Afleveringen
-
Are you getting everything you can out of your Chinese lessons?
Jared and John share practical strategies for multiplying the value of every class or tutoring session. You'll learn how to review lesson notes more effectively, identify the corrections that matter most, create better flashcards, and use recordings to improve your pronunciation and speaking ability.
They also show how modern AI tools can analyze lesson transcripts, uncover recurring mistakes, highlight useful vocabulary, and generate personalized review materials based on your actual conversations.
Whether you study with a tutor online or in person, these techniques can help you remember more, notice patterns faster, and make measurable progress between lessons.
This episode was sponsored by italki.
Visit their website via the link below and get $5 off when you purchase $10 worth of italki credits using the promo code "TURNER "
But hurry, this offer is only available for the first 50 users!
Links from the episode:
italki | online language tutors
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
When Emma first came to China for a two-month internship, she had no intention of learning Chinese. In fact, she had spent years telling herself she simply wasn't a "language person." But after returning to China a second time, a desire to communicate her strict vegan diet led her to begin studying Mandarin. What started as a practical goal soon became a transformative personal journey.
In this episode, Emma shares how she went from intense textbook study and relentless productivity to discovering that real language growth happens through connection, conversation, and embracing mistakes. She reflects on joining an HSK 2 class with zero Chinese background, burning herself out through perfectionism, and eventually finding a healthier approach by building friendships with Chinese speakers and immersing herself in everyday life.
More than a language-learning story, this is a conversation about transformation. Emma and Jared explore cultural adaptation, reverse culture shock, and how learning Chinese can change not just how you communicate, but how you think, who you become, and where you belong.
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
Why do tones sometimes seem âgood enoughâ⊠until they suddenly create complete chaos?
In this episode, Jared and John dive into one of the trickiest realities of learning Chinese: when small tone mistakes collide with low-context situations and produce surprisingly big misunderstandings.
Inspired by a real-life exchange student story in Shanghai, they share some hilarious examples of Chinese mix-ups involving pandas vs. chest hair, thesis defenses vs. poop, and one especially memorable mistake involving âreceiving payment.â
Beyond the laughs, this episode explores why context matters so much in Chinese, especially with names, place names, numbers, and situations where listeners donât have enough clues to infer what you mean.
Jared and John also share practical strategies to reduce communication breakdowns: using written backup, giving extra context, confirming understanding, paying closer attention to ârecasts,â and learning how to spot your own pronunciation errors.
If youâve ever been convinced you said something correctly only to get blank stares in return, this episode is for you. Mistakes are part of the process, but with a little awareness and a few smart habits, you can avoid some of the most spectacular ones.
Links from the episode:
Chinese Pronunciation Wiki
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
What happens when your reason for learning Chinese changes?
In this interview, Jared talks with Anastasia Tulupova about her journey from a goal-driven teenager in Ukraine, determined to master the âhardest language in the worldâ and become a translator, to a Chinese teacher who now helps others learn more effectively. Along the way, she realized that the path she started on wasnât the one she actually wanted.
After years of structured study and passing HSK exams, everything changed when she arrived in China and discovered she couldnât actually communicate. That moment pushed her to rethink not just how she was learning, but why.
We discuss the trap of perfectionism, the gap between knowing and using the language, and how consistent, real-world practice, often messy and repetitive, became the key to her breakthrough. Her story is a strong reminder that progress doesnât come from getting everything right, but from showing up, speaking up, and sticking with it.
If your Chinese learning journey has ever felt frustrating, unclear, or like your goals are shifting, this episode will help you refocus on what actually works, and what really matters.
Links from the episode:
Xiya Chinese Teacher | Anastasia on Instagram
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
What does it actually mean to be at a âlevelâ in Chinese and why does moving up feel so slow?
In this episode, Jared and John dig into the concept of leveling from both the perspective of the learner and from decades of experience in creating Chinese learning content. With Johnâs decades of experience building structured learning systems, from ChinesePod to Mandarin Companion, youâll gain insight into what goes into defining levels and why itâs much harder than it seems.
Along the way, they dig into why vocabulary lists alone donât define your level, how âSwiss cheeseâ gaps in knowledge form, and why reinforcement, not just new content, is key to long-term progress. Youâll also hear practical insights on how immersion, motivation, and structured input all play a role in helping you truly level up.
John also shares a new project from Allset Learning: a set of free, level-based Chinese newsletters designed to provide consistent, engaging input for learners at three different stages. Follow the links below to subscribe for free.
Links from the episode:
ABC (All the Basics of Chinese) | Substack
AIC (Accessible Intermediate Chinese) | Substack
ARC (Advanced Readings in Chinese) | Substack
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
Most people struggle to find time to learn Chinese. Adam started learning it in the middle of one of the most intense study periods of his life, and kept going.
A pre-med student at the University of Illinois, Adam didnât begin with a clear plan or a class requirement. Instead, it started with curiosity: books on cross-cultural healthcare, exposure to Chinese classmates, and a growing realization that language could open doors not just academically, but humanly.
In this episode, Jared sits down with Adam to unpack how that curiosity turned into real progress in just a year and a half. From grinding through Anki decks and ChinesePod to forming friendships that pushed his speaking skills forward, Adam shares what actually made the difference and what didnât.
