Blog - Second-Half Travels

Study French in Paris: Alliance Française Paris Review (2022)

Interested in studying French at Alliance française Paris? In August-September 2022 I’ll spend four weeks there learning French. Until then, I’m documenting my experience researching French courses in Paris and finding accommodation. Read on for tips on how to study French in Paris.

Learn French in Montpellier, France: LSF Montpellier Review (2022)

In February and March 2022 I spent three enjoyable weeks studying French at LSF Montpellier. Montpellier is a charming small city in the south of France. Read on for tips to learn French in Montpellier, France.

14 Best YouTube Channels to Learn Russian

YouTube’s an indispensable free Russian learning resource. Channels for learners offer slower, simplified Russian that’s easier to understand than native movies or TV shows. And short YouTube videos are better for a learner’s limited concentration span.

Fun videos make a great reward for tedious Russian grammar study. Here are some of the best YouTube channels to learn Russian.

How to Learn Russian by Yourself

I began tackling Russian seriously in 2020 as an independent learner. Here are my top tips on how to learn Russian by yourself.

Best French Series on Netflix and Amazon Prime (2022)

Watching popular French shows on Netflix and Amazon is an excellent way to gain cultural fluency while honing vocabulary and listening skills.

How to Relearn French

Want to refresh your forgotten French from high school or university? Here are my tips on how to relearn French.

Best German Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime (2022)

Watching movies in German online is an excellent way to gain cultural fluency while honing vocabulary and listening skills.

5 Ways to Find Motivation in Language Learning

If you’ve ever tried to learn a language (whether or not you’ve succeeded), you know far too well that finding motivation in language learning can be much harder than the actual learning.

SISAI Spanish School in Xela, Guatemala – Review (2019)

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, or Xela (SHAY-la) for short, has a reputation among serious Spanish learners as an ideal location for language study. Despite being Guatemala’s second-largest city, Xela is off the tourist trail and few locals speak English, offering a great opportunity for total Spanish immersion.

Best Portuguese Books for Learners

Reading in Portuguese is a fun way to improve vocabulary and boost your fluency. Studies show we learn best from content we enjoy, so pick a book that intrigues you. To get started, here are some of the best Portuguese books for learners.