48 episodes

Do you love languages? Do you teach languages? Do you love to learn languages? Would you like to learn another language and want to find out how to do it without spending a ton of money or time you don’t have? If so, then the 5-Week Linguist Show is for you.



Every week, there'll be a new audio or video, talking all about tips, shortcuts, and the research on how to learn any language you want from anywhere in the world, with time you already have. Learn how to turn every 5-week interval into progress towards fluency in a language.



My name is Janina Klimas. I've been teaching languages for more than two decades. I have a BA in Theater Arts and Foreign Languages, and an MA in the teaching of languages. I speak six languages to varying levels of fluency. I've lived on three continents as a language teacher. I've been an English instructor at Sejong University, director of their language immersion program, and taught languages to people ranging from preschool, K-12, university and language for specific purposes. I've taught Spanish and English for many years. I've continued to learn and study additional languages on my own with new activities every 5 weeks. I’ve discovered a lot of resources over the years that I share with you here.



I am so excited for you to be joining me each week here!

The 5-Week Linguist Show: Seasons 1, 2 and 3 The 5-Week Linguist Show: Seasons 1, 2 and 3

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

Do you love languages? Do you teach languages? Do you love to learn languages? Would you like to learn another language and want to find out how to do it without spending a ton of money or time you don’t have? If so, then the 5-Week Linguist Show is for you.



Every week, there'll be a new audio or video, talking all about tips, shortcuts, and the research on how to learn any language you want from anywhere in the world, with time you already have. Learn how to turn every 5-week interval into progress towards fluency in a language.



My name is Janina Klimas. I've been teaching languages for more than two decades. I have a BA in Theater Arts and Foreign Languages, and an MA in the teaching of languages. I speak six languages to varying levels of fluency. I've lived on three continents as a language teacher. I've been an English instructor at Sejong University, director of their language immersion program, and taught languages to people ranging from preschool, K-12, university and language for specific purposes. I've taught Spanish and English for many years. I've continued to learn and study additional languages on my own with new activities every 5 weeks. I’ve discovered a lot of resources over the years that I share with you here.



I am so excited for you to be joining me each week here!

    Tips for Learning a Language: Things we Don’t Love

    Tips for Learning a Language: Things we Don’t Love

    Welcome to the 5-Week Linguist Show. Today, we are in the fifth week of five weeks of pleasurable language learning week, and we’re going to talk all about things we don’t love.







    (0:35) Checklist of the things you don’t love.







    (01:13) Love for the language







    (01:38) Combining your chores with languages







    (02:05) Learning a new language should be fun.







    (02:41) Find a favorable thing to do while learning a new language.







    (03:40) Chat with different people in the world.







    (04:15) According to research, learning languages appear to reduce the onset of dementia.







    (05:06) Commute







    (06:08) Audiobooks on the phone







    25 Ways to Learn Every Day https://real-life-language.ck.page/82ccd204c8

    • 6 min
    Netflix and Binge watching for Language Learning

    Netflix and Binge watching for Language Learning

    Welcome to the 5-Week Linguist Show. Today, we are in the fourth week of five weeks of pleasurable language learning week, and we are going to talk more about binge-watching.







    (0:44) – Access from different contents







    (0:52) – Janina’s previous way of learning a new language before online content exists.







    (01:20) – Binge-watching is a technique to learn a new language.







    (01:44) – Contents in Yabla







    (03:15) – Language learning using Netflix







    (04:07) – YouTube as a tool to learn a new language.







    (05:19) – Video ELE is a great platform to learn comprehensive Spanish







    (05:46) – Amazon Prime







    (06:39) – Exercise Videos







    (07:21) – City Walks







    (08:13) – Home Walking







    25 Ways to Learn Every Day https://real-life-language.ck.page/82ccd204c8

    • 9 min
    How to Make Learning a Language Fun with Reading

    How to Make Learning a Language Fun with Reading

    Welcome to the 5-Week Linguist Show. Today, we are in the third week of five weeks of pleasurable language learning week, and we will talk more about reading.







    [01:07] Krashen Research on Pleasure Reading







    [01:14] Two hyperpolyglots







    [01:28] The Linguist website







    [02:30] Tim Ferriss







    [02:49] Four-hour workweek







    [03:17] Mini-retirement







    [03:59] An exchange student in Japan







    [04:18] Reading for pleasure is one of the most effective ways to learn a language.







