Language Learning Made Simple - The MezzoGuild Podcast
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 5 years ago - ★★★★ - 24 ratingsAre 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.
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Episodes
9 Actionable Steps For Better Language Learning
May 21, 2019 18:10 - 12 minutes - 28.8 MBRead 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=...
How To Stay Relevant As A Language Learning Blogger In 2019
April 14, 2019 04:18 - 25 minutes - 57.6 MBRead 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)
Egyptian Arabic: Easy Stories With English Translations Now Available
March 22, 2019 00:43 - 5 minutes - 13.7 MBOrder 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 t...
How To Learn Languages Like A Child
October 27, 2018 19:35 - 10 minutes - 24 MBRead 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)
How Do (Can) We Maintain Multiple Cultural Identities?
August 14, 2018 18:53 - 6 minutes - 15.9 MBRead 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 co...
The Simple Difference Between Language Fluency And Proficiency
August 05, 2018 02:44 - 5 minutes - 11.6 MBRead 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).
How My 1 Year Old Son’s Language Learning Is Reaffirming My Own Approach
April 06, 2018 17:44 - 8 minutes - 20.1 MBRead 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).
Koine (NT) Greek Is Only Difficult Because Of The Way It's Taught (+ How To Fix It)
January 26, 2018 20:10 - 11 minutes - 27.5 MBRead 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).
Does Learning Koine Greek Benefit Modern Greek (Or Vice-Versa)?
January 10, 2018 23:51 - 9 minutes - 23 MBRead 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).
Learning Arabic With Iraqi And Syrian Refugees In Jordan
October 22, 2017 22:00 - 8 minutes - 20.1 MBRead 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).
How Traveling With A Family Has Improved My Language Immersion
October 13, 2017 20:11 - 7 minutes - 18.3 MBRead 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).
7 Excellent Foreign Language Career Ideas
July 06, 2017 13:30 - 11 minutes - 27.2 MBRead 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)
8 Important Things To Do On A Language Immersion Trip
July 01, 2017 23:55 - 9 minutes - 20.7 MBRead 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)
How Aussie English Came To Be And Why I Love It
June 16, 2017 19:11 - 15 minutes - 36.3 MBRead 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)
Why I Don't Recommend The Michel Thomas Method
May 06, 2017 19:38 - 15 minutes - 36.4 MBRead 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)
How To Improve A Language When You're At A High Level
May 02, 2017 05:55 - 16 minutes - 37.4 MBIn 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)
How Chunking Can Improve Your Language Learning
April 23, 2017 05:18 - 7 minutes - 18.3 MBIn 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)
How To Start Learning Arabic
April 16, 2017 00:18 - 15 minutes - 36.4 MBIn 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-r...
How To Stop Anxiety When Speaking A Foreign Language
April 15, 2017 21:09 - 13 minutes - 31 MBIn 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/
How Different Is Moroccan From Other Arabic Dialects?
March 15, 2017 22:41 - 14 minutes - 33.6 MBIn 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
Can You Replicate Overseas Language Immersion At Home?
February 28, 2017 19:52 - 16 minutes - 38.3 MBIn this episode, I share the results of an experiment I did to replicate overseas language immersion at home over Skype. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki-experiment-results Get a free Skype lesson in almost any language here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/italki
Has Language Learning App Innovation Already Peaked?
January 17, 2017 22:30 - 15 minutes - 35.5 MBIn this episode, I discuss web and mobile app innovation for language learning and the negative effect that technology is having on skill acquisition. Has language learning innovation peaked already? Share your opinion here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/language-app-innovation/
Why I Will Never Learn Esperanto
January 04, 2017 21:49 - 22 minutes - 51.2 MBIn this controversial episode, I respond to frequent questions I've received about the constructed language Esperanto: Is it worth learning? What are the benefits of being able to speak it? Will it help me learn another language? Check it out here and respond with your thoughts: http://www.mezzoguild.com/esperanto/
Is There Such A Thing As A Hard Language?
