How to get fluent, with Dr Popkins

How to learn a foreign language. Methods, matrials and stories to help you maximise your effectiveness on the road to fluency

  • I’m learning….
  • About
  • Mentoring
  • Russian Course
  • German Course
  • Recommended resources

In-depth explorations, actionable tips and inspiring conversations for language learners who REALLY want to get fluent…..plus a little bit of fun along the way.

Recommended resources

My flagship intermediate German course

If you’ve already got a good grounding in German and are ready for decisive focussed action to get yourself well on the way to “independent user” status, check out my flagship course Dr P’s Weekly German Workouts: Into Intermediate German. It’s a self-study programme that runs for ten weeks (or at your own pace). You’re not on your own: you’ll have my one-to-one email support throughout.

Dr P’s “Focus in Five” upper-beginner Russian grammar revision course

This is for you if you’ve covered a lot of the basics in Russian, maybe through an intro course or app, maybe through listening and speaking practice, and you now want a bird’s-eye review of the key nuts and bolts of Russian. Reinforce the foundations, ready to build to the next level of fluency. Check out the “Focus in Five” info an enrolment page.

Dr P’s free “Language Learner Pro” methods training course

My popular free five-part course helps you get the key elements in place for success as an independent adult language learner. You’ll also joint the Howtogetfluent Email club. I usually mail about once a week with an update on new content, tips, language learning product reviews, recommendations and offers. Use the “Grab my top language learning tips” sign up box at the bottom of this page.

____________________________

Below are some of my fave language resources useful whatever your language.  If you click through and join one, I’ll get a small commission (though the cost to you won’t be any different).  This helps me to cover the costs of running the site.  It’s win-win – I only recommend things I value and use myself and think have a real potential to make a decisive difference to you as you get fluent!

_________________________

Live one-to-one lessons online

You create your own profile (I’m Efrogwr) and load up some credit.  You can check out other members’ profiles and a teacher’s experience and prices.  Booking slots is made easy as the calendar shows everybody’s slots in your local timezone. 

Regular practice SPEAKING your new language is essential if you want to get fluent.  Almost all the live one-to-one lessons I have online (via Skype or an equivalent platform) are booked through italki.  There you can find literally thousands of teachers or informal conversation partners in tens of languages.  

_________________________

“Uncovered” for Beginners

Olly Richard’s exciting new story-based courses. Let the story carry you along, with video lessons, worksheets and more.

Beginner level will take you from complete beginner to lower intermediate. Intermediate helps you break through that intermediate plateau!

Beginner level available for: German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and now (new): Russian, Chinese, Turkish.

Intermediate level available for: German( Intermediate), Spanish (Intermediate), French (Intermediate), Italian (Intermediate), Japanese (Intermediate).

_________________________

Grammar Hero

Grammar explained in the context of short stories. The best way to learn!

Available for French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian or Brazilian Portuguese.

_________________________

Conversations

You’re leaning because you want to speak. Here are courses that will get you understanding real language and using it yourself in less than 90 Days.

Available in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

_________________________

Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass

Understanding how memory works is a must if you want to get fluent. I got to know memory champ and long-term language learner Anthony Metivier at the Polyglot Gathering in Berlin back in 2014 and later attended one of his in-person all-day trainings in London.

The Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass has to be the best set of memory trainings out there.

You’ll get access to all the Anthony’s memory courses, showing you step-by-step proven techniques to skyrocket your ability to memorise vocabulary, names, numbers, faces, poetry…anything!

You also get are eight bonuses, including The Ultimate Language Learning Secret and Visualisation Mastery.

_________________________

Successful Self Study (any language)

Ready learn that language at lat without the constant stress and worry that you’re not getting fluent fast enough? Successful Self-Study is a self-paced online course that teaches you how to learn successfully as a solo language learner from inimitable language teacher, learner, vlogger and coach Lindsay Williams from LindsayDoesLanguages. A super fun practical course, packed with actionable information. Click on this link for the info and enrolment page.

Successful Self-Study

_________________________

Bite Size Languages

100 short conversations. Hone your listening skills and learn those key phrases you need to use your language. With transcripts, short vocab and grammar notes and handy culture notes. From Kris “the Dane” Broholm from Actual Fluency. Available for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Danish.

_________________________

Intrepid Languages: Master Languages for Travel

“Supercharged phrasebooks” from Michele “Intrepid Guide” Frolla. All about getting you from clueless to confident in some basic travel phrases for when we can hit the road again. Video lessons, engaging explanations and quizzes, audio and dialogues with a “role play” twist.

Master French for Travel, Master Spanish for Travel, Master Italian for Travel, Master Norwegian for Travel

_________________________

Master Japanese

The most comprehensive guide to getting started (or improving) your Japanese. This isn’t a language course, it’s all about showing you how to get good at Japanese yourself. All the advice on mindset, methods, materials and insights into the language itself. From John Fotheringham at Language Mastery. Check out the deal: Language Mastery Japanese

____________________________

Affiliate links disclaimer

Some of the links on this page and throughout the website are affiliate links. This means that I (Dr Popkins at Howtogetfluent) may receive a commission if you purchase something through these links. Over the years, I have put in hundreds and hundreds of hours creating free content here on the site (and continue to do so) and the use of affiliate links provides a great way for you to support my work here. It is always your choice whether you’d like to purchase or use the linked-to products. It really is win-win as there is never any extra cost to you. I try hard to review and recommend with integrity and honesty.

____________________________

Full list of articles from Dr P

As of spring 2022, there are over 220 articles here on the site. Check out the full archive here.

____________________________

Copyright © 2023 Privacy policies/cookie policies and affiliate disclaimer