Shhh, I’m Learning!

Hello and welcome back! Today’s episode is with Jacqueline Sadberry. Jacqueline is a Texas native and author with a passion for languages, faith, K-Pop, and turtles. She currently works to provide a space for those looking for consistent speaking practice in English, Spanish, and Japanese, or who have a desire to become conversational. You can find her on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest as Jacqueline Simone Media. If you would like to book some sessions with her, you can email her at langhelp22@gmail.com. I found Jacqueline after completing a language challenge on Instagram – part of the prize for my time was 5 sessions with Jacqueline to learn how to introduce myself in Japanese. And, to be honest, I went into this thinking, I’m curious about Japanese, but I’ll just do these 5 sessions and then stop. Nope. Yes, it’s something about the magic of Japanese, but it’s also Jacqueline’s style – how much energy she pours into helping her clients succeed and her passion for languages. Jacqueline has a natural talent for providing that safe space I just mentioned and for helping her clients’ confidence grow. I highly suggest seeking her out even if you’re interested in just dabbling with one of the languages she helps with. In today’s conversation we chat about Jacqueline’s language journey, how she got started with her current work, finding language partners with positive energy, and why culture matters in learning and teaching languages. I’m so excited for you to hear today’s interview, and so without further ado, let’s get into it! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

It's time to talk about more books! Today I recommend four books to you. I also go into not waiting too long to read in other languages, the benefits of a Spotify Premium account (15 hours of audiobook listening time per month!), and rethinking how books come into our lives. Three Notes/Corrections: 1) The name of Terrance Lee's podcast changed from "Quiet Voice Fearless Mind" to "The Introvert Experience." and 2) Terrance Lee has a new book coming out this month called The Calm Effect - be on the lookout! 3) Spotify Premium gives you 15 hours of audiobook listening time per month, not 10 as I mistakenly said in the episode, but you can "refill" in 10-hour increments (that apparently roll over each month if unused). Resources Mentioned in the Episode: speakingspadesTorto Arado (Portuguese)Soy introvertido ¿Y qué? Sono introverso, e allora?Quiet Girls Can Run the WorldThe Introvert AdvantagetheintrovertleaderThe Introvert Experience podcastQuiet Voice Fearless Leader booktales_n_teabookclubMindful Retreats in Sicily website

In today’s episode, we have a special guest: Dr. Devina Krishna, Assistant Professor at the Department of English, Patna Women's College, India, and a reputed scholar in linguistics. In this riveting conversation, Dr. Krishna provides us with deep insights into the realm of language preservation and the criticality of communicating effectively. As an introvert, she provides her unique perspective as both student and teacher. She stresses the need for creating an inclusive classroom environment that caters to the needs of both introverts and extroverts. Dr. Krishna's fervor for language preservation is inspiring as she highlights the integral role language plays in preserving cultural identities. In her daily life, she actively participates in discussions on language attrition and the crucial steps required for effective language preservation, particularly by championing one's native language. Beyond academic discourse, Dr. Devina shares practical advice on how to navigate the teaching process for students of varying dispositions, utilizing digital tools for efficient learning, and promoting group discussions as a way of boosting interaction. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resource mentioned in the episode: Email Dr. DevinaInstagramLinkedIn Papers by Dr. Devina: Importance of Language Laboratory in Developing Language SkillsSyllable Structure and Word Stress in DogriThe Place and Significance of English in Business Communication in IndiaDecoding C's in Effective Communication Related Resources: "How to Save a Dying Language"Dr. Devina's talk on a Linguist Investigation of Lexical Tones in Dogri

Welcome back! In today's episode, we introduce you to Urmi Hossain, a polyglot mentor with a rich cultural heritage, vibrant professional paths, and a deep-seated passion for language learning. Urmi opens up about her unique life experiences and how she evolved into an adept language mentor, tuning her teaching strategies to suit her students' individual needs and goals. Sharing her perspective on the digital evolution of the language learning industry, Urmi emphasizes an inclusive teaching approach focussed on conversation practice, comfort, and encouragement for every learner. Despite being an extrovert, she innovatively connects with her introverted students and shares her key strategies for dealing with various personality types. Urmi showcases the importance of personalized learning, creating engaging and interactive lessons curated around students' interests. Listen to this episode and get inspired by Urmi's innovative teaching methods and devotion to her students. As the episode unfolds, you'll glean valuable advice on maintaining language skills and preserving cultural identity. This episode proves to be an essential listen for language learners, educators, and enthusiasts by providing a nuanced approach to language learning and teaching. A deeper discussion ensues as Urmi unravels her unique methods to encourage quiet language learners and the fine balance between tutor-student speaking time for a more dynamic learning environment. She ends on a powerful note by sharing crucial advice on transitioning from a protected learning space to the real world of language interaction. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resource mentioned in the episode: Urmi's books on AmazonUrmi's iTalki profileUrmi's websiteUrmi on InstagramUrmi on LinkedInUrmi on the Italian Time Zone podcast - practice your Italian listening!

