秋月慢谈 Real Chinese Talk - Immersion for Intermediates

When chatting with friends, I’m often told, “Qiuyue, how do you manage to do so many things!”And I think to myself, I haven’t even listed everything else I’m doing yet!But honestly, I don’t feel like my life is all that busy—I’m just doing the things I genuinely enjoy (most of the time): learning languages, reading, working out, creating art, socializing, and playing games.That said, when I think about it more carefully, there are indeed some personal experiences I can share—things that might help others tap into their potential and explore more of what life has to offer.00:00 Opening & why this topic was chosen02:05 How many things I am doing, really?07:40 Multiple life pillars & maintaining balance09:18 Boosting energy levels13:08 Making use of fragmented time & avoiding social media17:19 External brain systems & integrating language learning into daily life和朋友聊天时，我常常被评价：秋月，你怎么能做这么多事情的！我心想：我还没有列出其他我还在做的事情呢！但我并没有觉得我的生活有多忙，我只是在做自己享受做的事情而已（大多数时候）：学习语言，读书健身，创作艺术，社交和游戏。但仔细想想，这其中，的确是有一些个人经验可以分享给大家，帮助大家能够充分发挥自己的潜力，尝试更多的事情。00:00 开场与选题动因02:05 我到底在做多少事情？07:40 多重重心与动态平衡09:18 提高能量水平13:08 利用碎片时间与远离社交媒体17:19 外脑系统与语言学习融入生活-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I shared one of my favorite tools for squeezing language practice into your daily routine—with the bonus of learning some art history along the way.Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensible input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast website: https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/YhdKL87JZxMAdditional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk One-time donation: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk/shop Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Real Chinese Talk has reached 1,000 subscribers on Spotify!While this number may seem insignificant compared to many top or mid-tier podcasts, for me, it's a major milestone.So, thank you all! Your listening, support, and comments are what keep me going.Along the way, I’ve also learned something very important — to be a friend of time. Sometimes, even when we put genuine effort into something, we might not get immediate positive feedback. But if we remain patient, good results will gradually show up.00:00 Opening & Thanks00:50 The Origins and Hiatus of the Podcast03:01 Encouragement and the Process of Starting Again04:16 Multiple Reasons for Podcasting & the Current Format07:02 Personal Growth & the Sense of Accomplishment from Independent Creation09:15 Podcast Expansion & Future Plans16:02 Comprehensible Input: A Core Method in Language Learning秋月慢谈在 Spotify 上的订阅人数达到了一千人！虽然这个数字对于很多头部、中部的播客来说是一个微不足道的数字，但是对我而言，这是一个很大的里程碑。所以很谢谢大家！你的收听、关注以及留言，是让我继续做下去的动力。在这个过程中，我也学会了很重要的一件事——做时间的朋友。有时候，我们用心去做一件事情，可能没法立刻得到正反馈，但是如果耐心一些，好的结果就会慢慢出现。00:00 开场与感谢00:50 播客的起源与中断03:01 激励与重新开始的过程04:16 做播客的多重原因，现在播客的形式07:02 自我成长与独立创作的成就感09:15 播客的拓展与未来计划16:02 可理解输入：语言学习的核心方法-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I kicked off a new series that introduces a fun way to learn Chinese by pairing words with photos and stories. This time, the story is about hotpot and shaved ice—do you know how to say these in Chinese?Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensible input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsOne-time donationContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

