Month 1 update on my 2025 intensive language learning project

Month 1 update on my 2025 intensive language learning project

Author: Fluent in 3 Months February 17, 2025 Duration: 13:04

I’m sharing my one-month update on my intensive Indonesian learning project. My goal has been to reach at least a B1 level before starting four months of full immersion in Indonesia, and I’m happy to say that I’m well on track. Right now, I’m at a strong A2 (upper beginner) level, making very fast progress. Over the past month, I’ve been following a dedicated study routine, which includes 1–2 hours of Anki flashcards, coursebook study (Teach Yourself Indonesian and others), and language lessons 4–5 times per week, entirely in Indonesian. The biggest challenge has been memorising large amounts of vocabulary, since Indonesian isn’t related to any of my strongest languages. To tackle this, I’ve been using AI-generated mnemonics and building custom Anki decks, which has been incredibly helpful. I’ve also found that Indonesian’s logical structure and root-word system make it easier to expand my vocabulary quickly.

Looking ahead to the second month, I’m shifting my focus to listening comprehension, as I still struggle to understand fast, natural speech. To improve, I’ll be watching more Indonesian content on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram Reels, while also creating my own Indonesian-language videos. I’ll continue my intensive Anki routine (2 hours/day), now focusing on a new deck with over 1,000 words, as well as some light grammar review. Since I’ll be entering my immersion phase in just a month, I need to be fully prepared to interact with native speakers in natural conversations, especially in areas where people may never have spoken to a foreigner before.

Check out Language Hacking Instagram at @languagehacking

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

Don’t forget to check out the Fluent in 3 Months Bootcamp here!

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
#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…