Diary of a Language Freak

Why all my teachers didn't help me at learning smarter? I want something more back in return for my time and money. So, I try to fix this issue.

⁠TRANSCRIPTION: http://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/03/24/comment-jai-decouvert-les-langues/⁠ Bonjour à tous, Je m'appelle Chiara et je viens d’Italie. J’habite à Bruxelles, et j’aime apprendre et enseigner les langues. Avec les années, les langues m’ont permis d’avoir plein d’expériences inoubliables, donc j’ai décidé de les partager à travers ce podcast. Les langues sont aussi devenues mon job à temps plein - je vais te raconter plus sur ce sujet aussi. Aujourd’hui, je voudrais parler de mon premier contact avec cette passion. Chaque fois que je parle de ça et de ce que j’ai fait, beaucoup de fois, évidemment, la réaction typique est: “Carrément tu as un talent naturel!” Mais franchement, si c’était qu’une question de talent naturel, je me serais peut-être attendue à le découvrir un peu plus tôt. Peut-être, au moins j’aurais imaginé une expérience différente avec l’anglais à l’école, juste pour donner un exemple. Ce présumé talent n’est pas apparu pendant toute mon école primaire. Je me souviens que j’avais beaucoup de confusion dans ma tête au regard de l’anglais. Je n’en comprenais pas la logique, je détestais comment il sonnait, je trouvais embarrassant de regarder l’enseignante imiter la prononciation en faisant des têtes bizarres pour montrer comment il fallait dire les mots. Le taf de mes rêves c’était d’écrire: rien lié à l’apprentissage des langues ou à l’enseignement. Le moment qui m’a fait aimer les langues est arrivé seulement à la fin de l’école primaire.

An unexpected passion: from hating English in school to discovering languages and dedicating the rest of my life to them. TRANSCRIPTION: http://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/03/24/how-i-got-interested-in-languages/

Esercitati nella lingua che stai imparando, come se fossi in palestra, ma con un professionista che ti segue (cioè, io!). ISCRIVITI QUI: https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/accountability/ CHIAMATA GRATUITA PER DUBBI ETC: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2t55-QbGJU_81u2fMjfYFXlVfAkpLW_HYwFIQ5HDXbQ_Ve5z5V4Lu_QgCRtl1WolT4_rLuQEVS La mia missione è rendere il processo di apprendimento delle lingue "digeribile" attraverso compiti settimanali. Ogni settimana, devi completare due esercizi, piccoli ma efficaci. Tipi di compiti possibili: • Esercizi di conversazione tramite messaggi vocali • Esercizi di ascolto • Shadowing per migliorare la pronuncia • Esercizi di scrittura • Esercizi di lettura ### Recensione di Sahebeh "Come ingegnere che vive e lavora in Italia, avevo bisogno di parlare e capire l'italiano come i miei amici e colleghi italiani. Mi ero bloccata a un certo livello, pronunciando male molte parole, e non c'era nessuno a correggermi, perché i miei amici e colleghi parlavano perfettamente inglese e passavano all'inglese ogni volta che notavano le mie difficoltà! Frequentare corsi formali non era fattibile per motivi di tempo, avevo bisogno di una soluzione flessibile. È allora che Chiara ha introdotto un metodo che soddisfaceva le mie esigenze. Seguo questo corso con lei da diversi mesi ormai. La sua disponibilità, pazienza e entusiasmo per il suo lavoro mi hanno colpito molto. È sempre pronta a rispondere a qualsiasi domanda legata alla lingua e migliora continuamente il suo approccio didattico introducendo nuovi metodi e nuove offerte. Recentemente abbiamo utilizzato Notion come bacheca di comunicazione, e sono estremamente soddisfatto del risultato. Notion permette di creare pagine e database personalizzati di ciò che hai già praticato. Funziona molto bene per la gestione delle attività di annotazione personale e condivisione delle conoscenze. Tutto ciò di cui hai bisogno per un corso di lingua remoto perfetto!" ### Recensione di Goele "Sono belga, vivo in Spagna e insegno principalmente inglese e musica. Amo le lingue e le apprendo abbastanza facilmente, tramite immersione culturale o autoapprendimento, soprattutto leggendo. Penso che sia chiaro che i corsi di lingua tradizionali non sono utili per me, e sono felice di aver trovato una persona che la pensa come me.Imparo l'italiano da un po' di tempo, ma mi sono accorta che ogni volta che si trattava di parlare, non sapevo da dove iniziare. Non avevo un obiettivo specifico in mente, ma volevo solo sentirmi a mio agio nell'usare e comprendere la lingua. Così, ho deciso di iscrivermi al programma di Chiara.Lei propone argomenti di conversazione o esercizi in base alle mie esigenze. Le sue correzioni sono molto utili; spiega tutto chiaramente con esempi e confronti con altre lingue che abbiamo in comune (francese, inglese, olandese), ed è sempre paziente con me, ripetendo le stesse cose più e più volte, se necessario.Negli ultimi due mesi ho perso la paura di parlare e mi sento più sicura delle mie abilità in italiano. Il contatto tramite messaggi WhatsApp, sia audio che testo, rende il processo di apprendimento meno stressante e più simile al parlare con un'amica." ### Recensione di Shahrzad "Avere una lezione con questo metodo è molto comodo per me. Perché ho capito dalla mia esperienza che la lingua può essere appresa e utilizzata solo attraverso la pratica. E questa forma di esercizio, perché espone le persone all'uso reale della lingua, è più utile. Quando invio messaggi vocali, noto che presto più attenzione nella scelta delle parole e della grammatica, e c'è una migliore opportunità di usare nuovi vocaboli. Inoltre, c'è più possibilità di parlare di argomenti diversi che potremmo non affrontare nella vita quotidiana, e in cui, di conseguenza, potremmo non usare mai alcune parole e parte della grammatica."

