Listening is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for language learners at beginner and false-beginner level.
Many learners assume they need more vocabulary. Or more grammar.
Sometimes that’s true.
But very often the issue is that words, phrases and sentence patterns they’ve already learned simply aren’t familiar enough yet for them to recognise quickly when they hear them.
The result is a frustrating experience. At least for me!
You understand more when reading than listening and you recognise some words but miss others.
The conversation seems to race ahead while you’re still trying to process what you’ve just heard.
With that in mind, I’m running something new this summer: the Bite Size Listening Challenge.
The Challenge is a guided four-week programme for recent beginners and false beginners (levels A1 and A2) in French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish.
Participants will work through one short native-speaker conversation each weekday, spending around 15–20 minutes a day listening, reading, noticing patterns and becoming more familiar with the language they’re already learning.
Alongside the lessons, there will be:
- daily guidance emails
- a private accountability community
- four live group coaching sessions
- access to recordings for anyone who can’t attend live
The goal is not fluency in four weeks.
The goal is simply to become more comfortable with the foundational vocabulary and grammar that you’ve probably already met.
To recognise the most common and useful words, phrases and grammar patterns as they occur in short dialogues.
To feel less overwhelmed when listening.
And to build a simple listening habit that you can continue long after the Challenge finishes.
The Founding Cohort begins on Monday 15 June 2026 and registration closes on Saturday 13 June.
If you’d like to learn more, you can read the full details here:
=> CLICK HERE FOR BITE SIZE CHALLENGE INFO PAGE AND ENROLMENT LINKS
I hope to see some of you there.
Dr Gareth Popkins || Howtogetfluent . com
Leave a Reply