It has taken me many hours working out how to add podcasts to Lingq, so I thought I would share the process that worked for me.
Writing my first blog post in English on my Dutch blog is rather strange. I am adding this because if you are learning a new language like me, it is useful to get tips on where and how to learn.
What is Lingq?
Before I head into the how-to of this post, I thought it might be helpful to share what Lingq is. It is an app that helps you to learn a language through reading and listening. It is available as apps and as a website, so great for keeping you on the language learning trail wherever you are. I have it on my phone and desktop computer so I can always be near a lesson.
The great thing about Lingq is that you can add your own content. This is important as it means you can choose topics that interest you (that you’re likely to talk about daily) and keep language learning enjoyable.
Each lesson presents new words you can keep highlighted (to recognise in other situations) or mark as learnt when you know them.
How to add podcasts to Lingq
- Set up a Lingq Account and download the apps
- Add the Lingq Importer Browser Extension (available here)
- Download TuneFab Spotify Music Converter (available here for Windows and Mac)
Once you have completed these steps, you’re ready on your desktop computer or laptop; you can add podcasts to Lingq.
Getting the text and pictures
To begin, visit the podcast page to collect the transcript and podcast pictures. It is helpful to note that not all podcasts offer transcripts, making them difficult to learn from in the Lingq way, so choose ones that do, e.g. Een Beetje Nederlands.
Click on the Lingq Importer icon on the top right-hand side of the browser screen (if it’s not there, open extensions and click on the pin icon next to the address bar)
Click on the down arrow in the “Import to” box. Choose the option to “+ New Course” and name it appropriately. You can also add tags to help you find it in the future. Then press “Import“
This will add the text and information to your course on Lingq, ready for you to edit and add your podcast audio.
Downloading the podcast audio to add to the lesson
Using TuneFab Spotify Music Converter, you will need to open the app and log in to Spotify.
(NOTE: to be able to download more than 3 minutes of each podcast/audio recording, you will need to purchase a licence. I bought the lifetime licence for £39.59, which I think is worthy as it makes adding to my Lingq easy!)
Search for the podcast you are looking for e.g. “Een Beetje Nederlands” and open up the playlist.
Click on the plus sign on the right-hand side of the screen to start converting podcast episodes.
Choose which episodes you want to convert (the ones you have added to your Lingq via the Lingq Importer – you need to do this for each individual podcast) or choose “Convert All“
The programme will convert the files and save them for you on your desktop.
Click on “Open Folder” at the bottom of the screen to be taken to the file on your computer.
Adding the audio to the Lingq lesson
Now that you have the MP3 file for your chosen podcasts, you can now head over to Lingq on your browser to add it to the text.
Click on the course picture and then the three dots to choose to “Edit Course“
Select the lesson you want to add the audio to, which will open a new window
Click the little pencil icon my “Add Audio” to open the uploading window. (my example already has audio, so yours will only have a button for uploading the audio)
Drag the file from the TuneFab > Spotify Music Converter > Converted folder then click “Add” which will start the upload.
This should now autosave for your lesson and allow you to move onto the next lesson you want to add podcast audio to. Simply follow the steps again to add more.
That is how to add podcasts to Lingq. I hope you found it useful as it will be a very useful tool for you with your language learning. Whether you’re learning Dutch or another language, reading and listening is an excellent way to build your knowledge.
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