The distance in time and space seems to have placed a filter between me and my hometown.When living abroad, the China I saw was always a beautiful one; and when I recalled my childhood, only warm, comforting memories would surface.But when I finally returned to the place I had imagined countless times in my mind, reality turned out to be a bit different.If you’ve ever lived overseas—or are currently reflecting on the meaning of "home" and "distance"—this episode might resonate with you.00:00 Start00:30 Overview of my trip back to China & family reunion05:10 Domestic travel itinerary and tourist experiences08:00 Reflections on the idea that “distance creates beauty”11:42 The contrast between everyday convenience and unspoken social rules in China17:37 Revisiting childhood places & the bittersweetness of old friendships时间和空间的距离，仿佛在我和故乡之间架起了一层滤镜。身在他乡时，我眼中的中国总是美好的；回忆童年时，浮现的也尽是温暖的片段。可当我真正回到那个曾经在脑海中描绘了无数次的地方时，现实却有些不太一样。如果你也曾在海外生活，或者正在思考“家”与“距离”的意义，这期播客或许会引起你的共鸣。00:00 开头00:30 回国行程总览与家庭团聚05:10 国内旅行路线与旅游体验08:00 “距离产生美”的感悟11:42 国内生活便利与社会规则的反差17:37 回到童年场景与旧友情的感伤-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I kicked off a new series that introduces a fun way to learn Chinese by pairing words with photos and stories. This time, the story is about hotpot and shaved ice—do you know how to say these in Chinese?Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensible input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsOne-time donationContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

How much do you know about AI?Why is ChatGPT biased? Why is the emergence of DeepSeek beneficial for the diversity of language models? What is the current state of AI technology in the daily lives of people in China? As someone working in the tech industry, I’ll share how I use AI in both my work and personal life, offer some insights into the AI industry and its future, and give suggestions on how to make the most of AI tools. 00:28 Why Talk About AI 02:22 How I Use AI in Work and Daily Life 05:40 Four Types of AI Users 06:49 AI Bias and Cultural Differences 09:47 DeepSeek in China 13:05 The Future of AI and Core Human Abilities你对人工智能知道多少？为什么ChatGPT是有偏见的？为什么DeepSeek（深度求索）的出现有利于语言模型的多样性发展？人工智能技术在中国人生活里的现状是怎样的？作为一个在科技行业工作的人，我将分享我如何在我的工作和生活中使用人工智能，我对人工智能行业和未来的一些看法以及使用人工智能的建议。00:28 为什么聊人工智能02:22 工作与生活中使用AI的方式05:40 人工智能用户的四种类型06:49 AI的偏见与文化差异09:47 DeepSeek在中国13:05 AI未来趋势与人类核心能力Zen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceChina’s AI frenzy: DeepSeek is already everywhere ChatGPT is multilingual but monocultural-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I shared how Chinese people learn ancient Chinese literature, as well as one of my favorite Chinese ancient poems.Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensible input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsOne-time donationContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

