Welcome to another episode of Shhh! I'm Learning! In this episode, our good friend Barbara Czusz helps us explore how neurodivergence shapes the experience of learning languages. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself or want to better understand how these unique traits impact language acquisition, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

• The Strengths of Neurodivergent Learners: How hyperfocus, creativity, and passion can accelerate language learning.
• Navigating Challenges: Tips for managing energy, breaking through executive functioning barriers, and maintaining consistency on tough days.
• Routines That Work: Practical strategies for building sustainable language-learning habits that respect your needs.
• Sensory Sensitivities in Language Learning: Adapting your environment to reduce overwhelm and maximize focus.
• Emotional Connections to Language: How deep feelings can influence language-learning motivation and retention.

• Embrace your neurodivergent traits as unique tools for language success.
• Build flexible routines that account for unpredictability.
• Find creative ways to spark joy and curiosity in your learning process.
• Allow yourself grace during low-energy or difficult days.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit. Let us know your favorite takeaway from the episode on social media using #ShhhImLearning.

Welcome back to Shhh! I’m Learning! In this episode, I am joined by the inspiring Mollie Guidera, a trailblazer in Irish language education. Mollie’s approach intertwines storytelling, etymology, and creative teaching methods to connect learners with their heritage and identity. Through her engaging workshops and courses, she breaks down barriers to learning and brings the soulful, healing nature of the Irish language to life.

• Mollie’s Passion for Irish: Discover why Mollie is captivated by the Irish language, recognized as “definitely endangered” by UNESCO.

• Emotional Aspects of Learning: Explore how learning a language influences our emotions and the unique ways Irish helps us express and understand them.

• Making Learning Relevant: Tips and insights on how to make a new language relevant to your life.

• Irish Language Quirks: Dive into the charming and unusual characteristics of the Irish language.

• Healing Through Language: Understand the therapeutic effects of learning a language, especially one connected to personal and cultural identity.

• Language Worth and Loss: Mollie shares a fresh perspective on the value of language and the impact of language loss.

Find Mollie on Instagram and her podcast under Irish with Mollie for more content, updates, and engaging resources. Don’t miss her upcoming Black Friday sale on her courses—sign up for the waiting list via the link in her Instagram bio. For those on a tighter budget, Mollie’s daily content and occasional free Irish taster classes are perfect opportunities to start learning.

Enjoy Mollie’s contagious enthusiasm for the Irish language and learn how to embrace it in your own life.

Resources:

• Mollie's website
• Mollie's Instagram
• Mollie's podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
• Kneecap movie trailer

Welcome to Season 4 of Shhh, I’m Learning! I’m back after a longer-than-expected break, dealing with burnout, a whirlwind of festivals, Hurricane Helene, and extensive election research. Although this season might be the last, I’m excited to share this journey with you all.

This season, we’ll explore the social aspects of language learning, mental health, and the role of neurodiversity. As a neurodivergent language learner, I’m excited to dive into topics often overlooked, like the unique ways autistic and ADHD folks engage with languages. This season, I’ll encourage you to slow down, make language learning enjoyable, and take breaks when needed.

Episodes:

• Episode 2: Interview with Mollie Guidera – Reviving the Irish language; mental health support through language.
• Episode 3: Chat with Barbara Czusz – Autism, ADHD, and adapting study routines.
• Episode 4: Interview with my iTalki teacher Rob (in Portuguese) – Managing stress; “good” vs. “bad” stress.
• Episode 5: Solo Episode – Neurodivergent-friendly language tips.
• Episode 6: Kris Broholm Interview – Embracing "failure" and tackling high expectations.
• Episode 7: Interview with Valeria Paolillo (in Italian) – Mindfulness, learning slowly, and her retreats in Sicily.
• Episode 8: Chat with Bront’e Singleton – Resources for neurodivergent learners and “quiet souls.”
• Episode 9: Interview with Etai from Etai’s Corner – Growth mindsets in language learning.
• Episode 10: Season Finale – Thank you and wrap-up episode.

Please bear with some audio quirks in most of the interviews—I forgot to switch the input device on Zoom!

Also, in case you missed it, catch last night's Instagram live with psychologist Johanna Ramírez for an open conversation about social anxiety in language learning.

Thank you for being here, and enjoy Season 4! 🌻

We are at the end of season 3! Thank you for your invaluable support during these 30 episodes.

Today we recap season 3 and I let you in on a few secrets regarding the future of this podcast.

As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Welcome back to the penultimate episode for season 3 of Shhh, I’m Learning!

