StoryLearning Podcast
447 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 194 ratingsLearning a new language? Get your language learning questions answered by polyglot Olly Richards, who speaks 8 languages and is the founder of the StoryLearning® method.
Whatever's holding you back on the path to fluency, tune in twice a week to get your regular dose of language learning motivation, with Olly and other polyglot guests, such as Benny Lewis, Luca Lampariello, Richard Simcott and Alex Rawlings.
Learn Spanish, Learn French, Learn German, Learn Italian, Learn Portuguese, Learn Arabic, Learn Japanese, Learn Chinese
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Episodes
144: Learning Japanese Kanji with Star Wars
October 28, 2016 13:10 - 35 minutes - 25 MBIn this episode, I speak with Kevin about his fascinating journey to learn to read and write Japanese. Find Kevin's blog here. In this episode: How Kevin got started with Japanese Struggles in learning kanji Materials that inspired him Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Wanikani - a website for learning kanji Heisig's Remembering The Kanji book Memrise - website for memorising vocabulary The jouyou kanji (常用漢字) - the Japanese government's official list of kanji in regular us...
143: Master Your Memory Part 3
October 20, 2016 11:35 - 20 minutes - 16.3 MBThis is a 3-part series where you'll learn to master your memory and learn new vocabulary faster. If you haven't heard Parts 1&2 yet, please do that first: Part 1 Part 2 In this episode: The "T" in the A.R.T. technique - Try! Trying out your new vocabulary in conversation is the last part of mastering it You need to get your new words off the page and onto the tip of your tongue Find a safe person, such as a teacher or language partner, who can help you practise your new vocabular...
142: Master Your Memory Part 2
October 14, 2016 10:14 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBThis is a 3-part series where you'll learn to master your memory and learn new vocabulary faster. If you haven't heard Part 1 yet, click here to listen to it first! In this episode: The "R" in the A.R.T. technique - Repetition Why most people get Repetition wrong Techniques for introducing Repetition into your memory process Why automating the process of Repetition is a good idea The big danger to avoid Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTal...
141: Master Your Memory Part 1
October 11, 2016 13:44 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBThis is a 3-part series where you'll learn to master your memory and learn new vocabulary faster. In this episode: Is your memory as bad as you think it is? My A.R.T. formula for memorising new words in any language Selecting vocabulary to learn The process of bringing attention (A.) to new words Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To cl...
140: I'm in the wrong class!
October 06, 2016 08:00 - 9 minutes - 6.73 MBDenise asks: "My class in the local English school isn't right for me. Help!" In this episode: Self-taught learners and language schools don't always mix It's important to be in the right level of class There maybe many opportunities to speak English locally Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Olly Richards' Fluency Mastermind Facebook Group Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effec...
139: I'm overwhelmed with study options
October 04, 2016 20:18 - 17 minutes - 12 MBClass asks: "How can I put together a study plan that works for me in Italian?" In this episode: Too much advice can lead to paralysis by analysis Stress is the enemy of learning It's important to stay connected to your original reason for learning Taking 3 weeks off to focus on enjoying the language can work wonders Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teach...
138: Making the most of iTalki lessons
September 29, 2016 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.51 MBKento asks: "How can I make the most out of iTalki lessons?" In this episode: Decide what you're looking for in a teacher Avoid the trap of "just talking" Come to the lesson with a specific task to do For example: Describing photos Preparing a monologue or diary entry Transformation drills Summarising stories Finishing stories Resources mentioned in this episode: 5 Study Hacks That Are Working For Me Right Now Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting...
137: Love and language learning
September 27, 2016 11:54 - 14 minutes - 9.9 MBJoy asks: "My boyfriend wants me to speak German, what should I do?" In this episode: Language and emotions are inextricably linked Friendships that begin in one language rarely switch to another You're lucky he's so supportive with speaking German! Try fixing a specific time when you speak German Resources mentioned in this episode: IWTYAL 029: I'm learning my wife's language Language learning with a Chinese boyfriend or girlfriend - A wonderful piece of insight from Hacking Ch...
136: Learning English grammar with Shayna
September 23, 2016 08:00 - 26 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode, I'm joined by Shayna from Espresso English to talk about learning English grammar! In this episode: Does grammar matter? Why do students struggle to learn English grammar? Does learning grammar change at different levels? Tips for mastering English grammar Resources mentioned in this episode: Espresso English - Shayna's awesome blog for learning English! Espresso English Podcast - Shayna's podcast Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting t...
135: What inspired you to learn so many languages?
