An Amazing Method For Developing Fluency In A Language By Yourself | My Interview Method
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2024
- I've been discussing a lot recently how I often develop a basic level of fluency in a language relatively independently and without necessarily talking to a lot of people. I recently made a video speaking only German to show my progress building that basic fluency in German, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive! 🙏🏼
In today's video, I show you my delightful "podcast interview method" which has been really helpful for me in developing my German fluency, and I'll be doing it in Mandarin Chinese, too!
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Funny. I’m part of a Spanish language exchange that I joined when I moved to a new city. Part of introducing myself was telling the story of how I moved there, my new job, some complications with my family staying in the old town. About six weeks in, a Chilean visited the group, and I gave him the story. He told me how fluent I sounded in Spanish. I said, “well, I’ve been telling this story for weeks!”
Hey Elliott! Haha thanks for sharing your story. I had a similar, funny experience in Japan where I just told people the story of where I'm from and how I learned Japanese so many times, I actually started to speak *too fast* when telling that story and some Japanese people I met would ask in a very shy way, "Can you speak a little more slowly? 😅" That's when I realized I had gotten so comfortable talking about that, I began rattling it off at the speed of light. It was a very interesting and helpful experience!
In your case, you can now imagine building up a little army of topics that you can sound that fluent talking about, and I feel like over time the lines begin to blur and you start to sound really fluent more often than not!
This is an introvert’s dream
Hahahaha
yes.
I want a holodeck like in Star Trek -- unlimited one-on-one time with the greatest teachers and thinkers that have ever lived, with 100% privacy.
(And it wouldn't hurt to modify the program so they look like supermodels, lol)
It’s what I thought!!! How come Robin didn’t come before to my life!!! Thank you very much!!
I've been doing something similar. It's fun and it's powerful and it's become my main output practice. Here are a couple of tweaks you could consider adding:
1) I create a "mood board" around the question, using a whiteboard app. This contains all the unfamiliar vocab, colocations & idioms I've gathered as the topic evolves. I make it visual, using images clipped from the web. Then I can use this as a prompt when I review the topic on a spaced-learning schedule or use it in a Skype conversation. The visual layout draws on the power of locus to help cement the vocabulary.
2) I video myself as I speak. If you're anything like me, this creates a level of stress that helps replicate the stress of a real face-to-face conversation. If I can be fluent in front of a webcam, I can probably do it anywhere!
OMG I do this too and I've always thought that was kinda weird ahah I don't always do an interview, though. One of my favorite methods is what we could call 'the spilling the tea method': sometimes I make up a whole story/telenovela in my mind and then I like to pretend like I'm meeting a friend and I just start gossiping and telling them about that story. It sounds silly, but it's quite useful if I do it everyday for like a week or two for all the reasons that you've mentioned. I'm glad I'm not alone over here :) Great video!
That method sounds helpful and great! I talk to myself in French on the way to work. I express what i see, what i'm doing, and just random thoughts. I record myself so that if I don't know how to express somthing I can listen back to the recording and learn how to say what I was missing. It has become a interesting part of my day🙂
@@1hinitaGénial idée de l'enregistrer ! Merci pour ça. 🙏 🇫🇷
This reminds me of a classroom technique that Paul Nation talks about called "4 3 2" in which one speaks on a (relatively mastered) topic for four minutes, then talks again on the same subject but for just three min, then again just for two min. He pitches it as fluency development because of the time constraint challenging someone to be quicker and more fluid. I think this mock interview technique pushes a lot of the same buttons! I suspect it'd be useful to sometimes do the exercise but, following Nation, to put a shortening time constraint over the course of days!
Heyy @cartweel! Ohh yes that's a good point, it is indeed a very similar principle! Definitely an interesting idea for another flavor of the interview technique, to have shortening time constraints! I think that the two versions could be used as tools for slightly different things. The thing I love about the way I described it in this video is that it promotes a lot of improvisation and exploration into asking/responding in different ways, which I think is really good for developing the ability to improvise and adapt in real conversations. But the idea of adding shortening time constraints over the course of days has those other benefits of putting the pressure on, practicing being more concise, gaining a bit more automaticity perhaps. Thanks for the great thoughts as always!
