You Can Learn Chinese

Hosts Jared and John discuss the frustrations of a learner who came to John for help, particularly with pinyin and differentiation of similar sounds in Chinese. They explore why learners often misapply English pronunciation rules to pinyin and how comprehensible input can ease the learning curve. This episode is not just a deep dive into the phonetic and perceptual aspects of learning Chinese; it's also a heartening reminder that while the journey to fluency can be fraught with frustration, tailored strategies and persistent effort can lead to meaningful progress. Links from the episode: Character Play in Chinese | Sinosplice Mandarin Companion graded readers Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Driven by her love for Asian cultures, anime, and K-pop, Happi (from Happi Across Cultures) has learned Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Starting with friendships with exchange students, she went on to double major in Chinese and Japanese including studying abroad in Tokyo and Shanghai where she deeply engaged with the local culture. An accomplished singer, her story takes a viral turn when she sings at a concert with the famous Chinese singer, Joker Xue ( 薛之谦 Xuē Zhīqiān), showcasing the incredible opportunities that arise from language learning. For an inspiring tale of cultural immersion, language mastery, and musical collaboration, tune into this episode and follow Happi's ongoing journey on social media. Links from the episode: Happi’s viral duet with Joker Xue | Instagram | Weibo Happi @ Instagram | Weibo | Douyin Mandarin Companion graded readers Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Dive into the fascinating world of East Asian languages with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. Whether you're navigating the tonal waves of Chinese or untangling the polite intricacies of Japanese, this episode offers a deep dive into the nuances, challenges, and delights of learning these two rich languages. They also discuss invaluable resources for learners and the global implications of the Chinese diaspora versus Japanese homogeneity. If you've ever pondered the complexities of learning Japanese or Chinese or are simply fascinated by the cultures behind these languages, this episode is a must-listen. Links from the episode: Language Power Struggles | Sinosplice.com Mandarin Companion graded readers Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

In this riveting episode, a clueless American white guy shocks a podcast host with flawless Chinese using one trick that teachers hate!  Our special guest, Ari Smith, widely recognized as Xiao Ma on YouTube, shares the unexpected journey that led him from being a curious American to a Chinese-speaking internet sensation.  Our special guest is none other than Ari Smith, widely recognized as YouTuber Xiao Ma. In this light and engaging interview, we dig into how he got started with Chinese and how he turned, almost by happenstance, into a YouTube sensation.  Starting with a random free class in Chinese, his fascination with Chinese propelled him to immerse himself in its language and culture, leading to a year in China where he embraced full Mandarin immersion, laying the groundwork for his fluency.  Ari reveals how his genuine interactions in Chinese settings, from restaurants to nail salons, have captivated and motivated many. He also discusses his experiences into learning lesser-known languages, such as Native American dialects, underscoring the importance of preserving endangered languages and offering insights into the vast landscape of linguistic diversity. Links from the episode: Xiaomanyc 小马在纽约 | YouTube YourTeacher.AI Mandarin Companion graded readers Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Some people may find they have a knack for learning Chinese, but deciding to make Chinese a part of your life is another decision entirely. Akeel Alleyne shares his story from learning Chinese in high school to making the move to live and work in China. He talks about how Chinese has enriched his life, helped find his calling, and enabled him to carve out his own career.  Links from the episode: Card Games for Language Learning | Where John & Akeel met Akeel Alleyne | Linktree  Mandarin Companion graded readers Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Join us as we step into the world of China's educational system. With an extra special guest interview, we pull back the curtain of how Chinese is taught in Chinese schools. These first-hand insights shed light on how China’s classrooms influence how Chinese is taught around the world.  Links from the episode: Memes for Chinese Learners | Instagram Mandarin Companion graded readers

Hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden give you some pro tips on how to use AI, specifically Chat GPT, to learn Chinese. They explore a variety of use cases, including limitations and tips on how to get the most out of these large language models we call artificial intelligence.  Links from the episode: Chat GPT Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Our special Chinese Christmas episode first aired Dec 16, 2019.

John and Jared have some sad news to share and want your feedback on the future of the podcast.

