Language On Purpose

In this final podcast episode Mary Lynn signs off and sends you off with words of hope, encouragement, and challenge for your continuing language learning journey--all strangely inspired. Host: Mary Lynn Kindberg, M.A. Linguistics

What potholes might you encounter if you transition to a new location after language school? A growth mindset and safe, supportive relationships can help you smooth out the road ahead. Guest: Amy G., ESL Certified

Do you think your age negatively influences your language learning? Maybe there are challenges, but age can work to your advantage if you do what is important for all language learners.

If you work with a language coach you can exponentially increase your chances for language learning success. Guest: Andrea W., language acquisition coach, Acquire co-founder and developer

Instead of just always plowing ahead, take time to look backwards and evaluate your language learning journey so far. Then you can confidently move forward with heightened vision, better goals and clear direction.

Holiday celebrations can mean unsettling surprises. Predict the unpredictable and gain cultural perspective by asking beforehand relevant wh-questions.

Since laughter is good medicine indeed, here's your chance to catch some of the funny super-duper bloopers you may have missed in previous episodes. The takeaways will remind you of lessons to be learned from an honest language learning mistake.

Eavesdrop on this rather unusual conversation with a man learning a Bantu language amid semi-nomadic herders in Southern Africa. How does his profile reflect what a good language learner is and does? Guest: Caleb Fetterhoff, B.A. Music, AIM International  

28 A Balancing Act Too much time studying or analyzing a language at your desk can easily distract you from learning through real-time communication out in the community. Is this your struggle? Hear how a linguist and Scripture translator intentionally tried to achieve a balance while learning a minority language in Ethiopia. Guest: Dr. Travis Williamson, Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics, Moody Bible Institute

Gain sociolinguistic competence by speaking not only accurately but also appropriately in any given context. Examples and tips for observation and investigation will help you avoid painful mistakes. Guest: Dr. David Broersma, Professor of Linguistics and TESOL, Lee University

Don't take technology entirely off your plate with an immersion-only mindset. Instead, choose nutritiously from a menu of various online options. Guest: Dr. Thor Sawin, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

If you understand what fluency really is and is not, you can then work toward actually achieving it in your language learning program. Guest: Dr. Natalie Mullen, Institute for Cross-Cultural Training, Wheaton College

Play to your advantage as a couple learning language by minimizing competition and maximizing individual strengths. Hear an upfront and personal story of mutual support and encouragement. Many elements apply to all language learners. Guests: Scarlett A-W., (MSc Global Development) and Jordan W., (M.S. Professional Counseling)

Attitudes can determine how you respond to the demands of language learning. What attitudes help? What attitudeshinder? Guest: Karen Griffith, former Director of Second Language Acquisition at the Center for Intercultural Training

Wives and moms can step into the challenges that all language learners face by gaining perspective and enlisting strategies to build those all-important relationships. Guest: Jodi Bunn, M.A. Intercultural Studies

Is achieving a native-like accent a reasonable goal for L2 speakers? Mary Lynn suggests an alternative as a more attainable standard and highlights factors regarding accent you may not have previously considered. Host, Mary Lynn Kindberg (M.A. Linguistics)

20 Not Your Average Flashcard Climb out of your vocabulary abyss with WordClimber, a new digital flashcard tool specifically designed to support language learning at all levels. A language learner himself, the creator behind WordClimber details how its unique features optimize your exposure to new words, facilitate timely review and strengthen motivation. Listeners receive a subscription discount. Guest: Peter Armstrong, web developer and Internet entrepreneur.

What was it like for the Kindberg family to intentionally stay with a Chilean family when they first arrived in the country?  Mary Lynn and Patti, the daughter, each relate the story from their own cultural perspective and tell what resulted overall. Guest: Patti Fuentes, Santiago, Chile.

