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...]
Motivation for intermediate (B1) German: enjoying the highs and getting through the lows
After the initial excitement of starting to learn German, you'll already have found that your motivation goes up and down. That's true at all levels. But what are the specific highs and lows that you're likely to encounter as a lower intermediate (B1) German learner? In this post, let's look at the good bits (things to look forward to( and the not so good bits (and how you … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” How I got fluent and you could too
What are the elements to success when you’re learning a foreign language? In this post, it’s time to pull together some of the threads that have emerged from telling my own language learning story in the “Dr Popkins Method?” series. I’ve got fluent in French, Welsh, Russian and German and make good progress with several other languages, mainly thanks to independent study as an … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” Keeping going at language learning
If your methods are good, or even just ok, keeping going at language learning may be the most important ingredient of all when you want to get fluent. ln a recent post, I looked at the things that fill me with enthusiasm about learning a language. But what about when enthusiasm starts to wane? It's time to move from language learning carrots to things that may work more like … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” Excited by fluency
In this post, I’m sharing some of the sources of inspiration and excitement that have helped me over the years to get fluent in new languages. Some are thrilling, others quite low-key satisfactions. They are the some of the bright flares and softer streetlights that could light up your path and see you excited by fluency itself (to say nothing of all the great things you … [Read more...]
Group language classes: for, against and what to do
If you failed to learn a language at school, chances are part of the problem was what was going on in your group language classes. Yet many people when they want to start or improve a language think about taking yet more group language classes. Erm, just like at school. Except that, this time, you're going to have to pay for it. Classes certainly do come in for some stick … [Read more...]
Shadowing for language learning, explained
Shadowing is a deceptively simple, little-known language learning technique. You take a native audio recording, with a transcript and you speak along at as close to the same time as you can. That's it. Shadowing is sometimes recommended to trainee conference interpreters, which suggests that it's a well-serious method, worth closer investigation. In this article we'll look at … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” My strengths and weaknesses
In the “Dr Popkins Method?” series, I’m telling my own language learning story. The reason? To help you to get to grips with your own. I’ve already look in detail at how I got fluent in my main languages. Now I’m moving on to look at the broader context: my language learning strengths and weaknesses. We’ll start with aptitude and personality and then move on to … [Read more...]
“Dr Popkins Method?” How I got fluent in German
To help you better in your language learning, I’m sharing my own story in the "Dr Popkins Method?" series. I’ve told the story of how I got fluent in French, Welsh and Russian. Now, let’s look at how to learn German.....or, at least, how I've done it. This post covers roughly the same German ground - but in more detail - as the second half of the vlog linked at the bottom … [Read more...]
How “to boldly go” when you’re too shy to speak your foreign language
Feeling too shy to speak a foreign language is at times a real handicap for me and many other language learners. This post is packed with actionable tips to help you overcome your language shyness. First, it’s worth taking a moment to get the measure of the enemy! What is shyness? Shyness is awkwardness or apprehension around other people, especially new people or in … [Read more...]