We make choices every day—but in a world full of noise, opinions, and endless information, how can we stay true to our own decisions without being swayed by others?Or put another way: how should we get along with the world?In this episode, you’ll hear three specific ways of thinking that can help you find clarity in complexity and stay grounded in times of uncertainty.If you’ve ever felt unsure about the future or questioned your past decisions, this episode might offer you a new perspective.00:44 A thought-provoking question from a chinese cultural salon in the netherlands02:02 The starting point: how to relate to the world07:27 Mental tools for navigating a complicated world08:36 Three decision-making mindsets: grayscale thinking, systems thinking, and the belief in change16:52 A long but worthwhile process 我们每天都在做选择，可是在这个充满声音、观点和信息的世界里，如何坚持自己的决定、不被他人影响？或者说：我们该如何和这个世界相处？你将听到三种具体的思维方式，帮助我们在复杂中找到清晰，在迷茫中坚持自我。如果你也曾对未来感到犹豫，对过去的决定产生怀疑，那这期播客或许会带给你一些新的启发。00:44 荷兰中文文化沙龙的提问02:02 思考的起点：与世界相处的方式07:27 应对复杂世界的思维练习08:36 三种帮助做决定的思维方式：灰度思维，系统思维，改变的信念16:52 这是一个漫长的过程-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I shared how Chinese people learn ancient Chinese literature, as well as one of my favorite Chinese ancient poems.Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsSupport to keep me goingContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is very difficult—and indeed, it’s not easy—but learning a new language is something that becomes easier the more you do it.After studying several languages, I’ve learned which methods work and which ones don’t. This helps me learn each new language faster and more effectively.In other words, the more languages I learn, the better I become at learning new ones.In this episode of the podcast, I’ll be sharing the approach I’ve developed for learning a language from scratch, based on my experience studying four foreign languages.00:29 Language Background Introduction03:08 Five Steps for Learning a Language from Scratch (Methodology), Step 1: Find a Good Teacher06:28 Step 2: Prioritize Pronunciation Training07:51 Step 3: Choose the Right Textbook09:23 Step 4: Use Anki to Build Vocabulary and Common Phrases11:09 Step 5: Find Immersive Input Materials That Work for You13:57 Not Recommended: Doing Language Exchange Too Early16:16 Duolingo – User Experience and Reflections18:06 These Methods Are for Reference Only – Everyone Learns Differently很多人认为学习一门外语是很困难的一件事——的确，这并不容易——但是，外语的学习是一件“越战越勇”的事情。当我学习了几门语言之后，我知道什么样的方法奏效，什么方法没用。这能够帮助我更快、更好地学习下一门语言。也就是说，我学习的语言越多，我越会学习一门外语。这一期播客里，就是我在学习了四门外语之后总结的“从零开始”的方法。00:29 语言背景介绍03:08 从零开始的语言学习五步骤（方法论），第一步：找一个好老师06:28 第二步：重视发音训练07:51 第三步：选择合适的教材09:23 第四步：使用Anki积累词汇与句子11:09 第五步：找到适合自己的沉浸式输入材料13:57 不推荐的做法：初期语言交换16:16 Duolingo的使用体验与反思18:06 方法仅供参考，因人而异-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I dove into the official language difficulty rankings and touched on why Chinese is such a challenge. The goal was to motivate, not intimidate!Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsSupport to keep me goingContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Whenever I learn a new language, I always encounter a bottleneck—it feels like no matter what I do, I just can't seem to improve my language skills.However, after learning my fourth and fifth languages, I gradually figured out ways to break through these plateaus, especially after reaching an intermediate level.In this episode, I’d like to share these methods with you.00:19 Bottlenecks in language learning01:09 Personal language learning experience02:33 Methods to overcome language learning plateaus04:09 How to improve writing skills08:30 Methods for speaking practice12:50 Long-term strategies for language learning14:11 Future goal: speaking fluent Japanese在我学习任何一门语言的时候，我都曾经遇到过瓶颈——就好像自己似乎做任何事情都没办法提高自己的语言水平。但是，在我学习了第四门、第五门语言之后，我逐渐总结出如何突破瓶颈的方法，尤其是在水平达到了中级之后。这一期播客里，我想和你分享这些方法。00:19 语言学习的瓶颈01:09 个人语言学习经历02:33 语言学习的突破方法04:09 如何提升写作能力08:30 口语训练的方法12:50 语言学习的长期策略14:11 未来目标：流利说日语-------------------------------------In the latest newsletter, I dove into the official language difficulty rankings and touched on why Chinese is such a challenge. The goal was to motivate, not intimidate!Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsSupport to keep me goingContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nlVideo: the Netherlands

What Kind of Life Do I Want? How Can I Live the Life I Desire?To answer these two questions, you only need one method.And one day in the future, you will realize that you have become the person you once aspired to be.In this episode of the podcast, I will share this method and how it has benefited me.00:23 My experience at an offline gathering01:30 Pursuing dreams and taking action03:16 Future visualization exercise05:41 The logic behind future visualization07:19 How to conduct a visualization exercise10:05 Setting a vision and putting it into action我想过上什么样的生活？我怎么才能过上我想要的生活？回答这两个问题，你只需要一个方法。然后在未来的某一天，你会发现你已经成为了曾经的自己想成为的那个人。我将在这期播客里分享这个方法，以及我是如何受益的。00:23 线下聚会的经历 01:30 追梦与行动03:16 未来想象练习05:41 未来可视化的逻辑07:19 如何进行可视化练习10:05 设定愿景并付诸行动-------------------------------------In the last newsletter, I introduced some common mistakes that Chinese people make when speaking English—which might have important implications for your Chinese learning journey!Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Learning a language is like riding a roller coaster: sometimes I feel like giving up, and other times I’m incredibly motivated.I believe the hardest part of learning a language is sticking with it. So how can we keep going? Let me share my own experience. 00:23 The Importance of Language Learning in My Life01:22 The Low Points of Language Learning: Frustration and Self-Doubt03:02 Adjusting Mindset: Redefining Language Learning Goals06:26 Breakthrough in Language Learning: Measuring Progress with a "Fixed Benchmark"09:11 Communicating with Non-Native Speakers11:16 Perseverance: The Key to Language Learning学习语言就像坐过山车，有时我想放弃，有时我又受到极大的激励。我认为，学习语言最困难的事情是“坚持”。那怎么让自己坚持？我想分享一下自己的经验。00:23 语言学习在我生活中的重要性01:22 语言学习的低谷，失落与自我怀疑03:02 调整心态，重新理解语言学习目标06:26 语言学习的突破，使用“固定标尺”衡量进步09:11 和非母语者一起交流11:16 坚持是学习语言的关键-------------------------------------In last week’s newsletter, I introduced some common mistakes that Chinese people make when speaking English—which might have important implications for your Chinese learning journey!Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

