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I use a technique I learned about in Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography. He used it to improve his writing in English by copying other writers, but I use it to practice using more complex French.

Learn how it works:

open.substack.com/pub/lovetoli...

Is learning grammar rules actually helpful?

In part 14 of the Fresh Foundations series, I share some insights and concepts that might help you decide.

open.substack.com/pub/lovetoli...

Early in my language teaching career, I had this student named Sofía. She was the model student. She came to class on time. She always did her homework. She spoke only English with her classmates and with me. There was one problem-Sofía was failing.

I didn’t know why or how to help her.

What is the secret ingredient to successful language learning?

Motivation? Starting young? A specific “talent”? Being an extrovert?

Turns out, there isn’t just ONE secret ingredient, because dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of variables interact with each other to form a complex system.

(1/3)

Learners who write down new vocabulary are 30-40% more likely to remember it than those who only hear or see it once.
The act of writing engages your brain more deeply, helping you remember words better than just hearing or seeing them. Next time you learn a new word, grab your notebook!

Can you understand your target language, but struggle using it?
You might need to activate your passive vocabulary.
Here are 4 simple activities:
(These are strategies I teach my learners and that I use myself.)

Language learning is tough.
One day you feel like you’re fluent and the next day you can’t get out the most basic sentence.
Sometimes the journey is unpredictable or frustrating and other times it’s deeply rewarding and fulfilling. That’s because language learning is a complex system. (1/8)

Want to develop your fluency, expand your vocabulary and improve your accuracy in any language? Try this simple journal activity.
1. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes.
2. Write until the timer goes off
✨Bonus points if you come back to your journal later to make improvements. ✨

Learning another language is so fascinating… it’s funny how you can learn a new grammar principle and suddenly you’re actively recognising it everywhere… or when you read something entirely in the target language and it makes so much sense you question whether you read it in your native language

You have to spend hours studying to progress in your language?
Says who?
5 ways to improve your language skills in just 15 minutes a day (that don’t include Duolingo).

I used to have an amazing level of French but I stopped using it and it got very rusty. 😅 Not anymore! I’ve only been working on it for a couple of weeks now, but it’s coming back! I’m thinking and even dreaming in French again. Here are some of the activities that are working for me at the moment 👇