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.

I’m learning….

Welcome! Here’s an overview of my top language learning blog posts here on How to get fluent. You’ll find grammar and vocab guides, methods and materials, tips and my own language learning story. Some posts are “language neutral” and will help you whatever language you’re learning while others focus in on helping you if you’re learning one specific language, especially German, Russian or Welsh (the languages I’ve learned to an advanced level, produce courses for and teach) and on other languages I’ve learnt to various levels (especially Basque and Japanese). It’s your powerhouse of language learning information, guidance and inspiration. Dr Gareth Popkins.

Contents hide
Learning German
Learning Russian
Learning Welsh
Learning French
Learning Basque
Learning Japanese
Learning Icelandic
Learning Indonesian
Learning Swahili
Learning Spanish
Learning Portuguese
Learning Greek
Learning methods and situations (all languages)
The key language skills (all languages)
Pronunciation Plus!
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Careers in languages
General learner updates (my learning)
Dr P at large: travel, culture and language
Dr P at large: events for language learners – reviews and vlogs
Insider info! How to learn any language like a pro. Grab Dr P's free one-week video course now. Click here to get the training

Learning German

Dr P’s flagship lower intermediate German listening, grammar and vocab course

Is German hard to learn?

How to learn German fast

Learn German grammar: why and how?

German grammar guide: topics you need to know (with key terms)

The 50 most common German verbs

The 50 most common German adjectives

German false friend words alert! (Your ultimate list)

German Christmas words you need for Christmas traditions you’ll love

How to remember German noun gender: the ultimate guide

German cases made simple (without endless tables)

German genitive case: the only guide you’ll ever need

German modal verbs explained: the ultimate guide

Joining it up: how conjunctions can transform your intermediate German

The German imperfect tense: form and uses made clear

The German future tense: top dos and the don’ts

Six German vocabulary keys to unlock your word power

German listening practice on steroids (neglected technique)

Which German exam is best?

The Goethe-Institut German A1 exam explained

The Goethe-Institut German A2 exam explained

The Goethe-Institut German B1 exam explained

From beginner’s (A2) to intermediate (B1) German. What’s the difference?

Intermediate (B1) German vocabulary and grammar: what and how?

Motivation for intermediate (B1) German: enjoying the highs and getting through the lows

German noun plurals: the ultimate guide

German job interview phrases to set you up for success

How to make friend in German, in the country or not

Must know German opinion phrases for agreeing and disagreeing

Café culture in German: words and phrases

How to prepare for an advanced language exam.  Lessons from my Goethe-Institut C1 success

Logging your language learning (and an update on Project revive my German)

Project revive my German: three lessons for your language learning

“Dr Popkins Method?” How I learned German

Language momentos (1): finding a room with basic German

Learning Russian

Dr P’s upper beginner Russian grammar revision course

Why learn Russian?

How to learn Russian fast

Learn the Russian alphabet in an afternoon: three tricks

Get Russian aspects right every time

Russian language exams: a guide

A2 Russian: the upper beginner skills, vocabulary and grammar that you need

Russian A2 test: the TRKI Basic Level exam uncovered

Russian TRKI 2nd and 3rd Certificate materials reviewed

The TRKI 4th certificate: this top Russian exam really does exist and CAN be passed (interview with a successful candidate)

The TRKI 4 advanced Russian exam: successful candidate interview (2)

The TRKI 4 advanced Russian exam: successful candidate interview (3)

Guy aces the TRKI 4 (C2) advanced Russian exam successful candidate interview (4)

TRKI 4th certificate: the fullest “how to” candidate interview yet (5)

Kyiv, Kiev, Odesa, Odessa (place names in Ukraine in Ukrainian and Russian)

Top learn Russian YouTube channels

Best Russian YouTubers for upper intermediate

How to improve your written Russian: sounds, spelling and word formation

How to pass an advanced foreign language writing exam or “writing Russian right” for the Test of Russian as a Foreign Language Third Certificate

Intermediate/advanced foreign language writing exam preparation: a view from inside Operation Write Russian Right

Improving intermediate to advanced writing skills in a foreign language: Operation Write Russian Right

My Russian TRKI 3rd certificate results: insights for your advanced language exam preparations.

Project Advanced Russian, or steppe-ing up for the TRKI 3rd certificate exam.

“Dr Popkins Method?” How I learned Russian

Insider info! How to learn any language like a pro. Grab Dr P's free one-week video course now. Click here to get the training

Learning Welsh

Is Welsh hard to learn?

