#109 Ellen Jovin on “The Grammar Table”

#109 Ellen Jovin on “The Grammar Table”

Author: Fluent in 3 Months July 25, 2022 Duration: 47:53

Creator and proprietor of The Grammar Table, Ellen Jovin, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about traveling the country to discuss grammar, learning the languages of New York, and finding joy in learning grammar.

Featured Resources

Patreon Extended Episode

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to extended episodes and loads more content. Here’s what you’ll hear in the long-form episode:

  • The most common grammar questions Ellen encountered on the road with The Grammar Table
  • How knowing more grammar frees you from the confines of grammar
  • Ellen’s ideal day with languages
  • Ellen’s advice for someone who dreads learning grammar
  • Ways to make learning grammar easier and how to remember it better
  • Ellen’s grammar pet peeves

Learn more and access this bonus content on Patreon.

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

  • Words and Worlds of New York and learning the languages of the city
  • Why many people hate grammar and why Ellen doesn’t
  • The positives of getting outside and pairing language learning with walking
  • The story behind “The Grammar Table”
  • Setting boundaries around grammar and common misconceptions
  • Ways grammar rules are actually somewhat arbitrary
  • Regional uses of languages and loving our linguistic diversity
  • How The Grammar Table has also been an opportunity for Ellen to learn about other languages
  • The power of humility in all things
  • Playing with language and loving grammar and how things are put together

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy


There’s a certain magic that happens when you step off a plane and try to order a meal in a language you’re still fumbling through, or when a simple conversation with a stranger on a train opens up an entirely new perspective. Language & Travel Hacking, from the team behind Fluent in 3 Months, lives in those messy, authentic, and profoundly rewarding moments. Host Benny Lewis, a nomadic polyglot and best-selling author, doesn’t just theorize from a studio; he records from the road, sharing raw, real-time experiences and the practical strategies that actually work when you’re navigating a foreign market or building confidence in a new tongue. Each episode feels like a candid chat with a well-traveled friend who’s made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. You’ll hear the sounds of street markets and train stations in the background as Benny breaks down the psychology of language learning, offers actionable tips for picking up phrases quickly, and discusses how travel itself can be the ultimate classroom. This podcast is built on the idea that fluency and cultural connection aren’t distant goals reserved for the gifted, but accessible skills you can hack through smart, intentional practice. It’s for anyone who believes that the deepest way to explore a place is through its language, and that every journey is an opportunity to reshape how you see the world-and yourself. Tune in for honest stories and tangible advice that will change how you approach your next adventure, whether it’s across the globe or right in your own neighborhood.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 271

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