Episodes

• 2021

• #59 Bridging to Breakthrough and Abigail Washburn

  What if you are still struggling to get to the point where you can read the lowest level graded readers? What techniques can get you there? John and Jared will discuss steps you can take to bridge the gap to real reading and also begin to experience the snowball effect of reading in Chinese. Guest interview is with Abigail Washburn, a Grammy Award winning bluegrass musician, whose plans to attend law school in Beijing were derailed by a record deal.  Links from the episode: How to Learn to Read Chinese: Baby Steps to Real Reading (Part 2 of 4) Xiao Ming, Boy Sherlock (Mandarin Companion Breakthrough Level book) Mandarin Corner http://www.wufeimusic.com/abigail-washburn 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.
  April 5, 2021

  74 min

• #58 Will Chinese become the next global language?

  Will Chinese one day unseat English to become the dominant language around the world? Jared and John discuss a paper by professor Jeffery Gil who predicts that one day it will. Guest interview is with Amani Core who provides a philosophical perspective on how Chinese shapes our view of humanity. Links from the episode: “Chinese to Rise as a Global Language” by Jeffery Gil These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (Amazon) 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.
  March 22, 2021

  62 min

• #57 What’s in a Chinese surname?

  You probably know a bit about Chinese surnames, but in this episode you’ll learn how they relate to both Chinese culture and language acquisition plus how they can even help you forge new relationships in Chinese. Guest interview is with Chris Marquis (of the China Corner Office podcast), business professor from Cornell University specializing in China, who has been using Chinese all across China for years as part of his research. Links from the episode: The Top 100 Chinese Surnames (Sinosplice) Chinese surname (Wikipedia) Mapping China's Surnames 制图 "老百姓" Just Friends? / 我们是朋友吗？ (Mandarin Companion graded reader) China Corner Office (SupChina podcast) Chris Marquis  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.
  March 8, 2021

  57 min

• #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