Episodes
In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, host Benny shares his travel plans and projects for the year, all centered around South America. He discusses three major travel projects: visiting all Brazilian states, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean entirely by bus, and navigating the entire Amazon River by boat. Benny explains his motivations for these journeys, emphasizing his desire to explore new places with minimal carbon footprint. Benny also mentions the...
Published 03/11/24
Published 03/11/24
In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny explores the game-changing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into language learning. Breaking away from his previous skepticism, Benny unveils a cutting-edge tool where users can engage with an AI teacher for unlimited language practice at a fraction of the cost of traditional lessons. Highlighting benefits such as affordability and personalized learning, Benny invites listeners to join the exciting journey into the future of...
Published 03/04/24
In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny discusses the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning. He acknowledges the potential of AI to revolutionize language education, including the possibility of replacing human teachers with AI-powered systems. However, Benny expresses skepticism about the current effectiveness of such systems, citing limitations in conversation depth and the tendency for some to exaggerate their AI capabilities. Despite recognizing...
Published 02/26/24
Benny Lewis discusses strategies to avoid standing out as an obvious foreigner when speaking a new language, drawing from his experiences in Brazil. Academic choices of written words, like or simply saying things that are just illogical, can make you stand out more. Follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking), X (@‌fi3m), Tiktok (@irishpolyglot), or you can email...
Published 02/05/24
Benny shares his insights on how to engage in conversations as a beginner or intermediate language learner. He emphasizes the importance of having interesting things to say, such as sharing personal skills, stories, or tricks, to keep the other person engaged and patient. Follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking), X (@‌fi3m), Tiktok (@irishpolyglot), or you can...
Published 01/29/24
Benny Lewis expresses his enthusiasm for the unique opportunity of being the first foreigner many Brazilians will ever meet during his travels off the beaten path. He encourages language learners to explore less touristy areas, underlining the special privilege of representing the world to those he encounters. Benny highlights the crucial role of language skills, specifically speaking the local language, in creating these one-of-a-kind connections. He reflects on the significance of leaving...
Published 01/22/24
Benny Lewis shares his experience with a recent intensive Korean language project after a 10-year gap. He reflects on personal challenges, emphasizing the importance of considering mental health during language learning. Benny encourages listeners to go easy on themselves, focus on progress, and find a balance between ambition and self-care. Watch the full uncut video of Benny speaking Korean after his language mission here: Benny's Korean: Final conversation to demonstrate basic...
Published 01/15/24
In this podcast episode, Benny shares his language learning plans for the year, focusing on Portuguese and exploring the diverse dialects in Brazil. He offers practical advice, suggesting starting with the standard version of the language before delving into specific dialects. Benny shares tips on finding resources, emphasizing the importance of searching in the language itself for better results. Drawing from his own experiences, Benny discusses reaching out to native speakers through...
Published 01/08/24
In the first Language Hacking Podcast episode of 2024, Benny discusses effective language learning strategies for New Year's resolutions. Instead of vague goals, Benny advocates for SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Drawing from his Fluent in 3 Months philosophy, Benny emphasizes public accountability, community involvement, and aligning methods with language goals. Follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months...
Published 01/01/24
In this festive episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny Lewis brings a unique twist, stepping away from traditional language learning to share an exhilarating passion – geography. As the world celebrates Christmas, Benny takes you on an exciting journey into his downtime adventures, fueled by a fascination with countries, capitals, and flags. Forget stamp collecting or video games – Benny introduces you to the thrill of Geoguesser, a game that transports you to random locations...
Published 12/25/23
In this episode of the Language Hacking podcast, Benny Lewis tackles a question that language enthusiasts often ponder: When is the right time to move on to the next language in your polyglot journey? Benny dismisses the common notion that polyglots must juggle multiple languages simultaneously and introduces a compelling alternative—focusing on one language until achieving a solid B2 proficiency level. Benny delves into the pitfalls of trying to learn several languages at once, including...
Published 12/18/23
In this podcast episode, Benny Lewis offers a practical glimpse into the workings of his nomadic lifestyle. Navigating the realms of an Irish passport, British citizenship, and a U.S. green card, Benny shares insights into the pragmatic use of multiple passports for streamlined travel experiences. He breaks down the intricacies of sustaining U.S. residency through a specialized travel permit, all while efficiently operating his company from the heart of Texas. With plans to sustain this...
