The Super Language Learner Podcast

This second edition of the Super German Language Learner Podcast is based around an interview I did with German native speaker Annika (not her real name) who was doing an MA in Manchester.

I originally posted it on my AOR Languages `YouTube channel.

The subject was Klinische Psychologie. She says she lives in a Doppelhausehälfte - half a double house, that's to say, a semi-detached house.

The best way to learn a language is simply to consume lots and lots of content to find out interesting information. Simply by using the language to find out and exchange information will put you on the road to learning and being able to use that language.

Trying to learn grammar tables and vocab lists as your first approach to learning a language is a waste of time. At a later stage, you can refer to grammar tables and check your vocab knowledge using lists, but most of your time should be spent consuming and using the language, either reading, listening or watching good and useful material.

It's interesting to hear what Annika thinks about the English-style house. She speaks with a very clear and crisp north German accent. I try to explain vocab and language points as simply as possible. I have used this material with students and know the points they need to focus on and keep that in mind when delivering the podcast.

The topic of this podcast lesson is Meine Schulzeit - My schooldays and I am using some material I created myself following on from some interviews in one of my course books, where people remember their schooldays.

To develop the theme further, I decided to give descriptions of my own primary school - meine Grundschule - in England, and also used my mother's descriptions of her time at her school for 5-11 year olds around 100 years ago in Ireland.

I often create my own original content to complement the accounts in the course book. It was nice to use my mother's memories which made a big impression me as a child.

The more we use language to describe real people and events, the better it is as material to learn from. I refer to my six-point language learning checklist, which sets out six important stages or functions in the process of learning from content.

This is the first of my full-length Super Language Learner podcasts to be uploaded to RSS .com and the wider podcast network.

Hi, my name's Aidan and this is my introduction to the Super German Language Learner Podcast. I aim to help you to become a more effective language learner and I will do this by showing you how I work with pieces of content in English, German and other languages. You will learn how to learn a language as well as learning a language! I'm a language learner and teacher with many years experience. I teach small groups and individuals online. I hope you will join me! Vielen Dank, Many thanks!

+++ Please note I changed the podcast title from Super Language Learner to Super German Language Learner to emphasise that the main language focus is German.