PODCAST · education
Language Chats
by Penny Wilson
Tune in as Penny and Bec share their experiences of language learning with you, as well as the stories of other Australians (and a few international guests!) who love learning, working with, and communicating using other languages.Subscribe for your fortnightly dose of language love, from an Australian perspective.Find out more: www.languagelovers.com.au
Episodes
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Helping migrants in Australia to improve their English: A chat with Dory Wang from SBS Learn English
Moving to a new country is never easy (did someone say culture shock?), but it can be especially challenging if you need to learn how to live your life in a different language when you get there. How will you buy groceries or make a doctor’s appointment? How do you get a job and then, once you…
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Researching language to make society better: A chat with Dr Howie Manns
In this episode, we’re chatting with Dr Howard (Howie) Manns, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Monash University. We were so excited to have the chance to speak with Howie, because we are fascinated by his language story and his academic work - from growing up in a...
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When passions for language, tourism & Asia combine: A chat with Andrea Plawutsky
About this Language Chat In this episode, we’re chatting with Canadian-Australian Andrea Plawutsky - currently based in NSW - who has brought her interest in tourism, China and Asia together across her career. From teaching English in north-eastern China, living and working in Thailand and then...
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More meaningful travel experiences through culture & language
Penny is a long-time travel lover and in this episode, she tells us about her most recent international trip which was actually a bit of a reconnaissance mission… As she will soon be helping others to discover new cultures, languages and adventures through her new venture, Pip & Co Travel. We…
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Our favourite Language Chats so far
100 EPISODES of Language Chats have now made it out into the world! To celebrate this exciting occasion (and the start of a new year, hello 2024), we’re going back through our archive to reminisce about some of our favourite episodes. We’ve had so many great chats over the last five years, it...
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Working as a Community Linguist in the Northern Territory: A chat with Karla Zuluaga
In this episode, we're welcoming linguist Karla Zuluaga back to Language Chats to hear more about the interesting work she is involved in as a Community Linguist on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Born in the Philippines and having grown up in NSW, a couple of years ago Karla made the big…
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Hit the nail on the head: A chat with Rune Pedersen, host of The Idiom podcast
Feeling a bit ‘under the weather’ because it’s been ‘raining cats and dogs’? Maybe you’ve found yourself ‘in a pickle’! But if a Danish person said to you that ‘there’s no cow on the ice’ (det er ingen ko på isen), would you know what they mean? Idiomatic expressions are a really interesting part...
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Penny’s Epic Trip Around Australia!
In this episode, we’re chatting with our intrepid traveller Penny, who is on the trip of a lifetime around Australia with her family! After setting off in August 2023 for a 5-month road trip around the country, Penny and her family are discovering parts of Australia that they’ve never been to...
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A chat with Language Lovers AU Community members, Han-Yu Ong & Ingrid Botha
In this episode, we’re again chatting with two members of the Language Lovers AU Community based in Australia - Han-Yu Ong and Ingrid Botha - who both kindly took the time to tell us (and you!) about their respective experiences of learning other languages, the part that language plays in their...
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A chat with Language Lovers AU Community members, Lily Cerôn-Fernández & Deb McLeod
In this episode, we’re chatting with two Melbourne-based members of the Language Lovers AU Community - Lily Cerôn-Fernández and Deb McLeod - who both kindly took the time to tell us (and you!) about their respective experiences of learning other languages, what has motivated and inspired them…
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Teaching AI to speak: A chat with Conversation Designer, Grace Frances
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a hot topic at the moment, and in this episode of Language Chats we’re speaking with Melbourne-based conversation designer Grace Frances, whose work involves training AI assistants to interact with people and the creative aspect of conversational AI. We chat with...
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Informing and entertaining Australians in over 60 languages: A chat with David Hua from SBS Australia
In this episode, we’re speaking with David Hua, Director of Audio and Language Content at SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Australia, Australia’s multilingual, multicultural and Indigenous media organisation. We speak with David about his own cultural and linguistic background, what inspired…
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Extending the classroom beyond four walls: A chat with Tom Shugg from Meg Languages
In this episode, we’re chatting with Tom Shugg, VIC-based co-founder of Meg Languages. Meg Languages focuses on creating global citizens and getting students excited about learning a language by providing live Mandarin & Spanish language instruction in classrooms across Australia and around the...
