How I became a polyglot

How I became a polyglot

Author: Fluent in 3 Months October 15, 2024 Duration: 12:14

In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, Benny revisits the story of how he became a polyglot. He shares his early struggles with maintaining multiple languages, especially during his time learning Spanish, Italian, and French. Benny explains how his breakthrough came in 2006, during his stay in Florianópolis, Brazil, where the international environment allowed him to practice switching between languages with ease. He emphasizes the value of events like Couchsurfing meetups for practicing multiple languages and how they helped him develop the skill of smoothly transitioning between different languages in real-time conversations.

Benny also offers tips for language learners looking to enhance their polyglot abilities. He advises that while switching between languages can be challenging, it’s a skill best developed once you’ve reached a solid intermediate level in each language. Benny highlights the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone by attending international events and actively engaging with speakers of different languages, rather than sticking to the one you know best. He closes by encouraging listeners to share feedback about the podcast, as he continues to explore topics related to both language learning and travel.

Book a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat

Also, follow Benny on our YouTube channel, and don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp.


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 Christmas like for a solo traveller? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:34
Benny shares his plan of flying back to Ireland this year for the winter holidays. As a solo traveller, he appreciates this occasion to spend time with his family. Benny also shares his experience on how the weeks leadin…
#126 Miguel on Community and Connection in Language Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:28
Can anyone join the active polyglot community?If you’re hesitant to join the active polyglot community, polyglot and language mentor Miguel, also founder of the blog The Multilingual Bronxite, shares about what he’s disc…
Ask Benny: How do language exchange events work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:08
Benny explains how language exchanges work by describing his own experience with the MundoLingo events. He covers how events are organised to make language recognition easy, shares how the set-up is ideal even for introv…
#124 Olly Richards on Creating the StoryLearning Method [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:01
This episode includes a Black Friday promotion. Follow this link to get the Black Friday price.Check out all our Black Friday deals on 50+ languages here.How can language learning happen through reading stories?Olly Rich…
#123 Kelsey Lechner on Speaking 6 Very Different Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
How much does living in different countries shape your personality and influence your personal development?In an episode packed with cultural exploration anecdotes, writer, translator, and educator Kelsey Lechner shares…
Ask Benny: How Do I Create a Language Immersion Environment at Home? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:35
Benny starts off this episode with a personal case study related to language immersion at home: studying Egyptian Arabic while still living in Brasil back in 2012. He then gives his favorite tips for home immersion.To as…
#121 Nina on How to Break the Intermediate Plateau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Fluent in 3 Months Challenge participant and Greek learner, Nina, shares her experience taking part in the Challenge and connecting with her husband, in-laws, and daughter through Greek with hosts Benny and Shannon.We gu…