You Can Learn Chinese

John and Jared discuss how you can develop mad Chinese writing skills, complete with very practical activities to build those skills, either with others or by yourself. Make sure you stay tuned for John’s writing game “Eat poop, you cat”. Guest interview is with Shannon Kennedy, an extraordinary polyglot whose love of Chinese redefined her friendships in ways she could have never imagined. Her story is an inspiration for all of us to get out there and learn more. 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.The Process of Learning TonesEat Poop You CatHelloTalk – Talk with natives around the worldLang-8 – Writing platformEurolinguisteMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John and Jared have an insightful discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe with an on-the-ground perspective in China and the US. John talks about the two month lockdown in Shanghai he experienced and what the end of the pandemic may look like. Jared shares the story of the virus infecting his own son, including a neighbor who, at the time of this recording, is hospitalized in the ICU in critical condition. If that isn't enough, you'll hear about the earthquake that hit Utah on March 18th. This is an episode we never thought we’d record, but to help everybody out, we wanted to share our 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.Coronavirus Lockdown in Shanghai: One Month In - SinoSpliceOnline Book Club Courses from AllSet LearningThe Unavoidable Novel Coronavirus VocabularyMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John and Jared talk discuss everything you wanted to know about extensive reading but were afraid to ask. After this, you’ll be able to identify why many of the traditional methods of learning a language are not as effective and how extensive reading solves all of those. If you want to accelerate your path to Chinese fluency, this episode is for you. Guest interview is with Mariano Millet from Argentina. He has spent the last 8 years learning Chinese, a path that started when he decided to ask a girl out on a date. He now delivers business presentations to Chinese investors...in 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.The Extensive Reading FoundationThe inescapable case for extensive readingMandarin Companion Chinese Graded ReadersReading Pain or Reading Gain? Reading at the Right LevelThe Chairman’s BaoMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, John and Jared talk about the difference between learning Chinese as a second language vs. learning as a foreign language. At first glance, they seem to be the same thing, but as you pick it apart you begin to see how the difference insidiously impacts learning all over the world.Stop us if you’ve heard this story before: a Chinese learner dabbles for 20 years, learning here and there, but never gets to fluency. This was Christophe Boulet’s life until he figured out smarter approaches that led to breakthroughs and the proficiency he enjoys today. In today’s guest interview, he shares his smart breakthrough methods.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 InstagramLinks referenced in this Episode.Mamingjia -非常小子马鸣加Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jared talks with Grant Brown, an expert on HSK and AP Chinese test prep. Grant tells us the key reasons people fail, and the secrets to passing. This is advice you won’t hear anywhere else from a teacher who has seen both sides.We learn the power of reading and how it will fool your Chinese-learning classmates into assuming you did a year abroad in China. Plus, Grant covers the importance of building up stamina in the run up to the tests along with tips on memory retention and why context is crucial to learning faster.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 InstagramLinks referenced in this Episode.How to Pass the AP Chinese Exam: Secrets from a Teacher with a Perfect Pass Rate

Do you find it hard to remember characters? We all do. In this episode, John and Jared discuss a method that has delivered results time and time again. Plus, imagine reading a Charles Dickens novel in Chinese…but with only 450 characters! Guest interview is with Chris Max. He is a famous You Tuber that you may not have heard of because all of his videos are in Chinese and made for Chinese audiences. His story reveals how focusing on his tones unlocked deep friendships in the country and what it takes to become an internet sensation. 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.The Heisig MethodChinese Calligraphy Written in Chalk at the ParkChris Max YouTube Channel “口语老炮儿马思瑞Chris”Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What can you realistically learn from a textbook? John and Jared discuss this question to help anyone understand how far a textbook can take you towards fluency. Plus, be ready for a surprise guest appearance from John’s mother-in-law! Guest interview is with Jeff Lindsay, a warm and funny man whose love for Chinese has translated into love for the people. His stories will shine a ray of light into your heart and show how the power of connection through language can enrich our lives. 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.The Four Keys to Learning Chinese You Need to KnowThe Current War MovieJeff Lindsay’s WebsiteMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode, John and Jared go over the top 10 YCLC podcasts of the year, highlighting their favorite episodes and why. If you’re new to the podcast, this is a must listen to find out what you might have missed! Plus, there’s a special two truths and a lie, featuring LeBron James, an electric collision with a policeman and a little romance. Guest interview is with Jordan Schneider, host of the China EconTalk podcast and Newsletter. Jordan represents the new generation of Chinese learners who frequently cast aside traditional educational models, focus on what works, and carve out their own path to fluency. His candor and experience are both insightful and refreshing. Don’t miss out on this one. 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 InstagramLinks referenced in this Episode.John & Jared’s Favorite EpisodeChina EconTalk PodcastJordan SchneiderMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

圣诞节快乐! This is our special Christmas episode! John and Jared discuss Christmas is like in China, Christmas words in Chinese, and they even have a “name that tune” for some Chinese Christmas carols, all to bring you some Christmas cheer… in Chinese!. Don’t miss John’s delicious Chinese coffee rave –a special delight for anybody living in China. Guest interview is with Mervyn Cooke. He is the kind of person that after talking to him for a few minutes, you feel like he’s an old familiar friend you haven’t seen for a while, and you’re just catching up on life. This is a very special interview – a moving way to reflect on your year learning Chinese and a meaningful way of getting perspective on your life. 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.Chinese Christmas SongsO Derry Boy – Mervyn Cooke’s book of poetryJohn’s Graduate Masters Thesis on Tonal PairsResearch Paper - Extensive Reading Coursebooks in ChinaMandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tones are definitely one of the challenging aspects of Chinese. In this episode, John and Jared discuss the 4 types of mistakes learners make with tones and offer tips on fixing them quickly. Guest interview is with China-based CELTA trainer Mathew Armstrong. Sometimes we try to demonstrate how “good” our Chinese is, however Mathew offers a humbler perspective on how much there is left to learn despite passing a high level Chinese test. He also explains his motivations for learning Chinese, motivations that are different than many of the other guests interviewed on this show. 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.Types of Tone Mistakes - SinospliceCLASS – Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools[CELTA - Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)( https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/teaching-qualifications/celta/)Mandarin Companion Memes - Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.