StoryLearning Podcast
Learning a new language? Get your language learning questions answered by polyglot Olly Richards, who speaks 8 languages and is the founder of the StoryLearning® method.
Whatever's holding you back on the path to fluency, tune in twice a week to get your regular dose of language learning motivation, with Olly and other polyglot guests, such as Benny Lewis, Luca Lampariello, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings.
Learn Spanish, Learn French, Learn German, Learn Italian, Learn Portuguese, Learn Arabic, Learn Japanese, Learn Chinese
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 18 minutes
- Episodes
- 374
- Years Active
- 2015 - 2022
073: 8 reasons to read in a foreign language
In this episode, I give you 8 reasons you should be reading in your target language.
In this episode:
- Reading slows down the language
- It's great for introverts who aren't comfortable speaking
- You ca…
072: Audacious language goals
In this episode, I discuss my language plans for 2016 and how you can make it the best year of language learning ever!
In this episode:
3 ways to succeed in your language learning in 2016:
- Join a la…
071: Beginner Japanese hacks
Nicole asks: "How can I progress beyond the basics in Japanese?"
In this episode:
- Why you should avoid focusing on kanji as a beginner
- What you should do instead
- My story in Japan
- How to improve the…
070: How to deal with fossilisation
Owain asks: "How can you deal with fossilisation in a language?"
In this episode:
- What is fossilisation?
- Why does it occur?
- How can you deal with it?
Resources Featured In Today's Episode:
069: Are some language pairings easier than others?
Allen asks: "I want to learn French and Japanese at the same time. What do I need to consider?"
In this episode:
- You can learn two languages at the same time
- It is easier if the two languages are fr…
068: Studying for the test or speaking practice?
Halvard asks: "I'm studying for the B1 exam in Russian. Does your advice to speak regularly still stand?"
In this episode:
- My advice on regular speaking is for people who want to speak
- If you have a…
067: How to use teachers at different levels
Neil asks: "What's the best way to use a teacher beyond a beginner level?"
In this episode:
- How to work with teachers as a beginner
- How to work with teachers at a more advanced level
- A balance of sp…
066: What does it feel like at different language levels?
Andy asks: "What does it feel like to speak at different levels of a language?"
In this episode:
What it feels like at different stages of a language:
- A1: Very basic, self-introductions
- A2: Greater …
065: My CRAZY 5am language routine - Part 2
In this episode I give you a run-down of my latest language learning routine, and what you can learn from it!
In this episode:
This is a continuation from episode 64. 3 key questions to ask yourself …
064: My CRAZY 5am language routine - Part 1
In this episode I give you a run-down of my latest language learning routine, and what you can learn from it!
In this episode:
- Why wake up at 5am?
- What your core study time should be
- How to use dead…
063: Can texting improve spoken fluency?
Andy asks: "I've found that texting really helps fluency in my target language...but does it work for everyone?"
In this episode:
- The benefits of text chat in a foreign language
- Common expressions
- N…
062: How can I restart learning a language?
Shaghayegh asks: "How can I restart learning a language? I haven't studied for 3 months and I'm forgetting everything."
In this episode:
- If you've taken time off, get right back to it!
- The language …
061: Is it REALLY a bad idea to learn multiple languages?
Agnes asks: "I'm learning lots of languages, and it's going fine! Is it really a bad idea to learn more than one language at a time?"
In this episode:
- Always follow your passions
- If you love learnin…
060: How to assess your progress in a language
Greg asks: "How can I self-assess my progress in a language?"
In this episode:
- How to self-assess when there's no exam or course
- Judge your progress based on goals
- Topic-based competency
Resources …
059: How can I understand my colleagues?
Derek asks: "Even though I don't have much problem reading, I have a lot of problem speaking and understanding while listening. Sometimes I have to ask my colleagues to repeat or to tell me the word …
058: What Skype recording software do you use?
Marie asks: "What software do you use to record your Skype lessons?"
In this episode:
- What software I use to record Skype lessons
- Mac vs PC
- Should you record your lessons?
- What can you do with them? …
057: Extensive listening - good or bad?
Andy asks: "Is extensive listening effective?"
In this episode:
- When listening to language too far above your level is unproductive
- i+1 and why it matters
- How the same podcast can be effective for b…
056: Do I have to travel to learn a language?
I answer the common question: "Do I need to travel to learn a language?
In this episode:
Against traveling:
- As a tourist, you will often find you are spoken to mostly in English
- Even if you are able…
055: Polyglot Conference 2015 NYC
Last weekend saw the Polyglot Conference 2015 take place in NYC. In this episode I sit down with two of the organisers, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings to reflect on the event.
In this episode:
- Th…
054: I'm reluctant to give up a language
Hugh asks: "I'm trying to learn four languages, but I don't want to give any up. What should I do?"
In this episode:
- The difficulty of learning 4 languages
- How to choose one language
- How choosing on…