Questo audio è la versione mp3 di un video pubblicato su YT. Ho voluto raccontare come si può uscire dal vicolo cieco "sono troppo stanco dopo il lavoro - non ho tempo di imparare le lingue" e apprendere in un modo nuovo e più efficiente, usando le tecnologie che sono disponibili finalmente nel 2024. Si può imparare chattando via WhatsApp con un insegnante e sfruttando ChatGPT. IL MIO PROGRAMMA MENSILE: https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/accountability #lingue #linguestraniere #languagelearning #chatgpt #italian #francese #olandese

In this video, I share some unforgettable moments highlighting the power of language learning and integration. Join me as I recount stories that showcase the impact of passion and dedication in the world of languages. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiara_languagefreak/ Check out my website: https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/ Register for my accountability programme: https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/accountability/ Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 1:31 - Becoming an Ambassador in Middle School 4:45 - Humbling the Teacher Who Hated Me 9:00 - Speaking Greek and Getting a Free Dessert #LanguageLearning #Integration #TravelStories #LanguageNerd #GloriousMoments

http://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/20/no-homework-no-class/ 📚 Some months ago, a girl decided to buy a 4-week package with me, including weekly classes and homework. She did everything autonomously through my website, without a discovery call or trial. Cool! 🤓 We had our first class, and I emphasized the importance of doing homework between sessions to see results. It’s all clearly stated on my page above the “BUY” button. She reassured me she’d do everything, and I was optimistic. ⏳ Days passed, and I reached out, asking for her work. She promised, but nothing came. I had to cancel the next lesson until she sent me something, explaining it’s useless otherwise. ✉️ After more waiting, she finally sent written work, but no voice messages, which are crucial to my method. She struggles with speaking, even after 8 years in Italy, affecting her job prospects. 💸 I’m losing money but billing anyway felt wrong. 📈 I’ve raised my prices, still figuring out how to balance effectiveness and not losing out. Tune in to hear how I navigate this challenge!

https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/16/feeling-part-of-a-community-the-podcast-festival-of-de-standaard/ On November 11, I attended the podcast festival by De Standaard in Oostende. Living on a tight budget, this trip was a real investment, but my curiosity about Belgium made it worth every penny. Growing up in Italy, Belgium was a mystery. Apart from hearing about Brussels due to EU affairs and the tragic Marcinelle coal mine accident, I knew little about this country. Since moving to Belgium, I’ve wanted to immerse myself in its culture, starting with learning Dutch and keeping up with Belgian news. Integration through shared experiences When I quit my job, I decided it was time to truly "Belgify" myself. Watching Belgian news became a daily ritual, and I gradually expanded this to include Dutch-language podcasts, with De Standaard’s "Vandaag" becoming a favorite. Taking the leap Attending a full Flemish event was my next step. I wanted to challenge myself to interact with locals, especially Flemish speakers, in their own environment. Despite initial nerves, I succeeded, engaging in conversations and understanding most of the discussions, even if some podcast references eluded me. The highlight of the day was meeting Alexander Lippeveld, the voice behind my favorite podcast. Being able to connect and share my appreciation for his work was a significant moment of integration for me. Small talk and connections My efforts to engage in small talk paid off when I found myself at the new smokers' corner – the power socket station. A fellow attendee struck up a conversation in Dutch, making my day and marking a milestone in my journey to feel at home in Belgium. Reflecting on the day’s achievements, I watched the stormy sea and felt a deep sense of fulfillment. As I boarded the train back to Brussels, exhaustion set in, but it was the sweet kind that comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone and making meaningful connections.