September 21, 2016 13:49 - 12 minutes - 9.72 MBAnna asks: "What inspired you to learn so many languages?" In this episode: How I started learning languages My inspiration for learning more than one Why I felt encouraged and motivated by my success Tips for getting started Resources mentioned in this episode: IWTYAL 011: I'm 17. Should I bother learning a new language? Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speaker...
134: Dealing with frustration in Chinese
September 15, 2016 06:00 - 13 minutes - 10.8 MBNicolas asks: "I'm getting frustrated with my Chinese. What should I do?" In this episode: Chinese is a difficult language that takes time and patience You can't compare it with learning French Tips for getting through the frustration: Make sure you're speaking as much as possible with people in your community Learn to read and write Chinese characters Book a trip to China Search for some new, interesting materials Resources mentioned in this episode: FluentU - Language Learni...
133: Advanced English without speaking more
September 13, 2016 12:59 - 13 minutes - 10.8 MBAngel asks: "How can I improve my advanced English even more?" In this episode: At the advanced level, you have so many options for studying Even native speakers face the same dilemma I recommend specialising in a field of life or work, so you can use English as a vehicle in a more academic setting Resources mentioned in this episode: Olly's YouTube channel - subscribe for lots of exciting new videos! Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki i...
132: A critique of FSI methodology
September 08, 2016 08:00 - 21 minutes - 14.9 MBInnes asks: "I'm studying German with FSI. What are your thoughts?" In this episode: FSA and the audiolingual method Pros and Cons of the FSI method Who is it for, and should you use it? Resources mentioned in this episode: FSI Language Courses Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply...
131: Switching Portuguese from European to Brazilian
September 06, 2016 10:14 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBNicolas asks: "I've learnt European Portuguese. Can I switch to Brazilian?" In this episode: Comparison between European and Brazilian Portuguese Switching between varieties of Portuguese How to do it Resources mentioned in this episode: True language love is in the margins: A thoughtful piece from the Loving Language blog on what it means to choose a language to learn Olly chatting Portuguese with Jimmy Mello: https://youtu.be/KVnz14SrobA Differences between Portuguese and Brazi...
130: Do native speakers use technical terms?
September 01, 2016 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.29 MBDella asks: "Do native speakers use a lot of technical terms in their daily language?" In this episode: Why exams can be problematic Are exams relevant to your needs? Exams usually have to be treated like a game... just win! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 115: My Teacher Wants Me To Slow Down Read for Speed: 5 TOEFL Reading Tips and Test-taking Strategies for Total Success Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best pl...
129: How to facilitate language exchanges
August 30, 2016 16:39 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBVremita asks: "How do you facilitate a good language exchange?" In this episode: Why language exchanges can be challenging What makes a perfect language partner? Tips for making it a success Resources mentioned in this episode: Making Language Exchanges Work for YOU! Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start...
128: Benny Lewis on Designing Language Courses
August 25, 2016 18:46 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBIn this episode, I interview Benny Lewis about his new series of language courses! Click the image below to check out the guides... Or visit: http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/benny In this episode: How Benny's collaboration with Teach Yourself came about About the new Language Hacking series What's involved in creating a language course Hurdles along the way Advice for language teachers creating their own courses Resources mentioned in this episode: The new language hacking c...
127: Behind the scenes in Thailand
August 16, 2016 15:56 - 14 minutes - 11.8 MBI'm in Thailand learning Thai with my friend Jan. In this episode we talk about how we're studying and what we're up to. In this episode: What we're doing in Thailand How we're studying What happens when we go home? Resources mentioned in this episode: Stu Jay Raj Watch my daily Thai videos on YouTube Language Boost - Jan's new language training company Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affor...
126: What do you think of Esperanto?
August 09, 2016 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBJuan Pablo asks: "Does it make sense for me to learn Esperanto?" In this episode: What are constructed languages? Does it make sense to learn them? How can I reach spoken fluency if there are no native speakers of Esperanto? Resources mentioned in this episode: Actual Fluency - Kris's blog and podcast Why you should learn Esperanto, and how to do it - an article from Kris about learning Esperanto Lernu.net - A multilingual site for learning Esperanto Start speaking today I’d ...
125: Advanced grammar without studying
August 05, 2016 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.35 MBSabine asks: "How can I learn the last 1% of grammar I need in English without studying?" In this episode: Advanced grammar Why a holistic approach to learning is essential at advanced levels Varied reading is important A good teacher can be invaluable for fixing difficult areas of your language Resources mentioned in this episode: One simple strategy for learning the hardest grammar in the world Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is t...
