Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann

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I speak 20 languages. I've been learning languages for over 50 years and I've tried all kinds of approaches. I talk about my experiences, my approach to language learning, what I enjoy about learning languages and all manner of other topics related to language. If you love languages, or think you…

Steve Kaufmann


    • May 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 362 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to teach themselves a new language. Steve Kaufmann, the host of the podcast, has spent a lifetime learning languages and his vast experience shines through in every episode. One of the greatest aspects of this podcast is that every technique or idea discussed by Steve is something he has personally tried or accomplished. This level of authenticity and firsthand knowledge makes his insights incredibly valuable.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its accessibility. No matter where you are in your language learning journey, Steve's ideas and tips can be applied to your own life. He has a unique ability to break down complex techniques inspired by renowned linguist Dr. Krashen, making them easy for anyone to understand and implement. Whether you're just starting out or have been on an immersion journey for years, there is something for everyone in this podcast.

    One possible downside of this podcast is that it may not go into as much depth as some listeners would like. While Steve provides practical advice and cuts through all the theory and false claims surrounding language learning, some listeners might crave more detailed explanations or examples. However, it's important to note that this podcast serves as an introduction or supplemental resource rather than an exhaustive guide.

    In conclusion, The Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning a new language. Steve's expertise and ability to make language learning interesting, fun, and meaningful sets him apart from other language learning resources. Whether you're seeking motivation, practical tips, or inspiration on your language learning journey, this podcast will not disappoint.



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    Latest episodes from Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann

    My 7 tips for staying motivated when learning a language

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 11:39


    In this video, I talk about key ideas from Jeff Haden's book The Motivation Myth and share my take on how motivation really works in language learning.

    STOP chasing perfection and START making progress

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 10:36


    In this video I talk about why perfectionism has no place in language learning and how our brains actually use mistakes to learn.

    Focusing on the most common words WON'T make you fluent

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 7:37


    In this video, I discuss the importance of acquiring low-frequency vocabulary and share my approach to learning less common words.

    Don't compare yourself to other language learners (do this instead)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 10:30


    In this video, I talk about how comparison can either inspire or discourage you when learning a language — and how I approach it to make sure my motivation doesn't suffer.

    Anime, LingQ, and motivation: how ‪@BijuuMike‬ is learning Japanese

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 28:35


    In this video, I talk with Mike—a Japanese learner and LingQ user—about the challenges of learning Japanese and his personal journey.

    How I balance novelty and repetition in language learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 10:14


    In this video I talk about why we need both novelty and repetition in our language learning routine, and how to strike a balance between the two.

    Why I don't use spaced repetition (and what I do instead)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 10:47


    Repetition is a key part of language learning, but how can you make it truly effective?

    Polyglot reacts: How good is Mark Carney's French?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 14:45


    Canada has a new Prime Minister—but how good is his French?

    Explaining LingQ to a linguistics student: AI, dialects, gamification and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 22:07


    In this video, I answer questions about AI, explicit grammar study, and gamification in language learning.

    My daily goal for language learning (and why it works)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 7:12


    In this video, I talk about how focusing on understanding first sets me up for better speaking skills down the road.

    How to learn a completely unfamiliar language: my first steps in Punjabi

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 13:27


    Is immersion-based learning effective for completely unfamiliar languages? I think so! Watch as I take on Punjabi with LingQ in my latest video.

    10 things I never do when learning a language

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 10:39


    10 things I never do when learning a language by Steve Kaufmann

    How I actually use LingQ to learn languages

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 9:57


    Motivation, time, and the ability to notice are all key to language learning. In this video, I share how I use LingQ to make the most of all three.

    Start a language from scratch (the natural way)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 11:58


    In this video, I share how to start learning a language from scratch in a way that aligns with how our brains naturally learn.

    How to revive a language you've forgotten

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 16:03


    Worried you've forgotten a language? Reviving it might be easier than you think! In this video, I share my step-by-step plan and discuss my experiences with Turkish, Arabic, and Persian over the years.

    4 mindset pillars for language learners

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 10:59


    In this video, I discuss the concept of cultural weightlessness and share how Taoist philosophy has shaped my language learning journey.

    6 reasons I still buy language books in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 8:13


    In this video, I explore the advantages and disadvantages of using paper books for language learning.

    7 reasons to listen before you read

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 8:11


    In this video, I share 7 reasons why I prefer listening before reading when learning a new language.

    New Year's resolution: goal or commitment?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 9:35


    New Year's resolution: goal or commitment? by Steve Kaufmann

    The neuroscience behind sticking to your resolutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 9:33


    As 2025 approaches, I wanted to explore how personal traits influence our plans and actions — and why it's important to consider them when making New Year's resolutions.

    This Italian polyglot speaks 15 languages. What's his secret? (feat. ‪@LucaLampariello‬)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 48:26


    In this video, my friend ‪@LucaLampariello‬ and I explore how input, pronunciation, and mindset shape language learning success.

    How to use YouTube to boost your language skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 12:48


    In this video, I share why I believe YouTube is the best platform for learning languages and how both teachers and students can make the most of it.

