Smart Language Learner

Dare to Feel Bad About Your Language Learning

On December 13, 2018 By Noel van Vliet In Psychology

Boredom, frustration, a sense of inferiority.

If you’ve ever tried to learn a language, you know these feelings all too well.

You don’t want to feel them…

So you spend an enormous amount of time and energy to try and suppress them.

Why? Because you think they have tremendous power.

The power to destroy your dreams of learning another language and make you never try again.

If you allow yourself to feel their disturbance, you think you will be sucked into a deep well and never come out again.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Too Nice When You’re Abroad

On October 23, 2018 By Noel van Vliet In Travel & Living Abroad

The average Western tourist (or expat) acts way too nice when abroad.

A fake happy, innocent, and weak attitude takes possession of him as soon as he sets foot on foreign soil.

His eagerness to be accepted by the natives is written all over his face.

Now you might think … so what? Someone who wants to be liked. Big deal!

But in underdeveloped countries, there are still some unwritten social laws.

And such open attitudes can get you in trouble.

4 Ways to Accelerate Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition but Without Using Flashcards

On February 4, 2018 By Noel van Vliet In Tactics and Strategies

If you want to learn a language, you can’t really avoid Spaced Repetition.

But that doesn’t mean you have to use Flashcards.

There are many ways you can use Spaced Repetition without them…

In fact, you can use Spaced Repetition for almost any language learning activity. And doing so can seriously accelerate your learning.

In this post you’ll find 4 ways to do just that.

Alcohol Can Help You Better Speak a Foreign Language

On November 15, 2017 By Noel van Vliet In Noel's Advice, Psychology

Yeah, this will be a controversial post.

But it’s true:

Alcohol can help you with speaking a foreign language.

Some claim it doesn’t, but I want you to know the truth with as less hypocrisy as possible.

When I say alcohol helps you to speak a foreign language, I’m not talking about getting drunk. (Although that may help you speak a foreign language no one has ever heard about.)

What I’m referring to is what’s called moderate drinking:

A beer here and there to loosen up your tongue, but not so much that it gets all tangled up!

In this post I’ll talk, somewhat reluctantly, about the reasons why alcohol is beneficial if you want to learn a new language.

Two Essential Rules for Senior Language Learners

On October 18, 2017 By Noel van Vliet In Noel's Advice, Psychology

Even at old age, you can still learn a new language.

But you gotta let go of certain prejudices that exist about older language learners.

These prejudices hold you back from even giving it a go.

When readers ask me for specific tips for older learners, I always share my two rules for older language learners with them.

The rules aren’t tactical. They’ve got more to do with the mindset of older learners.

Here they are.