124: Shadowing and self-talk
August 03, 2016 09:51 - 14 minutes - 9.9 MBSebatstian says: "I'm a big fan of shadowing and self-talk." In this episode: Why self-talk is helpful (even if it makes you look crazy!) How you can integrate it into your daily life What is shadowing, and how does it work? Resources mentioned in this episode: I'm going to Thailand, to do an intensive 2-week Thai course. Want to follow along behind the scenes? Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/iwillteachyoualanguage Subscribe to my YouTube channel: http://youtube.com...
123: How can we change language education in schools?
July 29, 2016 13:01 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBKevin asks: "School put me off languages. How can we make sure that doesn't happen to other kids?" In this episode: I'm joined by special guest Lindsay Dow! How languages are taught in school What motivates kids to learn languages How teachers can influence their students' experience Tips for teachers Resources mentioned in this episode: lindsaydoeslanguages.com - Lindsay's awesome (and very yellow) website! Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the sho...
122: Pronunciation in difficult languages
July 26, 2016 08:00 - 10 minutes - 7.53 MBTony asks: "I'm learning Danish, how can I better understand their pronunciation?" In this episode: It's vital to learn the basic phonetics of a new language Get a teacher to help you It takes time to become familiar with the pronunciation of a difficult language Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 17 - How much time should I spend on pronunciation? Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affo...
121: I'm not motivated to speak, but...
July 21, 2016 08:00 - 15 minutes - 11.2 MBJuliano asks: "I'm not motivated to speak, but I still need to improve!" In this episode: Speaking is a muscle, you need to practise! How I have struggled with motivation before Things you can do to create motivation in the place you live Resources mentioned in this episode: Olly Richards' Fluency Mastermind - my new private Facebook community Why Motivation and Passion are Everything - read the post and leave a comment! Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for support...
120: The mother tongue's role in vocabulary learning
July 19, 2016 08:00 - 14 minutes - 10.4 MBRocco asks: "What role should your mother tongue play in learning vocabulary?" In this episode: Translation is useful (and desirable) at the early stages of learning a language Over time, you should move towards doing as much as possible in the target language Being comfortable not understanding every word is an important step towards gaining more exposure to the language Resources mentioned in this episode: Alex Rawling's talk on reading comprehension in a foreign language in Berli...
119: I can't understand English TV
July 16, 2016 08:00 - 13 minutes - 9.27 MBMateusz asks: "I have trouble understanding TV in English. What should I do?" In this episode: TV, movies and radio are "larger than life" and often contain language that's not common or everyday Watching TV can help, but it's not a quick fix Focus your study on material can be effectively studied, then use your free time for immersion, using TV, radio, or whatever you like Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 88 - Should you watch movies with subtitles? 3 Awesome Podcasts...
118: How to choose intermediate material
July 14, 2016 15:03 - 13 minutes - 9.37 MBMarcus asks: "What's the best way to choose intermediate material?" In this episode: There is often no "perfect" choice for intermediate level material The available choice can depend on the language you're learning Don't let the lack of ideal material stop you studying Remember to balance textbook study with your own goals Resources mentioned in this episode: Talk In Arabic - the best place on the web to learn a dialect of Arabic Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki f...
117: Conversation with Steve Kaufmann Part 2
July 07, 2016 06:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBIn this episode, I sit down for a chat with Steve Kaufmann. This is part 2 of the conversation. In this episode: What role languages play in our lives Asian languages Chinese, Japanese and Korean Learning to read foreign scripts Learning languages where reading is not an easy option Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LingQ.com - Steve's fantastic language learning website The complete conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4EFdA3YfFB4 Start speaking today I’d like to...
116: Conversation with Steve Kaufmann Part 1
July 05, 2016 10:39 - 21 minutes - 15 MBIn this episode, I sit down for a chat with Steve Kaufmann. This is part 1 of the conversation. In this episode: Learning and maintaining multiple languages Don't your language interfere with each other? Forgetting languages Resources Mentioned In This Episode: LingQ.com - Steve's fantastic language learning website The complete conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4EFdA3YfFB4 Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place...
115: My teacher wants me to slow down
July 01, 2016 08:00 - 10 minutes - 7.35 MBYuki asks: "My high school English teacher wants me to speak more slowly. What should I do?" In this episode: There is often a conflict between the way languages are taught in schools and the way you want to learn them yourself When it comes to exams, you need to do whatever it takes to get good grades Beyond that, focus on the long-term Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective na...