Today’s guest is Renée Arinzé, a language teacher and coach who empowers language learners to be consistent, resilient and motivated using a holistic approach based on neuroscience and psychology.

Renee has been learning languages since 2008 and can communicate in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French at varying levels. Since the start of her career she has helped hundreds of students to speak the languages they love with confidence and fluency, using the same tips that helped her to become a polyglot.

In today’s episode, we go over practical things like how to respond to, “How many languages do you speak?” We take a look at Renee’s language journey and her work, focusing towards the end of our chat on what it means to have social anxiety and how that affects language learning. Having worked with Renee, I can say she is truly an expert in what she does and puts so much effort into creating quality resources for her students and clients.

As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Renee's Instagram
• Renee's website
• Renée's article on overcoming social anxiety in language learning

Welcome back to my podcast! I am very excited to share today’s episode with you. Today’s guest is Jessica Tefenkgi Ruelle, the founder of Bubbles of French, where she blends French language learning with self-exploration, mindfulness and authentic expression. She was raised in Brussels in an adoptive family from Italy, she learned several languages from a young age and has always been on a quest to reconnect languages with their most important purpose : connection, identity, belonging and expression. Journaling & meditation are amongst her favorite tools to foster that. She's also a mindset coach for sensitive and ambitious women who want to create their online business.

In today’s episode, we continue the theme mentioned in Sr. Ojeda’s regarding issues in traditional language learning and what we can do to make things better. I found it very interesting when Jessica mentioned how many people have some sort of scars from language learning in schools and/or expectations set by their parents. It can be very difficult to move away from that mindset to one of growth and mindfulness, a mindset focused on the true purpose of language, that is, communication.

As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Jessica's Instagram
• Bulle de Français on Substack (blog + podcast)
• Bulle de Français podcast on Spotify
• Bulle de Français podcast on Apple Podcasts

Welcome back (finally)! Today's episode is with Diego Ojeda, a passionate Spanish teacher, a comprehensible poetry author, a blogger and an accomplished world language teacher trainer and presenter. He has been recognized and awarded for his outstanding teaching style that he brings to the class and enjoys sharing this style and what he's learned from it with his colleagues. A native of Bogotá, Colombia, he has many years of experience teaching in both his native country and in the United States.

Diego brings a refreshing, cultural awareness and innovative perspective to the teaching of the Spanish language. His instructional strategies can be easily adapted to any Spanish language proficiency level. Diego is co-founder of #langchat, an X/Twitter chat that has supported many world language educators in the US since 2011. Having lived and taught in Wisconsin, he now teaches Spanish language at Louisville Collegiate School in Louisville, KY.

In today’s episode we chat about who Sr. Ojeda is, where he comes from, his experiences living and teaching in the United States, and the problems with world language education in the US.

As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)

Resource mentioned in the episode:

• Transcripción en español
• Transcript in English
• Sr. Ojeda's website
• #langchat on X
• Sr. Ojeda's presentation (in English) at the World Language Teacher Summit
• World Language Teacher Summit website

Hello and welcome back! Today’s episode is with Jacqueline Sadberry. Jacqueline is a Texas native and author with a passion for languages, faith, K-Pop, and turtles. She currently works to provide a space for those looking for consistent speaking practice in English, Spanish, and Japanese, or who have a desire to become conversational.

You can find her on YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest as Jacqueline Simone Media. If you would like to book some sessions with her, you can email her at langhelp22@gmail.com.

I found Jacqueline after completing a language challenge on Instagram – part of the prize for my time was 5 sessions with Jacqueline to learn how to introduce myself in Japanese. And, to be honest, I went into this thinking, I’m curious about Japanese, but I’ll just do these 5 sessions and then stop.

Nope.

Yes, it’s something about the magic of Japanese, but it’s also Jacqueline’s style – how much energy she pours into helping her clients succeed and her passion for languages. Jacqueline has a natural talent for providing that safe space I just mentioned and for helping her clients’ confidence grow. I highly suggest seeking her out even if you’re interested in just dabbling with one of the languages she helps with.

In today’s conversation we chat about Jacqueline’s language journey, how she got started with her current work, finding language partners with positive energy, and why culture matters in learning and teaching languages. I’m so excited for you to hear today’s interview, and so without further ado, let’s get into it!

As always, reach out to me on Instagram @shhh_imlearning to let me know what you thought about the show, and consider buying me a coffee if you want to see me continuously improve my content and better serve YOU. A little goes a long way. :)