Lesson Transcript


Peter: Hi everyone! Peter here.
Becky: In this Inner Circle, we’re talking about tipping points.
Peter: In other words, how they'll bring you closer to your language goals and to fluency.
Becky: You’ll learn...
Peter: One: Exactly why tipping points are crucial for confidence and language learning.
Becky: Two: How you can tell when you’re reaching one...
Peter: ...And Three: How I reached my tipping points this month with Spanish.
Becky: All so that you can master your target language and reach your goals.
Becky: Listeners, welcome back to the Inner Circle.
Peter: Last time, you learned all about the 3 effective language learning habits...
Becky: ...that you’ll learn on a plane, of all places.
Peter: That was a great one Becky. Lots of our Inner CIrcle members emailed in. One member brought up her own habit. She writes new words on the back of her hand with a permanent marker!
Becky: Wow. That’s a great way to keep something you’ve learned in front of you all day long.
Peter: Definitely. It's a great tactic. And listeners...
Becky: ...thank you for your emails.
Peter: Today’s Inner Circle is a bit different. We’re not talking much about results...
Becky: ...but more about the process of learning and crucial points along the way.
Peter: More specifically, tipping points.
Becky: Wait. We’re not talking about results? Did you miss your goal, Peter?
Peter: Becky. Ever the optimist. I hit my 10-minute goal of Spanish conversation fair and square.
Becky: Okay, okay. Let’s get into what tipping points are and today’s Inner Circle.
Peter: How Tipping Points Will Bring You Closer To Your Language Goals.
Becky: In this Inner Circle, you’re going to learn:
Peter: Number 1 - Why tipping points are crucial for confidence and language learning.
Becky: Number 2 - How you can tell when you’re reaching one.
Peter: And Number 3 - How I reached tipping points with Spanish this month.
Becky: Alright. So what exactly are they, Peter?
Peter: A tipping point is a point that you reach or a small victory. And it gives you confidence that you’re going to make it. It’s a clear signal that you’re on the right track.
Becky: Hmm. So it’s a confidence booster?
Peter: Not quite. Here’s an example. Imagine... a gym on Friday night.
Becky: Alright...
Peter: And not Friday at 5PM. I mean Friday at 10PM. What does it look like to you?
Becky: Haha. It looks pretty empty to me! Like a library on a Friday night.
Peter: Haha. Oh no. if you’ve ever been to a gym on a Friday night, there’s a very interesting group of people. What kind of people do you think would be there?
Becky: Oof, tough question. People with canceled plans and nowhere to go?
Peter: Believe it or not, the most fit people you’ll EVER see, are there on Friday night.
Becky: I would never have guessed that. But, I suppose it makes sense.
Peter: It does. They’re the most committed. And the first time I went to gym on a Friday, I knew “I’m going to make it.”
Becky: Ah, that was your tipping point.
Peter: Right. It was a point where I automatically chose the gym, my health and my body over everything else that happens on Friday nights.
Becky: That example definitely makes sense. So, what about language learning?
Peter: Let’s jump into the first point.
Becky: Number 1 - Why tipping points are crucial for confidence and language learning.
Peter: Becky, it works the same way with languages.
Becky: So... if you end up studying on a Friday night?
Peter: Right, or if you’re taking language lessons with our Innovative Language 101 App...
Becky: ...instead of playing a game on your smartphone...
Peter: ...Or watching Weekly Words Video Lessons on the site or on YouTube...
Becky: ...instead of what you’d usually watch in your free time.
Peter: Those are great examples of tipping points. Basically, it’s when your free time shifts from usual routines like watching TV....
Becky: ... towards the goals you really want, like mastering language.
Peter: That’s a tipping point.
Becky: Listeners, it’s crucial for your confidence and overall language learning.
Peter: It’s evidence that you’re on the right track and you’re going to make it.
Becky: Peter, can you explain that? How is it evidence that you’re going to make it?
Peter: Great question, Becky. The answer is simple. Language learning is... like life. It comes down to where you put in your time.
Becky: So, where you put most of your time is where you succeed?
Peter: Exactly. It’s like Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule. You need time. Languages don’t need 10,000 hours, but the principle’s the same. If someone spends an hour every day on language, and has done that for the past 2 years...
Becky: ...That’s a lot of time.
