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

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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.

How to find and fix mistakes in your foreign language speaking and writing

By Dr Popkins Leave a Comment

fix foreign language mistakes

In this post, we’ll look at three easy but effective techniques to help you find and fix mistakes that you make repeatedly when use your foreign language, so that they don't solidify as permanent features of your speaking or writing. The distinction between good mistakes and bad mistakes when you use your foreign language First, let’s be clear! There's lots of scope … [Read more...]

Four language learning mini habits for big results in 2023

By Dr Popkins 4 Comments

Micro habits for language learning

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...]

100 language learning insights

By Dr Popkins 4 Comments

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...]

Intermediate/advanced foreign language exam preparation: Russian TRKI third certificate writing sub-test

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Correcting advanced Russian language written work

How do you best undertake intermediate/advanced foreign language writing exam preparation?  Here's an update on what I'm doing in Operation Write Russian Right, my retake of the writing paper of the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language Third Certificate (ToRFL or TRKI - Тест по русскому языку как иностранному третий сертификационный уровень).    I have three quick takeaways … [Read more...]

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