I'm Learning Mandarin

My blog: imlearningmandarin.com--In this episode, I delve into the question: Is Taiwan a good place to study Mandarin? I draw on my experiences of living and studying in Taiwan and give it an overall rating out of 10 across three criteria:1. Overall as a place to live.2. Quality of teaching.3. Immersive opportunities.

Discover how AI can revolutionize your Mandarin communication skills. Personal anecdotes reveal the unexpected hurdles that even advanced speakers face in daily interactions. Learn practical tips to enhance your confidence and preparedness in real-life situations. Embrace technology as your ultimate companion in navigating the complexities of Mandarin conversations.

Links: My blog: https://imlearningmandarin.com/Mandarin Retreats: https://imlearningmandarin.com/uk-mandarin-immersion-retreats/--New vocabulary learned:1. 甜筒Pinyin: tián tǒngEnglish: Ice cream cone甜 = sweet筒 = tube/cone (refers to the cone shape)Together, this means an ice cream cone. 2. 中焙 / 中深焙 (used in the context of coffee roasting)中焙Pinyin: zhōng bèiEnglish: Medium roast中 = middle / medium焙 = to roast (especially coffee or tea)This is a medium roast — a balanced roast level often used for drip coffee.3. 原路折返Pinyin: yuán lù zhé fǎnEnglish: To return by the original route / retrace one’s steps原路 = original path / the same road折返 = to turn back / go backOften used in navigation, or metaphorically in life to mean going back the way you came.4. 知难而退Pinyin: zhī nán ér tuìEnglish: To retreat in the face of difficulties / to back off when realizing something is too hard知 = to know难 = difficulty而 = and / yet / but (classical-style connector)退 = to retreat / withdrawRefers to making a wise decision to step back after recognizing a challenge is too tough to overcome. Sometimes used to describe prudence, sometimes cowardice, depending on context.5. 隐眼 (shortened form of 隐形眼镜)Pinyin: yǐn yǎnEnglish: Contact lenses隐 = hidden眼 = eyeShort for 隐形眼镜 (yǐn xíng yǎn jìng) = invisible (contact) lensesColloquial and very commonly used in Taiwan and among young people.

Learn how to create personalized Mandarin tongue twisters using AI. Discover a three-stage method that targets specific pronunciation issues. The conversation emphasizes the importance of regular practice and self-feedback. You'll see how tailored tongue twisters can transform your language learning experience. It's a creative and effective way to enhance your pronunciation skills while having some fun!

Dive into the intriguing challenges of learning Mandarin as the speaker shares their personal journey. Discover the mix of traditional and comprehensible input methods they explored, revealing obstacles faced along the way. Uncover effective strategies like controlled output training and the value of feedback from native speakers. Learn how targeted techniques can significantly enhance pronunciation and fluency. It's an engaging reflection on the complexities of mastering a language and the creative solutions that can pave the way to success.

Links: Discord server: https://discord.gg/b9PAyKwT9pMy Asiaglot experience: https://imlearningmandarin.com/2025/03/30/my-experience-at-asiaglot-asias-hottest-multilingual-conference/--This week on the I'm Learning Mandarin podcast, I discuss how you can use Deepseek as a game-changing tool to become fluent in Chinese. As we've previously covered, while tools like ChatGPT are helpful for various aspects of Mandarin learning, they often fall short when it comes to generating truly natural, colloquial speech. This is because their training data seems to be heavily weighted towards more formal, sometimes translated sources. Native speakers often point out that while ChatGPT's Mandarin is usually grammatically correct, it just doesn't sound like how real people talk.That's where Deepseek, the Chinese version of ChatGPT, really excels. Despite some of its limitations, such political censorship and data concerns, there is no doubt that it excels at generating authentic spoken Mandarin, which is exactly what we Mandarin learners need when it comes to improving our conversational skills.So, how can you effectively use Deepseek to level up your spoken Mandarin? Listen to the episode to find out!

A Mandarin learner shares his quest to master tones for a trip to Taiwan. He highlights a structured plan that tracks his progress from basic recordings to full sentences. The discussion reveals insights into the intricacies of the third tone and common misconceptions that trip up learners. The speaker compares his journey to lifting weights, emphasizing the need for tailored guidance. Ultimately, it's a tale of overcoming challenges and gaining confidence in communication through dedicated practice.

Want to transform your Chinese from mediocre to excellent within months? Join the I'm Learning Mandarin Gym and hire me as your one-to-one Personal Trainer: imlearningmandarin.com.gymAs an ILM podcast listener, you can get 50% off your ILM Gym subscription when you use this discount code at checkout (offer ends April 9th): IMLEARNINGMANDARINPOD

In this engaging conversation, a student shares his inspiring journey learning Mandarin. He recounts the emotional challenges of communicating with his Chinese family. After six months of dedicated coaching, his progress is remarkable. Insights on the importance of personalized feedback and effective learning methods are discussed. The launch of a new program designed to elevate spoken Mandarin skills is also announced, promising transformation for learners seeking excellence. It's a testament to the power of motivation and tailored support in language acquisition.

Prof. Clare Wright is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Leeds with a focus on second language pedagogy, especially Mandarin. She discusses why some learners excel in Mandarin while others struggle, emphasizing factors like immersive environments and personal motivation. Clare challenges traditional views on fluency, advocating for 'micro fluency' and practical communication. Additionally, she highlights the significance of mastering pronunciation and setting realistic goals to maximize learning outcomes.