In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle from We Cultivate—a trainer, podcast host, and multilingual communicator helping advanced English users communicate more effectively in global workplaces.

We talk about:

• Why fluent speakers can still struggle to be understood
• The “native speaker fallacy” and why it’s so pervasive
• How identity and culture shape the way we use language
• Questions to ask when choosing a language coach or trainer
• The importance of taking ownership of your learning journey

Whether you're working in another language or supporting learners who are, this conversation is a thought-provoking look at what really matters in communication.

Follow Michelle here:

Instagram and Threads: wecultivate.world

Website: wecultivate.world

Substack: The Communication Shift

Resources and links:

Explore our language learning journals and resources on Amazon.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads for new journal prompts every Thursday!

If you enjoyed this episode, please:

✔️ Subscribe to Love to Lingo

✔️ Share this episode with a fellow language learner

✔️ Leave a review—it helps us reach more learners like you!

Happy Language Learning! 🤍

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Want to improve your fluency but don’t have a speaking partner? No problem! In this episode of Love to Lingo, we explore two powerful self-study techniques that will help you think faster, speak more naturally, and build confidence in your target language without needing someone to practice with.

You'll learn

• Why building fluency own your own might be necessary (and beneficial)
• What "fluency" really means
• Two self-study techniques you can try

Question for you: How do you define fluency? Have you tried these self-study techniques? Share your thoughts with the Love to Lingo community! Send us your thoughts on voice message on Instagram and we might share it on a future episode.

Resources and links:

Explore our language learning journals and resources on Amazon.

Follow us on Instagram and Threads for new journal prompts every Thursday!

If you enjoyed this episode, please:

✔️ Subscribe to Love to Lingo

✔️ Share this episode with a fellow language learner

✔️ Leave a review—it helps us reach more learners like you!

Happy Language Learning! 🤍

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language connects us in many ways, and sometimes it serves as a bridge to our family roots. In this episode, we welcome Yazmin Infante Peña, also known as the Recovering No Sabo Kid, to discuss the journey of reconnecting with a heritage language and the unique cultural significance it carries. Yazmin shares her personal experience growing up with Spanish as a heritage language, the challenges of reclaiming it, and the societal expectations surrounding heritage speakers.

Get in touch with Yazmin here:

Recovering No Sabo Kid

Instagram: Recovering No Sabo Kid

LinkedIn Yazmin Infante Peña

If you are a heritage language speaker, I’d love to hear your story! Send me an audio or text message via Instagram or the contact details at lovetolingo.com and we might share your story on a future episode!

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Have you ever felt your language learning routine slipping away? You’re not alone—I’ve been there too. In this episode, I’m reflecting on how to set a strong foundation for a sustainable and effective language learning practice in 2025.

We’ll talk about:

• Why aligning activities with your language level is essential for success.
• Two key elements every intermediate learner should include in their routine:
• Practical tips to make your routine engaging and sustainable.

Ready to Start Fresh in 2025?

Join Fresh Foundations, my free program starting January 1st (but you can join any time!). Each weekday in January, I’ll share a quick, 15-30 minute activity to help you build a routine that fits your life and gets real results. "Let’s start strong and make 2025 the year you build a sustainable routine that works for you.

Click here to join.

Stay Connected:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend, classmate, or colleague!

Follow Along:

• Instagram and Threads: @LoveToLingo
• Substack: Love to Lingo
• Visit LoveToLingo.com for beautifully designed resources to keep your language learning organized, motivating, and rewarding.

Happy language learning!🤍

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What if there was a secret ingredient for language learning success? For years, I searched for it. Was it motivation, talent or something else entirely? What I discovered changed my entire approach to language and language teaching. In this episode, I share what I found and how it might transform your approach to language learning.

Ryan, R. M. and Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions, Contemporary Educational Psychology [online] 25:54-67. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1020

• Have you experienced a moment in your language learning journey where you realized you were doing well?
• What affect did that have on your journey?

Please, send us an audio DM or a written message on our Instagram or Threads page. You can find us on both as @lovetolingo.

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Have you ever felt that wave of panic when it’s your turn to speak in another language? You know what you want to say, but your mind goes blank, and suddenly it’s as if you’ve forgotten every word you’ve ever learned. And what might be even worse, this panic could lead you to decide to give up on using the language you’ve spent so much time and effort learning.

Today we are talking with Kaylea Russell about how to build our confidence so we can speak without fear.

You can find Kaylea at kaylearussell.com or on LinkedIn.

• Check out Ruth Pringle's great "quick sketches" activity on LinkedIn.
• Take a look at Bethany Anderson's advice for giving learners a difficult listening activities.
• Hear more about how Michelle from Cultivate's grandparents have inspired on Instagram.
• If you're an ex-pat teacher or learning another language, I encourage you to follow Mark with The Prepared Expat on Threads.
• And finally, check out the teaching and learning tips from Tell Me Some English on Instagram.

• How have you managed to get out of your language comfort zone?
• How have you helped learners become confident language users?

Please, send us an audio DM or a written message on our Instagram or Threads page. You can find us

on both as @lovetolingo.

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Remember that friend in school who seemed to pick up languages without any problem? On this very first episode of Love to Lingo, we'll uncover the strategies that she was probably using to make her language learning look effortless.

• Do you or your learners use this strategy?
• How could you try out or encourage your learner to use this strategy?
• Are there any strategies that aren't on this list?

We'd love to hear your answers to those questions. Please, send us an audio DM or a written message on our Instagram or Threads page. You can find us

on both as @lovetolingo.

Rubin, J. (1975). What the “Good Language Learner” Can Teach Us. TESOL Quarterly, 9(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586011

Interactive Transcript here.

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Become the best language learner and teacher possible by following our new podcast: Love to Lingo!

Find us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/lovetolingo/.

Happy Language Learning!

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