In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking podcast, I share why I believe everyone should consider learning their country’s sign language. When I first picked up American Sign Language (ASL), I didn’t expect how deeply it would connect me to the deaf community in the US. It gave me access to a rich, often overlooked culture, and offered a completely new way to communicate and make friends. ASL quickly became one of my favourite languages, and I decided to add it to my permanent list of languages to maintain.

Now, I’m diving back into ASL as my next language project while travelling across the US. I’ve already started reviewing vocabulary and am aiming to push my level closer to fluency. Sign languages aren’t universal—each country has its own—so I recommend learning the one used where you live. It opens doors to new communities and perspectives you might never have encountered otherwise. Give it a go—it’s truly worth it.

If you need one-on-one language guidance, schedule a consultation session with Benny at languagehacking.com/chat.

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In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I dive into the age-old polyglot problem: how do you maintain multiple languages without losing your mind—or your fluency? I share how, over the last 22 years, I’ve followed a cycle of learning one language intensively for a short burst—usually around three months—and then spending the rest of the year maintaining my other languages. It’s not just about adding new ones indefinitely. Instead, I’ve found ways to rotate focus, whether that’s dedicating a day per language or devoting longer blocks of time to immersion—like my recent deep dive into Spanish and Portuguese during travels across South America.

But I also get real about the challenges, especially with my weaker long-term languages—the ones I’ve invested in but haven’t brought to fluency. Those languages have slipped over time, and I’m now shifting my strategy for 2025: no new languages, no focus on the fluent ones. I’m giving my full attention to getting at least one of my weaker languages to a solid B2 level. That means dedicating two-month stretches to each, combining both virtual study and real-world use during my upcoming travels. I’ll be sharing more details on the specific languages and destinations soon, so stay tuned—and as always, I hope these insights help you build your own multilingual life. Let me know if you'd like a quick

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In this episode of the Language and Travel Hacking Podcast, I wrap up my incredible four-month journey through Indonesia, recording from Medan in North Sumatra before heading back to Bali for my final weeks. I reflect on just how vast this country is—highlighted by the fact that a flight back to Bali takes me four hours and still doesn’t even cover the full length of the nation. From Java to Sulawesi, from Borneo to Sumatra, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in the warmth and curiosity of Indonesians, many of whom had never spoken to a foreigner before. Their friendliness, patience with my Indonesian, and openness made this a truly special experience. Travelling off the beaten path gave me unique insights into local life, far removed from the tourist-saturated corners of Bali.

I also share a realistic view of the challenges, including my vegetarian food limitations, some stomach trouble, and the unexpectedly high cost of domestic flights—especially with airlines like Lion Air, which often brought frustrations. But despite the occasional hiccup, everything else was stunningly affordable and hassle-free. My lower-intermediate Indonesian, mostly built up during a focused study phase in Bali, helped me navigate daily life, rent motorbikes, handle logistics, and even have full conversations with locals who spoke no English. For those willing to learn just a little of the language and explore beyond the usual stops, Indonesia offers a rich, rewarding adventure without the hefty price tag—especially if you travel overland and focus on fewer islands more deeply.

See all my past travels on bennylewis.com

Click here to book a personalised one-on-one language coaching session with me

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