#77 Gabriel Silva on Learning Two Languages at the Same Time

#77 Gabriel Silva on Learning Two Languages at the Same Time

Author: Fluent in 3 Months December 6, 2021 Duration: 40:29

Polyglot and language coach, Gabriel Silva, talks with Benny Lewis and Elizabeth Bruckner about his method for learning two languages at the same time, and the joy of random interactions in your target language.

Gabriel is very active on YouTube and Instagram, and his popular #1SentenceChallenge inspires learners around the world to share videos of their progress. Gabriel helps his students to manage their expectations when it comes to learning, and is very transparent about how long it has taken him to reach milestones in his languages.

Featured Resources

Mentioned in this Episode

Episode Overview

Some of the topics brought up during the interview are:

  • Fluctuations in motivation and how to “ride the wave”
  • The pitfalls of grammar-based languages courses
  • Finding the fun and pleasure in language learning
  • The joy of interactions with random people in your target language
  • Matching your learning activities to your energy levels
  • An 80/20 approach to learning two languages at once
  • Managing frustration and not giving up
  • The benefit of walking away from a problem for a while, and adding variety to your learning
  • Gabriel’s #1SentenceChallenge
  • Consistency as the key to progress
  • How recording yourself speaking, even just for yourself, can be so helpful
  • How to manage expectations, and how being part of a community can really help

Podcast theme: “A New Beginning” by Shannon Kennedy

Join Our Patreon

Enjoy the podcast? Subscribe to our Patreon to get access to bonus content and monthly exclusives.


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

Language & Travel Hacking
Podcast Episodes
#85 Alicya on Wine Tasting to Learn French [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:29
Writer and long-term expat, Alicya, speaks with Benny and Elizabeth about learning French through the lens of another passion - wine tasting.This episode features Alicya, who made significant progress with her French spe…
Ask Benny: New "Language Hacking Mandarin" Book Release [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:21
This week Benny talks about his experience with Mandarin, and why it doesn't deserve its reputation of being a difficult language for native English speakers to learn. He explains that if you focus on speaking, and leave…
#84 Dr. Gu on Co-Writing ‘Language Hacking Mandarin’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:18
Northwestern University Professor and author, Dr. LiCheng Gu, has a conversation with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about co-authoring Language Hacking Mandarin, how language education has changed over the last 30 year…
#83 Hugo Cotton on Learning Through Topics that Matter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:26
Inner French podcast creator and host, Hugo Cotton, chats with Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about using languages as tools to learn about other things, choosing compelling language content, and how to use what you’re…
#81 Carine Lemaire on Fearless Language Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
Language coach and French teacher, Carine Lemaire, shares about her experience growing up trilingual, being a language learner with ADHD, watching 300 hours of TV, and the pitfalls of language apps.Carine’s approach to t…
Ask Benny: Benny's 2022 Language Learning Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:57
After several years living in the USA, Benny is finally returning to a life of full-time travel. This means he'll have a lot more opportunities to use his languages and build new language skills. In terms of language lea…
Ask Benny: How to Get Started with a New Language in 2022 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:15
Benny loves helping people start their language learning journey. Whether it's your first new language or your tenth, it's important to consider how you start, so you can build confidence quickly. In this episode Benny t…