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms Or you can do it all on the same day, one speech after another. (Paul Nation introduced this as a technique you can use with a teacher, but I suppose this might work as well on your own. Although, I have never actually tried it myself, I think the idea is to receive some sort of feedback after your first pass. Because you have so little time to "replay" your speech, you just incorporate those pieces of advice that are the most helpful and after a second round of feedback, you have time to practice just that stuff that's absolutely crucial and in this way you build automaticity)
I used to do this with students. I'd give them a few minutes to prepare to tell me about something. Then we'd do the 4 - 3 - 2 on that subject, but I would give them about a minute of notes in between. That way I could ensure I helped them correct the mistakes.
I had totally forgotten about this. I should really get a teacher to do that with me at some point. But in the meantime, I dig this method, Robin. I've been doing the same thing, but in a less structured way.
This is actually a great idea. Learning my 5th language, Spanish, and I'll start doing this today. Thank you.
I usually compare two things for instance : "what taste better , coffee or tea", "why?"
Thank you for your videos!!! You're a lifesaver for introvert language learners
I got no idea what brought me to your channel, this is absolutely my first time watching a video of yours, and let me tell you your video is inspiring, I've done a similar technique to yours when I first began learning English, which was basically imagining having unreal conversations in my mind with different people in different situations, but also putting much emphasis on the accent I prefer which's The British Accent.
I have never been to England, I rarely had the opportunity to practice speaking with real people and what I did was only mimic those who speak in films, youtube videos like yours, ensuring at the beginning that they were all British!
And guess what? Just three days ago, a lecturer who happens to be lived & studied in London for several years and after exchanging questions and answers, he complimented my accent in front of the audience, not only this, but he came up to me and asked me where did I learn English and I told him I'm an autodidact and he was like Are you sure?, it was like I got an Emmy Award or A Nobel Prize, I felt euphoric.
And watching this particular video in this particular time of my life is weird though, your words made me realise that this could be a message from God, I hint I that I should continue, reflect on my next steps and make decisive decisions about the languages I'm planning to learn. You see, whilst I was watching your video my uncle called and kept trying convincing me to learn Geman, I assume then, I should give this language chance and put a plan for it! Though I prefer leaning Japanese.
Thank you for sharing this. you really are great. wish me luck.
In all my years of learning this is something new.
This is the exact reason I do a lot of listening to interviews for listening practice 🙃 naturally I also put myself in the position of the person being interviewed and trying to put together answers for myself
Okay this is F*CKING BRILLIANT. Seriously amazing idea. I’ve been studying languages since middle school (I’m 30 now) and this is one of the best pieces of advice/techniques I’ve ever seen! Thank you for sharing this and for all your other videos as well!
I can always understand almost a hundred percent of your speech, thanks a lot for your help in my learning process. I'm a native Spanish speaker trying to learn English and French. Best regards from Mexico.
Amazing. I got here when you were at 14k subscribers. And that was what, like ten days ago? Parabéns, amigo!!
Haha I AM JUST AS SURPRISED 😂 I was actually at 9k subscribers just 20 days ago 🤯 Obrigado cara! Eu agradeço seu apoio!
I love this opening song and soundtrack! I have to admit! You do speak German. I always say that human contact is crucial in language learning. From now on I will have to say “human contact is crucial unless you do like Robin MacPherson” hehe great video buddy!
Heyy Professor X! I’m glad you love my music selections 😄 Thanks for always being supportive and open-minded about my ideas and methods, even when they are a little crazy haha 🙏🏼 Obrigado cara!
