What are the best German series on Netflix for keen learners in 2022? In this post you’ll discover ten strong contenders: what they’re about and why they’re useful and fun. Plus, at the end, two useful tips to help you find the shows and get the most out of watching them. Unsure of the value of learning German by watching TV? Well, many learners seriously underestimate the … [Read more...]
Four language learning mini habits for big results in 2023
In this post you'll discover four mini language learning habits that are easy to take up and that you'll find fun to do every day. There's a habit for each of the four language skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. New Year's resolutions don't all have to be big and dramatic and, if you stick to your new tiny language learning habit, it could compound over the … [Read more...]
Two simple methods to “embrace effort” in reading and listening practice
Today's post looks at two simple methods you can use to get more active when practising the "passive" skills of listening and reading…. Look on it as a bit of resistance training. I first explored some ideals to help us "embrace effort", as I put it, over on the YouTube channel a few months ago. In short, what it's all about is putting a bit of grit in the oyster. Now, … [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...]
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...]
Do these key causes explain YOUR foreign accent?
Worried about your foreign accent or just want to tune it up a bit? You're in the right place! This is the first of a series on sounding good in you your target language. I'm calling it Pronunciation Plus! We all want to make sure that a thick foreign accent does not get in the way of good communication. It's really important to win the confidence of your … [Read more...]