114: Brexit and what it means for language learners
June 29, 2016 16:55 - 19 minutes - 13.9 MBLast week, the UK voted to leave the European Union. In this episode, I've decided to give you my thoughts on this decision, and what it means for us as language learners. Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply visit:http://iwillteachyoualanguage.com/italkishownotes Do you have a question...
113: Thoughts on tracking progress in a language
June 24, 2016 08:00 - 16 minutes - 11.9 MBKeith asks: "What ideas do you have for tracking your progress in a language?" In this episode: Possible ways to track progress in language learning: Lists of words learnt Dialogues studied or completed Textbooks finished Exams passed However, the best way to track progress is to consider how you want to use the language in your life, and draw inspiration from that. Resources mentioned in today's episode: How can you make your progress visible with a tracking routine - an inte...
112: How can I save my Portuguese?
June 22, 2016 10:29 - 12 minutes - 8.84 MBMauricio asks: "I'm learning French, but my Portuguese is suffering. What should I do?" In this episode: Learning to use two similar languages together is almost like learning a new language altogether! Mauricio needs to continue to learn French, but also... Look for ways to speak both Portuguese and French regularly in his daily life Resources mentioned in today's episode: English Short Stories for Intermediate Learners - my new book of English stories! Start speaking today I’d ...
Fluent Spanish Academy is open for BETA members
June 20, 2016 15:03 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThe Fluent Spanish Academy is open for beta members. For more information, visit: http://fluentspanishacademy.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/iwillteachyoualanguage/message
111: How to learn hiragana with memory techniques
June 16, 2016 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this episode I welcome Anthony Metivier from Magnetic Memory Method. We talk how to use special memory techniques to learn the Japanese hiragana alphabet in less than 3 hours. In this episode: What are memory palaces? How can you use them to memorise a foreign alphabet Examples of memorising hiragana Resources mentioned in today's episode: Check out Anthony's guest post here which goes into more detail on using memory palaces to learn hiragana Start speaking today I’d like to ...
110: How can I measure my progress?
June 14, 2016 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBWonyoung asks: "I've been living in Australia for 2 years, but I feel like I've stopped improving. How can I measure my progress?" In this episode: Wonyoung asks three questions: How do I know if my English is still improving? How can I check my progress? How can you tell if someone has mastered a foreign language? Resources mentioned in today's episode: I recorded a video of a Cantonese song I just learned... https://youtu.be/4e71aUNSC0Q Start speaking today I’d like to th...
109: How can I maintain my Spanish while learning French?
June 09, 2016 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.53 MBAndy asks: "I want to start learning French, but I'm nervous about losing my Spanish. How should I proceed?" In this episode: When is a good time to move on to a new language? How Andy should maintain his Spanish Learning two languages at once Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affordable and effective native speakers teachers and tutors. To claim your free lesson and start speaking today, simply vi...
108: Coping with unknown vocabulary
June 07, 2016 10:49 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBAndy asks: "I'm trying to ignore difficult words when I'm speaking Korean...but it's hard. Any tips?" In this episode: Dealing with unknown vocabulary is a vital skill You can have a full conversation without understanding everything Different languages present different challenges Try always waiting till the end of the sentence before panicking about difficult words Devote pure "speaking time" to every session, where you're not allowed to speak English or ask for a translation S...
107: Which language exam should I take?
June 03, 2016 06:00 - 12 minutes - 8.52 MBMario asks: "I want to take an exam to improve my English. Which one should I choose?" In this episode: There are many language exams in the world - good and bad Be clear on your aim... Do you need the exam to enter university/get a job? Or is it just for fun? Resources mentioned in today's episode: Kaplan International - How to choose an English Proficiency Exam Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect wi...
106: How useful is laddering?
June 01, 2016 10:43 - 12 minutes - 8.93 MBFernando asks: "How useful is laddering?" In this episode: Laddering = Using one foreign language to learn another Two possible reasons for doing this: 1) The languages are very similar, 2) Just as a challenge! Learning a language quickly requires focus and efficiency I would personally find laddering for the sake of it rather inefficient and confusing There are better ways of using your time in order to get your practice in Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for sup...
105: Which side of a flashcard should you display first?
May 24, 2016 06:00 - 10 minutes - 7.13 MBWilbert asks: "I'm learning Portuguese with flashcards. Which side of the flashcard should I display first?" In this episode: If you display the foreign word first, you only have to recognise it If you display the mother-tongue word first, you have to recall and produce the word in the target language - much harder to do Resources mentioned in today's episode: Make Words Stick - a short video lesson about memorising vocabulary and not forgetting it Start speaking today I’d like to ...
