The Speaking Practice Pyramid Will Non-Native Speaking Partners Ruin Your Accent?

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The Benjamin Franklin Technique Text reconstruction for day 16 of Fresh Foundations

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:

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Focus on Form Grammar and Vocabulary in Language Learning. Day 14 of Fresh Foundations.

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.

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Love to Lingo We help language learners and teachers reach their full potential. We offer language learning tips and self-study materials to master any language.

If you’re learning a language, or teaching others, I encourage you to listen to episode 3 of the Love to Lingo podcast. I share the story of Sofía, what I’ve learned, and practical steps to help learners like her succeed.
www.lovetolingo.com#podcast

What I found out probably won’t shock you.

Successful learners experience what’s known as the upward spiral—a cycle where feelings of autonomy and competence fuel motivation. This leads to consistent engagement, which, over time, creates real results.

When I studied Second Language Acquisition, I always had Sofía in mind. I wanted to find the secret ingredient to learning a language so I could give to her and students like her. I wondered if it was motivation or personality or a specific aptitude for languages.

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.

Love to Lingo We help language learners and teachers reach their full potential. We offer language learning tips and self-study materials to master any language.

If you’re learning a language, or teaching others, I encourage you to listen to episode 3 of the Love to Lingo podcast. I share the story of how I learned about the upward spiral and how we can approach language learning in a way that helps us achieve success.

www.lovetolingo.com#podcast

Successful systems work like an upward spiral, bringing learners closer and closer to fluency.
Knowing about this upward spiral has changed my approach to language learning and language teaching.
(2/3)

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)

Nation, I.S.P. (2001) Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (Cambridge Applied Linguistics).

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!

3. Choose a word/phrase of the day and see how many times you can use it naturally

4. Keep a list of words/phrases you come across that you like. When you write in a journal, try to naturally fit some of them in

What else can you add?

1. Write summaries of the podcasts, shows or films you watch in your target language

2. Explain to a friend/speaking partner/yourself (I find this hard even in my first language)

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.)

Growth in language learning happens in unexpected ways. What’s one small habit or change that’s made a big impact for you? (8/8)

Language learners remember, progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about patterns. Focus on creating a consistent rhythm, and trust the process. Every small effort feeds the system. Every corrected mistake rewires it. (7/8)

Teachers, this means we need to embrace the messiness of learning. Progress isn’t always obvious but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Working with emergent language and providing constant opportunities for communication will eventually lead to progress. (6/8)

But here’s the best part: Complex systems are adaptive.
Those of you who have done immersion programs or lived abroad will know the first few days/weeks/months are EXHAUSTING, but then one day, it’s not so bad. Your system has adapted. (5/8)

The good news is that in complex systems, small changes can have big effects.
For example, spending 10 minutes a day shadow reading YouTube videos might help you see significant progress in your listening skills weeks later. This is called non-linearity. (4/8)

The thing about complex systems is they aren’t linear. You don’t improve step by step in a neat, predictable way.
That’s why it feels like a rollercoaster. (3/8)

A complex system is where lots of parts interact in dynamic, often unpredictable ways. Think ecosystems, weather patterns and yes, language learning.
Your progress depends on many factors working together: motivation, age, personality, beliefs, past experiences, stress levels, how you slept… (2/8)

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)

⭐⭐Intermediate: How do you feel about health and fitness in your daily routine? Are there any healthy habits you would like to add or change?

⭐⭐⭐Advanced: Do you believe mental health is just as important as physical health? Why?

Happy Language Learning 🤍

Not sure what to write about? I share journal prompts on different topics every Thursday to help you get started.
This week the topic is Health and Fitness.
⭐Beginner: What do you do to stay healthy? Do you like any sports or exercises?

👇

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

I’m an English teacher who studied French and university and lives in Spain. I’m working on trying to get my French back after letting it rot! 😜

5. Listen to a podcast or music in your target language while doing something else. Tune into the sounds and patterns. 🎧
Consistency beats long hours every time. Small efforts daily lead to big progress!
What else have I missed?

4. Rehearse a simple conversation with yourself. Pretend you’re at a café or having a casual chat with a friend, and practice aloud. 🗣️