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A choc top and a movie with subtitles, please: What Bec has seen at the cinema in 2023
Love watching movies from around the world? It turns out that Bec goes to the cinema quite a lot and always has a recommendation for a film up her sleeve! Most of the movies she goes to see are in languages other English - surprise, surprise! - so in this episode, Bec is sharing a few of the...
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Raising multilingual and multiliterate children: A chat with Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori
In this episode, we’re speaking with Yoshito Darmon-Shimamori, a London-based languages teacher and author, writing specifically for multilingual children. Yoshito grew up in France, bilingual in French and Japanese, and learnt English and Spanish at school. His wife is Korean and they are now...
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Connecting language learners through TV: A chat with Lauren Williams from Polyglot Station
In this episode, we’re speaking with US-based Lauren Williams, a speech language pathologist and founder of Polyglot Station and Language TV Club. As well as working with language day-to-day, Lauren is also a long-time language enthusiast who has studied French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese (and...
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Passion for languages, learning and podcasts: A chat with Michelle Parkin
In this episode, we’re speaking with Michelle Parkin, a member of the Language Lovers AU Community! Michelle is a passionate teacher and language enthusiast, who has studied German, French, Italian and Portuguese, and LOVES listening to podcasts! Michelle tells us about her language learning...
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Inspiring kids to enjoy Indonesian: A chat with Damian Bolton
In this episode, we’re chatting with Damian Bolton, an Indonesian language teacher based in Canberra who brings his passion and fascination for languages into the primary school classroom. Damian tells us about how he came to learn Indonesian after growing up in regional NSW with very little...
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Motivation, inspiration and regrets: Where language has taken us in life
In this episode, Penny & Bec are chatting about where our interest in language has taken us in life, both literally and figuratively. We talk about what learning other languages has inspired us to do and how it’s allowed us to have some pretty cool experiences over the years - which have…
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Creating Australia’s first comprehensive language policy: A chat with Prof Joseph Lo Bianco
Our guest for this episode is Joseph Lo Bianco, Professor Emeritus of Language and Literacy Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne. We were delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Joe about his career and work on language, culture and literacy...
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From doctor, to priest, to language app CEO: A chat with John Jang
In this episode, we’re chatting with John Jang, a Korean-born Australian who has already had many interesting and varied experiences in his life so far… Many of which have involved learning other languages! John’s first language is Korean and he learnt English as his second language after…
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Being bold and brave in language learning: A chat with Natalie King
About this Language Chat In this episode, we’re chatting with Natalie King, a member of the Language Lovers AU Community who shows us that you can learn and continue to learn other languages no matter what stage of life you find yourself at. We’re so inspired by her story! Natalie has studied...
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Bec & Penny Catch-Up: Language in practice and plans for 2023
A fresh year, a fresh start! In this episode of Language Chats, we speak about Bec’s attempts at speaking other languages during her Christmas travels, Penny’s plan to re-start a language this year, a different strategy for learning grammar structures, as well as how the chat in our last episode…
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Embrace feeling like an idiot: A chat with Benny Lewis from Fluent in 3 Months
Full-time traveller, polyglot, author and founder of Fluent in 3 Months, Benny Lewis is our first guest on Language Chats for the new year! Benny is well known in the language learning world for his ‘speak from day one’ attitude and his popular blog, YouTube videos and books (Fluent in 3 Months…
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Inspiration Station: Gift Ideas for Language Lovers in 2022
It’s our last episode for 2022 and now that the festive season is here, we’re chatting about gift ideas for language lovers (whether the language lover in question is you or someone else)! From books and games to things that you may be able to gift to a language-loving friends or family members…
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Foreign Language TV Series & Film - What We’ve Been Watching in 2022 (with Lamont from Days of French ‘n’ Swedish)
If you need a recommendation for a new TV series or film to watch, look no further - our annual ‘What We’ve Been Watching’ episode is back for 2022! We have always loved chatting about what we’ve been watching in other languages and, this time, we have a special guest to join us! We invited…
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Ditch the insecurity: Embracing a beginner’s mindset for language learning
Does learning a new skill (e.g. a new language!) make you feel energised and excited, or frustrated and anxious? Or perhaps you’ve felt a combination of both? In this episode of Language Chats, Penny & Bec are chatting about the earliest stages in language learning and all the feelings that come...