104: How to reach C2 level in English
May 20, 2016 06:00 - 11 minutes - 8.17 MBSabina asks: "I'm trying to reach C2 level English, what should I do?" In this episode: Many native speakers are not C2 level It's not easy to reach and involves complex skills Knowing the C2 level descriptions doesn't necessarily help you know how to reach it Focus on your subject area, and become an expert in that area The language skills will follow quickly C2 CEFR Descriptors: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from diffe...
103: What's the easiest language in the world?
May 18, 2016 15:05 - 9 minutes - 6.62 MBA listener from Korea asks: "What's the easiest language to learn?" In this episode: The difficulty of a language depends on its proximity to your mother tongue For Koreans, Japanese is very close For English speakers, Spanish and other romance languages are very close Motivation is still the most important thing to consider when choosing a new language Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the best place online to connect with affor...
102: A One Year Spanish Self-Study Plan
May 13, 2016 15:09 - 17 minutes - 12 MBIn this episode, I discuss a hypothetical 1-year plan to learn Spanish. In this episode: My hypothetical 1-year plan to learn Spanish: 1-3 weeks: Use an introductory audio course Months 1-3: Study a good textbook and work with a teacher Months 4-6: Speak a lot and focus on vocabulary Months 7-12: Replace daily activities in life with Spanish Resources mentioned in today's episode: Olly's favourite Spanish resources - a complete list Weeks 1-3: Pimsleur Spanish Michel Thomas ...
101: Is a community the ultimate language hack?
May 11, 2016 19:23 - 10 minutes - 7.52 MBIn this episode, I talk about the impact that language communities have had on my life. In this episode: The Polyglot Gathering in Berlin What it's like in a language conference Developing deep relationships with likeminded people Getting outside your comfort zone How this can impact on your language learning Resources mentioned in today's episode: With podcast listener Maria in Berlin... Start speaking today I’d like to thank iTalki for supporting the show. iTalki is the ...
100: Language Learners Around the World Reveal Their Best Tips!
April 26, 2016 17:26 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBThis is episode 100 of the podcast! In this episode we hear from you - the listeners. In this episode: I asked you to tell me the single biggest lesson about language learning you've learnt from listening to 100 episodes of the podcast. I was struck by the diversity of people around the world who got in touch - everyone learning different languages, in different countries. It was truly inspiring, and it reminded me how we are all striving to improve our lives by learning languages, and are...
099: How to cope with a different alphabet
April 21, 2016 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.42 MBIsabelle asks: "I'm learning Korean, but I'm slow at reading. How can I improve?" In this episode: An unfamiliar alphabet can be off-putting Some alphabets present significant challenges (e.g. Chinese) Korean is relatively easy - only 24 characters The pronunciation is reflected in the characters (unlike Chinese, for example) Learn all the characters and associated sounds at the beginning Improving is really just a question of practice Keep away from romanisation Persist! Resources...
098: Improving writing skills without a teacher
April 19, 2016 09:47 - 10 minutes - 7.44 MBTomasz asks: "How can I improve my writing in English without a teacher?" In this episode: Three powerful ways to get better at writing: Use a community site like Lang-8.com to write diary entries and get corrections from native speakers Reverse translation - click here to learn about that Exam books give specific writing exercises and sample answers... Your Homework! Help me create an amazing feature for the 100th episode! I'd like to create a montage of voices of podcast listeners f...
097: Word Order & Sentence Structure In A New Language
April 16, 2016 09:05 - 9 minutes - 7.08 MBFreddie asks: "What's the best way to get my head around different word order and sentence structure in a new language?" In this episode: Three approaches to getting used to word order and sentence structure: Learn the rules. It doesn't take long, but is important for you to be aware of how the language works Lots of input. Word order is something you ultimately get used to in a language, so in order to make this happen you need to be listening and reading to as much as possible. Regula...
096: Olly's Strategy to Learn German
April 14, 2016 10:15 - 13 minutes - 9.65 MB2 weeks ago, I started learning German. In this episode I talk about my experience learning a brand new language. In this episode: Why I decided to learn German My specific aims The time frame I've given myself, and why this is important My strategy for learning German Similarities with English and the opportunities that presents Resources Featured In This Episode Colloquial German - the textbook I'm using to study every day Basic German - A Grammar and Workbook - the grammar book I ...