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My language learning in 2020
We’re a couple of months into 2021 and Tết has recently passed – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! In this post I’ll be reflecting on my language learning in 2020, updating you on what study habits I’ve kept up with...
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Comparing 3 years of Vietnamese v 3 years of Russian – which is harder?
In 2011 I arrived in Vietnam ready to teach English after a couple of months backpacking and ready to learn the language. In total I spent 3.5 years in Vietnam between 2011 and 2016. Some of the time I...
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My language learning in 2021
Tết 2022 is fast approaching – Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! What a year 2021 was again. Through it all I’ve still been learning and practising my languages. This post is my annual round-up of how I spent my...
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12 tips to improve your speaking skills (in Vietnamese)
Speaking a foreign language can be a challenge, but when you overcome that it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. How can you improve this difficult skill? In order to improve your speaking...
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How conversation lessons can boost your speaking skills
Do you get enough speaking practice? I’m guessing not. I’ve mentioned several times that I use conversation lessons when learning foreign languages. But what exactly is a conversation lesson and what...
View ArticleLearn Vietnamese with audio – how to use podcasts to learn Vietnamese
Audio and podcasts are a great way to learn Vietnamese as you don’t have to be sat at a desk or a computer to learn. Unlike video you can listen in the car, while out for a walk or when doing tasks...
View ArticleVietnamese zodiac – introducing the 12 animals of lunar calendar
Each lunar new year in Vietnam is themed with an animal, one of the 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals. Why is this and how does the Vietnamese zodiac system work? Why your birth year is important in Vietnam...
View ArticleAre you practising or improving your listening? What’s the difference?
Can you pick up a language just by listening? I’ve written before that I don’t think it’s very helpful for beginners to start watching Vietnamese TV, hoping to magically pick up the language. If you...
View ArticleThe most important ability for speaking a foreign language
Being a good conversationalist is much more complex than being able to speak a language. Everyone can have a conversation but some people bore you half to death while others are fascinating and fun to...
View ArticleIs it normal to make mistakes speaking Vietnamese?
You might think that mistakes and errors are the same thing, but when it comes to language learning there’s a subtle difference. What is this difference and how does it affect your language studies?...
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