Why learn Welsh?

Ten ways to support Welsh, even if you don’t speak the language

What’s the Eisteddfod like?

Welsh football words

How to remember the gender of Welsh nouns and when it matters

Learning all six Celtic languages (interview with Simon Ager)

Welsh to B2 certified: a successful candidate shares her story

“Dr Popkins Method?” Getting fluent in Welsh

Learning French

How to learn French fast

The 50 most common French verbs

“Dr Popkins Method?” How I learned French

Learning Basque

Coursebooks for learning Basque: the complete guide

Intermediate Basque: learner update

Learning Basque as life gets in the way (Dec 18 update)

Euskalonski: on a Basque TV shoot (with video)

One month Basque boost: final week diary (with video)

One month Basque boost: third week diary (with video)

One month Basque boost: second week diary (with video)

One month Basque boost: first week diary (with video)

One month Basque boost: kick off (with video)

Basque Intensive! 7: out and about (video)

Basque Intensive! 6: the inside view

Basque Intensive! 5: post-course native speaker call

Basque Intensive! 4: second half diary

Basque Intensive! 3: half way diary

Basque Intensive! 2: from London to Bilbao and Lazkao (a vlog)

Basque Intensive!  1: on the eve

Basque-ing under a summer sun: update, an exciting trip and more tips on keeping going with your beginner level language

Six tips for keeping going with your language learning (and an update on my Basque)

Learning Basque in Add1Challenge 5, final report

Back in an on-line language learning group or “Carry on Basque” as Add1Challenge 5 kicks off

Mission accomplished as Add1Challenge 4 draws to a close

Basque Add1Challenge: three weeks in

A boost for my Basque?  The Sumer 2014 Add1Challenge begins

Learning Japanese

Learning Japanese: Months 32 to 39 update

Learning Japanese: Months 27 to 31 update

Learning Japanese: Months 23 to 26 update

Learning Japanese: Months 20 to 22 update

Learning Japanese: Month 19 update

Learning Japanese: Month 18 update

Learning Japanese: Month 17 update

Learning Japanese: Month 16 update

Learning Japanese: Month 15 update

Learning Japanese: Back from Japan (Month 10 update)

Learning Japanese: Month 9 update

Learning Japanese: Month 8 update

Learning Japanese: Month 6 update

Learning Japanese: Month 5 update

Learning Japanese: Month 4 update

Learning Japanese: Month 3 update

Learning Japanese: Month 2 update

Learning Japanese: Month 1 update

New Project: Learning Japanese

Learning Icelandic

Icelandic’s success as an inspiration for Welsh and Europe’s other “lesser used” languages

Learning Icelandic: 30 day focus

Learning Icelandic in Reykjavík (vlog)

Learning Indonesian

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 8: Prambanan, the Sultan’s palace and departure

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 7: Day 5 (video): my last class and unforgettable Borobudur

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 6: Day 4 (video): language, rain and the Tugu

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 5: Day 3 (video): more key vocab, the US elections and downtown Yogyakarta in the rain

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 4: Day 2 – begins online and ends with a splash

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 3: Day 1 at the school, more explorations and speaking some Indonesian

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 2: arrival

“Minimmersion” Indonesian 1: the plan revealed

Learning Swahili

Discovering the world of Swahili (learner interview, in French)

Learning Spanish

How to learn Spanish fast

Learning Portuguese

How to learn Portuguese fast

Ten reasons why you should learn Portuguese….and why Spanish can wait

Learning Greek

Alpha to Omega: learning the Greek alphabet (video)

Insider info! How to learn any language like a pro. Grab Dr P's free one-week video course now. Click here to get the training

Learning methods and situations (all languages)

Recommended resources

Is there a “Dr Popkins Method” to get fluent?

“Dr Popkins Method?” My strengths and weaknesses

“Dr Popkins Method?” Excited by fluency

“Dr Popkins Method?” Keeping going at language learning?

“Dr Popkins Method?” How I got fluent and you could too

Shadowing for language learning explained

Group language classes: for, against and what to do

Group language course abroad? For and against

How to choose a language school abroad

One hundred language learning insights (the 100th post)

Translation as a language learning method: the ultimate guide

How long does it take to learn a language?  The truth!

Foreign language exams for adult learners: for and against

How to pass a foreign language exam

Ten brilliant ways to beat exam nerves

How to remember vocabulary: the Gold List Method explored

Intensive study of a language from scratch (“ab initio”) at university.  What’s it like?

