All Episodes
StoryLearning Podcast — 411 episodes
536: How to learn a language with ZERO motivation
535: I created the ultimate reading app for language learners
534: How to read any language when you're a beginner
533: He learned 15 languages with this simple reading habit
532: Should you use subtitles to learn a language?
531: If you've got 15 minutes, you can learn a language
530: How to learn any language fast starting from zero
529: I learned impossible languages with stories - here's why it worked
528: Polyglot reveals how to learn 10 languages FAST
527: Why you can't stop translating in your head (and how to fix it)
526: How to learn a language you hate (and actually enjoy it)
525: The lazy language habit that actually builds fluency
524: 3 things I wish I knew when I started learning languages
523: How to learn 2 languages without breaking your brain
522: Can you really get fluent just by reading?
521: Why people can't understand you (and how to fix it)
520: How to learn a language at any age (7 tips)
519: How to learn kanji FAST (do this or keep struggling)
518: NEVER use flashcards - learn vocabulary this way instead
517: How to learn a language without sacrificing your life
516: Should I test my language level?
515: The easiest way to remember new words when speaking
514: This simple reading habit will 10x your vocabulary
513: The harsh truth about advanced fluency
512: The ONE language rule you should ALWAYS break
511: The ONLY study habit that actually makes you fluent
510: Why you can understand a language but can't speak
509: The hidden danger of AI language learning
508: How to actually learn a language in 12 months
507: I don't maintain my languages...and you shouldn't either
506: Spanish vs Italian - which is easier to learn?
505: Are hard languages even worth it?
504: How I learn languages fast without studying
503: You don't ACTUALLY need grammar
502: The hidden cost of learning two languages at once
501: The real reason I wrote my language story books
500: Meet the viral brain scan guy who speaks 26 languages
426: Which language should I think in?
425: The anatomy of a language learning "masterplan"
424 - Behind the scenes at the StoryLearning team retreat in Turkey
Announcement: New intermediate StoryLearning courses!
423: Lessons on Languages, Life & Leadership with Mike Shangkuan (CEO, Lingoda)
422 - I'mmmm back!
421 - Are Most YouTube Polyglots Lying?
420 - JJsays (雪莲说) on How to Learn Chinese, Conquer Insecurities & Figure Out What Methods Work For You
419 - Shocking your best friend with AMAZING language skills
I'm releasing 3 new Uncovered courses!
418 - How I Learned Spanish
417 - How I Learned French
416 - How Can I Prepare To Travel Abroad In 1 Month?
415 - Can you get fluent just by reading?
414 - How this Mormon Missionary Learned AMAZING Korean
413 - Can you learn two new languages at the same time?
412 - How can you read when you're still a beginner?
411 - Should you look up words as you read?
410 - When's the right time to start speaking?
409 - How To Learn a Language by Watching TV With Ethan Wanger
Introducing July’s StoryLearning Challenges!
408 - How to develop TRUE spoken fluency in a foreign language
407 - Two polyglots geek out on teaching methods (with Lukas Van Vyve)
406 - How Aletta Mazlin built storytelling websites for language learners
405: How to start a new life abroad as an expat with Mikkel Thorup
404 - How to get started in a brand-new language with Mari Polyglot
403 - Is this the smartest way to learn German? With Michael Schmitz
402 - Is it a good idea to copy entire books by hand???
401 - The 3 secrets of adult language learning with Elisa Polese
400 - How to start a new life in a tiny Spanish village with Casie Tennin
399 - How to make a gringo fluent in Spanish! With Jim & May from Spanish and Go
398 - Chasing dreams & mastering languages with Dustin Luke and Ruben Adery
397 - How to get booked solid as an online language teacher
396 - The music-lover's guide to becoming fluent in Spanish with Tamara Marie
395 - Read, read, read... NOT listen, listen, listen?
394 - Learning & teaching German with Deutsch mit Marija
393 - How can I find StoryLearning material in less common languages?
392 - Strategies for Learning Mandarin Chinese with Luke & Phil from Mandarin Blueprint
391 - How Lucy Bella Earl learned fluent Spanish
390 - How to fall in love with a language with Shannon Kennedy and Caitlin Sacasas
389 - How many times should I read each chapter of a book?
388 - Responding to closed-minded trolls on YouTube
387 - How can I find my dream job in China?
386 - What to expect from Olly in 2021
385 - The strange process of publishing a language book
384 - 8 ways schools should teach languages
383 - 7 reasons you’re never too old to learn a language
382 - My 8 coolest ever language learning moments
381 - 7 big regrets about my language learning
380 - 6 steps to read effectively in a foreign language
379: 6 things every extrovert needs to know about language learning
378 - 8 things every introvert needs to know about language learning
377: Dangerous developments & naked truths in language learning (with Lamont)
376: What’s the secret to learning Cantonese tones?
