StoryLearning Podcast

Olly Richards
  • 4.9 (244)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Got a burning language learning question? I’m Olly Richards and I've learned 8 languages through stories. Every Wednesday, I answer your questions and chat to world-class language experts. Whether you're learning Spanish, German, Japanese, or something else, tune in for insider tips and practical strategies to get fluent fast. Each week you get: - Answers to your biggest language learning challenges - Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress - Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.

  1. 519: How to learn kanji FAST (do this or keep struggling)

    4D AGO

    519: How to learn kanji FAST (do this or keep struggling)

    👉 Get your FREE Grammar and Vocab Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/study_kanji In this episode, I tackle a question from four years ago, but the topic is as relevant as ever: how to learn Japanese kanji. There are strong opinions online about the best way to learn Japanese, kanji included. I share my experience from learning Japanese in Japan and what I would do if I could start learning kanji over again. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

    16 min
  2. 518: NEVER use flashcards - learn vocabulary this way instead

    JAN 28

    518: NEVER use flashcards - learn vocabulary this way instead

    👉 Get your FREE Grammar and Vocab Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/free_vocab In this episode,  we're revisiting a topic that I feel we'll be talking about until the end of time.  The sun's going to expand to engulf the Earth and we're all going to be frazzled up like sausages and I'll be there until the end talking about this topic, which is flashcards. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question Link mentioned in this episode: What Really Matters in Vocabulary Acquisition?: https://gianfrancoconti.com/2025/04/26/what-really-matters-in-vocabulary-acquisition-a-ranked-analysis-of-key-influencing-factors/ 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

    18 min
  3. 517: How to learn a language without sacrificing your life

    JAN 21

    517: How to learn a language without sacrificing your life

    👉 Get your FREE StoryLearning Blueprint: https://l.storylearning.com/learn_stories In this episode of the StoryLearning podcast I chat to my good friend and fellow language enthusiast John Fotheringham, creator of Anywhere Immersion. John has been blogging and podcasting about language learning since 2009 and his podcast (formerly the Language Mastery Podcast) was the first one I ever went on! Now he's returning the favour by coming on this refreshed video version of my podcast to talk about language immersion, how he's using AI to learn languages and more. Links mentioned in this episode: Anywhere Immersion: https://www.anywhereimmersion.com Teacher AI: https://l.storylearning.com/teacherAI Olly’s interview on John’s podcast in 2020: https://www.anywhereimmersion.com/blog/olly-richards-returns More about today's guest: John Fotheringham is a linguist, teacher, and author of Master Japanese and Master Mandarin. Want to learn a language without moving abroad? His Anywhere Immersion Method (A.I.M.) teaches you how to create a full language immersion environment right where you live. From beginner basics to advanced fluency, he provides the roadmap you need to master a new language right at home. Download his free Quickstart Immersion Guide at AnywhereImmersion.com to learn how to immerse yourself in any language, anywhere, anytime. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

    39 min
  4. 516: Should I test my language level?

    JAN 14

    516: Should I test my language level?

    👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/test_goals Should you bother taking language proficiency tests like IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) or the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)? Two listeners asked me the similar questions about exams. As a former IELTS examiner and as someone who took the JLPT, I’ve got thoughts on the matter! 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

    9 min
  5. 515: The easiest way to remember new words when speaking

    JAN 7

    515: The easiest way to remember new words when speaking

    👉 Grab your FREE Grammar and Vocabulary Study Sheet: https://l.storylearning.com/vocab_sheet  Today we've got a question that is going to strike to the heart of every single language learner listening to this podcast: why can’t I remember the words I know when I’m speaking? It’s something we all struggle with and it’s perfectly normal. In this video, I share 3 techniques to help you overcome it. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

    11 min
  6. 514: This simple reading habit will 10x your vocabulary

    12/31/2025

    514: This simple reading habit will 10x your vocabulary

    👉Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/reading-goals Want to pick up vocabulary naturally while exploring topics that interest you? I've got the perfect the solution and I lay it all out in this episode, including how I used this habit myself to expand my Japanese vocab about a rather specialised topic. 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

    10 min
  7. 513: The harsh truth about advanced fluency

    12/24/2025

    513: The harsh truth about advanced fluency

    👉 Grab your FREE Language Goal Planner: https://l.storylearning.com/free-goals I don't aim for C2 in the languages I'm learning and I don't think you should either. But it is possible to get there with a lot, and I mean a lot, of time and effort. So, the real question is, is it worth it? 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info#storylearning #learnthroughstories

    17 min
  8. 512: The ONE language rule you should ALWAYS break

    12/17/2025

    512: The ONE language rule you should ALWAYS break

    👉Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources: https://l.storylearning.com/binge-resources Can you really perfect your accent to the point where no-one knows you're not a native speaker? You can get close, even as an adult, but the real question is - is it actually worth the time and effort? Link mentioned in this episode: Speaking Accent-Free in L2 Beyond the Critical Period: The Compensatory Role of Individual Abilities and Opportunity Structures (Applied Linguistics, Volume 41, Issue 5, October 2020, Pages 787–809, https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amz029) 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask_Olly_your_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning_VIP_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

    15 min
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4.9
out of 5
244 Ratings

About

Got a burning language learning question? I’m Olly Richards and I've learned 8 languages through stories. Every Wednesday, I answer your questions and chat to world-class language experts. Whether you're learning Spanish, German, Japanese, or something else, tune in for insider tips and practical strategies to get fluent fast. Each week you get: - Answers to your biggest language learning challenges - Story-based techniques to accelerate your progress - Tried and tested tips from my 25+ years of experience No flashcards or memorisation. Just story-based learning that actually works.

Information

  • Creator
    Olly Richards
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    394
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Olly Richards
  • Show Website
    StoryLearning Podcast

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