    [06:22] Reading magazines.







    [06:48] A lot of information on various topics that are relevant to your diverse interests







    [08:01] Realia







    [08:33] A fantastic way to learn about a culture







    [09:11] Judith Meyer, a script hacker.







    [09:58] We don’t want you to get frustrated while looking for your materials; we want you to be able to learn.







    25 Ways to Learn Every Day https://real-life-language.ck.page/82ccd204c8

    • 14 min
    Fun Language Learning Activities

    Fun Language Learning Activities

    Welcome to the 5-Week Linguist Show. Today, we are in the second week of five weeks of pleasurable language learning week. Join Janina for insights, tools, and guidance on making meaningful language learning happen anywhere, anytime. In this episode, we will talk about binge-watching.







    [01:11] Stephen Krashen, Ph.D.







    [01:26] Website of “The Linguist” by Steve Kaufman







    [03:17] The Short-Term Retirement







    [04:18] One of the most effective ways to learn a language is to read for pleasure.







    [04:39] Language acquisition through graphic novels







    [06:04] Find out what’s going on in society right now and what people are talking about. It’s a legitimate method of learning a language.







    [07:23] Personality Tests







    [08:00] Realia







    [08:20] All of the photos can assist you in learning to read a language written in a different script, significantly since all of the images can help you understand what you’re reading. It’s also an excellent method to learn about the culture.







    [09:10] A Script Hacker, Judith Myer







    [09:47] Make reading easier to understand.







    25 Ways to Learn Every Day https://real-life-language.ck.page/82ccd204c8

    • 10 min
    Language Learning Techniques

    Language Learning Techniques

    Welcome to the 5-Week Linguist Show. Today, we are in the first week of five weeks of pleasurable language learning week, and we’ll talk about research in learning new languages and effective techniques.







    [01:01] Dr. Stephen Krashen.







    [01:13] He has dedicated his life to assisting people in learning languages and has shared much of his research with language teachers worldwide.







    [02:15] The theory of second language acquisition and its five central hypotheses







    [03:04] The hypothesis of the monitor







    [03:40] Nature’s Order







    [04:16] Grammar does not have to be learned in a specific order.







    [05:09] Adjective gender blunders







    [05:34] The hypothesis of the input







    [05:42] Comprehensible input







    [06:09] An effective filter can significantly impact how quickly you learn a language.







    [06:45] Perfectionists







    [07:14] The combination of learning and acquisition is ideal.







    [08:05] Cultures: As viewed through the eyes of the perspectives, people, and products of a target language or culture.







    [08:48] How to learn languages through reading







    25 Ways to Learn Every Day https://real-life-language.ck.page/82ccd204c8

    • 10 min
    Five MORE Weeks of Fun: Low and No Prep Activities

    Five MORE Weeks of Fun: Low and No Prep Activities

    Welcome to the Five-Week Linguist Show. We will talk about some low and no prep activities that you can add to your language teaching repertoire.







    (02:00) About Janina’s Life







    (05:12) Flyswatter Activity







    (07:51) Subtitle Activity







    (09:45) Drama Activity







    (12:12) Screenplay Activity







    (13:19) Input Activity







    (17:43) Review Activity







    (22:07) “Things I love” Activity







    (26:05) Deep reading comprehension







    (27:30) My Fridge Activity







    (28:33) Lyrics Training Activity







    (30:25) Bingo Game for Language







    (31:36) Group Team activity







    (34:00) Coffee talk







    (36:05) Nature Walk Activity







    (36:05) Nature Walk Activity







    (39:12) Wrap up







    If you are listening to this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a rating.

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

Gretchen Schultek ,

Informative and helpful

What a knowledgeable host! The tips shared in this podcast for how to learn a language are top notch. This will cut the learning curve in half!

johnwede ,

So informative. So much fun

Having an interest in travel and communication with people when visiting their country has always been has always been something I have tried to do before setting forth on a journey.

Ms. Klimas has so many useful and helpful hints for the learner or teacher of languages. Her wide range of knowledge on tools to use for learners or teachers allows the listener to branch out and practice their skills.

I highly recommend listening to this podcast and look forward to each additional episode.

Top Podcasts In Education

The Mel Robbins Podcast
Mel Robbins
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson
Mick Unplugged
Mick Hunt
Coffee Break Spanish
Coffee Break Languages
Do The Work
Do The Work
TED Talks Daily
TED