I've recently become obsessed with a video game—the famous Stardew Valley! So far, I've already spent over 130 hours playing it—it's honestly kind of scary! But I don’t want to enjoy it alone, so I’m here to recommend this game to you, hehe!00:20 Obsessed with Stardew Valley01:45 Why the Game is So Popular03:31 Rich Details: NPC Relationships and Diverse Farm Management07:13 Sense of Achievement and Immersive Gameplay08:21 Stardew Valley’s Music and the Story of Its Independent Developer, ConcernedApe11:14 The Persistence and Success Behind Game Development13:25 The Connection Between Language Learning and Gaming我最近迷上了一个电子游戏，那就是大名鼎鼎的《星露谷》！到目前为止我已经玩了130多个小时了，真的是可怕！不过我不想一个人，所以我想向你安利这个游戏嘿嘿！00:20 迷上《星露谷》01:45 游戏受欢迎的原因03:31 细节丰富：NPC关系与农场经营的多样性07:13 游戏带来的成就感与沉浸式体验08:21 《星露谷》音乐与独立开发者ConcernedApe的故事11:14 游戏开发背后的坚持与成功13:25 语言学习与游戏的结合-------------------------------------In last week’s newsletter, I introduced what kind of magic is created when the Chinese characters “gold, wood, water, fire, earth” are superimposed!Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/The newsletter is available in both Chinese and English, making it a great read for you!-------------------------------------Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles)Additional learning materialsContact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

As a Chinese person who has been dominated by exams throughout my life, I recently realized that I am afraid of exams. I constantly feel anxious about upcoming tests, believing that my preparation is never enough and that I am incapable of performing to my true potential. It feels as though a single exam has the power to define my worth. This is the trauma that China's exam culture has left me with. 00:06 Adjusting my goals: deciding to give up the Dutch B2 exam 01:13 My experience learning Dutch and my language proficiency 03:01 The pressure of tight timelines 04:24 Feeling sad after changing my goals 06:21 I’m Chinese, but I’m not good at taking exams 08:11 Exam culture in the Chinese education system and its impact on individuals 13:15 Closing remarks of the podcast 作为一个被考试支配了一生的中国人，我最近突然意识到我害怕考试。我无时不刻地为即将到来的考试感到紧张，总是觉得自己的准备不够，无法在考试中发挥正常水平，仿佛一场考试就能决定我的价值。 这是中国的考试文化带给我的创伤。 00:06 目标调整：决定放弃荷兰语B2考试 01:13 学习荷兰语的经历及语言水平 03:01 时间线压力 04:24 改变目标后感到难过 06:21 我是中国人，但是我不擅长考试 08:11 中国教育体系中的考试文化与个人创伤 13:15 播客收尾 ------------------------------------- In last week’s newsletter, I introduced a language learning method I began using, which greatly improved my speaking skills in my target language. Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ ------------------------------------- Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/Zl2sca7JccI Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

