Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann
Steve Kaufmann, a polyglot who speaks 20 languages and has been learning languages for over 50 years, shares his experiences and approach to language learning. He discusses what he enjoys about learning languages and covers various topics related to language. The podcast aims to inspire anyone who loves languages or has been discouraged by past experiences, emphasizing that anyone can learn a language with the right attitude and approach.
Episodes
How to Understand Native Speakers in Any Language
When I start a language like Persian or Arabic, at first it's just noise. I can't even tell where one word ends and the next begins. So I listen first, every morning, while I make breakfast or do my exercises. I listen to a short story two or three times, move on to the next one, and come back to it later. Do you start a new language with listening or reading?
I Thought These Languages Would Be Easy. I Was Wrong
Portuguese should be easy for me. I speak Spanish, and the vocabulary, grammar and word order are almost the same. But when I go to speak Portuguese, Spanish keeps getting in the way. I had the same experience moving from Japanese to Korean, and with Persian words hiding in Arabic. Have you ever found a "similar" language harder than you expected?
How to Choose the Right Content for Language Learning
What makes language learning content easy? It's not about knowing 97% of the words. That's the goal, not where you start. What helps me most is repetition, short sentences, clear audio, and above all, content I'm genuinely interested in. What kind of content made a new language finally click for you?
Should you learn low-frequency words? My approach as a polyglot
Many learners are told to focus on the 1,000 most common words and stop there. I've never done that. In Arabic I now have over 35,000 known words at LingQ, and while I can't use most of them yet, they let me follow podcasts on history and politics and discuss difficult subjects with my tutor. A big vocabulary is my potential in the language. Do you stick to common words, or do you push yourself to
You don’t need a perfect language learning routine
Some of my best language learning material came from a random book I pulled off my library shelf. A history of Portugal, a book about Prague, a Swedish novel. A little Portuguese here, a little Czech there, a little Swedish, and it all adds up, like snow that slowly covers the ground. You don’t always need two free hours to make progress. What’s the most useful thing you’ve found by accident while
Why You Can Speak a Language But Still Can’t Understand It
Someone told me they can speak their second language but cannot understand what people say back to them. I know this one well, because my wife can hold a social conversation in French and Spanish while missing most of what she hears. The fix is not more speaking practice, it is a much wider base of listening and reading. Comprehension is what lets you talk about more than a handful of familiar sub
Do This if You Understand But Can't Speak
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 follow the familiar topics they hear again and again. And they have made "I can't speak" part of their identity, so every meeting they sit through in silence confirms it. Which language
The best way to read in another language
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 next time through. I go over the same content again and again, and each time I pick up something I missed before. Do you push through content you only half understand, or do you wai
Spain vs Latin America: how different is their Spanish?
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 are in Mexico, Colombia or Spain, and most of what really changes is slang, rhythm and a couple of consonants. I have found that after a day or two in a new country you stop heari
Why paper books beat screens for learning (backed by research)
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 matters to me. The research is fairly clear that we retain more from paper than from a screen, and I think the reason is simple. When it is just you and the book in your hands, there is
Why your reasons NOT to learn a language are just EXCUSES
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 is too hard, and they changed our class this year. Every one of those puts the problem somewhere outside the person saying it. I lived in Hong Kong where nobody spoke Mandarin and I
Why reading in some languages is harder than in others
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 read those online where I can hear the word pronounced. The writing system changes the whole shape of my routine. Which language has been the hardest for you to read?
9 habits that are KILLING your progress in a new language
Friction is what reduces our enjoyment of language learning, so in this video I go through the nine forms it takes and what I do about each one.
How I learn grammar without studying grammar rules
Should you focus on words or grammar? Here's how I approach grammar as an input-based learner, and why most corrections never stick.
How I'm getting my Portuguese ready for Portugal
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.
Stop forcing yourself to remember vocabulary. Do this instead
Today I want to talk about the fifth language skill — the one nobody teaches alongside reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and the one that might matter just as much.
The sweet spot that makes you enjoy learning (and how to find it)
Today I want to talk about the state of flow — that feeling of being completely absorbed in what you're doing — and how you can use it to become a better language learner.
Why I DON’T use spaced repetition to learn vocabulary
Vocabulary is the clearest measure of your level in any language, so here is how I acquire and review words, and why I skip most of the popular methods.
Languages or Sudoku? The better choice for a healthy brain
At 80, I'm still learning languages every day, and I'm convinced it does more for your brain than any Sudoku puzzle ever could.
Don’t LEAVE your comfort zone, MOVE it
Everyone says you have to leave your comfort zone to learn a language, but is it really true?
