Language Learning Made Simple - The MezzoGuild Podcast

Are you learning a foreign language (or want to)? Get the best and most unique advice and tips from Donovan Nagel, author of the well-known blog 'The Mezzofanti Guild - Language Learning Made Simple'. Also check out Talk In Arabic, a sister project.

9 Actionable Steps For Better Language Learning

Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/better-language-learning/ In this episode, I share 9 actionable steps you can take right now that will guarantee you better language learning. --- For inexpensive language tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson) --- Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/language-learning-made-simple-the-mezzoguild-podcast/id1156281647?mt=2 And Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-mezzofanti-guild/language-learning-made-simple

05-21
12:32

How To Stay Relevant As A Language Learning Blogger In 2019

Read more: https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-blogging/ In this episode, I talk about language learning blogging, how it's all changing and how to stay relevant in 2019. This is a follow-up to my guide: https://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-a-language-blog/ --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)  

04-14
25:06

Egyptian Arabic: Easy Stories With English Translations Now Available

Order it here: https://amzn.to/2FnjwkE Read more: https://www.mezzoguild.com/egyptian-arabic-easy-stories/ The first paperback edition of our new series called Egyptian Arabic: Easy Stories With English Translations is up now on Amazon. It consists of 12 mini stories in colloquial Egyptian that incrementally rise in length and difficulty. Here's what you'll find in the book: * 12 mini stories on various focus topics, full of high-frequency vocabulary and expressions pertaining to those topics. * Stories that incrementally rise in length and difficulty. * Each story has a comprehension exercise section at the end of the chapter. * Key vocabulary lists for each story (most of the main vocab used throughout the story). * Full English translations in the back of the book (away from the Arabic so you're not tempted by it). * Large, clear font and moderate use of tashkeel (vowel markings) to improve readability for lower-level learners. * All dialogues are bolded so they're easy to distinguish. * Lined, note-taking sections. I really need to emphasize that this book is NOT for absolute beginners. If you've never studied Arabic before then I'd advise coming back to this later on. Since it's a first edition and a totally new venture for us, I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the book.

03-22
05:56

How To Learn Languages Like A Child

  Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn-language-like-a-child/ In this episode, I talk about my son and his language development, and how as adults we can learn in much the same way. We have advantages as adults in many ways but the idea that we can never learn the way children do is false. --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)  

10-27
10:27

How Do (Can) We Maintain Multiple Cultural Identities?

Read more here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/cultural-identity In this episode, I reflect on the personal challenge and pain I've experienced assimilating into various cultures and then having to leave. Language maintenance is easy - cultural identity maintenance is the real challenge. Why are assimilators the best language learners? How do we perpetuate our assimilation into foreign cultures long after we've left and is it even possible? --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

08-14
06:54

The Simple Difference Between Language Fluency And Proficiency

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/fluency-proficiency/ In this episode, I reflect on the difference between language fluency and proficiency. --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

08-05
05:02

How My 1 Year Old Son's Language Learning Is Reaffirming My Own Approach

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/one-year-old-language-learning/ In this episode, I talk about my 1 year old son's language development and how the observations I've made can apply to natural adult language acquisition.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

04-06
08:43

Koine (NT) Greek Is Only Difficult Because Of The Way It's Taught (+ How To Fix It)

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/koine-greek-isnt-hard/ In this episode, I share more about my current approach to learning Koine (New Testament) Greek. I offer suggestions for how seminaries and colleges can improve on teaching it.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

01-26
11:59

Does Learning Koine Greek Benefit Modern Greek (Or Vice-Versa)?

