How can you become a more confident speaker, remember the vocabulary you learn, and get past the intermediate plateau?

In this episode of Language Learning Insights, I speak with Lindsay McMahon, co-founder of All Ears English, about practical ways to make better progress in a language.

We discuss why connection matters more than perfection, how to practice thinking in your target language with Lindsay's “Inner 10” technique, and how to turn passive vocabulary into words and phrases you can actually use. Lindsay also shares a three-step approach to getting more from conversations with tutors and language partners: prepare beforehand, focus on connecting during the conversation, and practice afterward.

In this episode:

• Speak with greater confidence, even when you make mistakes.
• Use the “Inner 10” for 10 minutes of daily mental immersion.
• Turn vocabulary from passive knowledge into active language.
• Prepare for conversations instead of leaving your practice to chance.
• Build a routine to help overcome the intermediate plateau.

Find Lindsay at All Ears English, the Business English Podcast, and the IELTS Energy Podcast.

Learn more about the Language Learning Insights podcast at languagelearninginsights.com.

What does it really take to learn a language well—and why do some learners struggle even after years of study?

In this episode of Language Learning Insights, Rick Moore speaks with Tim Keeley, a polyglot professor and author of A Life in 30 Languages, about the psychological, cultural, and practical sides of language learning.

Tim shares advice on how to:

• Overcome speaking anxiety by preparing phrases you'll actually use
• Improve pronunciation and develop a more native-like accent
• Learn vocabulary through personally relevant content and stories
• Decide when to focus on useful phrases and when to study grammar
• Maintain languages without turning learning into a chore
• Practice conversations—even when you don't have someone to speak with

Tim also explains why language and culture are inseparable, how speaking another language can change the way you express yourself, and why curiosity and meaningful engagement matter so much.

Whether you're learning your first foreign language or juggling several, this conversation offers ideas to help you learn more effectively and enjoy the process.

Find Tim and his resources:
Polyglot Dreams: https://polygotdreams.com

Hosted by Rick Moore, creator of MiVoca and Language Learning Insights.

You can save hundreds of words in your language-learning journey—but how many actually become part of your vocabulary?

In this solo episode, Rick Moore shares lessons from his own experience learning Spanish and Portuguese, including why saving words isn't enough, how to decide which vocabulary deserves your attention, and how to turn saved words into words you can actually use.

Rick explores four elements of effective vocabulary practice: relevance, repetition, context, and recall. He also explains why the words you choose should reflect your own life, conversations, and goals—and why encountering words in different contexts can help you understand and remember them.

Rick is the host of Language Learning Insights and creator of MiVoca, a personal vocabulary system for capturing, organizing, and practicing the words that matter to you.

MiVoca Starter is free forever, with no credit card required: mivoca.app

Language Learning Insights is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.