Marina and Jeremiah − language teachers, learners, and scholars − take a deep dive into the theory and practice of language acquisition that's backed by the latest research in the field. So whether you're learning your second language or tenth language, you're sure to learn something new.
In this episode, we’re asking why so many of us treat grammar mistakes like moral failures instead of what they actually are: a totally normal part of learning. We’ll dig into the shame spiral that comes with making errors, how it holds us back, and why grammar isn't as cut and dry as you might think. New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
26 Mar 2025
Can AI help you learn a language?
It feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and how it's taking over almost every industry. But what about language learning? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they discuss the benefits, shortfalls, and techniques when it comes to using this powerful tool to help you learn a language. Sources: Schmidt, T. & Strassner, T. (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Link Son, J., Ružić, N. & Philpott, A. (2023). Artificial intelligence techno...
26 Feb 2025
Do you ever really forget a language?
You took Spanish in high school, forgot everything except “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?,” and now you want to relearn the language after a long break. How easy is it to pick up that language again? Join us as we break down the struggle (and triumphs) of language comebacks! Sources: Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Stringer, D. (2010). Variables in Second Language Attrition: Advancing the State of the Art. Link Tracy-Ventura, N., Huensch, A., Katz, J. and Mitchell, R. (2025), Is Second Language A...
29 Jan 2025
Why are TikTokers learning Chinese?
TikTok is on thin ice in the United States, and millions of Americans are flocking to the Chinese app RedNOTE. The only problem: the whole app is in Chinese. In our Season 2 premiere, we take a look at the TikTok refugee crisis, why and how new RedNOTE users are learning Mandarin, and how we can leverage social media to learn a new language.New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
20 Mar 2024
How did people learn languages in the past?
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 (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
6 Mar 2024
What is the problem with accent reduction?
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 (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
14 Feb 2024
What are the four language skills?
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 (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
31 Jan 2024
How do you learn a new writing system?
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. Link (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797620968790)
Wang, M. et al. (2009). The Implicit and Explicit Learning of Orthographic Structure and Function of a New Writing System. Link (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s1532799xssr0804_3)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
13 Dec 2023
Can video games help you learn a language?
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! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
29 Nov 2023
What is synesthesia?
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." Link (https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34492/chapter/292657567#oxfordhb-9780199603329-div2-25)
Watson, M. et al. (2014). "Synesthesia and learning: a critical review and novel theory." Link (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3938117/#)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
15 Nov 2023
How do you make the most of a language class?
“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. Link (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tesq.171)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
1 Nov 2023
Can you learn a language by yourself?
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 howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
18 Oct 2023
Is immersion really the best method?
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 (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
4 Oct 2023
What is the intermediate plateau?
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. Link (https://www.teljournal.org/article_53188.html)
Murphy, L. J. (2017). Why some ESL students experience a language learning plateau while others do not. Link (https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/why-some-esl-students-experience-language/docview/1908936152/se-2)
Richards, J.C. Moving Beyond the Plateau: From Intermediate to Advanced Levels in Language Learning. Link (https://www.professorjackrichards.com/wp-content/uploads/moving-beyond-the-plateau.pdf)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
4 Oct 2023
Who is your ideal multilingual self?
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. Link (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.21832/9781847691293-019/html#APA)
Henry, A. (2017). L2 Motivation and Multilingual Identities. Link (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/showCitFormats?doi=10.1111%2Fmodl.12412)
Kuyper, H. (2023). Multilingual Motivation: The Case of North Korean Language Learners (Presentation). Link (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369503141_Multilingual_Motivation_The_Case_of_North_Korean_Language_Learners)
Nakamura, T. (2019). Understanding motivation for learning languages other than English: Life domains of L2 self. Link
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0346251X18309230)Thompson, A. (2020). My many selves are still me: Motivation and multilingualism. Link (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1251263.pdf)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
4 Oct 2023
Do native speakers really exist?
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. Link (https://file.notion.so/f/s/cc97d8e0-aa68-46d4-b93d-56febec9fa4f/canagarajah_-_interrogating_the_native_speaker_fallacy.pdf?id=777213a8-078f-4b34-b380-96df871dd6f7&table=block&spaceId=54ef72b5-ee1b-47d3-9dd4-d2343e52e3da&expirationTimestamp=1696377600000&signature=_0p--zfmH63I97LI6MuQPpEPhJseiqppMBxC9Iqt8nU&downloadName=canagarajah+-+interrogating+the+native+speaker+fallacy.pdf)
Cook, V. (2016). Where Is the Native Speaker Now? Link (https://www.jstor.org/stable/43893809?seq=1)
New episodes every other Wednesday! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
20 Sept 2023
Introduction: What's the best way to learn a language?
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 (http://howtolangpod.com/). To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @howtolang
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100
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