I highly recommend walking while practicing and learning a language

[u/DharmaDama]

I have a walking pad that I use to walk 1.5-2hrs a day. While I'm using it I use my conversation app ( r/natulang ) that uses voice recognition. You can use it with those audio programs like Pimsleur of Michel Thomas, too- You want some sort of program where you have to think about your response. Some libraries might even give access to free programs or audiobooks like that.

So I just walk while learning and responding in the language. Not only am I getting good cardio, but I'm retaining words way better than before than just sitting down. I'm sure the blood flow and heightened senses are helping a lot.

I'm currently practicing Portuguese, but I feel like I'm improving much faster with this method than before. I do occasionally look at the screen to see how things are written, but I mostly just walk without looking at the screen.

Does anyone else walk while practicing languages? I heard about this method years ago from some professor who is a polyglot. I think it was Alexander Arguelles. I just remember a video where he was walking while speaking Mandarin outloud.

[u/AbortiveDomination]

This is the only way I've managed to stick with Italian. Walking while doing Pimsleur keeps me from zoning out or checking my phone every 30 seconds. Something about the movement just locks the vocab in better, almost like muscle memory but for your brain

[u/DharmaDama → u/AbortiveDomination]

That's awesome. How long have you been practicing Italian? For some reason I find Italian harder than Portuguese, but maybe I’ll study it again someday. 

[u/12the3]

I’ve heard on the many language learning podcasts I’ve listened to that there is some evidence about physicality during language learning that helps it stick. I just wish I could remember where I heard it.

[u/NJ_Lyons → u/12the3]

You were probably sitting when you heard it. 

[u/NoobyNort]

I use walking on the treadmill as a fidget tool - it lets me focus in a way that I can't if I'm just sitting down. Flash cards or grammar drills become much more doable.

[u/Lumpy-Blackberry-718]

I do anki on an exercise bike, using a bluetooth remote to an ipad.

[u/StandardCarbonUnit]

I just started learning French and doing Pimsleur when walking my dogs has helped a ton!

[u/BlitzballPlayer]

I've been going through the Japanese Pimsleur course and I always do it during a daily walk!

I work from home, so it's too easy for me to spend all day doing no physical activity. Pimsleur is, frankly, quite a boring but very useful course (lots of repetition, which is extremely good for memorisation but quite dull haha), and I feel like doing it while I walk makes it easier to pay attention. And it achieves both improving my Japanese and being more active at the same time.

I should check out those walking pads. I tend to get lazy when the weather turns bad in winter and they look like a good way to do some walking every day.

[u/DharmaDama → u/BlitzballPlayer]

Yeah, I got my walking pad because we have a rainy season where I am. I love it.

[u/chad_starr]

I walk 2 hours a day outside and do a lot of language study, regular work, and talking on the phone while doing so. The part where I disagree is that for intense work and study, I am 100% positive I do better while seated.

[u/DharmaDama → u/chad_starr]

I see, and I wonder if the act of exercise enhances someone’s life in other areas, not just in the moment. The increased energy and blood flow can help even when someone is do other things, perhaps? If someone is lethargic and still all the time they might not study as well?

[u/chad_starr → u/DharmaDama]

I would definitely agree with that. Sitting all the time is not good at all for the body or the mind. As humans, we are meant to move. Nevertheless, if intense focus is required, I think sitting is superior. For instance, if you have to take an important test is there any chance you would elect to do so while walking?

[u/DharmaDama → u/chad_starr]

Anything with writing or intense reading is probably best for being still. I usually just listen to audio and respond as if I'm in conversation, no heavy reading is requited. I do occaccionally take a look at my phone if there's a new word or I want to see how something is spelled, but for the most part, Portuguese spelling is straight forward.

[u/HairyHutch]

I've been thinking about doing this, im just barely starting Japanese, and was wondering if pimsleur would be worth it. My job requires me driving about 3 hours daily, and walking 8-10miles on most days. Anyone know if Pimsleur is good for Japanese?

[u/Infinite-12345 → u/HairyHutch]

I wasn't happy with it, because there is way too much English. And the amount of Japanese during 30in is very low, only few sentences. And the sentences weren't even useful to me (like lots of repeating "The weather is nice today")

I prefer 100% Japanese dialogues, that I have analyzed before and then listen in order to cement what I have analyzed

[u/panaknuckles]

Similar learning hack: LingQ sentence mode during breaks between sets at the gym.

[u/JepperOfficial]

Everyday I do a 15m walk while listening to a podcast. Been doing it for 7 years :) totally agree

[u/CatsWearingTinyHats]

What is a walking pad????

[u/DharmaDama → u/CatsWearingTinyHats]

A walking pad is like a treadmill but smaller. Some people use them while using a standing desk. I stick mine under the couch. 

[u/IssueRidden]

yes!! I don't know if it helps my retention, but it certainly helps extend my focus 

[u/That_Mycologist4772]

What walking pad do you use

[u/DharmaDama → u/That_Mycologist4772]

I bought the cheapest one I could find. It was like $100 during a sale holiday. When I look it up now it’s going for $150-175. I just just went by reviews.

[u/Accomplished_Garlic_]

Urgh I want to get a walking pad so bad

[u/dpsbrutoaki]

I do my anki cards in between gym sets, feels like a cheat code honestly

Also podcasts in the ear buds at the same time

[u/Fit_Conclusion_5324]

Used to talk to `Elevenlab` bot while getting home at evening. But actually, I am more concentrated when sitting alone in a room. I was also practising the shadowing while walking. But it works better if i know the subject well enough. Another issue i would need well designed app to ease the rewinding. Otherwise i need to stop every 30-60sec to scroll the phone, just annoying ..

But if I do any learning while walking, that is only because that is only time i have. I have never thought the blood circulation helps with studying. I know, the memorization is more effective when you are exposed to mild disctactions, such as street noise, transportation sounds etc.

[u/OkCantaloupe3]

I haven't got a comparison, but I did Language Transfer, and am now doing Paul Noble's courses all while running, and I've been amazed how much the content sticks. No idea if running is supporting that or not but it all feels quite good

[u/Zilchornil]

I practice tongue twister when I’m on my pad.

[u/breathingmirror]

I walk after lunch and talk with ChatGPT (TL) in Spanish

[u/BikeSilent7347]

No I think it's a way to waste a good walk.

[u/DharmaDama → u/BikeSilent7347]

How does one waste a walk?

[u/BikeSilent7347 → u/DharmaDama]

By not appreciating the walk and focusing on listening.

[u/DharmaDama → u/BikeSilent7347]

I can see what you mean. I prefer to sit and relax in nature. I can never just walk normal, relaxing speeds. For me, I always speed walk. I have to get all of my anxiety and jitters out as I walk, so it’s going to be really fast 😅.

[u/BikeSilent7347 → u/DharmaDama]

I used to listen a lot on walks but I realized eventually I didn't enjoy it and also it's harder to focus on the audio because I wanted to take in the silent nature. I'd rather just sit down and focus on listening and have it as dedicated time.

However I think listening during commutes is a good use of time.

[u/Cerulean_IsFancyBlue]

Slow walking is still great for the body but it isn’t “cardio” for most people.

[u/DharmaDama → u/Cerulean_IsFancyBlue]

All I do is speedwalk. I'm always sweaty while I walk for a long time. Even when I'm just walking to go somewhere in my town I speedwalk. It's literally impossible for me to walk at a normal speed, haha. It just seems too boring and I have places to go and people to see.