So you want to get back into learning Chinese after taking a break. John and Jared give you tips on how to get back into learning Chinese and make it an even better experience than before. Guest interview is with Martina Fuchs, who started her career as an Arabic-speaking spy for the Swiss government and later became a TV journalist for China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Links from the episode:This Modern Chinese Life | All Set Learning lesson packTaylor Swift speaking Chinese deepfake | The China ProjectMartina Fuchs on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There is no shortage of advice on how to learn Chinese, but in this episode, hosts John and Jared not only talk about 10 common bad tips for learning Chinese, but also reframe them so you know what to do instead. Guest interview is with Dave Landis, a language enthusiast who shares his journey of learning Chinese, the role it played in his relationship with his Taiwanese wife, and how it benefits his teaching career.  Links from the episode:Chinese Grammar WikiSherlock Holmes and a Scandal in Shanghai | Level 2 graded readerCathoven Text Analyzer Dave Landis Blog Timestamps  Don't worry about tones [00:01:55] The misconception that tones are not important in speaking Chinese and that native speakers don't use tones naturally. Characters are too hard, just focus on speaking [00:04:21] The belief that learning characters is unnecessary and that focusing on speaking is enough to learn Chinese. Chinese has no grammar, don't worry about it [00:06:14] The misconception that Chinese language has no grammar and that learners don't need to study it. The capability of kids books [00:09:41] Kids books have a higher reading level than learners, and they contain special use vocabulary that may not be useful for learners. Reading novels as a beginner [00:11:09] Reading novels as a beginner is not an effective way to learn Chinese, as it is slow and challenging. Chinese poetry and idioms [00:13:17] Chinese poetry and idioms are not essential for beginners and should be appreciated at higher levels of language proficiency. All you need is Immersion [00:20:05] Discussion on the idea of immersing oneself in the language to learn it naturally and effortlessly. You need A well-rounded approach to learning Chinese [00:24:01] Emphasis on the importance of using multiple resources and methods to learn Chinese effectively. The lack of Chinese news sites for kids [00:30:21] Discussion about the limited availability of news sites in Chinese specifically designed for kids. Recommendation of a text analysis tool for Chinese [00:31:48] Introduction and recommendation of an online tool called "Cathoven" for teachers to analyze and level Chinese texts. Dave Landis' language learning journey [00:33:37] Interview with Dave Landis, a middle school teacher, about his language learning experiences, including his interest in German and Vietnamese before eventually learning Mandarin. Meeting and Marrying his Wife [00:41:36] Dave discusses how he met his wife and how learning Chinese helped him develop their relationship. Communicating with Bilingual Spouses [00:42:50] Dave  talks about how communication with his wife is mostly in English, but sometimes they switch to Chinese, especially when speaking to their children. Studying Mandarin in China [00:45:14] Dave  shares his experience of studying Mandarin in China, including his decision to attend the Chinese Language Institute in Guilin and his interactions with locals. Developing Listening Comprehension [00:52:14] Dave Landis discusses the importance of speaking to someone younger than him to improve his listening comprehension while learning Mandarin. Progress and Study Methods [00:52:48] Dave Landis talks about the progress he made during his time in China, including studying HSK 4, reading articles about China, and telling dad jokes in Chinese. Language Endurance and Filling in Gaps [00:56:38] Dave Landis and Jared Turner discuss the importance of language endurance and how participating in a language program helped fill in gaps in listening and speaking skills. The importance of reading graded books and getting a tutor [01:03:28] Dave recommends reading Mandarin Companion and Chinese Breeze books and getting a one-on-one tutor for rapid progress. The benefits of studying Mandarin overseas [01:04:12] Dave shares the example of a classmate who made rapid progress by studying Mandarin overseas and encourages others to do the same. Dave Landis' blog and his experience at CLI [01:04:38] Dave Landis talks about his blog, where he discusses the books he has read and his experience at CLI. A link to his blog will be provided in the show notes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stories about the impact of extensive reading on language fluency pulled from studies and research. Guest interview with Sarah Reinstein, a game developer.

You know a lot of Chinese, but can you actually use it? Listen to the stories of 10 years in Xinjiang from John Summers.

John and Jared discuss 5 principles to optimize your note-taking for language learning to maximize your learning gains. Guest interview is with Nick Anderson, a cross-cultural consultant and Chinese accent coach in Hollywood.

What if your perfectionism is holding you back from progressing in Chinese? Learn how perfectionism can both help and hinder you. Interview is with Rob Neal from Manchester, England.