Kicking off my 2025 language learning project

Kicking off my 2025 language learning project

Author: Fluent in 3 Months January 17, 2025 Duration: 10:17

I’m kicking off 2025 with a new language project: learning Bahasa Indonesia. I’ll be studying intensively in Bali for two months before exploring Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and beyond. Indonesian’s simplicity—no conjugations or noun genders—makes it one of the easiest languages I’ve started, but my focus isn’t on mastery. My goal is to reach a B1 conversational level, enabling independent travel and meaningful one-on-one interactions. Speaking is central to my strategy, and after just a few days of study, I’ll dive into daily practice with teachers and locals to build momentum and confidence.

This episode shares how I’ve tailored my learning approach by prioritizing practical vocabulary, using resources like Anki and e-readers, and leveraging conversational practice through italki. I also discuss overcoming challenges like formal vs. informal language differences and the limitations of Google Translate. Whether you’re taking on your own language project or just starting out, I hope my journey inspires you to make speaking a consistent priority. Follow my progress on YouTube (Fluent in 3 Months) and Instagram (@LanguageHacking) for updates and tips, and let me know how you’re tackling your goals for 2025. Let’s dive in—happy language learning and travels!

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.

Or you can follow Benny on all Social Media channels:
Instagram: @irishpolyglot
Thread: @irishpolyglot
TikTok: @irishpolyglot


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…