Podcast Learning

You probably know by now that podcasts are a great way to learn foreign languages, get schooled in how to be a better manager, or just learn how to be more interesting. But did you know that there are also podcasts dedicated exclusively to learning new skills? At first they might not seem conveniently located on the same website as the rest of their shows or possibly even related topics. However, once you start listening, you'll never go back! The best part is that these courses on learning new skills are free and require little if any commitment.

You'll be able to learn how to play the guitar in no time, how to get a job in Japan, or even how to quickly learn Chinese characters. The beauty of podcasts dedicated entirely to learning is that they are quite convenient and can be listened to on your iPod while you're commuting or when you're at the gym. They are laid out like TV shows where each episode (or lesson) has its own set of specific goals. Therefore, it's easy to listen and follow along without feeling overwhelmed. You'll be able to keep track of what you learn and how you're doing over time. Finally, podcasts dedicated to learning new skills are perfect for supporting various aspects of your personal learning plan . For instance, if you don't know how to cook well yet, listening to a podcast on food will give you all the information you need in order to graduate from "Eating Miserably Alone" level to "Cooking Seasonally" or "Learning How To Cook Desserts."

It's important that you don't confuse learning through learning podcasts with other forms of passive listening (also known as passive learning). While listening to podcasts is certainly easier than reading a book, it's more along the lines of looking at a photo of New York City vs. actually visiting or even living in that city. Podcasts will give you an idea of what your new skill is about, but only practicing and doing it yourself will allow you to fully understand how to do it well.

Whether you're interested in learning Japanese, English, French, or even how to improve your business skills, the best way to learn is by actually doing it. The best approach is to play around with a language for 30 minutes every day. That might only be enough time for a short conversation with another person, but it's definitely better than thinking about it for 20 hours straight! Here are some good podcasts that will help you get started and feel good about yourself:

FluentU is a new service that makes its courses available as simple video lessons through YouTube. In under three months of using the site I learned twice as much French and almost as much Spanish as I would have by taking two classes at a university.

Conclusion

Podcasts are a fun way to learn new things, however it's important to understand that active listening and doing will likely be required before these podcasts will become your main method of learning. That said, podcasts can definitely be a game-changer in the learning process and can make you feel like your life is moving along in a positive direction. In addition, you'll be able to keep track of what you're learning and how successful you've been at achieving your goals. Don't stop listening to podcasts just because there's no "mode" for it; instead listen to them while brushing your teeth or while walking around town. The more time you put into these podcasts, the better the results will be.