Peter: Right. So you can guarantee that this person is speaking the language with no problems.
Becky: Simply because of time they put in.
Peter: You got it!
Becky: That makes a lot of sense. So how can our listeners know they’re on the right track and reach these tipping points?
Peter: Let’s get into the second part.
Becky: How you can tell when you’re reaching a tipping point...
Peter: Imagine it like this. You’re learning a language in your free time. You have a small goal set.
Becky: Right.
Peter: Now within your daily routines... you start making certain choices. Remember we talked about labeling time in the last Inner Circle?
Becky: Yeah. How flight time is labeled as movie watching time, for example.
Peter: And commutes are labeled as time “to do nothing and stare at your iPhone.”
Becky: Right, that’s a mistake most beginners make.
Peter: So, people with goals and interests label their time differently. They choose their tasks differently. Between watching TV and mastering a language....
Becky: ...they start putting more time into language?
Peter: Exactly. Because you’re interested, you choose language over something else. Imagine... last week, you started with 10 minutes of learning and 50 minutes of TV. Then, it grows. You spend 20 minutes on language, 40 on TV.
Becky: And then, 30 minutes, 40 minutes and soon it overtakes your typical routines.
Peter: Becky, that’s exactly how tipping points happen.
Becky: So listeners, take a look at how much time you spend on a language....
Peter: ...And take a look at your recent choices of activities.
Becky: If you’re choosing a Spanish workbook over a typical book....
Peter: ...if you’re studying at 2AM or if you’re studying on a Friday night...
Becky: ...that’s how you know you’ve reached a tipping point.
Peter: And listeners, this is something you won’t notice immediately. Everyone starts small...
Becky: ...But when you find yourself choosing language over something else...
Peter: ...That’s a sign that you’re going to make it.
Becky: Peter, can our listeners actually try and reach these tipping points?
Peter: Definitely. It’s just a matter of putting in more time. Again, if you started with 10 minutes a day last week, bring yourself up to 20 minutes a day this week.
Becky: And keep going.
Peter: Listeners, simply adjust your routine and add more time.
Becky: We ask you to set small, measurable goals with a deadline, every month.
Peter: Aim a little higher with your next goal. Add an extra hour or day to your routines.
Becky: How about you, Peter? Did you have any tipping points this past month?
Peter: Let’s get into the 3rd point, Becky.
Becky: Number 3 - How Peter reached his tipping points with Spanish.
Peter: You know, Becky, I had a few small victories. Here’s what happened.
Becky: Alright.
Peter: First, I’ve been going through my Spanish grammar book instead of my typical novels.
Becky: Any reason for that?
Peter: Mostly because nowadays I’m thinking of my next Spanish goal. So... between a regular book and improving my grammar...
Becky: You grab the Spanish book.
Peter: Exactly. I want to impress my tutor. I grab the book without thinking.
Becky: Oh, wow. What else?
Peter: Second, I’m using the Innovative Language 101 App on my commutes instead of checking emails. I check out the newest lessons.
Becky: Listeners, by the way, here’s a new feature on the App....
Peter: It’s called “Newest Lessons” and gives you the newest lessons for free every week.
Becky: Definitely a great feature.
Peter: I’ve also started watching the SpanishPod101 Weekly Words series. It's a quick and fun way to boost my vocab.
Becky: And overall, you’re spending more time on Spanish.
Peter: Right. And Becky, this is on TOP of my current study routines. So the fact that I’m leaning towards EXTRA study time...
Becky: ...you’re like one of those guys at the gym on a Friday night.
Peter: And that’s a good sign. It gives me confidence that I’m on the right track.
Becky: So far you are! You hit your 10-minute goal for May. What’s the goal for June?
Peter: I’ll aim for 13 minutes of Spanish conversation.
Becky: Sounds good! Listeners, be sure to set your monthly goals as well.
Peter: What about you, listeners?
Becky: Have you had a language learning tipping point?
Peter: Or are you close to one? Are you seeing your free time shift towards language learning?
Peter: And we’ll see you next month!


Peter: Bye everyone!

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I’d also like to know: Also, let me know – have you had a language learning tipping point? Or are you close to one? Are you seeing your free time shift towards language learning?

Send me an email at: inner.circle@innovativelanguage.com

See you next month!

Peter Galante, Founder
Team RomanianPod101