How to Language

We can all agree that learning another language is a challenge. Now imagine doing it with no textbooks, no recordings, and no Duolingo. In the Season 1 finale, travel back in time with Jeremiah and Marina to examine how people learned languages in the past, along with what modern-day language learners can learn from them.New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang

The accent reduction industry promises big things: reducing your accent and making you sound more like a native speaker. But as Marina and Jeremiah will discuss, it may be far more insidious than you might think.New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang

This week, we're going back to basics and talking about the four language skills. We’ll talk about the key differences between them, how to improve each of those skills in isolation, and why you shouldn’t practice those skills in isolation. New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang

Learning a new writing system can be intimidating, especially if it’s completely different from the ones you’re used to. But is it impossible? Of course not! Join Marina and Jeremiah to learn about the history of writing systems, different types and their characteristics, and how to approach the task of (re)learning how to read and write in your target language. Sources: Rastle, K. et al. (2021). The Dramatic Impact of Explicit Instruction on Learning to Read in a New Writing System. Lin...

Textbooks, Animal Crossing, language exchanges, Stardew Valley, flashcards, and Ace Attorney. What do all these things have in common? They can help you learn a language! Join Marina and Jeremiah for practical tips on how to use your favorite video games to get rich, immersive, contextual input in your target language.We'll be taking a break for the holiday season, so this is our last episode of the year, but we'll be back to our normal schedule in January.New episodes every other Wednesday! ...

When you read, hear, or say a word, do you see colors? If you do, you might have synesthesia. Luckily for us, Marina happens to have synesthesia. Join us to hear about how Marina uses this strange phenomenon to help her learn languages, and how you can apply those ideas to your own learning, even if you don't have synesthesia.Sources:Hung, Wan-Yu. (2013). "Synesthesia in Non-Alphabetic Languages." LinkWatson, M. et al. (2014). "Synesthesia and learning: a critical review and novel theory." Li...

“I took four years of (language) in high school and I learned nothing!” Well, there might be a reason for that. Like any method, taking a language class is an active process. Luckily, Marina and Jeremiah are here to help with evidence-based strategies to optimize your time both in and out of class. Sources:Lai, C., Zhu, W. and Gong, G. (2015), Understanding the Quality of Out-of-Class English Learning. LinkNew episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To s...

You unlock this episode with the key of curiosity. Beyond the door is a journey into the realm of self-directed language learning. "Can you learn a language by yourself?" is not just a question, but a portal, where sociocultural theory and Vygotsky's insights await. Brace yourself, for you are entering—the Zone of Proximal Development! Bonus: if drinking games are your thing, take a drink every time we say the word “zone.” New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at...

It’s touted as the holy grail of language learning: move abroad, live the language, and see your language skills skyrocket in no time. Is it too good to be true? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they tackle the immersion method, a powerful tool that’s a lot more complicated—and even damaging—than you might think. New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang

Who is your ideal self? Do they have a million dollars? Do they travel the world? Are they…multilingual? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they explore the theory of the ideal multilingual self and how it can boost your motivation when learning another language. Sources:Dörnyei, Z. (2009). 18. Motivation, Language Identities and the L2 Self: Future Research Directions. LinkHenry, A. (2017). L2 Motivation and Multilingual Identities. LinkKuyper, H. (2023). Multilingual Motivation: The Case of North ...

What makes a native speaker a native speaker? Why do we strive to be like them? Do native speakers even exist? The answers to these questions are a lot more complicated than you might think. Jeremiah and Marina drop some truth bombs in this essential How to Language episode. Sources:Canagarajah, S. (1999). Interrogating the 'Native Speaker Fallacy': Non-Linguistic Roots, Non-Pedagogical Results. LinkCook, V. (2016). Where Is the Native Speaker Now? LinkNew episodes every other Wednesday...

In their inaugural episode, Marina and Jeremiah explore the elusive and dreaded intermediate plateau. Through personal experience, scholarship, and reflection on the subject, beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners alike can find solace in this deep dive that asks the question: is the intermediate plateau really such a bad thing?Sources:Mirzaei, M., Zoghi, M., & Davatgari Asl, H. (2017). Understanding the Language Learning Plateau: A Grounded-Theory Study. LinkMurphy, L. J. (2017). ...

Welcome to How to Language! Join us on October 4th for our three-episode premiere to learn more about the science behind language acquisition. For now, learn more about your hosts, Marina and Jeremiah, and why this topic is so important to them.New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang