How do you sustain language learning when the demands of "life" start to get seriously in the way? It's work and travel that have taken their toll on my Basque for the last couple of months. You may be (and probably are) learning a completely different language. I bet you'll still experience the same struggle to keep going when you're very busy or on the road. Here's how it's … [Read more...]
“Euskalonski”: on a Basque TV shoot (with vlog)
On Monday evening I sat down in front of my laptop to watch episode two of the travel show "Euskalonski" on Basque TV. It was exactly two weeks since I'd been filming for it with Pello Reparaz and his TV crew. This was the culmination of my "Basque Boost" project. Four weeks of ramped-up work on the Basque language. I've made a vlog sharing the inside view of the whole shoot. … [Read more...]
One month Basque boost: final week diary
Kaixo denei! Here's the diary of the fourth week “One month Basque boost” project and a final round-up of all I did to level up my spoken Basque in the month before I took part in a Basque TV programme. I've delayed this post by a week to wrap things up after the shoot (which took place six days ago). At the end of this final week's diary, there’s the final catch-up video … [Read more...]
One month Basque boost: third week diary
Kaixo denei! It's the end of week three of my summer "One month Basque boost" project. One week to go until I'm in a Basque TV programme. My aim this month has been to have at least five thirty or forty-five minute lessons with a teacher on Skype each week and to do thirty minutes of self-study a day. This week I managed to have eight lessons and did the extra study five … [Read more...]
One Month Basque Boost: second week diary
This is the third post in my "One month Basque boost" mini project. My aim this month is to do five one-to-one Skype lessons a week (I'm mainly using italki.com) and an additional thirty minutes focussed study five days a week. The immediate spur is an upcoming Basque TV appearance. At the bottom of this week's diary, there's a quick update of other news from Howtogetfluent.com … [Read more...]
One Month Basque Boost: first week diary
Kaixo Londresetik! This is my second post in my "One month Basque boost" mini project. I've been asked to take part in a Basque television programme at the end of August. That provides a great incentive for me to focus in again on levelling up my Basque speaking abilities. My aim this month is to do five one-to-one Skype lessons a week (I'm mainly using italki.com) plus thirty … [Read more...]
One Month Basque Boost: kick off
Kaixo denei Londresetik! I've just had some exciting news: I'm going to be in a Basque TV programme. The crew is coming to shoot at the end of August. That's great motivation for me as an intermediate level Basque learner to put my foot on the gas during the next four weeks. In this post I'm launching my "One month Basque Boost" mini project (scroll right down for launch … [Read more...]
Language learner’s update (May 2018)
I haven't done an update on my own language learning is going since my review of 2017-18 in late December. It's time to catch up. I also want to flag up what's been going on the site....and what's coming up. Back in Germany I'm writing this from Berlin at the start of a twelve day period in the German "Sprachraum". I'm here to celebrate the joint 50th birthday of three … [Read more...]
Coursebooks for learning Basque: the complete guide
It's a while since I've focussed on Basque and I've been wanting to do this run-through of coursebooks for learning Basque for quite a while. If you're a regular on the site, you may recall that two summers ago I spent a month on an intensive Basque course and I've been learning the language on and off for nearly five years. I'm now at an intermediate level. There aren't many … [Read more...]
Basque Intensive! 7: out and about (video)
Bilbao and Iruñea: these are two of the major Basque cities I visit the final video in my Basque Intensive! series. The film is for you if want a taste of this fascinating part of the world and its rich culture.... As regular readers will know, I've been learning the Basque language for several years now. I recently spent a whole month in the Basque Country. It's a … [Read more...]