In this impactful episode of "I'm Learning", I dialogue with Marty Green, a renowned education maven. Our esteemed guest throws light on her inspiring endeavor of breaking language barriers, embracing diverse cultures and transforming experiences into coaching tools for global learners. Discover how a positive mindset, resilience, and self-assuredness are quintessential in learning a new language. Unravel Marty's incredible insights into accent acquisition and the pivotal role self-drive plays in grasping languages. Power up your language learning journey with this episode. Dive deeper into the intriguing aspects of language learning, accent acquisition, and psychological hurdles encountered by learners. This episode draws attention to society's profound impact on language learners, especially those aspiring to develop a new accent. It critically addresses biases against non-native speakers, external pressure for constant improvement and unrealistic expectations. Join us as we dissect the voyage to mastering a new language, underscoring the need to revisit the basics. This episode is a thought-provoking discussion on countering the disparity between societal pressures and the real-world complexity of language learning. It stresses the significance of self-acceptance, informing others about the intricacies of language learning and validating every dialect and linguistic background. Whether you're an educator, immigrant, or someone grappling with bilingualism or multilingualism, this episode resonates with your experiences and struggles. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resource mentioned in the episode: Marty's "Your Forever Pronunciation Course" - 20% offMarty Green podcast on YouTubeMy episode on Marty’s podcastLink to Marty's socials and/or to book a session with her

Welcome to season three of “I'm Learning,” a space for introverts, multilingual individuals, and language enthusiasts around the world. As a reminder, this podcast is a haven for those struggling to express their naturally socially selective selves in the languages they speak. Season three kicks off with a recap of my winter rest period and the introduction of my monthly newsletter (sign up for it here!). I emphasize the importance of rest and genuine communication with you all. There's also a person announcement and that update affects my life as an introvert and a language learner, adding another layer to the diversity of this podcast. In this introductory episode I also introduce the focus of this season: language educators who share the common belief that traditional language instruction is not always the most effective. These educators aim to humanize their students and provide resources for their individualized learning journeys. They stress the importance of expressing oneself authentically rather than striving for fluency or perfect syntax and grammar. You'll hear from educators like Marty Green, Dr. Devina Krishna, and many more, who all bring unique insights into the world of language instruction. Whether you’re a language learner or educator, this season promises enriching content and fresh perspectives on language learning from numerous experts in the field. Explore new ways of learning languages, understand the perspective of language educators, and connect with like-minded individuals! As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Sign up for my newsletter here! :)

Woof, what a year it's been! Today we're wrapping up season 2, so I decided it's time to reflect on what's happened this year as well as give you an idea of what's to come in 2024 (specifically with season 3). As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resource mentioned in the episode: Trapped in the Anglosphere: Compassion for Native English SpeakersChatterbugspeakinspadeslanguageswithreneejssberry_lang

My guest today is Alexandria Robinson, the host and creator of the Insecurities about Language podcast. Alexandria’s podcast talks about her journey with the European Portuguese language and is a space for talking about language insecurities and people’s relationship to languages that form a part of their identity but they don’t speak them for one reason or another. Alexandria has a passion to learn more about her own family's dynamics with regards to language and ethnic background. She titles these family dynamics the Death of Language. She is currently (on and off) learning European Portuguese and discusses that part of her journey in today’s episode. One thing I greatly admired about Alexandria is her willingness to share her vulnerability about her language story. She has a lot to say about taking breaks and how to know when to push on versus when to step back. Her story reflects what’s reality for many of us but we don’t really talk about. I’ll let her tell her story as she knows and tells it best, but I do have to say I really admire it when people put their kids first. Our language story changes because our life changes. Adulting is hard and at some point we – at least most of us – have to step out of the comfortable bubble of having less responsibilities. As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resource mentioned in the episode: Speakinspades website

