Podcast Episodes

261 - Should you learn to speak Chinese before you learn Chinese characters?

Should you learn Chinese characters from the start, or focus on speaking first? There are good arguments for both approaches, but one makes more sense for most students.

Please note: This is a rerecor…

Published on 4 months, 2 weeks ago

260 - 16 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand

Season 1 Episode 260

Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 more popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand to see if they hold up to scrutiny.

#learnchinese #handwr…

Published on 4 months, 3 weeks ago

259 - Using AI chatbots for low-stress Mandarin speaking practice

Season 1 Episode 259

You don’t need to be fluent to speak Mandarin with AI. These beginner-friendly chatbot activities offer low-pressure practice that builds confidence, comprehension, and conversation skills.

#learnchin…

Published on 5 months ago

258 - How to find the perfect Mandarin tutor for you: A complete guide

Season 1 Episode 258

A great tutor can accelerate your learning, but finding the right one isn’t easy. To get the best results, you need to be patient and try many options. Here is how!

#learnchinese #tutor #teacher #onli…

Published on 5 months, 1 week ago

257 - Student Q&A: July, 2025: AI feedback, input methods and topics for writing

Season 1 Episode 257

How do you get good feedback on your Chinese writing using AI? What’s the best input method for students? And how do you find interesting topics to write about?

#learnchinese #writing #ai #typing #top…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

256 - 8 reasons to learn to write Chinese characters by hand

Season 1 Episode 256

Does handwriting still have a place in modern Chinese learning? Let's explore 8 popular arguments in favour of writing characters by hand, each critically examined to see which ones truly stand up to…

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

255 - 7 characteristics of a great Chinese tutor or private teacher

Season 1 Episode 255

A great tutor can transform your Chinese learning, but how do you know if a tutor is good? Let's explore the key qualities that make a tutor truly effective!

#learnchinese #tutor #teacher

Link to artic…

Published on 6 months ago

254 - How to get the most out of your Chinese tutoring sessions

Season 1 Episode 254

Having a tutor can be great for learning Chinese, but how much progress you make depends as much on you as on the tutor. Come prepared, stay engaged, and make the most of each session!

#learnchinese #…

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

253 - 8 myths about learning Chinese that are holding you back

Season 1 Episode 253

Believing the wrong things about learning Chinese can waste time and lead you astray. Let's explore eight myths that might be holding you back!

#learnchinese #myths #hanzi #pronunciation #study

Link to…

Published on 6 months, 2 weeks ago

252 - Beyond tīng bu dǒng, part 7: How to navigate different types of listening in Mandarin

Season 1 Episode 252

Listening is essential when learning Mandarin, but not all listening situations are the same. By recognising different types of listening, you can improve your chances of successfully navigating spok…

Published on 6 months, 3 weeks ago