375: Announcing the StoryLearning Spanish podcast!
374: Can I learn French along with C2 English?
373: 8 ways to spot a GREAT language tutor
372: 10 ways to practise speaking every day
371: All change - New books, teacher’s guides and leaving London?
370: I’m advanced... but I want more!
369: I’m confused by Japanese sentence structure
368: My little upset story
367: On the road #6 - Help, I cant speak proper!
366: Xiaoma on learning Chinese vs Spanish
365: On the road #5 - How to run a good language exchange.
364: On the road #4 - When your speaking practice stops working
363: On the road #3 - Goals vs Habits (Inspired by James Clear)
362: On the road #2 - What do you think of language schools?
361: On the road #1 - What to do after 4 years of Arabic?
360: Why do you think it's good to start speaking early?
359: Matt vs Japan talks hardcore language learning
Special: Brand new intermediate books out now - only $0.99!
358: Was my 2011 disaster experience worse than coronavirus?
357: What was it like as an IELTS examiner?
356: Should I learn Japanese kanji from lists or from context?
355: What will happen to my Spanish when I move to Germany?
354: Help! My speaking progress has stalled!
353: What can musicians learn from language learning?
352: Can I learn a living & dead language at the same time?
351: Can I apply "periodisation" from athletics to language learning?
350: What to expect from Olly in 2020
349: How can I help foreigners in Japan learn Japanese?
348: How to reach "flow" in my speaking?
347: Don't learn two languages at the same time | TROLL025
346: Olly chats with a TEFL teacher about language learning
345: Take responsibility for your own speaking practice | TROLL024
344: Keep your language learning outside the home | TROLL023
343: Learn the script from the start | TROLL022
Special - Japanese Uncovered is out now!
342: Don't move abroad to learn a new language | TROLL 021
341: My teachers just don't get it...
340: Language teachers must be language learners | TROLL 020
339: Is daily journaling in a foreign language effective?
337: Should I take a language immersion programme?
338: Quantity, not quality | TROLL 019
336: Make More Mistakes | TROLL 018
335: Behind the scenes of Japanese Uncovered
334: First learn it, then use it | TROLL 017
333: What has Olly been up to?
332 - Ultralearning with Scott Young (Part 2)
331 - Ultralearning with Scott Young (Part 1)
330: Learn phrases, not words | TROLL 016
329: You Don't Have To Be Fluent! | TROLL015
328: Read, Read, Read (for Krashen) | TROLL014
327: Nobody Cares About Your Language Skills | TROLL013
326: The Secret To Speaking Fluently Is... | TROLL012
325: Don't Worry About Language Problems In Advance! | TROLL 011
324: Study Languages The Same Way Every Day! | TROLL 010
323: How to learn a language on a budget
322: Don't Learn It Just Because It's In Your Textbook! | TROLL 009
321: Social Activism - A case study in language learning
320: Move Heaven & Earth to Find Compelling Input | TROLL 008
319: Is it useful to learn songs?
318: Always Listen With The Transcript | TROLL007
317: Why do I have random bad language days?
316: Do Something With Your Languages Every Day | TROLL006
315: How to pass the IELTS exam with Ben Worthington
314: Review, Review, Review | TROLL 005
313: Can I learn Italian in 4 weeks?
Special Episode - French Uncovered is out now!
312: Don't Learn Grammar Before You Really Need It | TROLL 004
311: Will I remember my childhood language?
310: Study At Your Desk With The Door Closed | TROLL 003
309: Any tips for learning sign language?
308: Look For Big Dominos, Not New Gimmicks | TROLL 002
307: What do you think of cultural appropriation in language learning?
306: Don't Take Language Learning Advice From Native Speakers | TROLL 001
305: The "Overwhelming Ocean" of Language Learning
304: How to maintain language partners
303: How can I learn to read Chinese?
302: Is there value in maintaining your languages?
301: Creativity in Language Learning with Lindsay Williams
300: How can I work on my pronunciation?
299: Studying Spanish through another foreign language
298: How to ride the wave of post-travel motivation
297: What to expect from Olly in 2019
296: Principles of Language Learning with Lydia Machova | Part 5
295: Principles of Language Learning with Lydia Machova | Part 4
294: Principles of Language Learning with Lydia Machova | Part 3
293: Principles of Language Learning with Lydia Machova | Part 2
292: Principles of Language Learning with Lydia Machova | Part 1
291: How do I decide what to study every day?
