Language & Travel Hacking – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Benny shares a unique approach to language learning while traveling: enrolling in local classes for non-language subjects. Benny explains that by taking lessons in activities like dancing, cooking, or even martial arts, he gets valuable language exposure in real-world settings. He has experienced this firsthand, having learned salsa in Colombia, tango in Argentina, and hip-hop in the U.S., often entirely in the local language. 

Benny points out that even beginners can participate, as physical activities allow for easy mimicry, so understanding every word isn’t necessary to keep up. He recommends finding classes through Google Maps, university bulletin boards, or by asking locals, as these methods often lead to more affordable, authentic experiences.

Group lessons are also an excellent way to connect with others naturally, building friendships and social circles in an informal setting. By adding this extra dimension to his travels, he combines language practice with personal interests, making for a truly enriching experience. Benny encourages listeners to try this approach on their next trip – it just might become a highlight of their language journey!

Book a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat

Also, follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp.

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny dives into tools for sharing travel itineraries, inspired by his friend Derek Sivers. Benny discusses why sharing travel plans can be useful for friends and followers who want to stay updated on your whereabouts. He highlights simple tools like Google Docs for basic details and more advanced platforms, such as Nomads for city lists, and TripIt for detailed itineraries synced to Google Calendar, which he uses for real-time updates and for coordinating with trusted contacts.

Benny also shares his approach to displaying current and upcoming travel plans on his website, leveraging a Notion database that updates automatically to show his latest location and future destinations. You can visit bennylewis.com to see his full travel map and links to his social profiles, or even book a consultation call for travel or language-learning tips. Tune in to get inspired on how to keep your friends and followers in the loop during your next travel adventure!

Book a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat

Also, follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp.

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 linguistic challenges he faces, including adapting to different dialects of Portuguese and Spanish along the way. Despite the rough conditions of some of his travels, he expresses excitement for the adventure ahead. 

Click here to check out Teacher AI as mentioned in this episode.

Also, 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 [email protected].

Business coach and self-proclaimed “VietNomad”, Jeremy Ginsbury, talks with Benny Lewis about his experiences living in Israel, Ghana and Vietnam, and being on reality TV in another language.

Ready to get back into more serious language learning, Jeremy reflects on the bits and pieces of different languages he has picked up throughout his life, and how the positive feedback he has received by locals has been a great source of motivation.

Featured Resources

• Speak in a Week

Mentioned in this Episode

• Jeremy’s website
• Jeremy’s Facebook
• Jeremy’s Instagram
• Speak in a Week course
  Jeremy’s Fluent in 3 Months articles
• Wim Hof and ice baths

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

• The impact of using the foreign version of your name when travelling
• Studying abroad in Israel and Ghana
• Facing depression when living and working abroad
• Ways personalities change in different languages and countries
• “Beginner’s mind” and the power of naivety
• Failing fast and failing often
• Knowing yourself being very important for learning
• Jeremy’s experience on a Vietnamese reality TV show
• Integrating your interests into your language learning - yoga, music, ice bathing
• Using communities you’re part of through hobbies, as a way to practise language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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In this episode, Benny talks about why, after many years of using it, Anki is still his favourite app for language learning. Anki is a free flashcard app that utilises spaced repetition theory to help you learn vocabulary that you input yourself. While some people may find Anki a bit bland, Benny explains how the simplicity of the software not only makes learning more efficient and focussed, but also has a lot of specific benefits for someone with ADHD.

Benny guides you through the key features of Anki and the process of importing your own vocabulary lists, so you can make sure you're learning words that are relevant to you.

You can find a more detailed guide to using Anki here: https://www.fluentin3months.com/anki-cards/

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

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Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant, Sam, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about how the Challenge changed the way he learned languages and helped him find consistency and discover new language learning methods.

This episode features Sam, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• LingQ
• Glossika

Mentioned in this Episode

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• LingQ
• Glossika
• Daily Show
• Quizlet

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

• Hating languages in school and going on to love them later in life
• Discovering your learning style and how it leads to success
• How the Challenge changed the way Sam learned languages
• How to work through roadblocks in your learning
• Why “done” is better than perfect
• Using comedy as a language learning tool
• Combining writing with shadowing as a learning method
• How novelty and newness can keep you engaged and excited about your languages
• Stick-with-it-ness and the power of consistency

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge coach, Laetitia, joins Benny and Elizabeth to talk about her varied experience learning or dabbling in many languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch and Vietnamese.

This episode features Laetitia, who made significant progress with several language in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• italki
• Duolingo

Mentioned in this Episode

• italki
• Duolingo
• Discord
• Learning with Texts

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

• The importance of having an inspirational tutor
• Things to consider when looking for a tutor
• Finding your tribe with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• The pitfall of expecting learning to be passive
• Why you should take the time to find out which methods and resources work for you
• Being as nice to yourself as you would be to a friend
• The pointlessness and dangers of comparisons and perfectionism
• Remember, you don’t know every word in your native language!
• How technology can be a great tool for learning, so don’t be scared of it
• Reading to maintain languages and being happy to understand 60%
• Culture shock and learning “on the job” in Japan - a little goes a long way
• How to create an effective language exchange

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

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Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

For this episode, Benny shares his opinions and experience of the Duolingo app. Getting points and maintaining a streak may be great motivators, but does it really work if you want to speak the language? Benny explains how gamified apps can be a valuable part of your language learning, but to be successful, there is another important element that should be central to your practise.

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email [email protected]

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and coach, Tom, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his building confidence and courage as an introverted language learner as a part of the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

This episode features Tom, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• italki
• Duolingo

Mentioned in this Episode

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• italki
• Duolingo
• Mel Robbins
• Todoist

Episode Overview

Some of the topics discussed in the interview are:

• Learning new writing systems and Asian languages
• Using scripts to get ahead in your conversations in another language
• Why you sometimes need to do things that are outside your comfort zone, like videos, to get ahead in your learning
• How introversion impacts your language studies - both good and bad
• How to pick the right language tutor
• How to build confidence and courage in yourself and your language skills
• Maintaining motivation when life throws curveballs at you
• Tips for avoiding the comparison trap
• Choosing things to talk about in another language
• How to get through moments in conversations where you don’t understand
• Why it’s important to celebrate success - whether big or small
• Juggling multiple languages as a hobbyist

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.

Long-time participant in the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge, Manish, joins Shannon and Benny to talk about his experience learning a wide variety of languages through many different methods.

This episode features Manish, who made significant progress in many languages in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.

We guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 15-minute conversation in their new language after 90 days of learning. You can find out more here.

Featured Resources

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• Pimsleur
• italki
• Anki

Mentioned in this Episode

• Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• Goldlist Method
• Spanish Speaking Hacks

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

• Finding the confidence to talk to strangers in another language
• What to do if someone close to you doesn’t support your language goals
• Moving from in-person to online learning
• Juggling multiple languages from diverse language families
• The value of community and support
• Manish’s many years of experience with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge
• Strategies for reviewing languages and notes
• Paying it forward and sharing your experience with new learners
• The importance of learning colloquial language

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.