The Unconventional Polyglot: A Unique Approach to Learning Languages
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Language-learning app review -- Busuu
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I cover which languages Busuu offers, how their language courses are structured, what makes Busuu different from other apps (particula...
Is your language study diverse enough? (Mine wasn't)
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, based on recent personal experience, I advocate maintaining a language study routine that encompasses all four major aspects of langu...
Duolingo courses ranked WORST to BEST
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I rank the 18 Duolingo courses that I have personally worked through.
My method for maximizing vocabulary retention while reading
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I lay out the method I use to best ensure that I retain as much vocabulary as possible while I read materials in one of my target lan...
How can you most effectively retain vocabulary in your target language?
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I outline a method I use to organize and retain vocabulary into my long-term memory. I am confident that if you follow the steps in...
A review of 2022 and preview of my 2023 language study!
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I look back at my goals for language-learning in 2022 and how well I met those goals. Then I discuss what my language-learning goal...
How can you tell if you're REALLY fluent in a language?
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I take a look at a question that any language-learner is likely to ask themself numerous times along the language-learning process, a...
Is it REALLY a good idea to study several languages at the same time?
13 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss, largely based on my own (extensive) personal experience, why it may or may not be a good idea to study several languages a...
Overcoming the dreaded 'intermediate plateau'
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss the so-called 'intermediate plateau' in language-learning, its cause, and several ways to overcome it.
Is it okay to study closely related languages at the same time?
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning multiple closely-related languages at the same time.
My recommendations of reading materials for learning French
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I recommend French Short Stories For Intermediate Level, a 3-volume series by Frederic Bibard, Intermediate French Short Stories by L...
My recommendations of YouTube channels and podcasts for learning French
16 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I cover five Youtube Channels (Easy French, Français Authentique, Parapluie French, French with Pascal, and C'est pas Sorcier) ...
My recommendations of apps for learning French
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss most of the apps that I have used to learn French.
Can you become fluent in a language using only apps?
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss how feasible it is to achieve fluency in a target language using only apps.
The Danger of Frustration
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss the inevitable frustration that occurs in language learning, and how that frustration can either be turned into motivation ...
The Danger of Tunnel-vision
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss why I highly recommend using a variety of different resources to learn a language, rather than relying on one or two resour...
The Danger of Overconfidence
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss some of the ways that overconfidence, particularly influenced by some apps and level-assessment tests, can arise. This ov...
The Danger of Self-doubt
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss the self-doubt that commonly accompanies the frustrations that arise during language-learning, and I offer a couple of ways...
The Power of Talking to Yourself
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I give suggestions for speaking activities that you can do with nobody else around to help strengthen your ability to think more quic...
The Power of Patience
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk about the importance of being patient as a language learner, and how a lack of patience can result in a lot of unnecessary fru...
The Power of Listening
29 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss what is perhaps the most important part of language-learning: listening. When done in a sufficient quantity and with the ...
The Power of Repetition
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss how powerful repetition has been in my language-learning, after having avoided it for a long time. I give examples of the...
Reflections on 2021 and Plans for 2022
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I evaluate how close I came to accomplishing the language-learning goals I had set up for myself at the beginning of 2021, and I intr...
What is fluency? How can we measure progress toward fluency?
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I address the fairly subjective concept of fluency, as well as common-sense benchmarks to indicate how far you are along the path to ...
My recommendations of reading materials for learning Spanish
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I highlight the books of three particular authors (Paco Ardit, Juan Fernández and Olly Richards) who each have series of graded read...
My recommendations of YouTube channels and podcasts for learning Spanish
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I recommend the following YouTube channels: Easy Spanish, Spanish Around, Español con Juan (for intermediate learners), Linguriosa (...
My thoughts and recommendations for 7 popular language-learning apps for learning Spanish
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I review the Spanish offerings for Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu, LingoDeer, Mango Languages, Mondly, and LingoPie.
Language-learning MYTH #6: There is a perfect app out there that can make you fluent in a language
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I go over some of the strengths and deficiencies in some of the most popular language-learning apps.Buzzsprout - Let's get your p...
Language-learning MYTH #5: Making mistakes is a bad thing
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss how making mistakes is a key part of language-learning, and that the only mistakes that are bad are the ones for which you ...
Language-learning MYTH #4: You need to immerse yourself in a language to learn it
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I tackle the (semi-) myth that in order to truly learn a language, you need to immerse yourself in it. I discuss how I believe that...
Language-learning MYTH #3: You need to have a "good" reason to learn a new language
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss how interest in a language can just as well develop after you start learning as it can before you start learning. I use ...
Language-learning MYTH #2: You can learn a language without much time or effort
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss my objections to the types of ads and videos out there proclaiming that you can learn a language just by watching TV, or th...
Language-learning MYTH #1: Adults don't learn languages as well as children
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss the widely-held opinion that children learn languages better than adults, and why that is believed to be the case, from the...
Disadvantages to learning multiple languages simultaneously
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I cover five possible disadvantages to learning multiple languages at the same time, along with some reasons why they may not necessa...
Advantages to learning multiple languages simultaneously
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss five advantages to learning languages simultaneously, as opposed to sequentially, including 1. Having a much broader knowle...
The Unconventional Polyglot multiple-language acquisition method
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I describe my two-stage method of language-learning. Stage 1 involves input acquisition (most commonly done with the aid of apps no...
My progress to date in becoming a polyglot
04 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I describe roughly how much I have progressed (as of early September, 2021) in each of my target languages. I also introduce the cl...
A prequel to Episode 1: My earlier experiences with language-learning
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I discuss my motivations for and experiences of learning Spanish and then Mandarin Chinese. Both of these language-learning experie...
Possibly the most ridiculous polyglot origin story ever
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I recount how I went from not studying any foreign languages to studying 16 foreign languages, all set into motion by a Jeopardy ques...