I learned Chinese in 1968. Here's how I would do it now
I started learning Mandarin in 1968 with flashcards and reel-to-reel tapes, and here is what I would do differently today.
Why SLOW IS BETTER in language learning
Today I want to talk about learning slowly — and why if you accept that learning a language takes time, learning slowly actually gets you there faster.
Why reading is the KILLER APP for language learning
After an hour of focused reading in Persian, I felt my grasp of the language jump forward, and it reminded me why reading is the most powerful tool we have for acquiring a new language.
Can we learn to sound native in another language?
Most adult language learners are chasing a goal they're unlikely to reach, and I want to share what I think we should focus on instead.
The 3 stages of comprehension every language learner goes through
There are three stages of comprehension in any new language. Early on, you barely understand anything — and that's fine. The goal at that stage isn't comprehension; it's letting your brain pick up the patterns. Then comes the long middle stretch where you're learning words but listening still feels patchy, until one day you notice you understand more than you used to. Where are you right now?
Answering the most common questions about learning Arabic
I've been chipping away at Arabic for years, and I recently sat down with Hasan Alhamwi, the founder of Arabic All The Time. He left a career in civil engineering to build the largest library of Arabic comprehensible input on the internet. We talked about why videos beat textbooks for Arabic, when learners should finally start reading, and whether all those dialects are really one language or many
3 ways to find more time for language learning
I asked AI what the most important element in language learning is, and the answer surprised me — here's why it comes down to time.
Want to speak another language? Learn from Europeans
Every time I watch interviews from places like Budapest, I'm struck by how well young Europeans speak English. It isn't because their schools suddenly got better — I don't think classroom instruction has changed much at all. What changed is access. The internet, social media, YouTube, and streaming platforms mean people are surrounded by English all day, and that lowers the friction while raising
Why massive input beats flashcards every time
Flashcards feel like progress. But are they actually helping you learn a language — or just keeping you busy?
CEO studied French for 6 years and still can’t speak it. This is why
The CEO of Air Canada spent 550 hours studying French over six years — and still couldn't speak it. Here's why traditional language learning fails, and what actually works.
The pros and cons of Duolingo
Duolingo has 135 million users — but most of them aren't using it as the gateway to real language learning that it can be.
I learned Japanese in 1971. Here’s how I would do it now
After learning Japanese in Tokyo in 1971 and speaking it for over 50 years, I share the five things I'd do differently today.
Is AI about to make education worse?
AI is transforming every industry — but if education doesn't rethink its broken model first, AI will just make a flawed system faster.
The 3-part routine that helped me learn 20+ languages
In this video, I share my science-based daily language learning routine and break down why it works.
Brain rot is real. Fight it with language learning
In this video, I explore the phenomenon of brain rot and how language learning can help you combat it.
The grammar trap: 5 mistakes most learners make
In this video, I break down five common grammar misconceptions that hold language learners back.
Feeling STUCK in a language? Here's why
In this video, I explain why focusing less on improving the language itself and more on learning something genuinely interesting can be the key to finally reaching fluency.
Is German really that hard to learn?
In this video, I break down common difficulties German learners have and what you can do about them.
How Stoicism can help you learn a new language
In this video, I explore how (and whether) Stoic philosophy can be applied to language learning.
5 things I wish I knew when I started learning languages
Today I'm sharing 5 things I wish I knew when I was just starting to learn languages.
Fun vs focus: why you need both to become fluent
In this video, I compare intensity and perseverance in language learning and explain why both matter.
My 2025 in languages: reflections and plans for 2026
Happy New Year! In this video, I reflect on 2025 and share my goals for 2026.
How to finally learn a language in 2026 (the 4 Cs method)
In this video, I share my four C's—the things that have helped me learn 20 languages over the years.
5 ways to improve your comprehension using AI
In this video, I talk about how language learners can combine their interests with the power of AI to create comprehensible input.
Spanish vs English: which language is easier?
In this video, I sit down with Kyle from @pensandoingles6884 to talk about the struggles English and Spanish learners face, learning through comprehensible input, and how AI-generated content can support language learning.
What speaking 8 languages actually looks like (feat. @gabrielunlocks)
What speaking 8 languages actually looks like (feat. @gabrielunlocks) by Steve Kaufmann
Do we still need language teachers in the age of AI?
In this video, I discuss the possibilities and limitations of AI for language learning.
5 tips to improve your French pronunciation
In this video, I walk you through my best tips for improving your French pronunciation.
The thing that helped me learn 20 languages (it’s not discipline)
In this video, I talk about why curiosity is the biggest driver in my own language learning — and what the research says about it.
