Ask Benny: New "Language Hacking Mandarin" Book Release

Ask Benny: New "Language Hacking Mandarin" Book Release

Author: Fluent in 3 Months February 2, 2022 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 the Chinese characters to one side, there are actually a lot of things that make Mandarin less complicated than many other languages.

Benny discusses learning and teaching Mandarin with Northwestern University professor, Dr. LiCheng Gu in more detail in episode 85. Benny, Shannon Kennedy, and Dr Gu worked together to write the new "Language Hacking Mandarin" book, which is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to make quick and effective progress speaking Chinese.

You can get a copy of "Language Hacking Mandarin" here.

To ask Benny a question, leave a comment on Instagram (@languagehacking) or Twitter (@fi3m), or you can email ask@languagehacking.com

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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
#80 Yawhann’s 90 Day Language Challenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:31
This episode features Yawhann, who learned conversational Cantonese and Mandarin 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…
Ask Benny: Mental Health and Language Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
Benny is getting stuck back into some language projects, which have recently included Irish, Spanish, Chinese, and Catalan. As he's doing this, he's taken the opportunity to reflect on how difficult life events and menta…
#79 Lina Vasquez on Holistic Language Coaching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
Holistic language coach, Lina Vasquez, talks to Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy about growing up multilingual, holistic language learning, and how personal development impacts how you learn languages.Lina really understa…
Ask Benny: Reactivating My Catalan After 15 Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:32
This week Benny gives an update about his own language learning progress and shares his method for jump-starting a dormant language. In 2006 Benny spent the summer intensively learning Catalan, but hasn't maintained it s…
#78 Christmas Special: Top Gifts for Language Learners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:58
Benny, Elizabeth, and team members from Fluent in 3 Months share their favourite gifts for language learners. Use this to get ideas for your festive shopping this year, or pass this wishlist on to your friends, family, a…
#77 Gabriel Silva on Learning Two Languages at the Same Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 i…
Ask Benny: What if I Can't Prepare Before a Lesson? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:12
Benny shares how he manages lessons when he is particularly busy. We all have weeks that are busier than usual. Benny recommends that you resist the temptation to cancel your lessons! It's not ideal to skip the prep, but…
#76 Ben Phillips on How to Live and Study Abroad for Free [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:09
19-year-old student, Ben Phillips, talks to Benny Lewis and Elizabeth Bruckner about his experience of doing a highschool German exchange programme, and how he stayed focussed and motivated enough to reach C1 level after…
Ask Benny: What's the Best Way to Prep for a Language Class? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:32
Benny shares his advice about how to prepare for a 1-1 language lesson, and his method for note taking before, during, and after lessons. To ask Benny a question, please email ask@languagehacking.comJoin Our PatreonEnjoy…