December 29, 2016 20:19 - 5 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this episode, I respond to the question "Is there such a thing as a hard language?" with an anecdote from my time in Korea going between Korean, Irish and French. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/easy-and-hard-languages/
How To Find The Motivation To Learn A Language
December 20, 2016 16:49 - 9 minutes - 8.44 MBYou may have heard at some point that there are two types of motivation – extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic is motivation that we get from our environment. That’s extrinsic motivation. Then there’s intrinsic motivation. This is the motivation that comes from within ourselves. In this episode, I discuss this with regard to language learning and how we can better motivate ourselves to stay on target. Check it out: http://www.mezzoguild.com/finding-motivation/
How To Learn A Language With Hard Grammar Easily
September 27, 2016 21:55 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBHow do you take a language with notoriously difficult grammar and learn it easily (Russian for example)? In this episode, I explain how I do it and how you can do it too. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/habit/
The One Thing You Can't BS In Language Learning
September 27, 2016 21:09 - 6 minutes - 5.77 MBIn this episode, I share the one thing that you can't BS in language learning: listening comprehension. It can't be faked and here's why. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/foreign-language-aspect-you-cant-bullshit/
Visual-Spatial Language Learning
September 19, 2016 22:27 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this episode, I share my experience as a visual-spatial language learner - how I discovered it and how I've adjusted my learning strategy as a result. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/reflections-of-a-visual-spatial-language-learner/
Please... No More Intellectual World Fixers
September 19, 2016 21:11 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBIn this episode, I break my 'no-politics rule' and discuss the rampant intellectual classism that's causing so many problems around the world. Particularly in relation to #Brexit. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/intellectuals/
How Important Is Reading In Language Learning? Not Very. Here's Why...
September 19, 2016 18:17 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn today's episode, I explain why reading is a waste of time for people wanting to learn to speak a foreign language. I also share ways in which it can indeed be beneficial once fluency is already reached. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/reading/
How To Get Beyond Intermediate Language Learning Plateaus
September 16, 2016 17:51 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBHitting language learning plateaus can be frustrating. Really frustrating. We all experience them at some point - usually at an intermediate level. There are simple ways to beat them however. Check it out: http://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning-plateau/
11 Characteristics Of Damn Good Language Learners
September 15, 2016 23:57 - 9 minutes - 8.76 MBLike successful people in all areas of life, there are certain identifiable traits or characteristics of great language learnings and polyglots. In this episode, I outline 11 of those for you. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/characteristics-of-a-good-language-learner/
How My Language Learning Was Transformed By 2300 Year Old Wisdom
September 15, 2016 23:49 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBWhen I started learning languages, I was a total failure. I failed Greek and Hebrew in college miserably. But everything changed for me thanks to a tiny but profound piece of ancient wisdom. In this episode, I share that story. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/ancient-wisdom-that-made-me-a-success-story/
How To Become A Freelance Translator And Make Money On The Road
September 15, 2016 23:43 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBEver thought about becoming a freelance translator so you can earn a living while travelling? I did it myself. In this episode I explain how I got into it, what it takes and I dispel some of the misconceptions about what translation entails. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/how-to-become-a-translator/
You Don't Need To Study Grammar To Learn To Speak A Language
September 15, 2016 20:20 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBLanguage education all over the world has been failing to produce fluent speakers of foreign languages. The reason? They teach languages backward by emphasizing a grammar-first approach which is totally unnatural and ineffective. In this episode I explain this and how to learn a language without it. Check it out here: http://www.mezzoguild.com/you-dont-need-to-study-grammar-to-learn-a-foreign-language/
Balanced And Honest Review Of The Assimil Series
September 15, 2016 02:56 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBIn this episode, I give an in-depth and very honest review of the Assimil Method and series for language learning. Visit the blog post to share your thoughts: http://www.mezzoguild.com/assimil-review/
Welcome to The Mezzofanti Guild
September 15, 2016 02:06 - 7 minutes - 6.6 MBWelcome to the very first podcast episode of The Mezzofanti Guild | Language Learning Made Simple (mezzoguild.com). In this episode, I give a simple introduction of who I am, what my site is all about and importantly, who the great Cardinal Guiseppe Mezzofanti is. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast and visit me at: http://www.mezzoguild.com/