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A fresh approach to PD for languages teachers: A chat with Kelly Harrison from Languages Roadshow
In this episode, we’re chatting with NSW-based Japanese & English teacher Kelly Harrison, the founder & director of Languages Roadshow. Languages Roadshow offers face to face events, online courses, creative resources and individualised support for teachers and schools, to empower educators to...
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Help! I’m not a beginner anymore: Navigating the intermediate language learning stage
So… You’re not a beginner anymore in the language that you’re learning, but you’re still a long way from considering yourself fluent. How do we deal with this hazy - and sometimes, seemingly endless - period of being kind of intermediate? In this episode, Penny & Bec speak about their experiences...
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All the places a language can take you: A chat with Jenna Lo Bianco
In this episode of Language Chats, we speak with Jenna Lo Bianco, a Melbourne-based educator, author, PhD candidate and mum of two, who lives and breathes all things Italian. Jenna is one of the most enthusiastic and passionate language educators we know (we challenge you to not feel motivated to...
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Independent but not alone: Self-managed language learning
When you think of self-study or independent language learning, do you picture yourself studying alone, at a desk, perhaps with a few books and a laptop? Maybe some headphones too? There’s nothing wrong with this image at all, of course! But learning a language in a way that is entirely...
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From Linguistics to Speech Pathology: A chat with Erin Tibbitts
If you think that speech pathologists only work with stutters and lisps, then listen in - the world of speech pathology is much wider than you might realise! In this episode of Language Chats, we speak with Melbourne-based speech pathologist (or ‘speechie’) Erin Tibbitts who has long had an...
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Re-tuning your ears: Practising listening skills in another language
How do you like to practise your listening skills in another language? Does listening form a greater (or smaller) part of your language learning routine than reading, speaking or writing? In this episode, Penny & Bec chat about different ways they like to work on their listening in other…
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An Aussie language learner on YouTube: A chat with Lamont from Days of French ‘n’ Swedish
YouTube can be a real treasure trove of information and inspiration for language learners, especially when it comes to hearing about other people’s experiences and how it might be able to help you in your own language learning journey. If you’re like us, we love hearing tips and recommendations...
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Normalising multilingualism in Australian families: A chat with Sheila Ngọc Phạm
Our guest in this episode of Language Chats is Sydney-based writer, editor, producer and scholar Sheila Ngọc Phạm who has worked across radio, print, online and film. Languages are a big part of Sheila’s life, as a bilingual English/Vietnamese Australian whose interest in language led her to…
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What gives you that ‘buzz’: Incentives & rewards in language learning
Do incentives or rewards play a part in how you stay motivated in your language learning? In this episode of Language Chats, we speak about how we incentivise or reward ourselves for our language learning efforts (if at all!) and the range of things and feelings that can serve us in this way as...
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Living and loving a language-filled life and career: A chat with Katerina Forrester
Have you ever wondered what the most challenging and rewarding things about being a high school language teacher in Australia would be, when English is everywhere? It’s a task that teachers like Kat take on everyday and honestly - we’re in awe! In this Language Chat, we speak with Kat Forrester…
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An Aussie in Switzerland: A chat with Julie Eggleton
In this episode of Language Chats, we’re chatting with one of our Language Lovers AU Community members, Julie Eggleton. Julie is originally from the Gold Coast but now lives with her family in Switzerland (and we are very jealous of the beautiful view of the mountains which she has from her desk…
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Make language learning fun again
Have you lost the fun from your learning? What comes to mind when you think of fun + language learning? In this episode of Language Chats, together with some members of Language Lovers AU, we discuss the best tips to get the fun back into your languages. From journaling to tracking your...
