Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Learn upper-beginner Mandarin with real stories from UK life. We talk about meeting Hong Kong neighbors, Cantonese vs Mandarin, Center Parcs, bikes, bowling, mini golf, and family costs. You get natural conversation, clear vocab, and usable phrases.What you learn today • Meeting neighbors in Chinese • Cantonese vs Mandarin basics, Traditional vs Simplified • Family, school, and community vocabulary • Activities vocab: bikes, boats, bowling, mini golf, swimming • Money talk: prices, renting, mortgages, daily costs • Travel talk: Center Parcs pros, cons, and tipsWho this helps • Upper-beginner to intermediate learners • HSK 2–4 • Learners who want comprehensible input and real topics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a bonus Tuesday episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast. We talk about summer holidays in the UK, why we want our kids to spend time in Taiwan, and what happened when a glamping hot tub got way too hot.If you’re learning Mandarin, this podcast gives you real conversations in English and Chinese. You’ll hear everyday Mandarin in context, with natural back-and-forth between a native speaker and a learner.In this episode:Teaching kids about Taiwan and Taiwanese cultureHow family life mixes with language learningWhy daily life experiences are the best way to learn MandarinGlamping stories, from sheep to wasps to a boiling hot tubMandarin Monkey is a bilingual podcast for Mandarin learners who want practice, culture, and fun without textbooks.Listen in, laugh with us, and pick up useful Mandarin along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 414 of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula debate whether people get more done working from home, in a café, or in a library. Tom explains why cafés push him to focus, while Ula admits she gets distracted by people-watching. The conversation moves into Mandarin culture and language, with a funny look at how to say “I’m coming” in Chinese without double meanings, and whether to call women Ayi, Jiejie, or Meimei in Taiwan. The episode mixes everyday Mandarin, cultural tips, and lighthearted conversation, giving you listening practice and real insights into life and language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We left the kids with Grandpa and went camping in the Cotswolds.In this episode, we talk about:Surviving storms, wind, and waspsSetting up camp like amateursWatching a movie in our tent with a projectorExploring Banbury and WoodstockLearning Mandarin through real, honest conversationUla speaks Mandarin. Tom speaks English. You get natural Mandarin input with built-in context. No textbook. No boring repetition. Just real talk, in two languages.Perfect for learners who want to:Train their ears with native MandarinUse context clues instead of translationsHear real-life conversations, not scripted phrasesWant more? Join lessons, hangouts, or get bonus content: 👉 https://www.mandarinmonkey.com 💬 Email: chat@mandarinmonkey.com 🎧 Join us on Patreon:  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think learning Mandarin is all flashcards and peaceful study sessions? Try doing it with three kids, zero time, and a brain that forgets half the vocab by lunch. In this episode, we talk about the real side of language learning—messy, inconsistent, and occasionally shouted across the room.We cover how we keep (some of) our Mandarin skills alive, why casual conversations aren’t enough, and how learning a language with your partner can be… character-building. There’s also some talk about camping, future dreams, and why structured study is like flossing—everyone says they do it, but come on.www.mandarinmonkey.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into another lively episode of the Mandarin Monkey podcast, where we celebrate the power of life's small victories and recount some unforgettable weekend adventures. From the thrill and challenges of landing a new job (hello, creative video applications!) to the quirky misadventures of a family boating trip overtaken by spiders, this episode covers it all with humor and heartfelt reflections. All in Mandarin and English. Join us as we explore how appreciating "little wins" can significantly boost happiness and why balancing work, family, and play is essential for a fulfilling life. Plus, we'd love to hear from you, share Tom's top 10 favorite films in the comments, and you might get a shoutout in our next episode!Get involved: Drop your favorite films below—we'll spotlight your picks in the upcoming episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the joys and chaos of family travel, focusing on our experiences in Taiwan. From navigating holidays with kids to finding moments of peace in the middle of it all, we reflect on what makes a trip truly memorable. We chat about Taiwan’s rich cultural moments like Children's Day, the importance of good food, and why nostalgia plays such a big role in where we go next.0:00 Intro & Banter  1:00 Planning Holidays with Kids  3:30 Jet Lag Struggles  4:30 Family Holidays in Taiwan  6:00 Taiwan’s Children’s Day  9:00 Mixing Fun & Peace in Holidays  12:00 The Joy of Having Nowhere to Be  15:00 Feeling Safe Abroad  18:30 What Makes Travel Peaceful?  23:00 How to Recreate That Feeling  26:30 10 Years of Chaos & Reflection  29:00 Planning Without Overplanning  32:00 Japan Adventures & Spontaneity  35:00 Time Pressure & Wanting More  36:00 Tandems & European Dreams  37:30 Travel Safety & Tourist Bubbles  39:30 Safari Dreams & Travel Timing  40:30 Christmas in Taiwan?  44:00 Back to Taiwan: Where & Why  47:00 Cities vs Countryside  49:00 Mountains & Memories  52:00 Revisiting Old Places  53:30 Wrapping Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Tom and Ula dive into the messy, hilarious, and honest journey of personal growth. From embracing the cringe that comes with putting yourself out there creatively, to exploring how AI is transforming content creation, they get candid about the highs and lows of doing what you love. They also dream out loud about future community events, live gatherings, and the lifelong journey of learning languages. Expect laughs, real talk, and a healthy dose of encouragement to just keep going.0:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene5:45 – Reflections on Personal Growth and Change12:51 – Navigating Cringe and Embracing Creativity17:37 – The Role of AI in Content Creation and Daily Life24:51 – Niche Challenges in Language Learning26:18 – Innovative Event Ideas for Language Learners33:58 – Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Creativity42:05 – Travel Aspirations and Future Plans48:00 – Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Mandarin Monkey Podcast, Tom and Ula get reflective about some of life’s biggest questions—what does wealth really mean, and is it the same as happiness? The pair open up about their journey through podcasting, parenting three kids, and navigating life’s chaos while trying to stay sane (or at least, mildly caffeinated).They explore how wealth without purpose feels hollow, why goals matter even if they shift, and the underrated power of boredom when your brain needs a break. Tom and Ula share travel dreams, the lessons they learned from their parents, and how to find those rare moments of peace in a noisy world.This episode mixes humour, cultural reflections, real-life stories, and a few honest admissions that might hit home. It’s raw, relatable, and full of practical wisdom for anyone trying to do life without losing their mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sweat through England’s heat wave while chatting about 3D printing family models, the oddities of British vs American English, and the quirks of parenting in ridiculous temperatures. From language mishaps to sleep-deprived parenting rants, it’s a mix of humour, insight, and the occasional meltdown. ALl spoken in Mandarin and English for your listening pleasure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.