Frequently asked questions for an experienced language learner
Benny answers common questions about language learning, including motivation, grammar, fluency, difficult languages and his own experience.
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Spending a week in the desert at Burning Man
From the travel archive, Benny describes a week at Burning Man and points current visitors to the official Survival Guide for practical advice.
Getting by a few weeks into learning a language: my Turkish haircut (& ear burning) experience
A Turkish haircut becomes a real-world language test as Benny uses limited vocabulary, gestures and context a few weeks into his mission.
Why does the language have to be so weird?
Languages feel less strange when you stop treating your own as the default. Benny looks at unfamiliar features and the logic behind them.
How to prepare, record & upload a video entirely in a foreign language just after starting to learn it
Follow Benny’s practical steps for planning, correcting, rehearsing, recording and captioning a short video in a language you’ve just started learning.
Adults vs Kids: Who Learns Languages Better?
Adults often learn languages faster at first, while children have a long-term edge. Discover what age research means for your language goals.
First week settling into Amsterdam
Benny recounts his first week settling into Amsterdam, from finding a flat and organising daily life to beginning Dutch practice.
Next mission: American Sign Language!
From the mission archive, Benny begins learning American Sign Language and sets out his plan to sign with people in the Deaf community.
Why I Thought I’d Never Speak Spanish, and How I Did It Anyway
I spent years believing I’d never speak Spanish. Here’s what changed after setbacks at school, university and six months in Spain.
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