It’s hard to believe it, but the podcast has hit 1000 episodes.
You may be new to the site and these sessions, but that’s a huge milestone.
This means that there has been some great experience gained along the way to get here.
You usually learn a lot as you make your way to a big point such as 1000 episodes.
You learn So Much Along The Way
Today let’s start off with a quote that sums up our philosophy on learning English.
“If failure is not an option, then neither is success.” Seth Godin
You will never learn unless you make mistakes along the way.
It is only then that you can truly succeed and then move forward to the next step.
The 10 Takeaways of 1000 Episodes
These are the things we’ve learned over time and through doing these podcasts for 1000 episodes.
- #1 : Of course, Connection Not Perfection. What is connection? A shared smile, a shared laugh, telling a story where they really get it, a joke that is a hit, being there for someone when they need support, getting to know someone for the first time. There are so many other connection moments that we’ve covered on this show.
- Always find a way to connect with the person/people in front of you- that is what it’s all about. Some people might misunderstand this phrase, and think that we’re saying that it doesn’t matter to speak correctly. There is nothing wrong with trying to learn grammar or pronunciation. To get it right is great, but the problem starts when you let your mistakes BLOCK connection. This can happen in any given conversation or moment- it’s more important to connect than to be perfect or be correct. Read more from our 500th episode here.
- #2: Enjoy learning and find ways to do so: Don’t sit with a textbook without communicating in some way with the outside world. Don’t learn in isolation. Use the world and tools like the Urban Adventure Immersion Program and the IOS app.
- Everyone has different ways of learning and you have to find yours. Challenge yourself, keep practicing, and work to find your best ways of learning and growing as a person. This helps you to speak English better but also helps you to learn more about the world in general.
- #3: Don’t let fear hold you back: Mistakes don’t prevent connection, it’s what you do when you are afraid of mistakes that prevents connection.
- You are going to make mistakes along the way, and that’s okay. Don’t let your fear keep you from trying new things or saying new things. It’s never about perfection, and even natives make mistakes as they go along. Stop being afraid and just try!
- #4: Hold your space and share yourself: When someone asks you to speak in a group or 1-1- say something. Say a little more and let them get to know you. This is what makes people like you, when you share a bit of yourself.
- You have to put yourself out there in order for people to get to know you. Don’t fear this, but rather embrace it. Be yourself and let others get to know you and like the real person that you are.
- #5- Language and culture are so intertwined: You can’t learn one without the other. So much of what we do is based upon language but also the culture that you are in. Embrace it all and let yourself get immersed in it.
- This is how to learn how to speak the natives, but it’s more than that. This is also how you get to really be a part of the culture that you live within. This is a great way to feel like you’re at home even when you’re far away from where you come from. Learning and growing is what it’s all about.
- #6- Find ways to continue conversations: Don’t just let the conversations go away after you initially talk to somebody. Keep the conversation going for this is when you build important connections. It will help you to make friendships and become a part of the local culture.
- Search for ways to talk to this person again. Build friendships after the initial conversation is over. This is a great way to feel like you can relate to somebody. It helps you to learn how to build relationships that can help you in every possible way of your life.
- #7- Add personality and flavor to your language: Really learn to make it your own. Don’t be boring, put yourself out there and be the person that you are. Own who that is and express your personality in every fun way!
- There is something that makes you the individual that you are. Insert a bit of personality and see where that takes you. Have fun with it and know that the personality that you use will help you to give things your own personal touch.
- #8- Stand tall, chest open and proud, and make eye contact- the way you hold yourself matters: Yes all of these things show confidence. You have everything to be confident about, so show that and own it. This helps you to stand out and makes others want to approach you.
- Confidence is a wonderful thing and can help you to make connections. It can help you to build your vocabulary, learn new things, and become a part of the world around you. Focus on your positive traits and use that confidence to help you moving forward. Read more about body language here.
- #9- When you feel like you’ve hit a plateau, keep going and realize you are improving all the time whether you feel it or not: We tend to not think we’re making much progress, but we are everyday. Even if you feel as if you are at a plateau, just keep pushing forward.
- We all feel like we hit a plateau from time to time, and that’s normal. Push past it and recognize that you have improved each day more than you realize. Keep it real and keep pushing yourself, even when you feel stuck in a rut. You will get through it!
- #10- Have GRIT: This is a highly respected quality in American culture, so stick to it and show it off. This is big within entrepreneurial circles and the quality of GRIT is almost glamorized. This is warranted because this is what has kept us going to our 1000th episode and what can help you in everyday life.
- Grit may be a marathon runner hitting a wall but continuing to push forward even through the challenges. No matter what life hands you, there is a push to keep going and make it through. If you have that then you can rise to any challenge and make it through with flying colors.
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What’s Next For AEE?
This is a huge milestone and we are so honored to be able to keep podcasting for our amazing listeners!
We want to keep going and work towards being better all the time.
Here are some important things to know are coming and which will show you we are always working to get better.
- Alexa skill coming: New way to share AEE with your family in your home. Right now in the US and Japan, and coming soon in other countries.
- iOS app will allow you to save time while you listen to the show: New updates are coming very soon! Download it here.
- Traveling in 2019: We went to Japan back in 2018 and it went great. If you want us to travel to your country, just let us know.
- What won’t change- episode 4 days per week: We’ll be here to inspire you, connect you, help you get to your goals.
Takeaway
We always keep our eye on what is coming next.
We hope that sharing what we have learned helps you to be better too.
This is a huge milestone for us, but our experience helps us to serve you better.
Learn from our top 10 takeaways and apply them to your life to build important connections and keep getting better!
If you have any questions, please leave them below in the comments section.
We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.