category: video
Comprehensible Input vs. Speaking From Day One: What Stephen Krashen Told Me
Stephen Krashen told me speaking early could fit an input-based approach. See how research connects comprehensible input, output, feedback and anxiety.
Benny’s Japanese: Skype conversation over the half-way point [+ new language discussion channel]
This week, I can finally do what I had wanted to do last week and give you a full example of how my conversations tend to be going, right now a little after my half-way point in the Japanese project!
At this stage, I can handle straightforward question-and-answer exchanges pretty well, but my grammar and vocab still need serious improvement and will continue to be my focus over the next few weeks. I’m also not so confident about explaining a concept for a few minutes, and I did a really poor job of describing what “Couchsurfing” was, especially when my lack of important vocab held me back.
As well as this, my accent and pronunciation need lots of improvement. I’m aware of such issues, but they will definitely take the back seat to higher priorities for now.
Very quick look at Benny’s current Japanese level. Suggestions (with whom, about what) for longer upcoming video updates?
Watch a brief snapshot of Benny’s Japanese level during his mission, then see what he planned to practise in longer video updates.
English words in Japanese: Music video with Japanese learners
Watch a Japanese music video built around English loanwords, then learn how Benny used writing, correction and rehearsal during his challenge.
Tour of my home in Japanese after learning it for 2 weeks!
Watch Benny give a tour of his Valencia home in Japanese after two weeks of learning, with an honest snapshot of his early speaking progress.
My Japanese Video Call After One Week
Watch my unscripted Japanese video call after ten days of study, then compare it with my two-month Japanese update.
You have to start somewhere! My first few days learning Japanese [+video of day 3, reading Kana]
Watch Benny read kana and attempt a Japanese-only video three days into his mission, mistakes and slow progress included.
“Skype Me Maybe”: 17 Polyglots Sing in More Than 30 Languages
The story of Benny's 2012 Skype Me Maybe collaboration, featuring 17 polyglots singing in more than 30 languages, now preserved as an archive.
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