New Accountability Program - CHECK IT OUT HERE -- And… here we go again: Navigating Language Learning Stress Ever found yourself overwhelmed by the pressure of learning a new language? Join me as I dive into the common struggles and misconceptions around picking up a new tongue. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, I'll share insights on realistic timelines for mastering Italian and other languages. We'll explore why it takes time, the importance of setting achievable goals, and how to balance learning with everyday responsibilities. Whether you're a beginner feeling behind or a seasoned learner needing a reality check, this podcast will help you tackle the stress and embrace the journey. Ready to juggle language learning with ease? Tune in and let's start this adventure together. https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/13/how-long-does-it-take-to-speak-a-language/

This is the theory. Don't hesitate to follow the different parts through this series of articles: part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 Should you actually want to implement what you've learnt and get a little bonus, you can get a very affordable paid version at this link. I'm one of those people who never apply anything if there is no-one actually waiting for something from my side, so I offer you a little mind trick to actually implement something :) I want to implement and get the bonus

Maggi Empire of the Soup - Thank you! I find very funny the fact that both “teams” can relate to something very familiar like a brand they’ve probably grown up with, that they may remember from some tv ads too. I think it makes you instantly slightly more familiar.Which means a little bit more integrated… which is my objective.

**Navigating Anxiety: A Lifelong Journey** From childhood nightmares to adulthood challenges, anxiety has been the ever-present background noise in my life. Join me as I recount my experiences, from school-induced stress to career-related anxieties, and the physical manifestations they bring. This podcast delves into the different stages of my journey, offering insights and strategies that have helped me cope along the way. In this episode, I'll share: 1. The Beginning: Childhood struggles with holiday homework and the relentless pursuit of perfection. 2. Get a Life: Discovering languages and finding solace outside of academic pressures. 3. The Last Straws: Navigating university and the workplace while battling anxiety. 4. Fix Everything by Quitting?: The unexpected aftermath of leaving a stressful job. 5. Don't Swallow the Problem: Physical symptoms of anxiety and the importance of addressing mental health. If you're looking for an honest, raw account of living with anxiety and finding ways to manage it, this podcast is for you. Tune in to learn how to tackle anxiety head-on and find peace in the chaos. Read more

My experience of "untold apartheid" In one of the episodes of my podcast, I tell you about when I got in touch with the immigrants in my class and school in general. I was super excited to be with them because I found Italians very boring (;D), but nobody encouraged me to do it. On the contrary, my family was quite worried and I ended up being the only Italian in a group of around 10 foreigners. When we would go out together other people would ask me if I was a migrant too. No way it was possible that an Italian wanted to stay with them. But that was all a matter of real fear.

There are two kinds of people… First of all, once again let's not forget that all of what I say is a very big generalization. Our objective is just to find very general points that can help us adapt our expectations when we don't know the people we are going to be in touch with. I had the idea of this piece thanks to several foreigners in Italy who are posting their experiences on Tiktok, and also different personal contacts with acquaintances from both Europe and other continents. When it comes to negative ones, the most frequent complaint is the lack of social life. Continue

The target of this lengthy piece is mainly people like me. I hate the word “expat”, we’re just lucky emigrants abroad, who can afford to get a job in English. If this is not the case, but you can read it and you’re living somewhere where you don’t speak the local language, but you’re dependent on your family/husband/wife/friends… that’s still something that can interest you. Here, we try to reach two objectives: reflecting a bit about languages and people in general being less frustrated once we have to get in touch with the inhabitants of the countries we’re living in. Continue

That's a metaphor that I dared tell someone when almost two years ago I received an email where a potential student said he was "assessing" different teachers and comparing the conditions etc. "I understand that you are not motivated, but learning a language is a bit like going to a psychologist: you have to accept making the first step, because the teacher can guide and support you, but cannot forcibly put the information inside your head against your will.So, I strongly encourage you to reflect on the reasons why you have/need/want to learn Italian, to focus on the positive outcomes that this could lead to, and to write them down on a piece of paper. If you don't find any, probably it's not the right moment to start." How did it go?

I was a speaker at this event, but unfortunately, they couldn't record my speech properly due to technical problems. That's just my story and you can follow the slides I used during that evening through this link I recorded it with my phone, so the quality is questionable, but I wanted to have something from this evening.

Some months ago I wrote a little email course about the importance of learning the local language abroad – even when it sounds like a waste of time. My target was mainly foreigners in Italy, but I think it applies to any immigrant in that grey situation where you have a very nice life without knowing the local language. I think for example about the thousands of people in Brussels speaking neither French nor Dutch and considering learning them just useless.

Before becoming a teacher and reflecting on how to make my students learn more effectively, I was also a fan of language learning apps. I think I installed at least Babbel, Duolingo, Mondly, and maybe even Busuu. I probably installed and uninstalled some of them multiple times. But none survived on my phone. Why? (hint: they’re not human enough)

This is just the mp3 version of a TikTok video. Hope it helps. Make sure to check out the full page for complete information.