290: Is there a place for romanisation in language learning?
289: Should you use translations when reading?
288: Announcing... Grammar Hero!
287: How to Become a Grammar Hero (Part 3)
286: How to Become a Grammar Hero (Part 2)
285: How to Become a Grammar Hero (Part 1)
284: How to learn colloquial Arabic with limited resources
283: Has your approach to learning vocabulary changed?
282: How important is it to review notes after lessons?
281: October Update from Olly
280: Interview with Olly from the Reaching for Words podcast
279: Learning a new language as a couple
278: How to make revision effective & fun
277: How to supplement university language courses
276: I'm losing my motivation to keep learning
275: The big announcement!
274: The nonsense of reading children's books to learn a language
273: The Rules of Language Learning (Part 3)
272: The Rules of Language Learning (Part 2)
271: How to learn vocabulary from reading?
270: How to use storytelling in the classroom
269: How many words can you learn per day?
268: 3 tips for learning verb conjugations
267: Introducing my project to learn Italian
266: Introversion & minimalism in languages with Shannon Kennedy
265: Are you changing your view on language learning?
264: So many words, so little conversation
263: Tips for learning Spanish in my salsa class
262: Olly and Gabe Wyner discuss learning Italian through opera
261: Learning languages in the car
260: Take the leap and start speaking
259: How should I organise my flashcard decks?
258: Coping with jealousy in language learning
257: The Rules of Language Learning (Part 1)
249: What do you think of Memrise?
247: People criticise my accent goals
246: Why do gurus advise against learning multiple languages?
245: Whats the use of passive listening?
244: I go blank when I talk on Skype
243: Is translation a BAD thing?
242: What to expect from me in 2018
241: Are subtitles really that bad?
240: 9 ways to start an argument about language learning (Part 2)
239: 9 ways to start an argument about language learning (Part 1)
238: How often should my teacher correct my mistakes?
237: Do we need vacations from language learning?
236: How can I create my own study material?
234: How to resolve your language dilemmas
233: The dubious benefits of immersion
232: Why you shouldn't listen to "slow audio"
231: Should I be concerned about my accent?
230: My strategy for learning a language from scratch
229: Does alcohol make you more fluent in a foreign language?
228: In what ways do polyglots become better language learners?
227: Personal reflections on Conversations
226: Introducing Conversations
225: Listening Skills 3 - Real Conversations Are Nothing Like My Textbook!
224: Listening Skills 2: I Can't Tell Words Apart!
223: Listening Skills 1 - People talk too fast!
222: How can I integrate grammar & writing into my routine?
221: How can I help my child learn a language?
220: Interview with Stephen Krashen
219: How to help students with fossilisation
218: Is it time to change your study method?
217: Listening comprehension in a bilingual country
216: Alex Rawlings on How To Speak Any Language Fluently
215: What's the deal with "triangulating" languages?
214: Should I create monolingual flashcards?
213: Gabriel Wyner on Becoming Fluent Forever
212: How should I use all my free time?
211: Best practice for vocabulary notebooks
210: How was the Montreal Language Festival?
208: How can I listen to older podcast episodes?
209: What's it like with so many languages in your head?
207: The best language learning method
206: How I designed my new Spanish course
205: Should I learn Mandarin or Cantonese?
204: Experimenting with subtitles in English movies
203: Where to find audio with transcripts
202: Barbara Oakley on Learning How To Learn
201: What are some good careers with languages?
200: A Fireside Chat With Three Language Podcasters
199: Interview with Michel Thomas Publisher Sue Hart
198: The Truth About Language Immersion Abroad
197: How to make great travel videos
196: Hello from Mexico!
194: How do you remember the gender of nouns?
195: I study too much!
193: What do you think of the ESL industry?
192: Giving a presentation in a foreign language
191: Do you use apps for language learning?
190: Tips for new teachers on iTalki
189: Should I learn Spanish or Japanese?
188: What are the benefits of monolingual flashcards?
187: Saturday night at the podcast awards with Coffee Break Italian
186: How to prepare for a trip to China
185: How to make your sentences less English
151: Why am I still a beginner?
150: Expressing time in Chinese
149: Looking back on 3 months of Thai
148: How to learn a language from home
147: Are word frequency lists useful?
146: How to enrich your vocabulary
145: Staying safe in language exchanges
144: Learning Japanese Kanji with Star Wars
143: Master Your Memory Part 3
142: Master Your Memory Part 2
141: Master Your Memory Part 1
140: I'm in the wrong class!
139: I'm overwhelmed with study options
138: Making the most of iTalki lessons
137: Love and language learning
136: Learning English grammar with Shayna
135: What inspired you to learn so many languages?
