The Fluent Show

In this episode, polyglot expert Shannon fills in for Lindsay - we catch up on our language learning and Duolingo, and then discuss why and how reading makes you fluent and smart and cultured.

Remember: If you visit our sponsor Clozemaster at www.clozemaster.com/cllp, you'll be supporting the Creative Language Learning Podcast for free!

Listen to find out..

Why did Duolingo wait so long to release Korean?

K-Pop and Kimchi lovers, look out for Duolingo's latest offering.
We catch up on news with the world's (probably) biggest language learning app, looking at its course offers and money-earning developments. They have a Pro membership now, but we're not mad at them!

How early should you read?

Reading from day 1 is what it's all about, and we discuss why it can boost fluency and memory when you start by reading right away. Think connecting what you see with what you hear to avoid stumbling blocks like bad spelling, dodgy pronunciation, and all-round low confidence.

What about difficult scripts?

While I've "elegantly" avoided learning complex writing systems such as Hiragana or Arabic for my languages, Shannon was on hand to advise on what it's like to learn another script.

How to find input for your level

It's hard to get over these two problems:

• Coursebooks are obvious, but they're so limited and dull.
• Books for learners are great, but they take for actual ever to read.

In this show, we share a few tips for reading in your target language and in a way that is actually interesting! Shannon reads with her son and loves the Lingq app, and I am a big fan of magazines.

Revelation about the Lingq app

I have tried reading-focused app Lingq before, but didn't quite get it...while Shannon is their biggest fan! What gives? Shannon shares tips and insights from what it's actually like to use this app.

Why you shouldn't just read Harry Potter in another language

Translated literature opens up linguistic worlds to you, but you could be missing a trick. There is nothing like reading the words that came from a country, and I make the case that it is always worth it to spend the extra time and effort on finding texts that are originally written in another language.

The Language Reading Challenge

For more inspiration and a look at what Shannon and other polyglots are reading right now, head to Goodreads to join the Reading Challenge hosted by Shannon.

What do you think? What do you read in your target language? And have you tried Shannon's challenge?

Special Guest: Shannon Kennedy.

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Links:

• Linq - Learn languages from content you love
• The Language Reading Challenge hosted by Shannon
• Learning a language – 10 things you need to know | Education | The Guardian — Tip 4: Read for pleasure For many of our panellists, reading was not only great for making progress, but one of the most rewarding aspects of the learning experience. Alex Rawlings explains that reading for pleasure “exposes you to all sorts of vocabulary that you won’t find in day-to-day life, and normalises otherwise baffling and complicated grammatical structures. The first book you ever finish in a foreign languages is a monumental achievement that you’ll remember for a long time.”
• In Other Words | BookTrust — European Schoolbooks
• BBC Culture: Why won't English speakers read books in translation?
• Duolingo Is Launching A Korean Course To Cash In On Asia's Booming Language Market
• The German Pronunciation Masterclass | Fluent Language
• Finding Dory (Chinese Edition)
• French Magazines in Review: Ecoute vs Bien-Dire by Fluent Language
• French Magazines in Review: Ecoute vs Bien-Dire by Fluent Language