Diary of a Language Freak

Esercitati nella lingua che stai imparando, come se fossi in palestra, ma con un

"Sono belga, vivo in Spagna e insegno principalmente inglese e musica. Amo le lingue e le apprendo abbastanza facilmente, tramite immersione culturale o autoapprendimento, soprattutto leggendo. Penso che sia chiaro che i corsi di lingua tradizionali non sono utili per me, e sono felice di aver trovato una persona che la pensa come me.
Imparo l'italiano da un po' di tempo, ma mi sono accorta che ogni volta che si trattava di parlare, non sapevo da dove iniziare. Non avevo un obiettivo specifico in mente, ma volevo solo sentirmi a mio agio nell'usare e comprendere la lingua. Così, ho deciso di iscrivermi al programma di Chiara.
Lei propone argomenti di conversazione o esercizi in base alle mie esigenze. Le sue correzioni sono molto utili; spiega tutto chiaramente con esempi e confronti con altre lingue che abbiamo in comune (francese, inglese, olandese), ed è sempre paziente con me, ripetendo le stesse cose più e più volte, se necessario.
Negli ultimi due mesi ho perso la paura di parlare e mi sento più sicura delle mie abilità in italiano. Il contatto tramite messaggi WhatsApp, sia audio che testo, rende il processo di apprendimento meno stressante e più simile al parlare con un'amica."

Questo audio è la versione mp3 di un video pubblicato su YT. Ho voluto raccontare come si può uscire dal vicolo cieco "sono troppo stanco dopo il lavoro - non ho tempo di imparare le lingue" e apprendere in un modo nuovo e più efficiente, usando le tecnologie che sono disponibili finalmente nel 2024.

In this video, I share some unforgettable moments highlighting the power

http://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/20/no-homework-no-class/

📚 Some months ago, a girl decided to buy a 4-week package with me, including weekly classes and homework. She did everything autonomously through my website, without a discovery call or trial. Cool!

🤓 We had our first class, and I emphasized the importance of doing homework between sessions to see results. It’s all clearly stated on my page above the “BUY” button. She reassured me she’d do everything, and I was optimistic.

⏳ Days passed, and I reached out, asking for her work. She promised, but nothing came. I had to cancel the next lesson until she sent me something, explaining it’s useless otherwise.

✉️ After more waiting, she finally sent written work, but no voice messages, which are crucial to my method. She struggles with speaking, even after 8 years in Italy, affecting her job prospects.

💸 I’m losing money but billing anyway felt wrong.

📈 I’ve raised my prices, still figuring out how to balance effectiveness and not losing out.

Tune in to hear how I navigate this challenge!

https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/16/feeling-part-of-a-community-the-podcast-festival-of-de-standaard/

On November 11, I attended the podcast festival by De Standaard in Oostende. Living on a tight budget, this trip was a real investment, but my curiosity about Belgium made it worth every penny.

Growing up in Italy, Belgium was a mystery. Apart from hearing about Brussels due to EU affairs and the tragic Marcinelle coal mine accident, I knew little about this country. Since moving to Belgium, I’ve wanted to immerse myself in its culture, starting with learning Dutch and keeping up with Belgian news.

Integration through shared experiences

When I quit my job, I decided it was time to truly "Belgify" myself. Watching Belgian news became a daily ritual, and I gradually expanded this to include Dutch-language podcasts, with De Standaard’s "Vandaag" becoming a favorite.

Taking the leap

Attending a full Flemish event was my next step. I wanted to challenge myself to interact with locals, especially Flemish speakers, in their own environment. Despite initial nerves, I succeeded, engaging in conversations and understanding most of the discussions, even if some podcast references eluded me.

The highlight of the day was meeting Alexander Lippeveld, the voice behind my favorite podcast. Being able to connect and share my appreciation for his work was a significant moment of integration for me.

Small talk and connections

My efforts to engage in small talk paid off when I found myself at the new smokers' corner – the power socket station. A fellow attendee struck up a conversation in Dutch, making my day and marking a milestone in my journey to feel at home in Belgium.

Reflecting on the day’s achievements, I watched the stormy sea and felt a deep sense of fulfillment. As I boarded the train back to Brussels, exhaustion set in, but it was the sweet kind that comes from stepping out of one’s comfort zone and making meaningful connections.

New Accountability Program - CHECK IT OUT HERE

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And… here we go again: Navigating Language Learning Stress

Ever found yourself overwhelmed by the pressure of learning a new language? Join me as I dive into the common struggles and misconceptions around picking up a new tongue. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, I'll share insights on realistic timelines for mastering Italian and other languages. We'll explore why it takes time, the importance of setting achievable goals, and how to balance learning with everyday responsibilities.

Whether you're a beginner feeling behind or a seasoned learner needing a reality check, this podcast will help you tackle the stress and embrace the journey. Ready to juggle language learning with ease? Tune in and let's start this adventure together.

https://chiaralanguagefreak.com/2023/11/13/how-long-does-it-take-to-speak-a-language/

This is the theory. Don't hesitate to follow the different parts through this series of articles:

part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4

Should you actually want to implement what you've learnt and get a little bonus, you can get a very affordable paid version at this link. I'm one of those people who never apply anything if there is no-one actually waiting for something from my side, so I offer you a little mind trick to actually implement something :)

I want to implement and get the bonus

Maggi Empire of the Soup - Thank you!

I find very funny the fact that both “teams” can relate to something very familiar like a brand they’ve probably grown up with, that they may remember from some tv ads too.
I think it makes you instantly slightly more familiar.
Which means a little bit more integrated…
which is my objective.

**Navigating Anxiety: A Lifelong Journey**

From childhood nightmares to adulthood challenges, anxiety has been the ever-present background noise in my life. Join me as I recount my experiences, from school-induced stress to career-related anxieties, and the physical manifestations they bring. This podcast delves into the different stages of my journey, offering insights and strategies that have helped me cope along the way.

In this episode, I'll share:

1. The Beginning: Childhood struggles with holiday homework and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

2. Get a Life: Discovering languages and finding solace outside of academic pressures.

3. The Last Straws: Navigating university and the workplace while battling anxiety.

4. Fix Everything by Quitting?: The unexpected aftermath of leaving a stressful job.

5. Don't Swallow the Problem: Physical symptoms of anxiety and the importance of addressing mental health.

If you're looking for an honest, raw account of living with anxiety and finding ways to manage it, this podcast is for you. Tune in to learn how to tackle anxiety head-on and find peace in the chaos.

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My experience of "untold apartheid"

In one of the episodes of my podcast, I tell you about when I got in touch with the immigrants in my class and school in general. I was super excited to be with them because I found Italians very boring (;D), but nobody encouraged me to do it. On the contrary, my family was quite worried and I ended up being the only Italian in a group of around 10 foreigners. When we would go out together other people would ask me if I was a migrant too. No way it was possible that an Italian wanted to stay with them. But that was all a matter of real fear.