How to Language

In this episode, we’re asking why so many of us treat grammar mistakes like moral failures instead of what they actually are: a totally normal part of learning. We’ll dig into the shame spiral that comes with making errors, how it holds us back, and why grammar isn't as cut and dry as you might think.

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

It feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and how it's taking over almost every industry. But what about language learning? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they discuss the benefits, shortfalls, and techniques when it comes to using this powerful tool to help you learn a language.

Sources:

Schmidt, T. & Strassner, T. (2022). Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching. Link

Son, J., Ružić, N. & Philpott, A. (2023). Artificial intelligence technologies and applications for language learning and teaching. Link

Woo, L. & Choi, H. (2021). Systematic Review for AI-based Language Learning Tools. Link

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

You took Spanish in high school, forgot everything except “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?,” and now you want to relearn the language after a long break. How easy is it to pick up that language again? Join us as we break down the struggle (and triumphs) of language comebacks! 

Sources:

Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Stringer, D. (2010). Variables in Second Language Attrition: Advancing the State of the Art. Link

Tracy-Ventura, N., Huensch, A., Katz, J. and Mitchell, R. (2025), Is Second Language Attrition Inevitable After Instruction Ends? An Exploratory Longitudinal Study of Advanced Instructed Second Language Users. Link

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

TikTok is on thin ice in the United States, and millions of Americans are flocking to the Chinese app RedNOTE. The only problem: the whole app is in Chinese. In our Season 2 premiere, we take a look at the TikTok refugee crisis, why and how new RedNOTE users are learning Mandarin, and how we can leverage social media to learn a new language.

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

We can all agree that learning another language is a challenge. Now imagine doing it with no textbooks, no recordings, and no Duolingo. In the Season 1 finale, travel back in time with Jeremiah and Marina to examine how people learned languages in the past, along with what modern-day language learners can learn from them.

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

The accent reduction industry promises big things: reducing your accent and making you sound more like a native speaker. But as Marina and Jeremiah will discuss, it may be far more insidious than you might think.

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

This week, we're going back to basics and talking about the four language skills. We’ll talk about the key differences between them, how to improve each of those skills in isolation, and why you shouldn’t practice those skills in isolation. 

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

Learning a new writing system can be intimidating, especially if it’s completely different from the ones you’re used to. But is it impossible? Of course not! Join Marina and Jeremiah to learn about the history of writing systems, different types and their characteristics, and how to approach the task of (re)learning how to read and write in your target language.

Sources:
 
Rastle, K. et al. (2021). The Dramatic Impact of Explicit Instruction on Learning to Read in a New Writing System. Link 
Wang, M. et al. (2009). The Implicit and Explicit Learning of Orthographic Structure and Function of a New Writing System. Link 

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

Textbooks, Animal Crossing, language exchanges, Stardew Valley, flashcards, and Ace Attorney. What do all these things have in common? They can help you learn a language! Join Marina and Jeremiah for practical tips on how to use your favorite video games to get rich, immersive, contextual input in your target language.

We'll be taking a break for the holiday season, so this is our last episode of the year, but we'll be back to our normal schedule in January.

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang

When you read, hear, or say a word, do you see colors? If you do, you might have synesthesia. Luckily for us, Marina happens to have synesthesia. Join us to hear about how Marina uses this strange phenomenon to help her learn languages, and how you can apply those ideas to your own learning, even if you don't have synesthesia.

Sources:
Hung, Wan-Yu. (2013). "Synesthesia in Non-Alphabetic Languages." Link
Watson, M. et al. (2014). "Synesthesia and learning: a critical review and novel theory." Link

New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang