You Can Learn Chinese

About this podcast

You can Learn Chinese, a podcast by Jared Turner and John Pasden of Mandarin Companion. Hear Chinese learning experts discuss how to learn Mandarin!

You Can Learn Chinese

Episodes

2021
#56 When should you start learning characters?
John and Jared unpack when you should start learning Chinese characters so you can find your own answer that might be later or earlier than you might think. Guest interview is with Adam DiFrisco who found the courage to make huge life changing decisions that brought him to China. Links from the episode: Learning Chinese via Twitch - Wired Speak Chinese With Me T-Shirt Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please write John and Jared a review on Apple Podcasts and they’ll give you a shout-out! They are also taking questions from listeners. If you have a question, reach them at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow them on Facebook and catch their latest Chinese-learning memes on Instagram.
February 22, 2021
65 min
#55 Flashcards, spaced repetition software, and building proficiency
John and Jared talk about flashcards and spaced repetition software, how they can help, their limits, and how to use them to build your Chinese skills. This guest interview is with Mandarin Blueprint cofounder Luke Neale, who felt the call of Chinese pulling him back to China, changing his life forever. Links from the episode: SRS flashcards: Pros and cons – Sinosplice Jekyll and Hyde – level 2 graded reader uNoGS.com – Netflix movie finder for other languages Mandarin Companion T-shirts Thanks for listening to the podcast! Please write John and Jared a review on Apple Podcasts and they’ll give you a shout-out! They are also taking questions from listeners. If you have a question, reach them at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow them on Facebook and catch their latest Chinese-learning memes on Instagram.
February 8, 2021
66 min
#54 Putting the Drama into Chinese Class
John and Jared review a paper written by a professor who incorporated graded readers and theater into a Chinese class. You’ll discover why it was so effective at helping students learn and gather even more ways to get creative with your graded readers. Guest interview is with Denis Suslov, a Russian who moved to China when he was 17 to study Chinese and is still there today working in a Chinese technology company. Denis' life philosophy is to find easy but effective ‘life hacks’ and you’ll hear which ones he used to become such a proficient Chinese speaker. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram. Links referenced in this episode: Mandarin Companion Shirts Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
January 25, 2021
52 min
#53 Reality vs. How You Think Your Chinese Sounds
John and Jared discuss the difference between how you think your Chinese sounds vs how it really sounds. Surprise surprise, there is a difference! John takes us through an academic paper to tell you which tones you should prioritize to make yourself understood more clearly. Guest interview is with Linda Yi, creator of Panda Cub stories and a heritage speaker who spent years trying to fit in before fully embracing her cultural identity. Although they have an advantage in learning Chinese, heritage speakers have unique challenges when compared to the average Chinese learner, something you’ll hear in Linda’s story. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Toward Better Tones in Natural Speech The Four Tones: Updated Tone Diagram Laowai Delusions of Fluency Chinese Film Classics Modern Chinese Cultural Studies YouTube channel Mandarin Companion Shirts Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
January 11, 2021
46 min
2020
#52 Top 10 Stories of 2020
In this special episode, John and Jared went back through all of the interviews of 2020 and pulled out the ten best stories. Get ready to laugh, reflect, and possibly shed a tear as we take a trip down memory lane. These stories show how learning Chinese can open doors in all aspects of your life, bringing unexpected and cherished connections… ...except the story about pooping in a bag. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode “Elementary My Dear Watson”: How We Adapted a Classic to Chinese Visualizing China – Historical Photographs of China Chinglish T-Shirts in China Mamahuhu Chinglish T-shirt sketch Mandarin Companion Shirts Megan Ammirati on Twitter Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
December 28, 2020
52 min
#51 Behind-the-Scenes Making a Mandarin Companion Graded Reader
John and Jared give you a behind the scenes look at how they choose and adapt stories for Chinese learners like you. It’s a look into how the sausage is made! If you’ve read any of the books, or do any sort of creative work, you may quite enjoy this segment. Guest interview is with Peter Braden, a Chinese history PhD with some serious Chinese chops. He’s performed Chinese poems in front of crowds of Taiwanese monks, loves a good Saturday morning Chinese Karaoke session and he’s writing a dissertation about Chinese cows in the 20th Century! Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode “Elementary My Dear Watson”: How We Adapted a Classic to Chinese Visualizing China – Historical Photographs of China Chinglish T-Shirts in China Mamahuhu Chinglish T-shirt sketch Mandarin Companion Shirts Megan Ammirati on Twitter Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
December 14, 2020
62 min
#50 What’s Holding You Back From Learning Chinese
What are you afraid of? John and Jared discuss the most common things that could be holding you back from learning Chinese. They offer tips on how to overcome them to achieve your dreams. Guest interview is with Megan Ammirati, a 2nd generation Chinese learner and Fulbright scholar. Her story shows that your parent’s Chinese will lie fallow in the field unless you apply yourself and find your own reason to learn. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Mandarin Companion Shirts Megan Ammirati on Twitter Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
November 30, 2020
67 min
#49 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Bridging the Gap to Native Materials (Part 4 of 4)
This is the fourth episode of a four-part series about learning how to read Chinese. This is the situation: you’ve read all the graded readers and learner content out there, and you're wondering….now what? John and Jared offer tips on how to bridge the gap to native level content. Guest interview is with Matt Sheehan, an intrepid American who landed in China to learn journalism and Chinese and then combined the two! You’re going to like his story, even the part about him pooping in bag. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Boring Bangongshi by AllSet Learning Sinosplice: Bite-sized WeChat Material for Advanced Learners: Luoji Siwei Sinosplice: The Value of Reading Marvel Comics in Chinese Sinosplice: Pleco’s Hidden Gem: the Clipboard Reader AllSet Learning: Why It’s So Difficult to Find Intermediate Reading Material A Madman’s Diary 狂人日記 (Kuángrén Rìjì) by Lu Xun, 1918 Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Chinese) 小屁孩日记非常小子马鸣加 Fēicháng Xiǎozi Mǎ Míngjiā Word Wall Games Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram Funny Chinese Shirts
November 16, 2020
64 min
#48 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Developing Fluency Now (Part 3 of 4)
This is the third episode of a four-part series about learning how to read Chinese. In this episode, John and Jared discuss the concept of fluency now as opposed to some distant time in the future and how reading will get you there. Guest interview is with Olle Linga of Hacking Chinese and Chinese language enthusiast extraordinaire. He offers the Chinese learning tips that he wishes someone had told him back when he started Chinese. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram Funny Chinese Shirts Hacking Chinese Escape – Chinese language text game
November 2, 2020
60 min
#47 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Baby Steps to Real Reading (Part 2 of 4)
Welcome to Part Two about learning how to read Chinese. In this episode, John and Jared discuss how to get into reading at an early stage, even if you don’t have anything that is low enough for you to read! Guest interview is with Heather Turner, an entrepreneurial mother of five. She’s a qualified dental hygienist, professional baker, and most recently, a 5th grade Chinese teacher! Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode What If “Beginning Level” Chinese Books Are Too Hard? 10 Tips for Beginning Readers Robin MacPherson YouTube Channel - How To Develop Spoken Fluency Through Reading Glamping in Shanghai Sentence Mining Like a Boss T-Shirts for Chinese Learners Chinese Grammar Wiki Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
October 19, 2020
53 min
#46 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Pinyin, Characters, Vocabulary (Part 1 of 4)
Welcome to the first of a four-part series about learning how to read Chinese. In this episode, John and Jared start at the beginning and talk about how to learn pinyin, characters, and vocabulary. Guest interview is with Scott Young, author of bestselling novel “Ultralearning”. Scott spent a year without English and managed to be conversational in four new languages, including HSK Level 4 Chinese! Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode SinoSplice - Learn the Structural Patterns of Chinese Characters Hacking Chinese - 7 ways of learning to write Chinese characters Outlier Linguistics - Getting Radical About Radicals Ode to Heisig and RTK YoYo Chinese Lesson 1 – Intro to Chinese Skritter HanziCraft Language Log – Chineasy? Not. Scott Young - Ultralearning T-Shirts for Chinese Learners Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
October 5, 2020
59 min
#45 The Perils of Taking Chinese Literally
John and Jared discuss a linguistic concept that you’ve probably never heard of but is pervasive throughout all languages. This will help you understand why for some things there is simply no direct translation and the answer for “why is it said this way?” is often “that’s just how it’s said”! Guest interview is with Stephen Loach, a particle physicist turned artificial intelligence developer who fell in love with the Chinese language. This interview underscores a fundamental truth: no matter how intelligent you may be or what method you use to learn, you still have to put in the work to learn Chinese. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Independent Study Confirms the “Readability” of the Mandarin Companion Series James Loach Website Chinese Dictionary for Kindle T-Shirts for Chinese Learners Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
September 21, 2020
45 min
#44 Using Chinese at Work with Kaiser Kuo
John and Jared discuss using Chinese in the workplace and how you can use it no matter what your level. Guest interview is with Kaiser Kuo, a well know figure among China expats, and who, among many things, started the first Chinese heavy metal band in China and the growth of his Chinese skills is one thing that made it possible. Get ready for some awesome stories. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode T-Shirts for Chinese Learners How to Use Graded Readers to Build Student Fluency in Chinese - Webinar AllSet Learning Book Club Slow Chinese Podcast Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
September 7, 2020
67 min
#43 How to Level Up Your Listening Skills
In this episode, you’re going to learn how to level up your Chinese listening skills. Jared and John will be sharing tips and tricks you can use no matter where you live. Guest interview is with Eric Majerus, a home grown American boy learning Chinese for the sake of his family. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode T-Shirts for Chinese Learners How to Use Graded Readers to Build Student Fluency in Chinese - Webinar AllSet Learning Book Club Slow Chinese Podcast Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
August 24, 2020
55 min
#42 How to Get a Laugh in Chinese
So you think you’re funny? John and Jared discuss some of the cultural differences of Chinese humor and what it takes to get your Chinese friends rolling on the floor in laughter. Guest interview is with Laszlo Montgomery, host of the famous China History Podcast. It's the go-to podcast if you want to learn about the long and at times complex history of China and Chinese people around the world. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode T-Shirts for Chinese Learners Jokes in Chinese The China History Podcast Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
August 10, 2020
48 min
#41 How to Use Translation to Learn Chinese
John & Jared discuss the role of translation in the language learning journey. When you encounter a text with many unfamiliar characters, should you open a translation app? Guest interview is with Jeremy Goldkorn, a 20 year veteran of China from South Africa and co-host of the Sinica Podcast. Jeremy’s first learned Chinese in the 90s while sleeping in a Beijing factory dormitory. Today he is the Editor in Chief of SupChina, a news platform offering an accurate, comprehensive, and contextual understanding of China. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode SupChina Sinica Podcast The Chinese Grammar Wiki Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
July 27, 2020
51 min
#40 How to Set Goals for Learning Chinese
John and Jared discuss how to set language learning goals, with concrete ideas on how to break them down into achievable chunks and avoiding the trap of “I want to be fluent enough to read a Chinese newspaper”. Guest interview is with Peter Olson, the creator of Dong-Chinese.com, a man who was born in China, moved to America, and now lives Kazakhstan (go look that up on the map!). He super-charged his Chinese learning by following through on a New Year’s Eve commitment: speaking only Chinese for an entire month. Links referenced in this Episode #19 How to Find Your Motivation #24 The 4 Types of Tone Mistakes Dong Chinese Xiao Ming, Boy Sherlock – Breakthrough Level Graded Reader Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
July 13, 2020
45 min
#39 The Future of Learning Chinese
In this special episode, we have a guest interview with expert Chinese teacher trainer and innovator, Terry Waltz. She’s a renegade in the Chinese language of community, championing the cause of comprehensible input, which is the future of all language education. Like us, she’s published a host of graded readers in Chinese and shares a career full of wisdom with us in about 30 minutes. John and Jared will break down her interview and talk about the points that are critical to you as a Chinese learner. Plus, you’ll get some talk about the most recent 2020 National Chinese Language Conference. Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram Links referenced in this Episode Cold Character Reading – Terry Waltz Sample Chinese text of 98%, 95%, and 80% Comprehension Terry Waltz’s Graded Readers The Ransom of Red Chief – Level 1 Graded Reader Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
June 29, 2020
64 min
#38 How Much Mandarin Do You Need To Speak?
John and Jared break down what it’s going to take if you want to get conversational in Chinese both in terms of the number of words and which ones are the most necessary. Plus, where to find the vocab to explain the Black Lives Matter movement to your Chinese-speaking friends. Guest interview is with Finlay Davidson, who went from being the below-average student in his classes to a Chinese language teacher today. One of the keys to his success: basketball! Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on Instagram. Links referenced in this Episode. National Chinese Language Conference Resources for Discussing Black Lives Matter in Chinese The Misadventures of Zhou Haisheng Finlay Davidson Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
June 15, 2020
52 min
#37 Chinese Homestay Censorship Vampires
Guest interview is with John Gordon, a longtime resident of Beijing who went from English education to starring in a Children’s TV show in China. His journey shows the value of a long homestay experience in helping with pronunciation and the unbelievable doors that learning Chinese can open for you. John and Jared then discuss his story and explore the value of homestays, navigating Chinese censorship and how to represent yourself as a foreigner in China. And if you want to know how vampires fit into this, you’ll have to stay to the end. Links referenced in this Episode. John Gordon on 快乐中国 Chinese Pronunciation Wiki Trailer for Chinese Speaking Vampires Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram
June 1, 2020
59 min

You Can Learn Chinese

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

You Can Learn Chinese

Episodes

#56 When should you start learning characters?

#55 Flashcards, spaced repetition software, and building proficiency

#54 Putting the Drama into Chinese Class

#53 Reality vs. How You Think Your Chinese Sounds

#52 Top 10 Stories of 2020

#51 Behind-the-Scenes Making a Mandarin Companion Graded Reader

#50 What’s Holding You Back From Learning Chinese

#49 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Bridging the Gap to Native Materials (Part 4 of 4)

#48 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Developing Fluency Now (Part 3 of 4)

#47 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Baby Steps to Real Reading (Part 2 of 4)

#46 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Pinyin, Characters, Vocabulary (Part 1 of 4)

#45 The Perils of Taking Chinese Literally

#44 Using Chinese at Work with Kaiser Kuo

#43 How to Level Up Your Listening Skills

#42 How to Get a Laugh in Chinese

#41 How to Use Translation to Learn Chinese

#40 How to Set Goals for Learning Chinese

#39 The Future of Learning Chinese

#38 How Much Mandarin Do You Need To Speak?

#37 Chinese Homestay Censorship Vampires