Le français au Québec, mythes et realité
Join me for a conversation with Geneviève Breton, a passionate French teacher from Quebec, recorded during my trip to the province in October. We talked about language, culture, and what makes learning French in Quebec so unique.
Want to learn faster? Reduce cognitive load
In this video, I discuss the cognitive load theory and how it can be applied to language learning to make it easier and more enjoyable.
Apprendre une langue, c’est s’y habituer
Dans cette vidéo, j’explique pourquoi l’apprentissage des langues est souvent rendu plus difficile qu’il ne devrait l’être, et comment arrêter de le compliquer inutilement.
Why it’s never been EASIER to learn a language
In this video I explain why it's never been easier to learn another language.
Ex–Green Beret explains how U.S. military learns languages
In this video, I talk with Jon Hamilton, a former Green Beret, about language learning and how physical training relates to mastering new languages.
DON'T overcomplicate language learning
In this video, I explain why language learning is often made harder than it needs to be and how to stop overcomplicating it.
Grammar drills won’t make you fluent. Here’s what will
In this video I discuss the importance of noticing in language learning and whether it's something we can deliberately train.
You can’t get fluent in a language without this
In this video, I talk about automaticity in language learning—why it matters for speaking and how you can develop it.
Fluency isn’t linear (and that’s a good thing!)
In this video I discuss how the complexity theory can be applied to language learning and how even the smallest interaction can make a big difference.
What golf taught me about language learning
In this video, I share advice I received from pro golfer Drew Jones that I believe will help anyone learning languages.
FOUR easy steps to remembering vocabulary
In this video, I talk about what it really means to “know” a word, why forgetting is normal, and the simple steps I use to remember and retrieve vocabulary.
Want to get fluent? Focus on daily habits
In this video, I share how we can use the concept of leading and lagging indicators to set better goals in language learning.
Language learning can make you HAPPIER. Here’s how
In this video, I discuss 4 ways in which learning languages can make us happier.
3 things to do when you’re in a learning slump
Struggling with language learning motivation? Here are 3 tips to get back on track.
Why motivation fades (and how I deal with it)
In this video, I explain why our motivation to learn a language can fade—and how shifting your mindset can help you stay focused on long-term progress.
How to decide which language to learn
In this video, I talk about how we choose which language to learn—and what factors are worth considering.
Will ChatGPT make us forget how to think? Not if you use it right
Will ChatGPT make us forget how to think? Not if you use it right by Steve Kaufmann
Struggle with language anxiety? Try this approach
Language anxiety is real, but you can beat it. This simple formula helps.
AI won’t REPLACE language learning, but it WILL CHANGE it
In this video, I share why I'm optimistic about the future of language learning and how we can use tools like ChatGPT or NotebookLM to create our own learning materials.
Why I skip language drills (even though everyone recommends them)
In this video, I talk about the role of questions in language learning—when they’re helpful, and when they can actually get in the way of enjoyable, low-stress learning.
Why I’m still learning languages in my 70s
In this video, I talk about how memory changes as we age and what that means for older adults learning languages.
Comfortable but not fluent: my honest Persian update
In this video, I talk about my experience learning Persian as well as the challenges and successes I’ve had along the way.
How I'm using NotebookLM to power up my language learning
In this video, I share my impressions of Google's NotebookLM and discuss how I'm planning to use it for language learning.
Why I don’t trust language tests (and neither should you)
In this video, I talk about why I’m skeptical of language tests and their ability to accurately assess someone’s language level.
Intensive vs. extensive reading: which is better?
Intensive vs. extensive reading: which is better? by Steve Kaufmann
Understand everything but still can't speak? Watch this
In this video, I talk about the challenge of understanding more than you can say, and share strategies for turning passive vocabulary into active vocabulary.
My 7 tips for staying motivated when learning a language
In this video, I talk about key ideas from Jeff Haden’s book The Motivation Myth and share my take on how motivation really works in language learning.
STOP chasing perfection and START making progress
In this video I talk about why perfectionism has no place in language learning and how our brains actually use mistakes to learn.
Focusing on the most common words WON’T make you fluent
In this video, I discuss the importance of acquiring low-frequency vocabulary and share my approach to learning less common words.
Don’t compare yourself to other language learners (do this instead)
In this video, I talk about how comparison can either inspire or discourage you when learning a language — and how I approach it to make sure my motivation doesn’t suffer.
Anime, LingQ, and motivation: how @BijuuMike is learning Japanese
In this video, I talk with Mike—a Japanese learner and LingQ user—about the challenges of learning Japanese and his personal journey.