Language learning when seconded “in the field”: some solid advice

Why learning a language in retirement is a great idea

Two simple methods to “embrace effort” in reading and listening practice

How does learning new languages get easier?

Language textbooks: good or bad?

A talent for languages? Yes, no and what to do

What’s the best language course for you?

Minority language resources: a guide

How to find minority language native speakers

Minority language dialects: a problem for learners?

Why learn a minority language?

Have you got the fluency mindset?

How to learn a language at home in a crisis

Great inspirational quotes for language learners

Language learner’s year compass

Four mini language learning habits for big results

Three encouraging language learning truths

How to keep learning a language when life’s turned upside down

Language learning “anchors” and getting back on track

How to choose and online language tutor

What to expect from a foreign language tutor (and what not to expect)

The key language skills (all languages)

Pronunciation Plus! 

Do these key causes explain YOUR foreign accent?

Speaking 

How soon should you speak  your new language?

Why they won’t stop speaking English and how to keep the conversation foreign

How “to boldly go” when you’re too shy to speak your foreign language

Sound more fluent: nine tricks

Reading

How important is reading for learning a foreign language?

How to read in a foreign language: the skill unpicked

Reading for fluency….and pleasure in your foreign language

Stuggling to read in your foreign language? These three tips will help smooth the way

Foreign language reading tips: one technique, two helpful types of text

Reading in a foreign language. Enough of stories? Time for the facts?

Writing

A fun vocab and writing project

Careers in languages

How do you become an interpreter?  What is working as an interpreter like?

Advice for a career as a translator: a pro shares her story

General learner updates (my learning)

Basque/Japanese diary: Week Four

Basque/Japanese diary: Week Three

Basque/Japanese diary: Week Two

Basque/Japanese diary: Week One

Two language tango: a new four-week learning sprint (Basque/Japanese)

Goodbye 2020…hello 2021!

From 2019 to 2020

Goodbye 2018…hello 2019!

Language learner’s update (May 2018)

Language learning together…from 2017 to 2018

Language learner’s update (May 2017)

Zwischen den Jahren: language learning together from the old year to the new

Dr P at large: travel, culture and language

Japan: personal impressions

The visibility of Scottish Gaelic: a signage safari

Viennese slices: first impressions of the Austrian capital

Russian Easter in London – the blessing of the food ceremony (with vlog)

Trying to decipher Slovak and exploring the sights of Bratislava (post with “smash & grab” vlog)

Exploring Beijing when you don’t speak Chinese: things to see and travel tips (“smash & grab” video)

Singapore’s languages: “smash and grab” (video)

Happy New Year in three languages…and more

How to choose an AirBnB apartment

Dr P at large: events for language learners – reviews and vlogs

Language events: the ultimate guide

Polyglot Gathering relived (daily vlogs 2022)

Polyglot Gathering Online: daily vlogs

At the Language Event: Edinburgh

Polyglot Conference Daily Vlogs 2019

The Polyglot Gathering: learner “takeaways” review

Polyglot Gathering daily vlogs 2019

Britain’s “other” languages: three creators speak (report)

Edinburgh language learners’ meetup, reviewed

At London’s Language Show (with vlog)

Polyglot Conference Daily Vlogs 2018

Insights from the Polyglot Gathering 2018

Polyglot Gathering 2018: the daily vlogs

Northern Highlights.  From the Polyglot Conference in Reykjavík

A day at the Language Show

A new language record! (video from the Polyglot Gathering)

The Fourth Polyglot Gathering, reviewed (Bratislava, 2017)

Bratislava Live! Vlogging the Polyglot Gathering 2017

German pronunciation challenge (from the Polyglot Gathering)

In Thessaloniki at the Polyglot Conference (review and video)

At large at Language Show Live (vlog)

Polyglot Gathering 3: the movie

At the Polyglot Gathering 2016

At Language Show Live: a vlog

Core vocabulary: a second vlog from the Polyglot Conference, New York City

Vlogging the Polyglot Conference

“With my people”: In New York City for the Polyglot Conference

The Polyglot Gathering 2015: top language learners’ tips and reflections

Language Show Live: a review

At the Polyglot Conference 2014, Novy Sad

Reflections on the June 2014 Polyglot Gathering, Berlin

Insider info! How to learn any language like a pro. Grab Dr P's free one-week video course now. Click here to get the training

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