    STOP doing these 7 things to START crushing your language goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 13:09


    In this video, I share 7 things to stop doing right now to avoid hindering your language learning progress and start enjoying the process.

    10x your vocabulary growth with this language challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 7:02


    In this video, I share my personal experience with reading in different languages and explain why reading a book is an important milestone for a language learner.

    How to pick the right language book for self-study

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 16:02


    In this video I share my experience with language textbooks and some tips on how to choose the right one.

    5 ways to improve your pronunciation in any language

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 11:24


    5 ways to improve your pronunciation in any language by Steve Kaufmann

    The best app for learning a language on your own

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 14:12


    LingQ was recently recognized as the most effective language learning app by an independent research organization. In this video, I talk about what sets LingQ apart from other apps and methods.

    How much Turkish did I learn in 7 months? Traveling to Turkey

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 20:27


    Curious about the progress you can make in 7 months of intensive language study? In this video, I'm sharing my experience traveling to Turkey after seven months of Turkish study.

    10 tips for managing your time as a language learner

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 8:20


    In this video, I'm sharing 10 tips to help you make the most of your time when learning a language.

    How to learn any Romance language

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 13:20


    I discovered my passion for French as a university student, and since then, I've learned not only French but also Spanish, Italian, Romanian, and Portuguese. In this video, I share my approach to learning Romance languages.

    Develop a reading habit in 5 simple steps

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 11:42


    I've talked about the benefits of reading many times before—today, I'm sharing how to turn it into a lasting habit.

    7 tips for speaking better in any language

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 9:20


    Struggling to speak fluently in a foreign language? In this video I share 7 practical tips that will help you communicate better without stressing over grammar or pronunciation.

    How to find the perfect language tutor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 11:49


    Throughout my language-learning journey, I've had many good tutors. In this video, I'll highlight the 6 key qualities that make a tutor truly exceptional.

    Are there problems with being a polyglot?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 10:27


    In this video, I discuss the pros and cons of learning many languages, from cultural connections to language interference.

    80/20 rule: learn any language with the Pareto principle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 10:32


    In this video, I discuss the 80/20 rule and how it applies to language learning. I'll explain why I don't worry about high-frequency words and how balancing big-picture input with focused study has been helping me make progress in Turkish.

    How to learn languages with ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 6:59


    In today's video, I talk about how I'm using ChatGPT to learn languages with a focus on comprehensible input.

    The entrepreneur's guide to learning languages

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 8:59


    The entrepreneur's guide to learning languages by Steve Kaufmann

    Why extensive reading is so effective for language learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 10:22


    Have you heard of extensive reading? If not, in today's video you'll learn what it is and how I use this strategy to acquire vocabulary and grammar!

    What progress actually looks like in language learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 5:29


    In today's video, I discuss the role of surprise in language learning: how our progress often follows an unpredictable path, why unexpected moments help our brains absorb new information, and much more.

    Do I really know 20 languages?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 7:24


    In today's video, I discuss how many languages I really know and what it truly means to know a language.

    Chunking: the secret to fluency?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 7:21


    Discover the benefits of language chunks in today's video. Learn what they are, how to use them, and what teachers often get wrong about chunking!

    Essential language tips for immigrants

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 12:15


    Today's video is all about learning a language as an immigrant! Learn why your language skills are crucial, how to break the language barrier, and why traditional classes are not the answer.

    Reading or listening: what's the best way to learn?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 8:14


    Can listening to books be as effective as reading them for learning? In this video, I'll explain why you don't have to choose just one.

    Stop obsessing over grammar: focus on this instead

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 10:55


    Is vocabulary more important than grammar? In this video, I'll explain why I believe it is and share insights on how focusing on vocabulary can boost your progress.

    Challenging myself to learn 100 WORDS EVERY DAY

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 13:27


    In my last video, I shared my goal of learning 20,000 words before my trip to Turkey in September. Today, I'm going to show you exactly how I'm making that happen!

    I've learned 20 languages: what keeps me going?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 10:37


    I reflect on my language-learning journey and discuss the importance of various types of connections: linguistic, emotional, neural, and more.

    Challenging myself to learn 20,000 words before my trip to Turkey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 9:19


    In today's video, I'm reflecting on what has and hasn't worked for boosting my language skills for travel and sharing my (quite ambitious!) Turkish learning plan.

    Speaking or comprehension: which comes first?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 10:12


    In this video, I discuss the differences between comprehensible input and the output hypothesis and explain why speaking a foreign language isn't always the same as engaging in meaningful communication.

    Fluent in one language or good in many?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 11:19


    I often get asked whether it's better to focus on one language and become fluent in it or to explore many languages. In this video I talk about why I don't think there's one answer to this question.

    I've read books in 12 languages. Here's how I do it

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 16:39


    Reading books has many benefits for our brain, and it's also a great way to learn a language. In this video I talk about my approach to reading in different languages and how I manage to enjoy the process despite the difficulties.

    Don't memorize vocabulary. Do this instead

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 16:28


    In this video I discuss some common misconceptions about language and vocabulary acquisition and share my strategy for learning vocabulary in a new language.

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