Mastery and Advanced Level Language Learning

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When you reach the higher language levels, it's not enough to just study. How does it feel to reach a level where you are looking for ways to go beyond fluency? How can you move towards mastery?

There's no Lindsay in this episode (don't worry, she'll be back very soon!), so I found myself two experts who know what they are talking about:

• Tristan Foy, an American polyglot who's currently my advanced German student

and

• Gareth Popkins from How To Get Fluent

The episode is full of tips and strategies for reaching the very advanced levels and getting better even after years of study.

Check out the full blog post and show notes for this article at www.fluentlanguage.co.uk/blog/podcast-advanced-language

Key Points:

• It's Not About Fast Progress
• Advanced Level Means Finding "More" In The Language

"Learning a language is a bit like hugging a cactus - you can never get entirely comfortable"

• It Takes Work To Progress

Enjoy the journey, stop for a breather whenever you feel like it and keep going.

• Fluency - No One Cares!

Tristan sums this up with a wonderful sentence: Don't worry about getting fluent. Worry about getting better.

• You Need Humility

Links and Resources Mentioned In This Episode

• How to Get Fluent, Gareth's blog - highly recommended


• Ellen Jovin's idea of the Polyglutton


• Gareth's summary of the Polyglot Gathering, in which he explains what "The Need Principle" is:

  Learning another language is a long, hard process, requiring a lot of dedication (..) After all, as an adult trying to learn a new language it’s all about “overcoming human nature”. You need, erm, “need”: you’re either surrounded by the language, you know somebody who speaks it, you have an unusual interest in the country or culture or the language will benefit you at work

  
  


• Wade's Russian Grammar


• Hammer's German Grammar


• Teach Yourself Courses


• Our sponsors Flashsticks

Special Guest: Gareth Popkins.