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StoryLearning Podcast

StoryLearning Podcast

539: How to learn a language when you feel like quitting

Jul 8, 2026 · 13 min · 8 segments

👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/free-fluency Today I’m answering a question from a frustrated Japanese learner with a 650-day streak on Duolingo…

👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/free-fluency Today I’m answering a question from a frustrated Japanese learner with a 650-day streak on Duolingo. Their question: What do I do? Do I keep on, do I switch to a different language? Do you have any advice for a frustrated language learner? I really like this question. I've got so much to say about it so I'm looking forward to answering, particularly as an often frustrated Japanese learner myself. Link mentioned in this episode: My Japanese course, Japanese Uncovered: https://l.storylearning.com/japanese-uncovered 👉 Got a question you want Olly to answer on the podcast? Submit it here: https://storylearning.com/ask\_Olly\_your\_question 👉 Get a 7-day FREE trial to one of my story-based language courses: https://storylearning.com/Language\_Courses 👉 Check out my all-inclusive VIP language programme with guaranteed results: https://storylearning.com/StoryLearning\_VIP\_Info #storylearning #learnthroughstories

👉 Grab your FREE Binge-Worthy Resources for Fluency: https://l.storylearning.com/free-fluency Today I’m answering a question from a frustrated Japanese learner with a 650-day streak on Duolingo…

Speakers: Olly RichardsHost

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Top entities: Duolingo×17 Japanese×36 Barbara Oakley×2 Language×2 Fluency

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈633k followers

Listener’s Japanese Frustration0:20 – 1:35

Olly RichardsHost

0:20

And, uh, Skeptophilia says, "I need some advice.

Olly RichardsHost

0:24

I'd always wanted to learn Japanese.

Olly RichardsHost

0:27

I've been fascinated with the culture since I was a kid.

Olly RichardsHost

0:29

I've already got a very good background in languages, raised bilingual English and French, an MA in linguistics, a master's in linguistics, and I've done some research for the MA on Scandinavian languages.

Olly RichardsHost

0:42

And so I decided to sign up for Duolingo Japanese.

Olly RichardsHost

0:47

I've been at it for a year and a half, and I'm ready to admit defeat.

Olly RichardsHost

0:50

Between three different written forms, the different grammar, how incredibly contextual the language is, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels despite working on it steadily." And, uh, Skeptophilia is on a 650-day streak, which I believe works...

Olly RichardsHost

1:06

Uh, is referring to Duolingo.

Olly RichardsHost

1:08

"I'm willing to give your system a shot, but do I even have a prayer? I feel like I still barely know any kanji, so I can't really read pretty much anything.

Olly RichardsHost

1:18

It's gotten to be an intense frustration rather than something I'm enjoying or looking forward to.

Olly RichardsHost

1:22

What do I do? Do I keep on? Do I switch to a different language?" And then a, a little bit about some interest in some different languages out there.

Olly RichardsHost

1:30

"Do you have any advice for a frustrated language learner?" I really like this question.

DuolingoSoftware ApplicationComputer program
95%17 mentions
JapaneseLanguageSpoken language
85%36 mentions
Barbara OakleyPersonAmerican professor and engineer
75%2 mentions
LanguageEntity
65%2 mentions
FluencyEntity
55%1 mention
EnglishEntitySpoken language
45%3 mentions
FrenchLanguageSpoken language
35%3 mentions
SpanishLanguageSpoken language
25%2 mentions
PortugueseLanguageSpoken language
15%1 mention
ItalianLanguageSpoken language
5%1 mention

Japanese LanguageEducation > Language Learning
Language LearningEducation
Cognitive ProcessesPsychology
Personal Development
Language AcquisitionEducation > Language Learning > Japanese Language
Japanese CultureCulture
Language and CultureCulture > Japanese Culture
Education
Psychology
Culture
Media
Learning StrategiesEducation > Language Learning > Japanese Language > Language Acquisition
Cultural ContextCulture > Japanese Culture > Language and Culture
Cultural NuancesCulture > Japanese Culture > Language and Culture > Cultural Context
Frustration in LearningPersonal Development > Learning Challenges
Overcoming ObstaclesPersonal Development > Learning Challenges > Frustration in Learning
Motivation in LearningPersonal Development > Learning Challenges > Frustration in Learning > Overcoming Obstacles
Language Learning AppsMedia
DuolingoMedia > Language Learning Apps
User ExperienceMedia > Language Learning Apps > Duolingo
Learning EffectivenessMedia > Language Learning Apps > Duolingo > User Experience
Learning ModesPsychology > Cognitive Processes
Focus and Diffuse ModesPsychology > Cognitive Processes > Learning Modes
Learning TechniquesPsychology > Cognitive Processes > Learning Modes > Focus and Diffuse Modes
Learning ChallengesPersonal Development

Listener’s Japanese Frustration0:20 – 1:35

Olly RichardsHost

0:20

And, uh, Skeptophilia says, "I need some advice.

Olly RichardsHost

0:24

I'd always wanted to learn Japanese.

Olly RichardsHost

0:27

I've been fascinated with the culture since I was a kid.

Olly RichardsHost

0:29

I've already got a very good background in languages, raised bilingual English and French, an MA in linguistics, a master's in linguistics, and I've done some research for the MA on Scandinavian languages.

Olly RichardsHost

0:42

And so I decided to sign up for Duolingo Japanese.

Olly RichardsHost

0:47

I've been at it for a year and a half, and I'm ready to admit defeat.

Olly RichardsHost

0:50

Between three different written forms, the different grammar, how incredibly contextual the language is, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels despite working on it steadily." And, uh, Skeptophilia is on a 650-day streak, which I believe works...

Olly RichardsHost

1:06

Uh, is referring to Duolingo.

Olly RichardsHost

1:08

"I'm willing to give your system a shot, but do I even have a prayer? I feel like I still barely know any kanji, so I can't really read pretty much anything.

Olly RichardsHost

1:18

It's gotten to be an intense frustration rather than something I'm enjoying or looking forward to.

Olly RichardsHost

1:22

What do I do? Do I keep on? Do I switch to a different language?" And then a, a little bit about some interest in some different languages out there.

Olly RichardsHost

1:30

"Do you have any advice for a frustrated language learner?" I really like this question.

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Topics

7 of 25

Japanese Language
Language Learning
Cognitive Processes
Personal Development
Language Acquisition
Japanese Culture
Language and Culture
+18 more

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