Hello, and welcome back to Shhh! I’m Learning. My guest today is Kelli Connell. Kelli has been working with languages in various professional capacities for the past decade. From translator to project manager, her passion for all things languages and etymology is indisputable. She’s also what one might consider an outspoken introvert (soo…ambivert? She's not 100% sure at the moment, and that's okay, because personality is a very complicated thing). She greatly enjoys expressing herself in the languages she studies, which to date has included French, German, Russian, and Norwegian. She is currently focusing on Dutch and plans to add Brazilian Portuguese to the roster soon. I thoroughly appreciate Kelli’s directness and precise communication. In today’s episode we chat about things like learning languages as someone who thinks in images rather than words, the confusing situation of French in the United States, what it’s like being a sort of extroverted introverted/potentially ambivert/who knows post-pandemic and the importance of being exposed to various dialects in language learning. After listening, please head over to Instagram and let me know what you thought of today’s episode! Resources mentioned in the episode: Languages with RenéeCoffee Break Languages: Portuguese podcastBrazilianPolyglot on Instagram

Today's interview is with Barbara Czusz of @babs.speaks. Barbara is a language lover whose biggest love is the Finnish language. She created her studygram (previously @yoffelanguages) to meet others who share her passion. Besides that, she is a language coach who helps learners create structure and a good plan for their studies. She believes that everyone can learn a language and there is no such thing as “talent for languages.” When she is not talking about languages, you can usually find her with a cup of coffee and a good book in hand. Today we talk about how sometimes inspiration for learning a language is random and that’s okay. We chat about setting boundaries and surrounding ourselves by supportive people as well as ask why we think of accents as so bad. After all, everyone has one. We go into not liking how we sound in a language – not that we have any solutions, but it’s a thing and we talk about it. And as you listen I would like you to consider, what’s your stance on accents? Which do you think is more important, accent reduction or improving pronunciation? Or do you find each equally important or unimportant? As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Today's interview is with Emily Harris, creator of the Mindful Multilinguals Collective and Language Travel Adoptee YouTube channel. As you'll hear today, Emily is passionate about language advice and habits that are good not just for your brain but also for your heart and your soul. Language learning isn't just about memorizing words and grammatical structures for Emily; it's about seeing yourself and taking care of yourself as a whole person. Emily is also the host of the Language Wellness and Identity podcast (and you can find her on Patreon for bonus episodes) and she sometimes blesses us with her presence on Instagram (but is much more active on YouTube, as you'll hear today). As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Today's episode is a short review/summary of two books that have impacted me and my introverted language journey over the past year: Essentialism and The Introvert's Way. I find they are both full of insights to help support you on your own journey with languages. Reading is a way of interacting with and learning from people we'll probably never meet, and I am incredibly grateful for it. If you don't have the time or inclination to actually read the books (although The Introvert's Way is mighty short), I've given links to audiovisual summaries of the books below (they're no more than 12 minutes long each). Please note that I was recovering from a cold (or flu or something) when I recorded this episode, so apologies for my stuffy voice. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. As always, let me know what you thought of the show! Reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning any time with questions, comments and ideas for future episodes. And please consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resources mentioned in the episode EssentialismThe Introvert's Way

I cannot wait for you to hear today's episode with Lisa Lyons. Lisa came to me with the idea to chat about what it's like learning languages when you're over 50 and have more of a loose relationship with goals. This isn't a topic often discussed in language learning circles and Lisa has so much wisdom to share. We go over Lisa's language learning journey, where to find baseball games broadcast in Spanish and the importance of learning at your own pace. Additionally, we go over how your needing subtitles even when you're at an advanced level is probably not your fault. Check out the resources list below for a video about how changing technology has made it harder for you to understand movies and TV shows, even in your native language(s). As always, let me know what you thought of the show! Reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning any time with questions, comments and ideas for future episodes. And please consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) Resources mentioned in the episode: Vice's video "Why We All Need Subtitles Now"Accent's Way's video on why it's hard to understand tv without subtitlesLisa's nonprofit supporting Nepal

Welcome back for another episode of Shhh, I'm Learning! Today's episode is with Heidi Lovejoy, host of the Love, Joy and Languages podcast. In this episode we chat about what it's like learning languages abroad as an introvert, how learning languages as an adult is different from when you're younger and how learning languages in context in the country is dramatically different from classroom learning. The main focus of today's episode revolves around what we're calling the introvert's dilemma: how to learn a language as an introvert in a much more reserved and introverted society? Heidi shares her experiences so far learning German in Germany, but if you have any tips and tricks to share, please reach out to her on Instagram @love.joyandlanguages. You can find links to her podcast here. As always, let me know what you thought of today's episode! Let's connect on Instagram @shhh_imlearning and please consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Today's guest is Oriana Domínguez, lover of books and languages. She shares her journey from Venezuela to Spain to Ireland and her passion for the languages she has picked up along the way, including English, Irish and Japanese (in no particular order). Oriana is also the founder of a book club for introverted women, The Book Club Chronicles. You can find her on her website and also on Instagram @thebookclubchronicles. Let's connect on Instagram @shhh_imlearning and please consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) List of Resources Mentioned: Slowly app