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms cara to aprendendo muito contigo! Tu é o professor aqui! Hehe! Just in case “man I’m learning a lot with you! You are the professor here” regards from Brazil 🇧🇷
It's a waY of creating "language islands," areas of comfort that you can speak easily in because you prepared for them.
Yet to actually watch the video but just wanted to say I am SO HAPPY that your subscriber count has exploded! Been watching you since around the 2k mark and it's great to see your channel doing well :D Congrats, Robin!
Heyy Lily! Ahhhh THANK YOU! Isn't this so crazy that this is finally happening!?!? :D I'm very grateful that you've stuck with me this whole time!
I actually started doing this recently because I've been listening to some Cantonese podcasts. It wasn't with the intention to practice my Cantonese though, I just tend to day dream a lot sometimes and pretend that I'm interesting enough to be a podcast guest. 🙈 Good to know that it's a good language practicing method since I"ve been getting pretty rusty.
I've been looking for Cantonese resources! Which podcasts do you listen to? [I am a total beginner!]
@@cartweel I've been listening to '生活小領悟| Iced milk tea & chill' and just started '
不浪漫故事 Not A Romantic Story'. They're not language learning podcasts though. Cantonese is technically my first language but I was born in the US, so it's not my strongest language. Wish I had better resources to recommend. Good luck!
@@lilacmint thanks for the recommendations! even if the podcasts aren't comprehensible to me, I'm sure it'll be nice to tune in and hear people speaking!
I am so glad I found your channel! It has been a huge inspiration to me! I think what is important is having fun with the language. You have demonstrated that in your approaches to whatever language you are learning. I think people need permission to do things by themselves first, and there is a lot you can do by yourself in a language! I am shy in my native language, ; ), so knowing other people are making progress by themselves in a different language is very inspiring. Thanks!
Not language related, but I love your coffee setup. Respect to anyone who has the commitment to putting a La Marzocco (with wood grain finish) in their kitchen.
Currently learning Dutch and Russian right now this helped a lot thanks! Bedankt! Спасибо!
Woohoo I'm glad this was helpful for you Joseph! Keep going! 💪🏼 Graag gedaan & Пожалуйста! 😄
Удачи в изучении русского!😉
Ааааа!!! Как долго ты говоришь?
Привет) Удачи в русском
No to rain on your parade, but my wife is Dutch and she says there is no point in learning it because everyone in Holland speaks English.
I have been talking to myself when I'm alone pretty much my whole life. I never understood why would someone find that uncomfortable. Sure, others sometimes think that I'm a lunatic if they hear me, but who cares.
i do this too but i've never thought of asking the same question all week, that's so helpful!!!!!
Yay I'm happy that you found that last bit to be so helpful! 🥳
I'm learning English, and this will help me a lot .
Woohooo I'm very happy to read that. Good luck with your English! 😄
You clearly are doing well.
This is definitely your best video yet!! (of course, I think that with every video you make)
And that blue cup is my favorite.
Thanks for this great video!
This video was the best gift for my learning career.
I really appreciate your help.
A new fan from Algeria🇩🇿 🙂
Your advice is always so helpful and encouraging!
Such an amazing method,thanks Robin
Such a practical idea! Can’t wait to start. Thanks.
Thank you so much for this video! I was already beginning to talk to myself a lot, but this is such a great idea and I’m going to try it.
You've provided a lot of value sir. Thank you so much for helping me on my fluency journey ❤
Such a good idea Robin! Thanks a lot
Amazing video, Robin. I am definitely going to use this technique. I'm happy to be a part of your subscriber explosion -- less than a week ago you had 5K fewer than now!
I really appreciate your incredible work on the language. I crave watching your YT videos. I take all the advice of you to develop myself. your videos are totally different I couldn't come across especially on this topic. for me, it is very useful. thanks a lot. love you, Robin.
man, you're methods just resonate with me
Very good advise Robin.
Another good way to practice self-expression daily is to describe your day, at the end of the day, in a diary. While you´re writing you should say what you´er jotting down. With a diary you can compare progress across time...after a couple of months you´ll see clearly how your own way of expressing things has improved and how you have naturally adapted to the language with time. It´s a huge motivation booster ...and what you write down is not scripted either.