My life and achievements in 2024 00:23 New Chinese name for the podcast 01:00 Principles for making New Year's resolutions and ways to reflect 03:21 The "big question" for 2024 07:16 Breakthroughs in language learning 11:16 The significance of writing 14:42 The significance of learning to swim 16:37 Growth in work 20:24 Looking forward to 2025 2024年我的生活和成就 00:23 播客新的中文名 01:00 制定新年计划的原则和反思的方式 03:21 2024年的“大问题” 07:16 语言学习的突破 11:16 写作的意义 14:42 学会游泳的意义 16:37 工作的成长与改变 20:24 展望2025 ------------------------------------- In last week’s newsletter, I introduced one of the ways to become famous in China, which can also serve as additional material to motivate you to learn Chinese. Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ ------------------------------------- Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/2gmhFeq-Nvg Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Christmas, New Year's Day and Chinese New Year - how do they intertwine for Chinese people living in Europe? As someone who straddles two cultures, the festive atmosphere of Christmas and New Year in Europe is both familiar and strange. While people here are reuniting with their families, Christmas and New Year's Day are just "another holiday" to me, and the most lively Chinese New Year in China is just an ordinary working day in Europe. I will share my observations, cultural comparisons and personal stories in this podcast. Experience these festive moments with me! 圣诞节、元旦和春节——对于生活在欧洲的中国人而言，它们是如何交织在一起的？ 作为一个跨越两种文化的人，欧洲圣诞节和新年的节日气氛既熟悉又陌生。 当这里的人在和家人团聚的时候，圣诞节和元旦节对我来说只是“另一个假期”，而在中国最为热闹的春节，在欧洲却只是一个平常的工作日。 我将在本期播客中分享我的观察、文化对比和个人故事。和我一起经历这些节日时刻吧！ ------------------------------------- In last week’s newsletter, I shared three simple Chinese books for native speakers that I believe intermediate learners can understand and find useful for language immersion. Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ ------------------------------------- Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/3vFPPl-CORc Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Tokyo is hands down my favorite city—something I realized after visiting it. As someone who’s spent their whole life living in cities, I’ve kind of become numb to them. Shopping malls, restaurants, streets, skyscrapers—they all feel the same after a while. But Tokyo? Tokyo’s different. Maybe it’s because I’ve been soaking up Japanese culture for years, but I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for this city. And this trip? It brought all those feelings to life. Why, you ask? Well, stick around for this episode, and I’ll spill all the details! 东京是我最喜欢的城市，这是我在去了东京之后下的结论。 作为一辈子都在城市里生活的我而言，城市似乎不再给我新鲜感——商圈、餐厅、街道、高楼大厦。 但是东京不一样，也许是受到了多年的文化灌输，我对东京似乎一直都有一个情结在。而这次的东京之行，则是让这个情节具象化了。 为什么？我会在这一期播客里慢慢道来！ ------------------------------------- Do you read while learning languages? If yes, then this app will boost your Chinese learning! In last week’s newsletter, I shared an online reading app that’s designed for Chinese native speakers, which will open up a lot of doors for your Chinese reading. You can find almost all the Chinese books there with copyright. Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ ------------------------------------- Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles): https://youtu.be/wMRKXPhIKTo Additional learning materials: https://www.patreon.com/RealChineseTalk Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl

Autumn and winter are seasons when colds and flu are common, and I couldn't avoid it either—I fell ill at the end of autumn. The experience of being sick in the Netherlands and in China is very different. The healthcare systems, people's attitudes towards illness, and even the policies for taking sick leave at work are all different. In this episode of the podcast, I'll talk about the differences in being sick in the Netherlands and in China. 秋冬季节是感冒、流感常发的季节，我也无法避免，在秋天的尾巴生了一场病。 在荷兰和中国的生病体验是非常不同的——医疗系统也好，大家对疾病的态度也好，甚至是在公司请病假的制度，都是不同的。 这一期播客里，我就来聊一聊，在荷兰和中国生病的不同。 ------------------------------------- How would a well-known author and artist teach his daughter Chinese characters? How can we benefit from his way of teaching? In last week’s newsletter, we share a book by a famous Chinese author, which introduced an interesting and effective way of learning Chinese characters. Interested in more Chinese learning tips and resources beyond the comprehensive input from the podcast? Subscribe to the Real Chinese Talk newsletter at https://www.realchinesetalk.nl/ ------------------------------------- Podcast Video (with bilingual subtitles) Additional learning materials Contact: qiuyue@realchinesetalk.nl