For the next four weeks my language learning will change gear. I'm upping the time that goes into my focussed study of beginner's Japanese and intermediate Basque. It's a summer learning "sprint" or, if you like, a two-language tango. (Scroll down for vid). If you're a regular reader, you'll know that I'm nearly seven months into a project to learn basic Japanese in advance … [Read more...]
Foreign language reading tips: one technique, two helpful types of text
Reading can play an extremely helpful role in your attempts to get fluent in a foreign language…and it's hugely valuable even if your main aim is to speak well. Those were messages with which we kicked off a series of posts on reading. We've looked at the different types of reading ("intensive", "extensive", reading for "gist" and skimming for info). Today, three more foreign … [Read more...]
Learning Japanese: Month Six update
I'm now over well over half way through my learning Japanese in nine months project. Now, I'm not foolhardy enough to try to learn the whole language in nine months. After all, I'm only setting aside thirty minutes a day, seven days a week of focussed study. No! The aim is simply to get as far as I can within these constraints. My reason to learn some basic Japanese now? A trip … [Read more...]
Two simple methods to “embrace effort” in reading and listening practice
Today's post looks at two simple methods you can use to get more active when practising the "passive" skills of listening and reading…. Look on it as a bit of resistance training. I first explored some ideals to help us "embrace effort", as I put it, over on the YouTube channel a few months ago. In short, what it's all about is putting a bit of grit in the oyster. Now, … [Read more...]
Course launch: Ready to take your German “into intermediate” with Dr P?
Just a quick announcement this week aimed at those of you who already have a good grounding in German and are ready for focussed action to move decisively onwards and upwards. Today enrolment has started (strictly till Friday 28th July only) on my new mentored self-study course. It's a ten-week on-line programme called "Focus for Fluency Into Intermediate German". FEB 20 … [Read more...]
Polyglot Gathering daily vlogs 2019
The 2019 Polyglot Gathering: whoooosh! It's been....and gone. I'm now back in London. My week in Bratislava seemed to be over more or less right after it began. It was the sixth Gathering, the third one in the Slovak capital. I've reviewed them all and vlogged the last three. Last year and the year before I pumped out the daily vlogs overnight during the event. This year … [Read more...]
Learning Japanese: Month Five update
It's over five months since I started my latest language learning project: learning Japanese. This is my May update (belated due to my trip to Bratislava for the Polyglot Gathering). At the bottom of the post, you'll find my May update vlog from the YouTube channel. A recap if you're new here: my aim is to study Japanese daily, seven days a week or, over nine months to … [Read more...]
How to choose a language school abroad in 2026
Updated 27 June 2026 By Gareth Leave a Comment (Edit) How do you choose a language school abroad in 2026? That's the subject of this post, the second of a mini series of two. In this post, the focus is on the typical full-time (or part-time) group course held “in country” for any period from, say, a week or two up to a couple of months. In the first post, I weighed up … [Read more...]
Group language course abroad? For and against in 2026
Why go on an intensive, group language course abroad? If you decided to, how do you choose a foreign language school? Now that (in most places) the worst of the pandemic is past, you may be thinking of spreading your wings again later in 2026. This post, the first of two, we get to grips with the first of these two questions. The focus is on the typical full-time (or part-time) … [Read more...]
Why learning a language in retirement is a great idea
In this post, I'll show you that there's no reason why you can't get fluent in a foreign language when you're in your 60s, 70s or older and why later life can be a great time to learn. If you're looking for the ideal retirement project, look no further than learning a new language! Now, even if you're a relatively young retiree, energetic and in great health, you may … [Read more...]