Super interesting. This podcast interview method is really cool. I’m going to start tomorrow! Thank you 😊
Your videos are so informative and helpful that I have to save them for later watch and find your other videos and watch them all. Thank you very much for your hard work
Man i love your content, thanks for share your methods. I practice my listening hearing you everyday
THANK YOU, Robin. More please.
Very nice! I'll try to do it in my english studying I really loved this tip
I love this idea! Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely be signposting my students to your page. :)
Thanks Robin,
Repeating the same question all week is a very inspiring idea.
I did it every day with the changing subject.
It didn't work at all ...
Your experience and enthusiasm give us the strength to try again ...
Thanks a lot for this ... !!!
Thank you for your sharers! Merci ! I love your mindset !! I'll test this method for sure !
This is so simple and yet so effective! I did a speaking challenge a few months ago that was similar and I found I became much more fluid and comfortable in my languages. But I like your idea of practicing the same question over and over as I do indeed struggle with unscripted speech.
Also that coffee set-up is fantastic! I don't even start studying until I've sat down with a nice fresh cup of coffee ☕☕😁
Thanks for all the practical advice!
Some really good suggestions, thanks for the share.
That's interesting. From experience, I know it actually works. I used to do something similar when I first started speaking spanish, trying to just introduce myself, and I was able to see that not only you learn more complexed ways to say what you want and new vocabulary by updating the story, but also you get more comfortable speaking.
I think it's time to start doing it again, this time as Robin said, changing "interview questions" every week.
Was für eine schöne Idee! Danke sehr!
Thank you very much Robin, with this video I have learned more than in my school. I from Peru. I love your content
I'm so glad I found your channel, I'm learning English and your videos has helped me a lot, thanks!
It's wonderful to read that my channel is helping you, Magerlly! Keep up the great work! 😄💪🏼
Thanks a lot for this man, it’s awesome and extremely helpful!!
You're very welcome Adam! I'm really glad you found this to be helpful!
I started doing this already. it removes the anxiety when you eventually speak to a live person because that initial emptiness you get when you feel like you do not have the words, you experience that in the comfort of your home without the embarrassment. It is also amazing how fluent you are by the end of the week. Thanks for the video
Loved the idea🤩
I’m happy you loved it! ☺️✨
Great tips!
It reminds me of the time I was learning English, constantly making up virtual conversations in my mind.
I love that you give each topic a week so that you have enough time to build your vocabulary and set phrases to gain confidence.
Me tooooo!!😍
Thank you! Sounds like an amazing method! Can't wait to try it.
Also, an additional good idea would be to record yourself so you'll be able to hear it afterwards and correct accent for next times.
If you work with notion for maintaining the words / phrases you don't know, you can also embed the audio in the same page!
Wow! Thank you very much for sharing!
Hi Robin!
cool method, once i get a little more into my russian I definitely will try it!!
By the way, you should record yourself applying the method, it would be great!
C u on Friday!!
Great idea! Thank you!
Wow, Robin, I love the new techie parts of this video! I noticed that this incorporates the use of "language islands", which I learned about from watching your channel. 😃 I wonder if it's better to be beyond beginner to try this (I think so), so not yet for me. This is an interesting and very helpful video! 💕 ❤️
@@cndcpwll Thank you
Wow this is a great idea, I’m going to start doing this!
Beneidenswert sind besonders die vielfaeltigen Satzkonstruktionen und natuerlich die Aussprache. Viel Erfolg weiterhin! Mīt herzlichen Gruessen - eine ehemalige Germanistiksudentin, jetzt Englischlehrerin
Das kann ich nur unterschreiben!
I love this so much. It feels like you've stripped the process of learning to speak to its core, and made it really easy to practice without having to travel to another country or deal with complicated language exchanges.
