You Can Learn Chinese

Chaniece Chen didn’t just study Chinese, she built her own major, battled burnout in an intensive language program, and came back for more. In this episode, Jared talks with Chaniece about her 12-year journey in China, from struggling with tones to thriving in Shanghai as a translator, community organizer, and content creator.Chaniece opens up about the highs and lows of immersion: how her college program led to burnout, how thinking in Chinese helped her improve, and why perfectionism can be a hidden danger for motivated learners. She also reflects on what it's like being a Black woman in China, her experience in Xinjiang, and how she built a life, and family, abroad.Links from the episode:@ThisIsChaniece | InstagramDo you have a story to share? Reach out to us

You’re reading Chinese, and there it is, pinyin over every character. It feels helpful, even comforting. But is it actually holding you back? In this episode, Jared and John explore how pinyin can become a crutch that cripples your Chinese progress and keeps you from truly mastering characters.They revisit Jared’s blog post from years ago, Pinyin Over Characters: The Crippling Crutch, and unpack how this issue is still alive and well, especially with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. You’ll hear how pinyin over characters affects your eye movement, slows your reading speed, and hinders character recognition. Jared and John also break down the psychology behind why pinyin is so hard to ignore and offer practical strategies to reduce your reliance on it. From browser extensions to smarter AI prompts, they share ways to keep pinyin available only when you need it, not when it interferes.If you’ve ever found yourself relying too heavily on pinyin, or wondering why your reading fluency isn’t improving, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to move forward.What you’ll learn:Why native Chinese speakers learn characters before pinyinHow pinyin affects your focus, memory, and reading speedThe difference between helpful support and harmful overuseHow to use AI tools more intentionally in your learningWhat extensive reading looks like without pinyin distractionsThe importance of finding level-appropriate reading materialsLinks from the episode:Pinyin over Characters: The Crippling CrutchMandarin Companion Graded ReadersLearn Chinese Characters by Reading | AmazonDo you have a story to share? Reach out to us

In this episode, Jared sits down with Chimsy—marketer, meme connoisseur, and host of the China University Podcast—to dive deep into his unconventional journey from Costa Rica to China. What started as a challenge to prove a dismissive restaurant owner wrong turned into a life-changing adventure of language, culture, and self-discovery.Chimsy shares how he went from working graveyard shifts in call centers to earning a Chinese government scholarship, despite setbacks like failing the HSK 3 and losing his passport on day one in China. Through humor and raw honesty, he reveals the challenges of adjusting to life in Chinese university dorms, building real friendships, and grinding through language barriers. Be prepared for his raw, unvarnished, and honest take on learning Chinese and living in China, how memes can be more than just entertainment, and why making one good Chinese friend can change everything. Links from the episode:China University Podcast Memes | Instagram China University Podcast | SpotifyDo you have a story to share? Reach out to us

AI tutors are revolutionizing language learning, but are they effective for mastering Chinese? The hosts dissect the limitations of AI, particularly in understanding beginner vocabulary and recognizing tones. They compare AI tutors with human teachers, emphasizing the importance of personalized feedback. Practical tips for using AI tools effectively based on proficiency levels are shared. Plus, they explore how AI affects motivation and anxiety levels among learners, prompting listeners to evaluate the worth of integrating AI into their language journey.

Paul Mike Ashton, an American content creator known for his viral 'City 不 City' meme, shares his journey from Pennsylvania to becoming a comedy sensation in China. He discusses the challenges of learning Chinese, the hilarious language barriers he faced, and how his unique cultural blend resonated with millions. With insights on monetizing content and the power of humor in connecting cultures, Paul highlights how mastering the language opened unexpected doors and friendships, making his story a relatable and laugh-out-loud tale.

Is translation a necessary tool or a crutch that slows down your Chinese fluency? In this episode, Jared Turner and John Pasden dive deep into the role of translation in language learning. They explore the history of the grammar-translation method, the rise of communicative language teaching, and how translation can both help and hinder your progress. Drawing on their own experiences learning Chinese, they share practical insights on when and how to use translation effectively — from using Google Translate strategically to understanding why translating word-for-word isn't always a bad thing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your Chinese, this episode will help you find a balanced approach to translation that boosts your confidence and accelerates your learning journey.Links from the episode:Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Jared chats with Grant Brown, an expert in HSK and AP Chinese test prep. Grant shares why so many students fail, and more importantly, what you need to do to pass. Drawing on his experience as both a teacher and test prep specialist, he offers practical and often overlooked advice you won’t hear anywhere else.You’ll learn why reading is your secret weapon and how it can make your classmates think you did a year abroad in China. Grant also shares how to build stamina for test day, memory tricks that actually work, and why learning in context helps you retain more, faster.Whether you're taking one of these exams or just want to improve your Chinese study strategy, this episode is packed with insights that can give you the edge.Links from the episode:⁠How to Pass the AP Chinese Exam: Secrets from a Teacher with a Perfect Pass Rate⁠ | Mandarin Companion Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

Chinese language learners sometimes hold surprising advantages over native speakers. They often grasp intricate grammatical rules and tone changes that natives overlook. The hosts contrast intuitive speaking with analytical comprehension, shedding light on the nuances of language understanding. Through amusing anecdotes, they illustrate how learners navigate tricky aspects of Chinese. The podcast also emphasizes the value of qualified tutors to enhance learning experiences, making the journey to mastering Chinese even more enriching.

No matter how long you've been learning Chinese, you’ll still have an accent. But why is that? In this episode, Jared and John talk about your accent in Chinese and how to reduce it. They discuss the differences in how accents are perceived in China versus the West, tackle some of the toughest pronunciation challenges like pinyin pitfalls, tone swaps, and the elusive Mandarin "R" sound, and share insights on what it really takes to sound more native.Whether you’re a beginner struggling with pinyin, an intermediate learner trying to nail your tones, or an advanced student aiming for clarity over perfection, this episode will help you level up your pronunciation and be understood with confidence. Links from the episode: Chinese Pronunciation Wiki | Free pronunciation guide Pronunciation Packs (scroll down) | AllSet Learning Mandarin Chinese Tone Pair Drills | Sinosplice The 3-2 Tone Swap Error | Sinosplice Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

What happens when an American comedian immerses himself in Chinese comedy? Jesse Appell’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, Jesse shares how his curiosity about language led him to study in China, become a Fulbright scholar, and apprentice under a master of Xiangsheng (traditional Chinese cross-talk comedy). He takes us through the highs and challenges of performing comedy in Chinese, founding a bilingual comedy club in Beijing, and why understanding humor is the ultimate test of language fluency.Jesse also discusses his shift into social media and entrepreneurship with Jesse’s Tea House, his global tea business. Plus, hear his insights on learning Chinese, navigating cultural differences, and why embracing the hard parts of language learning leads to real growth. Links from the episode:Jesse’s TeahouseJesse Appell Comedy | Laugh BeijingDo you have a story to share? Reach out to us