What speaking 8 languages actually looks like (feat. ‪@gabrielunlocks‬)

What speaking 8 languages actually looks like (feat. ‪@gabrielunlocks‬)

Author: Steve Kaufmann December 4, 2025 Duration: 29:06
What speaking 8 languages actually looks like (feat. ‪@gabrielunlocks‬) by Steve Kaufmann

What does it actually take to learn a new language? In Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann, you’ll find answers that come from a place of deep, personal experience rather than just theory. Steve speaks 20 languages, a skill honed over more than five decades of consistent practice and curiosity. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, where Steve reflects on his own journey-discussing what methods have worked, what hasn’t, and why the enjoyment of the process is so crucial. He dismantles the idea that language learning is only for the gifted, arguing instead that attitude and approach make all the difference. This isn't about rigid grammar drills or memorizing vocabulary lists under pressure. Instead, you’ll hear about the joys of discovering a culture through its language, the satisfaction of gradual progress, and practical strategies for integrating learning into a busy life. Whether you're struggling to start your first new language or you're a seasoned polyglot looking for fresh perspective, this podcast offers a grounded, encouraging voice. Steve’s insights are particularly valuable for anyone who feels they’ve been discouraged by traditional classroom settings, offering a more natural and compelling path forward. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that remind you why connecting with another language is one of the most rewarding pursuits you can undertake.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann
Podcast Episodes
Do This if You Understand But Can't Speak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:29
I meet a lot of people who tell me, almost with pride, that they understand a language well but can't speak it. Usually two things are going on. Their comprehension isn't as broad as they believe, because they only follo…
The best way to read in another language [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:26
When I start reading in a new language, I accept that I am not going to understand most of it. My brother compared it to mowing a lawn: if the grass is high, you set the blades high on the first pass and lower them the n…
Spain vs Latin America: how different is their Spanish? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:53
Spanish is spoken across three continents, and learners worry constantly about picking the wrong version. But compared to English or Portuguese, the variation is surprisingly small. The vowels stay consistent whether you…
Why paper books beat screens for learning (backed by research) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:10
I have somewhere between 60 and 70 shelves of books in this house, well over a thousand of them, in several languages, and I have finally started cataloguing the lot. Going through them reminded me why paper still matter…
Why your reasons NOT to learn a language are just EXCUSES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:54
I was with some Canadians recently who all agreed that French would help them professionally. Within a few minutes I had heard three reasons why they hadn't learned it: I can read but I can't speak, the Montreal accent i…
Why reading in some languages is harder than in others [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:23
Reading is a huge part of how I learn languages, but it is not equally easy in every language. In Spanish or Turkish I can sound out almost any word the first time I see it. In Arabic and Persian I often cannot, so I rea…
How I'm getting my Portuguese ready for Portugal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:39
In this video I'll you how I'm getting ready for my trip to Portugal by using point-of-view stories, circling questions, and AI to create custom lessons.