134: Dealing with frustration in Chinese
133: Advanced English without speaking more
132: A critique of FSI methodology
131: Switching Portuguese from European to Brazilian
130: Do native speakers use technical terms?
129: How to facilitate language exchanges
128: Benny Lewis on Designing Language Courses
127: Behind the scenes in Thailand
126: What do you think of Esperanto?
125: Advanced grammar without studying
124: Shadowing and self-talk
123: How can we change language education in schools?
122: Pronunciation in difficult languages
121: I'm not motivated to speak, but...
120: The mother tongue's role in vocabulary learning
119: I can't understand English TV
118: How to choose intermediate material
117: Conversation with Steve Kaufmann Part 2
116: Conversation with Steve Kaufmann Part 1
115: My teacher wants me to slow down
097: Word Order & Sentence Structure In A New Language
096: Olly's Strategy to Learn German
095: Should I rely on translation at advanced levels?
094: I get tired after speaking for 30 minutes
093: Is culture important in language learning?
092: Is reading aloud helpful?
091: Luke Thompson on teaching and learning
090: Should I add audio to my flashcards?
089: How can I resurrect a childhood language?
088: Should I watch movies with subtitles?
087: How to avoid translating in your head
086: How to study during a busy period
085: How should I allocate time to different languages?
084: How can I teach my mother English?
083: Shouldn't language learning be unconscious?
082: The truth about flashcards and language learning
081: 10 Ways To Make A Living Online With Languages
080: Does travelling make you fluent?
079: Want me to teach you Spanish?
078: When should I stop learning vocabulary?
077: How do you learn slang?
076: How to run a language exchange
075: How to complete specific tasks in another language
074: Confusing Spanish & Portuguese
073: 8 reasons to read in a foreign language
072: Audacious language goals
071: Beginner Japanese hacks
070: How to deal with fossilisation
069: Are some language pairings easier than others?
068: Studying for the test or speaking practice?
067: How to use teachers at different levels
066: What does it feel like at different language levels?
065: My CRAZY 5am language routine - Part 2
064: My CRAZY 5am language routine - Part 1
063: Can texting improve spoken fluency?
062: How can I restart learning a language?
061: Is it REALLY a bad idea to learn multiple languages?
060: How to assess your progress in a language
059: How can I understand my colleagues?
058: What Skype recording software do you use?
057: Extensive listening - good or bad?
056: Do I have to travel to learn a language?
055: Polyglot Conference 2015 NYC
054: I'm reluctant to give up a language
053: Starting to speak with limited vocabulary
052: Can technology help you learn a language? (2/2)
051: Can technology help you learn a language? (1/2)
050: I'm too busy to learn a language (3/3)
049: I'm too busy to learn a language (2/3)
048: I'm too busy to learn a language (1/3)
047: How to you maintain your level in multiple languages
046: Can I learn Afrikaans with my friend?
045: How should I study between lessons?
044: How many teachers should I have?
043: A career in languages
042: Which language should I learn?
041: Introverts and language learning
040: What kind of books should I read?
039: How to find materials for minority languages
038: Living with native speakers
037: People keep replying in English
036: Fluency vs Proficiency
035: Coaching my mum to learn Italian
034: How to learn tonal languages
033: Olly's Arabic teacher explains his progress
032: Single words or full sentences?
031: What's the best mobile app for connecting with native speakers?
030: Should I learn a German dialect?
029: Learning your partner's language
028: How to stop reading becoming a chore
027: How can I improve my listening comprehension?
Special Spanish offer for podcast listeners
026: How to get a good accent quickly?
025: I'm torn between two languages
024: How can I stay motivated as a beginner?
023: Which Spanish dialect should I learn?
022: How can I help my friend with her English?
021: How can I learn Spanish quickly?
020: How can I go from intermediate to advanced?
019: How to find someone to speak with
018: When do you consider yourself fluent in another language?
017: How much time should I spend on pronunciation?
016: How do you stay motivated when you're living at home?
015: How do I organise vocabulary from different books?
014: Can you use one language to learn another?
013: When is it time to move on to another language?
012: How can I learn advanced English vocabulary?
011: I'm 17. Should I bother learning a language?
010: How can you learn a completely different language?
009: How can I avoid confusing two languages?
008: How can I make sure I don't forget a word?
007: How can I learn the Russian cases?
006: Which is better - intensive or extensive reading?
005: How can I learn vocab from songs?
004: Can you learn 3 languages at the same time?
003: How can I stay motivated in my language learning?
002: The story of my 8 languages
001: Introduction | About the Podcast | Who is Olly?