#AskSteve

Over the years I have created a vast amount of videos and articles where I talk about language learning. Find them here.

For example, type "english" to search items about english.

Google Translate Doesn’t Work? I disagree.
June 19 2025

Google Translate Doesn’t Work? I disagree.

I hear all the time that Google Translate doesn’t work. It’s not accurate. It’s this and that. I think Google Translate is a tremendous resource and not only for language learners. It’s not 100% and it’s better for some languages than others, but I find it extremely useful.
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Learning Similar Languages: The Pros & Cons
June 16 2025

Learning Similar Languages: The Pros & Cons

It’s a common assumption that learning similar languages makes for an easier path to fluency. For example, a Spanish speaker learning Portuguese should have less trouble than an English speaker pursuing Japanese….
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Comfortable but not fluent: my honest Persian update
June 12 2025

Comfortable but not fluent: my honest Persian update

🔥 Learn languages like I do with LingQ: https://tinyurl.com/54auf9m8 CC subtitles available in multiple languages. In this video, I talk about my experience learning Persian as well as the challenges and successes I’ve had along the way. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 0:37 Why I started learning Persian 3:29 The long road to fluency 11:15 How I'm using Persian now 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/qudKA-Ws_zo?si=2jZ9M7ow16PJL664 https://youtu.be/hyUC8u0aShc?si=DCksOOPMq_Qayczu 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve
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How to Learn Chinese: My Top 6 Tips
June 12 2025

How to Learn Chinese: My Top 6 Tips

Are you interested in how to learn Chinese effectively? I studied Mandarin Chinese 50 years ago. Within nine months, I could translate newspaper editorials, read novels, and interpret for others. I accomplished…
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The 80/20 Rule of Language Learning: Learn Smarter, Not Harder
June 9 2025

The 80/20 Rule of Language Learning: Learn Smarter, Not Harder

TL;DR Summary In language learning, the 80/20 rule means that 20 % of words and structures give you 80 % of your real communication power. But don’t obsess over drilling the “top”…
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How I'm using NotebookLM to power up my language learning
June 5 2025

How I'm using NotebookLM to power up my language learning

🔥 Learn languages like I do with LingQ: https://tinyurl.com/3cffh93d CC subtitles available in multiple languages. In this video, I share my impressions of Google's NotebookLM and discuss how I'm planning to use it for language learning. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 2:12 What makes listening difficult 3:57 Examples of how to use Notebook LM 7:02 Finishing thoughts 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/7EH_b5H5b60?si=EogUMxN8_kn79Gyi https://youtu.be/-rMDMNf5nDY?si=goZO8lrZj8aLzNMg 📌 SOURCES: Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google/ The French lesson NLM created: https://www.lingq.com/en/learn/fr/web/reader/38432557 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve
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Language Fluency Levels: What Is Fluency?
June 5 2025

Language Fluency Levels: What Is Fluency?

I recently watched a video which features polyglots Luca Lampariello and Anthony Lauder. In it they make the point that you don’t need to have a large vocabulary in order to be fluent. Anthony has said in the past that even with a few hundred words you can be fluent, or you can be fluent at a relatively low level of proficiency in a language. I don’t agree at all.
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Can a language test really measure your level? #languagelearning
June 5 2025

Can a language test really measure your level? #languagelearning

🔥 Learn languages like I do with LingQ: CC subtitles available in multiple languages. [ADD DESCRIPTION] ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - [Add Section Titles] 📺 WATCH NEXT: [Add watch next video] 📌 SOURCES: 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve
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Why I don't do language tests #languagelearning
June 3 2025

Why I don't do language tests #languagelearning

In this video I explain why I'm skeptical of language tests and their ability to correctly evaluate someone's knowledge.
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The Truth About Language Immersion
June 2 2025

The Truth About Language Immersion

We hear the term language immersion all the time—it’s a favourite among learners and teachers alike. But what does it actually mean to be immersed in a language? After trip to Poland…
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Habits in language learning #shorts
May 30 2025

Habits in language learning #shorts

In this video I explain why it's so important to develop good habits in language learning
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Why I don’t trust language tests (and neither should you)
May 29 2025

Why I don’t trust language tests (and neither should you)

🔥 Learn languages like I do with LingQ: https://tinyurl.com/3u6wrv4h CC subtitles available in multiple languages. In this video, I talk about why I’m skeptical of language tests and their ability to accurately assess someone’s language level. ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 0:12 The fuzziness of language learning 0:52 The importance of making mistakes 2:50 Can a language test evaluate your level? 4:32 Negative consequences of test-taking 5:29 Uncertainty in language learning 📺 WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/O7tYodOIm6g?si=_X2Bg63ZMuW422It https://youtu.be/WQemp2fbYK0?si=NUi9gUmMy4_pmsIj 📌 SOURCES: https://prodigyfinance.com/resources/blog/duolingo-language-test/ https://mauril.ca/en/ https://www.openpr.com/news/3979502/english-proficiency-test-market-to-reach-usd-4-05-billion 🎙️ LISTEN TO MY PODCAST: Soundcloud: https://bit.ly/3iZsbic Apple: https://apple.co/3z1F1lD Google: https://bit.ly/2W3DYmK Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TbcX8ilVmVTi6jdQVHuwK 💡 LEARN MORE: Get my 10 Secrets of Language Learning: https://www.thelinguist.com Download my FREE grammar guides: https://www.lingq.com/en/grammar-resource/ Join the LingQ Discord server: https://discord.gg/ShPTjyhwTN Read my language learning blog on The Linguist: https://bit.ly/2MW83Ab Read the LingQ language learning blog: https://bit.ly/35yvaqK ✅ FOLLOW ME: My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lingosteve_ My TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lingosteve
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