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...]
100 language learning insights
Here, all in one place, are one hundred of the best, brief, language learning insights I've come across in years of language learning and years of learning about learning languages. This is celebratory piece to mark a mini milestone: the one hundredth post published here on Howtogetfluent.com. I hope you'll enjoy my selection. Of course, it could only ever be incomplete and … [Read more...]
Language progress when you’re seconded “in the field”: some solid advice
In this brief video interview, full-time student of German and Russian (and budding polyglot) Harry Ness tells us about how he's trying to make the most of his extended period working and studying in Germany. Whether you're a student looking forward to your "year abroad" or already in the world of work and preparing for an extended secondment, Harry's to-the-point tips are for … [Read more...]
How to prepare for the Goethe Institut C1 German exam: what I did
In a previous post I told you about Project revive my German and my new three-month goal: passing the Goethe Institute C1 German exam. The pass mark is 60%. Here's the good news: I got 85.5%. A result! Now I'm sharing what I did to develop my advanced reading, writing, speaking and reading skills before the exam. I stress the importance of exam technique at the end, … [Read more...]