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
#67 Mari Silvestrini on Energy and Momentum in Language Learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
Polyglot Mari Salvestrini shares how she uses Instagram for accountability in her language learning, how to develop language routines based on energy, and why breaks are important in this episode with hosts Benny Lewis a…
Ask Benny: Should I Learn Verb Conjugations Before Trying to Speak? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:04
Grammar getting you down? Benny's here to help! This week he takes the pressure off by explaining how he approaches (or ignores!) grammar, particularly verb conjugations, when he starts a new language. Making mistakes is…
#66 Anja Spilker on Creating a Language School in Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:09
Benny Lewis and Shannon Kennedy talk to Anja Spilker about learning Nahuatl, combating negative feedback as a language learning, and running a language business.Featured ResourcesZALOA LanguagesMentioned in this EpisodeZ…
#65 Alice Cimino on Learning With Downton Abbey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:09
Alice Cimino, a 19 year old third culture kid, chats with Benny Lewis about growing up bilingual, being homeschooled, learning languages as a teenager, and much more.Featured ResourcesHow I Learned Fluent Spanish and Eng…
Ask Benny: How Can I Find the Right Teacher? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:53
Have you ever struggled to find a language teacher who feels like a good fit for your learning style? You're not alone! What works for one person might not work for you, and Benny has some great tips this week for findin…
#64 Shahidah Foster on Starting Black Girls Learn Languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:01
Shahidah Foster, founder of Black Girls Learn Languages, chats with Shannon Kennedy and Benny Lewis about learning languages as a black woman and inspiring black voices in the language community.Featured ResourcesSisters…
#63 How to Become a Fearless Language Learner with Halima Salim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
Halima Salim, founder of Blackboard English and the Fearless English Podcast, discusses empowering women language learners, overcoming negative self-talk and changing ideologies in the ESL community with Shannon Kennedy…
#62 Relearn a Language with Marissa Blaszko [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:48
This episode features Marissa Blaszko who joins Benny and Elizabeth to discuss their language learning journey as a polyglot and keen heritage language learner! Marissa is the creator of Relearn a Language, a website tha…