Identify signs and sources of stress to help re-engage your language learning brain and implement coping strategies. Guest: Jeff Blake, Mission Training International (B.A. Linguistics, M.A. Counseling)

How do you choose which language(s) to learn in a multilingual context? If you understand the sociolinguistic dynamics of language choice by native speakers themselves, then you as a language learner can make informed decisions of which language(s) to target for what purpose. Guest: Dr. Steve Quakenbush, sociolinguist, SIL International

Why invest a lot of time in language study for just a short stint overseas? A nurse for two years in the Middle East attests to how her dedicated efforts to learn Arabic paid off in significant work roles and remarkable relationships. Guest: Juliana J. (B.S. Nursing)

Mess-ups can trip you up in language learning by creating fear and avoidance. Mary Lynn combines her own counsel with excerpts from a conversation with a former professor and executive coach. Guest: Dr. Jim Bruce, retired CIO at MIT

What is it about the middle range of language proficiency that makes it so hard to advance further? Find out why and learn how you can move past that all-too-common plateau and get to higher ground. Guest: Dr. Natalie Mullen, Director of the Institute for Cross-Cultural Training, Wheaton College

Rather than being home alone, reap the language learning benefits of living with local residents in a country. Hear an insider's unusual story. Guest: Clinical mental health therapist Sarah P. (M.A.)

Target a meaningful project to focus your language learning, increase motivation and boost fluency. Guest: Electrical engineer and chaplain Hannah P.

Take time off from language learning for renewal and better retention. With anecdotes, questions and research Mary Lynn challenges you to incorporate different kinds of rest into your language learning program. Host Mary Lynn Kindberg (M.A. Linguistics)

Get connected with others learning your target language. With collaborative activities you can share knowledge, gain confidence and make learning fun. Guest: Language and culture acquisition professor and coach Lauren Vitrano-Wilson (M.A. TES0L & Teaching of Spanish)

Ask crucial questions to create a long-term plan that helps you define daily tasks, achieve goals, and gain confidence. Guest: SLA trainer and coach Carol L. studied at Fuller Seminary and Wheaton's Institute for Cross-Cultural Training.

Don't let a tone language trip you up. As a leading expert on tone, today's guest delves into the basic fundamentals of tone languages and explains how a focus on tone patterns can be a game-changer in language learning. Guest: Linguistics consultant and professor Keith Snider, Ph.D.

How do you learn a minority language when a majority language is common ground? A pre-immersion strategy can guide learning and open doors through relationship-building. Guest: SLA consultant and teacher Pam Echerd (M.A. Linguistics)

Are children a help or a hindrance in language learning? A mom of 3 leverages both pregnancy and motherhood to navigate gender roles and gain cultural insight and build solid relationships in a tribal setting.  Guest: Melissa S. (M.A. Linguistics)

Cooperate with your brain to activate dopamine and eliminate neurotoxins.  Whether you're learning vocabulary, managing language helper sessions, or telling stories fun, rest and the shame game play significant roles.  Guest: SLA consultant and instructor Pam Echerd (M.A. Linguistics)

What is it about Arabic that challenges learners? Guest Katja J. (M.A. Applied Linguistics) addresses specific hurdles including the dilemma posed by Modern Standard Arabic. All can benefit from her experience using a comprehension-based approach for both grammar and phonetics.

Play to your advantage as a single language learner presented with unique opportunities and challenges. Hear how a single woman builds relationships and gains fluency in Arabic in the Middle East. Guest: language coach and consultant Jozeca L. (M.A. Applied Linguistics)

You can interact in your target language and culture before leaving home. Discover how to find local resources that will help you later to engage globally. Guest: Jonathan Kindberg (M.A. Intercultural Studies)

Land on your feet in a country with early-on strategies, activities and decisions! Practical advice will help you navigate relationships and communication even with limited language. Guest Amy G. trained at the Center for Intercultural Training and is ESL certified.

Welcome to Language on Purpose! A podcast to help global workers thrive in language learning! Practical tips and advicefrom learners and experts Hosted bylinguist and language acquisition consultantMary Lynn Kindberg TRAILER