Since 2014
The Actual Fluency Podcast
Real conversations with polyglots, linguists, and language enthusiasts from around the world about language learning, culture, travel, and identity.
Comprehensible Input and Toki Pona with Joel (jan Telakoman)
Kris is joined by Toki Pona speaker Joel (jan Telakoman) to discuss comprehensible input as one of the strongest approaches to language learning, plus their shared experiences learning Toki Pona.
Runtime 47m
Virtual Reality Language Learning with Katie Pascoe
Kris Broholm speaks with Katie Pascoe about virtual reality for language learning. As a co-founder of dynamiclanguages.org, Katie shares insights into how this emerging technology aids language acquisition.
Runtime 1h 17m
Benny Lewis: Recovery from bad times, Korean Mission, and the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp
Kris Broholm interviews Benny Lewis about his recovery from personal struggles like divorce and debt. They discuss Benny's current Korean language mission, exploring his methodology and the meaning of achieving fluency in three months.
Runtime 55m
Luca Lampariello: The Impact of Mindset on Language Learning
Kris Broholm welcomes polyglot Luca Lampariello back to the podcast for an update. They explore developing an effective mindset for language learning, including how to take on different identities in each language. The discussion details the crucial elements needed to learn a new language.
Runtime 48m
Emily Harris: Language Learning, Culture, and Perfectionism as a Transracial Adoptee
Kris Broholm hosts Emily Harris to discuss her experiences as a transracial adoptee. They explore how cultural background, identity, and language learning intertwine when cultural ties are fragmented. Emily shares her journey through multiple languages, reflecting on perfectionism in her linguistic pursuits.
Runtime 58m
Cara Leopold - Expat Experiences, Listening Skills, and Movie Club
Kris and Cara Leopold discuss expat experiences, including culture shock and integrating into a new country like France. They also cover Cara's work helping English learners improve listening and speaking skills using movies in her specialized club.
Runtime 1h 14m
Heidi Lovejoy: Perfectionism and Language Learning
Kris Broholm welcomes guest Heidi Lovejoy to discuss perfectionism in language learning. They explore how striving for perfection can hinder progress and offer strategies for overcoming this challenge. The conversation provides practical advice for language learners struggling with self-criticism.
Runtime 2h 7m
Rosemary Salomone - The Rise of English
Kris and Rosemary Salomone discuss the global rise of English and its political and social implications. They examine the impact of universities teaching solely in English and Salomone's shift from language education to law to advocate for minority language groups.
Runtime 46m
Sadelle Wiltshire - Learning at Different Ages and Minority Languages
Kris and Sadelle Wiltshire discuss her experiences learning languages across different ages, including how language learning keeps minds sharp at 60+. They also explore the specific challenges and rewards of studying minority languages and the importance of community in language acquisition.
Runtime 49m
Rick Dearman - Using Forums in Language Learning
Kris Broholm interviews Rick Dearman, founder of language-learners.org, about using online forums for language learning success. They discuss how forums foster community and motivation, alongside Rick's personal language learning journey and experiences at conferences.
Runtime 42m
Jennifer Degenhardt: Better School Learning and Creating Inclusive Materials
Kris Broholm welcomes Jennifer Degenhardt to discuss strategies for improving school learning. They explore methods for creating educational materials that are inclusive and benefit all students.
Runtime 1h 8m
Liz Sharma from Talk The Streets on Portuguese
Kris Broholm welcomes Liz Sharma from Talk The Streets to discuss European Portuguese. They cover Liz's background as a language teacher, tips for learners, and differentiating between European and Brazilian Portuguese. Kris also shares his personal experience learning the European variant while living in Portugal.
Runtime 56m
Olle Linge: Hacking Chinese and Academic vs Non-Academic Learning
Kris Broholm interviews Hacking Chinese founder Olle Linge. They explore language learning from academic and non-academic perspectives, offering insights applicable to Chinese and other languages.
Runtime 1h 22m
Hēmi Kelly: Māori Language and Culture
Kris Broholm hosts Hēmi Kelly to discuss Māori language and culture. Hēmi introduces Māori as New Zealand's indigenous language, part of the Polynesian family, and explains its current status as the second most spoken language. They examine the historical context and interaction between language groups in New Zealand.
Runtime 41m
Kerstin Cable: Women in Language and Teaching Careers in Languages
Kris Broholm interviews Kerstin Cable about the Women in Language conference and how language teachers can earn income online. They also discuss Cable's personal language learning, including Mandarin Chinese, and her new membership group for online teachers.
Runtime 1h 11m
Lina Vasquez: Mindset, Psychology, and Self-development
Kris Broholm and Lina Vasquez delve into the psychology of self-development and the drive for personal improvement. They discuss how language learning serves as a metaphor for achieving goals across all life areas, focusing on underlying motivation and mindset. Lina also shares her early exposure to languages.
Runtime 1h 34m
Gloria Spagnoli: Find Your Confidence and Inner Resources
Kris Broholm and guest Gloria Spagnoli discuss the differences between language teaching and learning. They explore how teachers can better motivate students, the impact of teacher quality, and the challenges of freelance versus institutional teaching. The episode also covers how learners can maximize their lessons.
Runtime 49m
Maria Ortega Garcia: Connecting Deeper with Languages!
Kris Broholm hosts Spanish teacher Maria Ortega Garcia to explore personalizing language learning for greater fluency. They discuss methods for learners and students to connect deeper with a language, making it their own. Maria shares her journey from a difficult start learning English to discovering a passion for cultural connection through immersion.
Runtime 1h 7m
Tetsu Yung: Raising Children in 5 Languages
Kris Broholm interviews Tetsu Yung about raising his children to speak five languages. They discuss Yung's specific method for fostering multilingualism and how the approach has evolved as his children have grown older.
Runtime 1h 2m
Peter Strang: From the UK to Russia
Kris Broholm interviews Peter Strang about his move from the UK to rural Russia. Peter shares his experience becoming an English teacher, learning Russian, and assimilating into the local culture, eventually marrying and raising a family there. They discuss the challenges of full integration.
Runtime 1h 12m
Anthony Metivier: Mental Well-Being and the Victorious Mind
Kris Broholm and guest Anthony Metivier discuss mental health and well-being. They explore how language learning positively impacts mental balance, provides purpose, and fosters connection. Metivier's new book, "The Victorious Mind," offers insights into holistic mental health.
Runtime 1h 18m
Dick Howeson: From CD-ROM to App learning with uTalk
Kris Broholm interviews Dick Howeson from uTalk, who shares his personal struggles with French language learning in school. Howeson discusses the evolution of language education technology, from early interactive video and CD-ROMs to modern app-based learning, tracing uTalk's history. He also highlights the shortcomings of traditional teaching methods.
Runtime 58m
Matt vs Japan: The Mass Immersion Approach
Kris Broholm hosts Matt vs Japan to discuss his "all Japanese, all the time" mass immersion concept. They explore this extreme immersion method for fast, high-level language acquisition, including its application to other languages. Kris questions the method's efficacy, and Matt addresses his criticisms.
Runtime 1h 17m
Mark Pentleton: From Teacher to Language Podcaster (Coffee Break Languages)
Kris Broholm interviews Mark Pentleton, founder of Coffee Break Languages. They discuss Mark's transition from a language teacher to a podcaster and how Coffee Break Languages delivers millions of lessons monthly. The conversation also covers Mark's passion for language learning, including his interest in Scandinavian languages.
Runtime 53m
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