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Keeping a mother tongue alive through community radio: A chat with Kathy Ismail
In this episode of Language Chats, we’re chatting with one of our Language Lovers AU Community members, Kathy Ismail. Malaysian-born and now based in Melbourne, Kathy is an enthusiastic language lover who grew up in a very multilingual environment in Kuala Lumpur and an interest in language has...
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Page-turners for language lovers: our favourite books about language & travel
Need a recommendation for something new to read? In this episode, we chat about our favourite books about language, travel or both (and a few books that we’re planning to read soon)! From novels that whisk you away to another place where you find yourself surrounded by new sounds and experiences,...
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Embracing passion for language as self-care: A chat with Elfin from @allaboutitalian
What place does a passion for languages have in your life? How can we better experience a language and a culture more fully as learners, especially if we don’t live in a place where the language is spoken? In this episode, we speak with Elfin Waters from All About Italian, who is an Italian...
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Learning, living and working in Asia: A chat with Jess from @aussieinasia
We love hearing about the experiences of Australians who are living abroad and have the opportunity to use other languages day to day! In this episode, we chat with Jess (you might know her as @aussieinasia on Instagram or Mindful Lang on YouTube) who is currently teaching English in South Korea....
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Connection & Community through Women In Language: A chat with Lindsay Williams
t’s a pretty great feeling when you discover and meet other people who share the same interests as you, right? Women in Language is the virtual place where we first got in touch with each other and realised that, yes - there are other people just like us, who love languages too! Now coming up to...
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Ep #060 - Low pressure, low commitment: Let’s dabble together in March!
Happy New Year, language lovers! We’re back for 2022 and looking forward to another great year of Language Chats! To get things started on an exciting note, in this episode we’re announcing something fun for our community - a low-pressure, low-commitment language challenge which was suggested by...
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Reflections: Looking back on our language learning in 2021
How do you feel about your language learning in 2021? Did you reach the goals that you set out to achieve, or did this crazy year throw you just as many curveballs as 2020? In this episode of Language Chats, we’re reflecting on our language learning this year and how this might impact our plans…
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Unwrapped! Christmas Gift Ideas for Language Lovers
It’s getting to that time of year… It’s almost Christmas! Are you thinking about what language-related goodies you’d like to find (or put) under the Christmas tree, or which ones you can gift to a language lover who lives further away? In this episode of Language Chats, we’re talking about what...
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Foreign Language TV Series - What We’re Watching in 2021
Need something new to watch? Despite those childhood warnings about getting square eyes, we still both watch an almighty amount of TV and we particularly love watching series in other languages (so it’s educational, right?). In what has become an annual tradition for Language Chats, we’re…
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Not just textbooks: Structure in language learning
How does the word ‘structure’ make you feel in the context of learning a language? The idea of structured learning might conjure images in your mind of textbooks or classrooms, but structure can come in many forms - some more or less effective for different people in a different stages of their...
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Leading a bilingual school: A chat with Stanley Wang, Principal of Abbotsford Primary School
Bilingual education is being embraced by more schools, educators and communities in Australia, as its benefits become more established and accepted. Although still a niche part of the Australian educational landscape, there are a number of bilingual schools around the country, which allow…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tune in as Penny and Bec share their experiences of language learning with you, as well as the stories of other Australians (and a few international guests!) who love learning, working with, and communicating using other languages.Subscribe for your fortnightly dose of language love, from an Australian perspective.Find out more: www.languagelovers.com.au
HOSTED BY
Penny Wilson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Language Chats have?
Language Chats currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Language Chats about?
Tune in as Penny and Bec share their experiences of language learning with you, as well as the stories of other Australians (and a few international guests!) who love learning, working with, and communicating using other languages.Subscribe for your fortnightly dose of language love, from an...
How often does Language Chats release new episodes?
Language Chats has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Language Chats?
You can listen to Language Chats on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Language Chats?
Language Chats is created and hosted by Penny Wilson.
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