In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Anthony Metivier, author and internationally renowned memory expert who’s meditation practice is reciting sacred Sanskrit texts from memory.

Anthony shares his own language learning journey, including his childhood struggles learning French, to later success with languages such as German, Mandarin, Latin, Hebrew, and Sanskrit.

Anthony describes the 5 levels of processing and reveals how he uses his expertise in the art of memory to fast track language acquisition, including strategies to optimise progress in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.

Anthony challenges popular theories of comprehensible input, criticises gamified language learning apps, and reveals his number one secret to success in foreign language study.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep255-memory-secrets-for-language-learning-dr-anthony-metivier

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - Anthony’s struggles with English

03:09 - Early life aversion to language learning

04:06 - Learning Hebrew as a revenge language

05:20 - Moving to Germany and unlocking the secrets of language learning

06:45 - Passing level 3 in Mandarin and other studies

08:55 - Impressive Hebrew progress

10:23 - Grammar tables and the importance of extensive reading

11:30 - Criticism of comprehensible input theories

12:30 - 5 levels of processing

14:20 - Key metrics to avoid overwhelm

16:54 - Advice for beginners and intermediates

19:02 - Frequency lists

20:53 - Working with native speakers

22:19 - A powerful reading regime

24:38 - Movie mixing

26:33 - Speaking and yogic exercises

28:28 - Latin grammar approaches

32:03 - Don’t need to learn grammar?

33:44 - Anticipatory reading

35:40 - Latin and Sanskrit vs German and Mandarin

37:38 - Disillusionment after fluency

39:55 - Breaking through to German fluency with extensive reading

43:46 - Problems with the language learning industry

46:40 - The tragedy of gamified apps

49:26 - Fast tracking vocabulary acquisition

56:39 - Linguistic deskilling

58:15 - Pros and cons of tests and exams

01:02:04 - Maintaining multiple languages

01:05:28 - The power of laddering

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Previous episodes with Anthony Metivier:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=metivier

To find out more about Anthony Metivier, visit:

- https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyMetivierMMM

- https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James