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/koine-greek-modern-greek/ In this episode, I share a bit about my own personal goal for 2018 to learn Koine and Modern Greek simultaneously. To what extent do they benefit each other? We'll see.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

01-10
09:59

Learning Arabic With Iraqi And Syrian Refugees In Jordan

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/syrian-iraqi-refugees-jordan/ See the project we're working on here: https://www.talkinarabic.com/ In this episode, I share more specifics on our time in Jordan and our time working with the Iraqi and Syrian refugees there.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

10-22
08:45

How Traveling With A Family Has Improved My Language Immersion

Read my update here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-immersion-with-children/ See the project we're working on here: https://www.talkinarabic.com/ In this episode, I share an update from our time in Jordan and some observations from doing our first language immersion trip as a family with a child.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson).

10-13
07:58

7 Excellent Foreign Language Career Ideas

Read my full article here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/foreign-language-careers/ Read my guide for language learning blogging here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-a-language-blog/ In this episode, I share some of the best foreign language career ideas and my experience with each of them.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

07-06
11:50

8 Important Things To Do On A Language Immersion Trip

Read my full article here: https://www.mezzoguild.com/8-important-things-to-do-language-immersion-trip/ In this episode, I share some important advice for anyone wanting or planning to go on a language immersion trip abroad in order to get the most out of the trip.   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

07-01
09:00

How Aussie English Came To Be And Why I Love It

Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/aussie-australian-english-the-best-english/ In this episode, I talk about the different types of Australian English, how they came about and why it's the best variety of English on earth (clear bias!).   --- For inexpensive tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

06-16
15:50

Why I Don't Recommend The Michel Thomas Method

Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/michel-thomas-review/ In this episode, I share the results of my detailed review and analysis of the Michel Thomas Method (Total and Perfect Arabic specifically). Overall I don't recommend it and here are the reasons why I reached this conclusion.   --- For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

05-06
15:52

How To Improve A Language When You're At A High Level

In this episode, I walk you through how I continue to work on improving foreign languages when I'm already at a high level. I share some examples from my own journey with Arabic. Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/improve-when-youre-already-fluent/ --- For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

05-02
16:17

How Chunking Can Improve Your Language Learning

In this episode I talk a bit more about my 'chunking' technique which I argue is a far more natural way to learn to speak a foreign language than traditional grammar study. I share a simple example from my time in Egypt as a new learner of Arabic. Read my full article here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/chunking-and-language-learning/ --- For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

04-23
07:58

How To Start Learning Arabic

In this episode, I talk about how I originally learned Arabic over a decade ago and how I'd do it differently if I had the chance to start all over again. This advice will benefit you if you're considering learning Arabic yourself. Read my full article right here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-start-learning-arabic/   Join our site TalkInArabic.com here: http://www.talkinarabic.com/ Get more of my recommendations for Arabic resources here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/best-arabic-resources/ For inexpensive Arabic tutors, teachers and conversation partners, I use italki: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki (sign up here and get a free lesson)

04-16
15:52

How To Stop Anxiety When Speaking A Foreign Language

In this episode, I discuss performance anxiety and how it affects me with regard to learning languages. I also offer strategies to overcome it. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/anxiety/  

04-15
13:31

How Different Is Moroccan From Other Arabic Dialects?

In this episode, I discuss in detail some of the differences that Moroccan and other Maghrebi dialects have from the more popular Arabic varieties like Egyptian and Levantine. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/moroccan-arabic/ Visit Talk In Arabic here: http://www.talkinarabic.com/ Find Moroccan Arabic teachers here (and get a free lesson): http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki

03-15
14:37

Sara Rastakhiz

this whole episode got me thinking about my generation as a whole and the impact technology has had on us...it was a reaaly important episode and also about apps...i still think i still need doulingo but i might start using some of the more traditional and hands on methods as well

12-23 Reply

Sara Rastakhiz

i wonder when the 2020 episode will come out

12-19 Reply

Eurisko

1.Just do it 2.Resources(One at a time) 3.Plateau after A level(Chunking...) 4.Small Action Daily 5.It's a journey not a sprint 6.Awesome»More awesome(Keep development) 7.Listening is the hardest 8.Know what she need(Speaking®Reading) 9.Using the languages(Shocking principle) 10.Mistakes=Small victories 11.Never give up

03-19 Reply

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