#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
#52 Mark Pentleton on Creating Coffee Break Podcasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:07
Benny and Elizabeth chat with Mark Pentleton about how he started the Coffee Break language podcasts and how his role shifted from language teacher to language learner.Featured ResourcesCoffee BreakMentioned in this Epis…
Ask Benny: How to Stop Getting Tempted by Shiny New Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
Have you ever been trying to learn one language, but found yourself tempted by a new one and distracted from your original goal? Benny is here to help! He shares ideas for staying engaged and interested in the language y…
#49 Alex Rawlings on Speaking 11 Languages Fluently [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:15
Benny and Shannon discuss dual identities, language learning, and strategies for reviving a language with Alex Rawlings, who was once named Britain’s most multilingual student.Featured ResourcesHow to Speak Any Language…
Ask Benny: Is it Better to Learn Phrases Rather Than Words? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:30
When it comes to learning vocabulary, is it best to learn individual words, or phrases with the words in context? Benny gives his opinion, talks about his insights and explains how he likes to use flashcards and other te…
#48 Sarah Gillespie on the Treasure Hunt of Learning a Rare Language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:12
This episode features Sarah Gillespie, who learned conversational Hiligaynon in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will hav…
#47 Luca Lampariello on Questioning Everything When Learning Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:03
Benny and Shannon chat with Luca Lampariello, a well-known polyglot and language coach, about learning “useful” languages, breaking through limiting beliefs, and the most important thing when learning another language.Fe…
Ask Benny: How to Watch Movies in My Target Language? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:35
This week Benny gives some advice about how to watch movies and TV in your target language, especially when it comes to subtitles. Watching media is a fantastic way to improve your language skills, but you need to do it…
#46 How Ashton Went from B1 to C1 Spanish in 48 Days [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:26
This episode features Ashton Bitten, who learned conversational Spanish in just 90 days with the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge.We actually guarantee that anyone who completes the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge will have a 1…