Ask Benny: Other ways to avoid being an obvious foreigner

Ask Benny: Other ways to avoid being an obvious foreigner

Author: Fluent in 3 Months February 5, 2024 Duration: 8:00

Benny Lewis discusses strategies to avoid standing out as an obvious foreigner when speaking a new language, drawing from his experiences in Brazil. Academic choices of written words, like or simply saying things that are just illogical, can make you stand out more.

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


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
Ask Benny: What is the 80/20 Rule? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:07
Benny explains how to apply the Pareto Principle (aka the 80/20 rule) to language learning. Benny shares how to go about focusing on 20% of a language to get you 80% of the results. He explains his ideas for what you can…
#105 Fiel Sahir on Learning a Language Without “Studying” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
Enthusiastic learner, New York resident, musician, and polyglot, Fiel Sahir, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to talk about finding mentors, learning heritage languages, studying Chinese with the Language Hacking Ma…
#104 Corentin on How to Reinvent Yourself as a Language Learner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Dutch learner, Corentin, chats with Benny and Shannon about “redefining” yourself as a language learner and finding success in your new identity.We guarantee that anyone who c…
Ask Benny: Why Learn Esperanto? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:10
Benny shares the reasons he learned Esperanto and why it's so useful, despite it not being an officially recognized language. The international Esperanto community is one that Benny loves being a part of, not least becau…
#103 Simon Ager on Creating an Encyclopedia of Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
Linguistics expert and language enthusiast, Simon Ager, talks with Benny and Elizabeth about creating one of the internet’s biggest (and first) encyclopedias of languages and writing systems.On his website, omniglot.com,…
#102 Professor Argüelles on Learning a Language in 15 Minutes a Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:03
Professor, polyglot and all-round language expert, Alexander Argüelles, talks with Benny and Elizabeth about his routines, methods, favourite activities and language learning interests.Professor Argüelles employs his vas…
Ask Benny: Two Big Announcements! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:04
This week Benny shares some exciting news in a special Ask Benny episode. Benny is heading back out on the road, to live the nomadic life he loves. This means new language challenges and lots of interesting updates from…
#101 Scott Brills on World Travel & Language Survival Basics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:38
World traveler, tour coordinator, and language learner, Scott Brills, joins Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy to chat about “faking” comprehension, deep-diving into cultural experiences, and cross-country adventures around…
#100 Celebrating 100 Episodes with Scott Young [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:04
Our first ever Language Hacking Podcast guest, author, and course creator, Scott Young, revisits the show to catch up with Benny and Shannon and share what’s changed for him over the last two years with his language lear…
#99 Shannon and Elizabeth on Self-Compassion in Language Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:03
Language Hacking Podcast co-hosts, Shannon Kennedy and Elizabeth Bruckner catch up and talk about how this last year has been a time of learning, and building self-compassion and resilience in both language learning and…