Is there a list of "interview questions" that you recommend? Probably makes sense to hit the main things people talk about - work, family, school, hobbies, favorite books and music - but wondering if you have a list of topics with the depth of your coffee question (6:44). Really nice how your coffee question has a lot of meat to it.
This is such a brilliant idea, kudos man
Thank you, I'm really glad you like it! 😄🙏🏼
This is terrific advice. Thank you very much sir.
This is absolutely brilliant 😁 I am definitely going to do this. Thank you so much
Woohooo I'm so glad to read that! I hope this will be effective for you - keep up the great work!! 😄💪🏼
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms thank you so much - I think this will be a game changer.
I’m the type that understands everything and can read books in my target language but when it comes to speaking I just seem to mute myself somehow 😕 so I honestly think this could be what I needed to actually get started and speak 💪
Currently brushing up on my mandarin and trying to pick up German!:)
Diese Methode klingt wirklich interessant! Ich werde das probierien werden, vor allem in den kommenden Tagen. Seit neun Monaten habe ich Deutsche gelernt und...
Excellent idea! I will definitely try it
Awesome, thanks Steven! Let me know how it goes 😄🙏🏼
Hey there I hope you're doing well 😊 actually I have been using this method for 2 years now and I'd be happy to try your framework !
Thank you, I will practice this. enjoy your coffee!
This is genius and helps with continuous progress of learning a language by yourself 🙏🏼 ☺️
Loved this video!!! Your advice is definitely some of the best.
Ahh thank you Jorge, it's really encouraging to read that!!
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms My pleasure. I own a start-up English School for international students and your videos are perfect for our professional development for faculty. Let me know how we can further support your work.
Mistakes are necessary , we must accept them . Great video Robin . When I used to walk my dog, I learned my conjugations whilst he was bounding across the fields after a pheasant or a rabbit maybe. And I used to have such conversations with myself. It's a very useful tool, thanks muchly for reminding me to use it.
Wonderful advice here!
Jonathan! Thank you mate, it’s always good to see your comments!
Thank you! I improve my English and learn Franch, so your video give me motivation!
I habe been doiing this all my life. It works perfectly for me
Just found this video (amongst your massive library), am about to try this right now! ^_^
Woohoo I hope you love it and it works well for you!! 🔥 Please keep me posted 😄
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms Just tried it! There's A LOT i don't know how to say. But I recorded myself doing it, so maybe I will write out those words where I got completely lost and see how I go next time I record my 'interview'
Hi Robin!
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome method. Actually l discovered it by myself quite recently, of course with a bit of difference from yours. Anyway, l got from you lots of information that hopefully will help me to improve my fluency and fix the bugs of my approach to this moment.
Greetings from Russia. Have a nice day!
Thanks a lot for the vid! 👍
You're welcome Véronique ! I appreciate your support! 😄
Great advice! Thank#!
You’re welcome!! Thanks for commenting 🙏🏼
That's actually such a good idea, thanks a lot! I will start that exercise on monday with spanish and see how it goes :) And a video where you use the method for a week or longer would be very interesting to see, as well! (as a german, I'm also impressed by the speaking skills you developed by youself, we know it's a difficult language :D)
If you like to sing in the shower, try singing in your target language. You can find simple songs with videos on TH-cam with or without lyrics in your native language. One of my go-to German songs is "Geile Zeit" by Juli.
I do that music really helps with my vocabulary and how to pronounce them and how to form sentences. I've took Spanish for 6 years I'm not that confident in my speaking with people still but I can read and write.
After 5 years of failing to figure out what was keeping my Spanish fluency back, this is basically the same method that I started using after reframing and reanalyzing the issue. But I only started doing it a few weeks ago, and I basically use random essay prompts instead, even if they’re really outside my comfort zone. I deliberately force myself to create an opinion, sometimes starting in English first because it’s drastically easier to formulate my opinions in English. And I do think it works, but I haven’t done it for long enough to see the results yet. But seeing that it has worked for you, it makes me excited for the future of my Spanish fluency.
