Many learners spend years studying grammar but still struggle to understand native speakers. In this episode, I explain why vocabulary may be the missing piece and share practical advice from one of the world's leading experts on language learning, Paul Nation. You'll learn: • Why vocabulary matters more than most learners realise • The role of repetition, frequency and context • Why graded readers can accelerate your progress • How I accidentally ended up in a B2 German course far too early • Why good grammar alone isn't enough for effective communication

Link to my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/englishbreakthroughforgermans

How do you actually learn vocabulary in a foreign language? In this episode, Mike shares funny and memorable stories from his own German-learning journey to explain why simply translating words from your first language isn’t enough to become fluent. You’ll learn about register, natural language use, and why reading plays such an important role in developing real intuition for English. Mike also talks about a recent trip to Bavaria, mountain hiking, hammocks, and what he’s currently learning from one of the biggest names in English language teaching.

Here is the link to this week's Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/posts/159303782?pr=true

Click here for my Patreon page — https://www.patreon.com/c/englishbreakthroughforgermans

In Part 2 of this episode, I talk about what happened after I moved to Berlin in 2011 and how my German really started to improve. I explain how reading books, listening to audiobooks, watching films with subtitles, and reading aloud helped me become more fluent.

I also share why Harry Potter became such an important part of my language learning journey and why I believe that sound and listening are more important than grammar explanations alone.

At the end of the episode, I explain why I think these strategies work so well and how you can apply them to your own language learning.