Published 12/11/23
Benny Lewis opens this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast with a brief but impactful message for language learners who might be feeling stuck in the intermediate stage. Drawing on an analogy from other fields, Benny likens the language learning journey to melting ice. He highlights the challenge of not seeing immediate results despite putting in months or years of effort. Follow Benny’s progress on his Korean mission on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3...
Published 12/04/23
Join Benny in this laid-back podcast episode as he discusses the pragmatic transition from physical to digital language resources. Discover the convenience of downsizing possessions for a more stress-free travel experience and an embrace of a minimalist lifestyle. Follow Benny’s progress on his Korean mission on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking), X (@‌fi3m), Tiktok...
Published 11/27/23
This is a special episode in which Benny shares his top Black Friday language learning deals.Benny has negotiated some fantastic savings for you on his favourite resources, and they are only available this week, so don’t miss out! Visit fi3m.com/black-friday-2023 to get your hands on these amazing savings. Remember, all of these offers expire on November 27th, 2023! Our deals include Fluent in.3 Months Black Friday Bundle, Olly Richard's Uncovered Courses, Mondly, MosaLingua, Rocket...
Published 11/20/23
Join Benny in this episode as he explores a fascinating topic that he often gets asked: “Should I care about dialects?” He reveals why dialect differences are not a significant issue for beginners, and why the main hurdles of learning a language are the same for all dialects.  He also reveals some perks of learning from a tutor who speaks a different dialect of the same language. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking) or Twitter (@‌fi3m), or you can email...
Published 11/13/23
How would you like to learn new things and boost your target language in one go? In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny shows you how to do just that. He introduces you to a variety of learning activities in your target language that you can find online or locally, such as K-Pop dancing. He also offers his advice on how to cope with the challenges and obstacles that may arise during your language learning journey. Follow Benny's Korean Instagram at @kpoplyglot. Also, follow...
Published 11/06/23
In this episode, Benny Lewis celebrates a milestone in his language learning journey: the 20th anniversary of his first successful language project. He takes you back to Valencia, Spain, where he faced many challenges and frustrations with learning Spanish for the first six months. He tells you how he tried different methods that did not work for him, such as attending group lessons, reading Lord of the Rings, and studying the dictionary. He shares how he felt hopeless and discouraged with...
Published 10/30/23
In this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast, Benny Lewis reveals how he turns his daily routine into a virtual immersion experience in his target language. He challenges you to think of ways you can do the things you enjoy in the language you are learning, such as scrolling through TikTok, watching Netflix, listening to Spotify, and more. Follow Benny’s progress on his Korean mission on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp. To ask Benny a...
Published 10/23/23
Join Benny Lewis in this episode of the Language Hacking Podcast as he talks about his amazing experience of learning Korean in Korea for five months and how he reached his objectives. He also tells you about his upcoming trips to Europe and how he plans to use his Spanish and Catalan skills in different places such as Barcelona, Ibiza, and other areas where it is spoken. Instagram links mentioned in this episode:Spanish @irlandesastreCatalan @catirlandesPortuguese @brasirlandesFrench...
Published 10/16/23
Benny has been pondering a deep question lately, and he shares his thoughts on it in this episode. This is a somewhat deep question that he often gets asked: “Does your age affect your ability to learn languages?” Follow Benny’s progress on his Korean mission on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking) or Twitter (@‌fi3m), or you can email [email protected]. Check out...
Published 10/09/23
Join Benny in this episode as he explores the world of language exchange events. He explains the differences between two common styles of these events, and how to decide which one works for you. He also shows you how to find great language partners and have lively conversations in your target language. Whether you like a relaxed or a formal style, you will find out how to make the most of language exchange events. Follow Benny’s progress on his Korean mission on our YouTube channel, and...
Published 10/02/23
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who is head over heels about languages?  In this interview, psychology researcher Dan Mirea discusses the links between psychology and linguistics (including whether individuals switch personalities when they switch languages) and talks about his journey as a psychology student who was able to gather a huge following on social media by sharing his passion and interest for languages. Other topics covered include how (and when) people develop...
Published 07/17/23
In this episode, Benny explains how he got overwhelmed with his use of Anki in the second month of his Korean mission, and what solutions he found to balance his learning back. PS: Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to fix your learning mistakes even when you’re weeks into your mission. To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@‌languagehacking) or Twitter (@‌fi3m), or you can email [email protected]. Check out Benny’s progress during his mission on [his...
Published 06/26/23