How to Language

By Marina & JeremiahScience Social Sciences Education Language Learning

How to Language episodes

November 15, 2023 How do you make the most of a language class?
“I took four years of (language) in high school and I learned nothing!” Well, there might be a reason for that. Like any method, taking a language class is an active process. Luckily, Marina and Jeremiah are here to help with evidence-based strategies to optimize your time both in and out of class.

Sources:
Lai, C., Zhu, W. and Gong, G. (2015), Understanding the Quality of Out-of-Class English Learning. Link
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
56 min
November 01, 2023 Can you learn a language by yourself?
You unlock this episode with the key of curiosity. Beyond the door is a journey into the realm of self-directed language learning. "Can you learn a language by yourself?" is not just a question, but a portal, where sociocultural theory and Vygotsky's insights await. Brace yourself, for you are entering—the Zone of Proximal Development!

Bonus: if drinking games are your thing, take a drink every time we say the word “zone.”
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
34 min
October 18, 2023 Is immersion really the best method?
It’s touted as the holy grail of language learning: move abroad, live the language, and see your language skills skyrocket in no time. Is it too good to be true? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they tackle the immersion method, a powerful tool that’s a lot more complicated—and even damaging—than you might think.
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
41 min
October 04, 2023 What is the intermediate plateau?
In their inaugural episode, Marina and Jeremiah explore the elusive and dreaded intermediate plateau. Through personal experience, scholarship, and reflection on the subject, beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners alike can find solace in this deep dive that asks the question: is the intermediate plateau really such a bad thing?

Sources:
Mirzaei, M., Zoghi, M., & Davatgari Asl, H. (2017). Understanding the Language Learning Plateau: A Grounded-Theory Study. Link
Murphy, L. J. (2017). Why some ESL students experience a language learning plateau while others do not. Link
Richards, J.C. Moving Beyond the Plateau: From Intermediate to Advanced Levels in Language Learning. Link
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
57 min
October 04, 2023 Who is your ideal multilingual self?
Who is your ideal self? Do they have a million dollars? Do they travel the world? Are they…multilingual? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they explore the theory of the ideal multilingual self and how it can boost your motivation when learning another language.

Sources:
Dörnyei, Z. (2009). 18. Motivation, Language Identities and the L2 Self: Future Research Directions. Link
Henry, A. (2017). L2 Motivation and Multilingual Identities. Link
Kuyper, H. (2023). Multilingual Motivation: The Case of North Korean Language Learners (Presentation). Link
Nakamura, T. (2019). Understanding motivation for learning languages other than English: Life domains of L2 self. Link
Thompson, A. (2020). My many selves are still me: Motivation and multilingualism. Link
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
40 min
October 04, 2023 Do native speakers really exist?
What makes a native speaker a native speaker? Why do we strive to be like them? Do native speakers even exist? The answers to these questions are a lot more complicated than you might think. Jeremiah and Marina drop some truth bombs in this essential How to Language episode.

Sources:
Canagarajah, S. (1999). Interrogating the 'Native Speaker Fallacy': Non-Linguistic Roots, Non-Pedagogical Results. Link
Cook, V. (2016). Where Is the Native Speaker Now? Link
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
38 min
September 20, 2023 Introduction: What's the best way to learn a language?
Welcome to How to Language! Join us on October 4th for our three-episode premiere to learn more about the science behind language acquisition. For now, learn more about your hosts, Marina and Jeremiah, and why this topic is so important to them.
New episodes every month! Transcripts available at howtolanguagepod.com. To stay in the loop, follow us on Instagram @howtolang
6 min

About How to Language

From the publisher's feed

Marina and Jeremiah − language teachers, learners, and scholars − take a deep dive into the theory and practice of language acquisition that's backed by the latest research in the field. So whether…