The Diplomat’s Guide to Fluency: 3 Rules from Susan Burns
How does a US diplomat learn 5 languages over a 25-year career abroad? By ditching the textbook and optimizing for human connection.
In this candid Q&A with an English club in Vietnam, veteran diplomat Susan Burns shares the exact mindset shifts she used to master multiple languages.
Watch the video above, then test your active listening skills.
Listening Comprehension Check
1. According to Susan, what is the most important thing to remember when speaking to native speakers?
2. How does she suggest you choose your reading or listening materials?
Strategic Profiling: Modality Match
Susan is a visual learner (requires subtitles), while her husband is an auditory learner (requires native cadence). Which learning profile matches your cognitive style?