Link to original video by Easy German

How to Learn German by Speaking to Yourself (with Robin MacPherson)

Summary of "How to Learn German by Speaking to Yourself (with Robin MacPherson)"

Short Summary:

This video explores the unconventional method of learning a language by speaking to yourself. Robin MacPherson, a guest on the podcast, shares his personal experience of learning German primarily through self-talk. He argues that this method, while not for everyone, can be highly effective for building fluency and confidence. Robin details his specific approach, which involves using podcasts, books, and even imaginary conversations to practice speaking German. He emphasizes the importance of having fun and finding creative ways to engage with the language. The video encourages viewers to consider this method as a potential tool for their own language learning journey.

Detailed Summary:

Introduction:

• The video opens with a discussion about the challenges of achieving fluency in a language, particularly in speaking.
• The host introduces Robin MacPherson, who learned German primarily through self-talk, as a guest to share his unique approach.

Robin's Experience:

• Robin explains that he began learning German in 2015 with limited time before moving to Germany.
• He developed a basic level of German through self-study and then continued to practice through self-talk after arriving in Germany.
• He emphasizes that he is a shy person and found speaking to others difficult, especially when his language skills were limited.

The Power of Self-Talk:

• Robin believes that self-talk is a fun and effective way to practice speaking.
• He has developed various methods for self-talk, including using podcasts, books, and creating imaginary conversations.
• He uses podcasts by listening to episodes and then constructing his own answers to questions posed by the hosts.
• He also uses books by choosing a chapter and imagining himself as a character, narrating the story from their perspective.

Benefits and Applications:

• Robin highlights the flexibility and accessibility of self-talk, as it requires no external resources or partners.
• He argues that it can be a motivating and enjoyable way to practice, especially for those who are shy or prefer to learn at their own pace.
• He believes that self-talk can help build confidence and fluency, creating a solid foundation for future interactions with native speakers.

Conclusion:

• The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to consider self-talk as a potential language learning method.
• Robin's story serves as an inspiring example of the effectiveness of this approach.
• The hosts encourage viewers to explore Robin's video resources and to experiment with self-talk in their own language learning journey.

Notable Quotes:

• "I believe that many people don't feel comfortable with the idea of speaking to themselves, but I think it can be a lot of fun." - Robin MacPherson
• "It's not necessarily perfect for everyone, but I think it can be very useful." - Robin MacPherson
• "It sounds so simple, but I have to say that I also did this during the times when I was really motivated to learn languages." - Host
• "It's a super good idea, and it's flexible. You can do it without having to spend a lot of money." - Host
• "I think this conversation is a good example because I made this video, and people said, 'You can't really speak to others,' but this is my second real conversation, and I'm surprised that I can speak like this." - Robin MacPherson