Lesson Transcript

Intro

Peter: You might not realize this... but because you’ve downloaded the lessons.
Devan: And because you’ve learned language with us...
Peter: Listeners, you’ve helped us reach 1 Billion lesson downloads. Thank you for everything.
Devan: Welcome to Innovative Language Learning Sunday News! I'm Devan and I'll be your host. My co-host today is the founder of InnovativeLanguage.com... Peter Galante!
Peter: Hi everyone! Peter here.
Devan: In this Sunday News, we’re celebrating the 1 Billion milestone with a huge 35% OFF.
Peter: Find out how you helped us reach 1 billion lesson downloads...
Devan: And the story behind our language learning program...
Peter:...And how we started Innovative Language.
Body
Peter: Listeners, you’ve downloaded the lessons, you’ve learned the language.
Devan: And with your help, we’ve reached 1 Billion Lesson Downloads.
Peter: And we want to thank you. But first, listen up!
Devan: If you want to master the language with our complete language learning program...
Peter: Now’s your chance. Our 1 Billion Celebration Sale Starts Now.
Devan: Get up to 35% OFF Basic, Premium and Premium PLUS.
Peter: ...and get instant access to fast, easy lessons by real teachers...
Devan: ...that get you speaking, reading, and writing from Beginner level to Advanced...
Peter: You go from learning your very first words...to mastering conversations.
Devan: You get Study Tools that help you learn faster...
Peter: ...mobile apps so you can learn on the go...
Devan: ...progress tracking tools that feed you lessons one by one, so it’s like you’re learning on autopilot.
Peter: ...and with Premium PLUS, you get your very own teacher.
Devan: Get up to 35% OFF Basic, Premium or Premium PLUS by August 24th, 2018.
Peter: That’s as low as $3 a month and up to $192 in savings..
Devan: If you’re on the site, click the link in the comments section of this Sunday News.
Peter: Okay, listeners, you might be wondering HOW we reached 1 Billion Downloads.
Devan: It’s all thanks to you. You downloaded.....
Peter: ...and you learned with the lessons.
Devan: We literally couldn’t have done it if hundreds of thousands of you weren’t actually learning!
Peter: But this milestone, the 1 billion, it wasn’t an overnight thing. It includes all 34 of our language sites, and dates back to our inception.
Devan: Back in 2005.
Peter: That’s almost 13 years... When we first started JapanesePod101.com
Devan: Actually, Peter, What IS the story behind Innovative Language? I don’t think the listeners know.
Peter: Ok. Let’s reveal it right now. So, a bit of background first. I first came to Japan to teach English. That was back in 1998.
Devan: Wow, Back in 1998? And if i may ask, why did you choose Japan?
Peter: Well, when I was in high school – in the early 90s – we had a Japanese exchange teacher come stay with the family. And this was the first time I met a Japanese person and was exposed to the language. So that was kind of an initial spark.
Devan: And you became interested in the language?
Peter: Exactly. So in college, I took a Japanese class... and got up to Japanese 3.
Devan: So, 3 years of classes. Wow, you put in a lot of time!
Peter: You’re right. And my professor noticed that too. I put in a lot of time. So she told me... “you should go to Japan” and my reaction was... OK! So that’s it. There was no big reason or thinking about it for years. My professor brought it up. Something clicked in my head and I thought “let’s do it” and that was it.
Devan: Got it. So you started applying to English teaching jobs and you got in..
Peter: ...and I got in. I started teaching English and I also went to Japanese language classes. From there, I got a position as a research student at a Japanese university. A few years later, I got my masters degree in economics, studying in Japanese. And then I started a PHD program in economics...
Devan: While working full time?
Peter: At first not full time but part time. So, I was working at a translation company. And, around this time... podcasting has just started and it started to get popular. So that’s where this story starts.
Devan: So with all of your experience in learning Japanese.... And then podcasting came along.
Peter: And I had some teaching experience too.
Devan: Right, right. Learning, teaching and now you have podcasting. It’s like you just connected the dots. You wanted to try a language learning podcast.
Peter: Exactly. It took me a while to connect the dots. I’m not that quick of a learner. But, after years of taking college classes, going to language school... and then finally living in Japan, I noticed that what you’re taught in school... is not exactly what you use everyday. It’s very good for formal occasions.... But you’re not taught the real conversations you use with friends. ANd most of the time, you’re speaking with friends or family so these are the type of conversations you really need.
Devan: Yeah, you don’t really learn conversations used with friends and in everyday life.
Peter: It’s hard. So I had the idea. Pitched it to my boss at the time... and... My boss rejected it.
Devan: Oh no! Why?
Peter: Well, first, I don’t think she knew what podcasting was. You know, some of the loanwords in Japanese, my boss was Japanese, didn't translate well. So you have to explain what this term is.
Devan: Ah, because it was so new at the time!
Peter: Exactly. But if you want to start a podcast... Or learn a language... you have to be persistent. I asked her again a little later.
Devan: What did she say?
Peter: She said “just go.” I think she was sick of me asking. She said “You can have some space in the office and you can use some of the people.” And the people were translators. So some of them spoke excellent English. And so we started recording lessons. We had no plan. No experience with podcasts. We just started recording... if you listen to the first podcast, it’s kind of funny ... and you can find those first lessons on JapanesePod101.com.
Devan: And this was way back in December 2005?
Peter: Wow, yeah, almost 13 years ago.
Devan: Wow, and here we are, with 34 languages ...and 1 billion lesson downloads later.
Peter: Yeah, it’s wow. That was kind of fun. But, listeners, there’s a bigger point to this billion milestone.
Devan: Listeners, It means the lessons work. 1 Billion lesson downloads don’t lie
Peter: You press play. You hear the conversation.
Devan: We slow down, translate and explain every word and grammar point...
Peter: ...So that you understand it all and are ready to speak. By the end, you know a whole conversation.
Devan: So, thank you for listening to the lessons...
Peter: ...For downloading the lessons.
Devan: We literally couldn’t have done it if hundreds of thousands of you weren’t learning with us...
Peter: Thank you. And remember...
Devan: If you want to master the language with our complete language learning program...
Peter: Now’s your chance. Our 1 Billion Celebration Sale Starts Now.
Devan: Get up to 35% OFF Basic, Premium and Premium PLUS.
Peter: ...and get instant access to fast, easy lessons by real teachers...
Devan: ...that get you speaking, reading, and writing from Beginner level to Advanced...
Peter: You go from learning your very first words...to mastering conversations.
Devan: You get Study Tools that help you learn faster...
Peter: ...mobile apps so you can learn on the go...
Devan: ...progress tracking tools that feed you lessons one by one, so it’s like you’re learning on autopilot.
Peter: ...and with Premium PLUS, you get your very own teacher.
Devan: Get up to 35% OFF Basic, Premium or Premium PLUS by August 24th, 2018.
Peter: That’s as low as $3 a month and up to $192 in savings..
Devan: If you’re on the site, click the link in the comments section of this Sunday News.

Outro

Devan: Okay, well, that’s going to do it for this edition of Innovative Language Learning Sunday News!
Peter: Bye everyone!
Devan: Thanks for listening, and we’ll see you all next time.

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