Hey y'all! In this episode I let you in on what I've been doing over the break as well as what you can expect from Season 2. Let's connect on Instagram @shhh_imlearning and please consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :) List of Resources Mentioned: Cat on my lap videoIGwebsiteJacqueline Sadberryself-paced Irish coursesIGIGwebsiteIGIGSpotify

Welcome to the last episode of season 1! It's truly an honor to have had you with me on the journey of this season. Today we're talking about 3 things that can help you evaluate how to learn with heart, namely: 1) Is personality change between languages really a thing? Is it a thing for everyone? Some people? Are there introverted/extroverted languages? Are we giving too much value to this last idea? What about people who grew up in a very conservative background in an "extroverted" language or vice versa? 2) You language learning routine can't stay static throughout your life. As your priorities and responsibilities outside of language change, re-evaluating your priorities within language will help you stay strong and avoid burnout. 3) Your abilities in language are a reflection of your experiences in that language, so I hereby give you permission to stop chasing that monolingual ideal and to instead see your language journey as a sort of map of where you've been linguistically. I hope you enjoy today's episode! Reach out on IG @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you think. :) Resources mentioned on today's show: Talk on language alter egosLanguage Wellness and Identity PodcastAbundate podcastinbetweenish podcastBilingual Parenting Podcast: episode on busting bilingualism mythsBilinguitos on IG (look for post from March 24th)

Today we're talking about periods and things! Why? Well, because we're not robots. We're humans with bodies and, as we learned last week, bodies are an important element of language learning and use. But don't worry if you identify as male and/or don't have a period. Our discussion centering around cycle syncing highlights the importance of having time both to do and to rest. In our hustle culture, the rest and reflect part tends to get a bit lost. For me, learning how my hormones fluctuate during the different parts of my cycle (and from there affect my mood and energy levels) has helped me map out my language studies in a way that works with my body, instead of against it. I found Alex on a journey completely separate from language learning, but then found a way to connect the two. I wanted to share this with you all because it's not something I hear talked about a lot (especially in environments where periods and cycles are dirty words *eyeroll emoji*). I hope you enjoy today's episode! Feel free to connect with Alex on Instagram or Tiktok @nutritionmoderation. And as always, send me a DM with any feedback, questions or requests to be on the show. Happy listening! Resources mentioned on the episode Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik

"How are people supposed to know what to do with you when you don't even know what to do with yourself?" That question set off a journey of disentangling my identity from other people's expectations that I'm still on today. I'm humbled you're joining the conversation now and I can't wait to hear what you think of today's episode. Today’s guest is María Ortega García, an embodied language coach, language teacher, mentor and Spanish multilingual poetry teacher based in Ireland. I went to María with so many questions given that I spoke Spanish fluently (not perfectly), was familiar with various Spanish-speaking cultures, and yet I didn’t feel comfortable speaking Spanish in my own country. I found it hard to connect with people and frustrated at not knowing how to answer, “How did you learn Spanish?” I felt lost and out of place since Spanish has been a part of my life forever and yet I don't have a Spanish/Latin American identity or heritage. Through the work of embodiment (which I personally find especially effective for introverts), María helped me seek answers within myself and tap into my body in order to feel more confident in new situations, as well as how to be aware of my body as a safe space. If you're interested in working with and/or connecting with María, you can find her on her website at www.mariaortegagarcia.com. I hope you enjoy today’s episode! Please reach out to me on Instagram at @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought and/or if you'd like to be featured on the show.

Welcome to my shortest episode in a while! In today's episode I'll be sharing tips for both students and instructors on how to make the classroom a more welcoming space for more socially selective students. Special shout out to Jennifer Despain at NC State University for sharing Think Pair Share. Resources mentioned in the episode: World Language Teacher ConferenceDiego Ojeda"The Myth of Participation in the WL Classroom"Citizen CafeWhat is Think Pair Share Let me know what you think about today's episode and please rate and review so it's easier for others to find this podcast. Please reach out to me on Instagram (@shhh_imlearning) for any questions, comments or if you'd like to be on the show.