Thank you for confirming what I had hypothesized. 😄
Excellent tip, Robin, as always! Looking forward to Friday's video, of course...
*looks up how to say "connective tissue" in French*
Thank you, Aggie! I'm really glad you liked it. And I realized while editing the video that I did say "connective tissue" quite a lot haha! But that is quite an interesting one, "tissu conjonctif"! 😄
Thank you, Robin. This is fascinating. I will try this and get back to you.During COVID-19, it’s impossible to go talk to German speakers, so I am alone. Definitely will try this method!!!😃😃😃😃😃
I actually do this lol. I tell people that I talk to myself but I don't ever go in depth lol.However, I pretend that I am a celebrity ( Actor, Singer ...usw und sofort). So, on the days when no one is home to interrupt, I dress up and put a little bit of makeup on (Yes. Gotta make it believable 😁 ) and talk about my lastest single or a new roll that i'm playing in a movie 😂. I also talk about the people who inspire me or like Rihanna for example. She is from Barbados (my home land) and she is major!
Hi Robin! I'm trying to improve my English speaking and writing skills and you help me a lot. Thank you very much! This can be a difficult process when you don't have a native speaker for practising the language. Congratulation for your great job! ;)
I love these videos!
Great idea !
Woohooo I'm glad you like it! 😄
Right now i'm learning german A2 and working on my english fluency that was helpfull thank you
WOW, WOW...WOW!. I need this. Thank you sooo much!.
Ahh I’m so glad this was helpful for you Teresita! You’re veryyy welcome! 😄🙏🏼
Earlier this morning, I was remembering in French how much I hated classical music. Then everything changed until I saw the movie 'Amadeus' as part of my Music Appreciation course at the university I studied.
I am sticking to my French question/answer to the topic mentioned above and every day I kind of add some more content to my answer. Feels good and I can't be happy enough :)
"Crazy idea" and that's the beauty of it.
sper helpful video. Hope many see this.
Awesome method!
Love this technique because it reinforces a practice that I came up with on my own. I write out conversations I would like to have with my brother who is fluent in Spanish. I look up the words that I don't know and I check the grammar in Google. The thing I haven't done is to practice variations of the conversation nor do I speak it out loud. What I like about this technique is that hopefully my Spanish won't be so slow and broken that we switch to English at the first sign of distress.
nice format - sounds interesting. Do you have any other podcast recommendations?
You are so great 👌❤
Happy wednesday! I was waiting for your video (since this morning) but I had to work ...hahaha ... Gracias por este nuevo tip, te felicito por tu progreso en alemán, espero poder tener mas tiempo para desarrollar la fluidez que necesito en este bello idioma... have a good night!
Heyyy Annie! Ahh sorry that today's video came out later than usual 🥺 I was trying a lot of new things with today's video, like new editing tricks to make it look nicer and more professional, but it took me a looooooong time, I was editing nearly all day 😂🙈 Pero muchas gracias por esperarme todo el día! Intentaré llegar mucho antes la próxima vez. Estoy emocionado de seguir probando nuevas pequeñas mejoras en mis videos 😄 (I'm excited to continue trying to make lots of small improvements to my videos? Hope I got that right! 🤔)
@@RobinMacPhersonFilms que bueno! si es cierto... tus videos se ven cada vez mejor y me gusta que varies la música y el escenario. Es muy profesional lo que haces, gracias por escribir en ambos idiomas, así mejoro mi inglés... no te preocupes que yo sé que haces todo el esfuerzo para hacer tus publicaciones... thank you!
Please, we want a video about how to transform our passive vocabulary to active vocabulary, thanks.
I think the method in this video could actually be really helpful for transforming your passive vocabulary to active! You could take some topics that you have good passive knowledge in and then ask yourself interview questions around them each week. That would definitely help to activate a lot of your vocabulary 😄
Very nice 👍👍