They dig into the moments that changed everything: discovering how Chinese characters really work, moving from inconsistent self-study to structured learning, and pushing past the mental barrier of âI understand the words, but not the sentence.â
But the real payoff? Adam is already using Chinese in the real world. Whether itâs bonding with friends over hot pot or helping comfort a Chinese-speaking patient during a painful procedure, his story is a reminder that language learning isnât just about fluency, itâs about connection.
If youâve ever wondered whether your efforts will actually lead to something meaningful, this episode shows exactly how they can.
Links from the episode:
Kid Learning Chinese | Adam Syed on Instagram
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
How could learning Chinese shape your life? From meeting lifelong friends (and even a spouse!) to navigating life in China with the help of mentors, coworkers, and âayiâ caregivers, Jared and John share stories that highlight the human side of language learning.
John reflects on his 25+ years in China, including how speaking Chinese led to deeper, more authentic relationships, and Jared shares unforgettable experiences, from starting a bakery in Shanghai to building trust with partners across China.
Along the way, they explore a bigger question: whatâs the real point of learning Chinese? Beyond vocabulary and grammar, itâs about connection. Itâs about the relationships you build, the cultural insights you gain, and the doors that simply wouldnât open otherwise.
If youâve ever wondered whether all the effort of learning Chinese is âworth it,â this episode offers a clear answer.
Links from the episode:
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
Jade grew up knowing she was half Chinese, but without the language, family connection, or cultural context to understand what that really meant. In this deeply personal episode, she shares what it was like growing up mixed race in a mostly white community, carrying questions of identity, belonging, and cultural disconnection from an early age.
Jade shares why learning Chinese became much more than a language goal. What began as a quiet lifelong pull eventually turned into something healing, empowering, and transformative during the pandemic, when she finally committed to learning Mandarin seriously. She describes how Chinese gave her a way to reconnect with herself, reshape her story, and discover a new sense of confidence.
Jadeâs journey took her to Taiwan, where studying Mandarin brought both joyful breakthroughs and very real culture shock. From challenging start to the unexpected feeling of being seen as someone who might belong, Jade reflects on how language learning, identity, and personal growth became inseparable.
This is an honest and moving conversation about mixed identity, heritage learning, and the powerful role language can play in helping us become more fully ourselves.
Links from the episode:
LengLengCoolJade | Instagram
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
Should you learn Chinese by reading childrenâs books? Itâs a common recommendation, but is it actually a good idea?
In this episode, Jared and John unpack why kidsâ books arenât as âsimpleâ as they seem. These books are written for native-speaking children who already have years of spoken fluency. Theyâre often read aloud by parents and packed with specialized vocabulary, proper nouns, literary language, and characters that learners rarely need early on. What looks beginner-friendly can quickly become frustrating and inefficient.
So why do people keep suggesting it? Usually because it worked for themâas native speakers. But second language acquisition research shows that learners benefit most from high-frequency vocabulary and carefully controlled input.
Thatâs where graded readers come in. Designed specifically for language learners, they limit vocabulary and characters while still telling engaging stories. The goal isnât to learn Chinese like a child, itâs to build a strong foundation so you can eventually read whatever you want.
If youâve ever struggled through a âsimpleâ childrenâs book, this episode explains why, and what to read instead.
Links from the episode:
7 Mistakes about Extensive Reading (w/analysis ofăć„œé„żçæŻæŻè«ă) | Mandarin Companion
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
In this episode, Jared chats with Jack Mullinkosson, whose Chinese-learning journey runs from a Vice China documentary set⊠to living with a Chinese immigrant family in suburban California⊠to studying in Chengdu⊠and now biking from Chengdu to Hanoi.
Jack got started the way many learners do: by feeling left out. On set, surrounded by Chinese speakers, he noticed how differently the foreigners who spoke Mandarin were treated. Chinese looked like a superpower, and he wanted it.
With plenty of downtime during the shoot, Jack began studying characters and survival phrases, boosted by the classic âYour Chinese is so good!â encouragement (even when it wasnât). That early confidence turned into a full-on obsession.
Then COVID hit, and Jack found a creative workaround. Back in the U.S., he made a flyer in Chinese offering to live with a Chinese family in exchange for helping their kids with English. The result: four months in a Rancho Cucamonga âMcMansionâ shared by multiple Chinese families, nightly Mandarin dinners, and a crash course in immigrant hustle and real-world language practice.
Along the way, Jack:
Read Mandarin Companion graded readers to build his foundation
Used shadowing to level up tones and pronunciation
Looked for chances to speakâeven when it was inconvenient
Turned everyday errands into âChinese missionsâ
After a few years in Brazil, where he learned Portuguese and became a remote software engineer, Jack returned to China with a new goal: connect Chinese to his career. He now makes videos in Chengdu, capturing spontaneous conversations with park shƫshu fitness legends, friendly aunties selling plum wine, and locals who light up when a foreigner speaks Mandarin.
And one of the coolest payoffs? While traveling in Spain, Jack used Chinese to order food from a Chinese restaurant owner when neither of them shared English or Spanish.
Links from the episode:
Jack Mullinkosson | Instagram
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
Struggling with listening comprehension in Chinese? You're not aloneâand this episode is here to help. Jared Turner and John Pasden dive into practical, tech-powered strategies for sharpening your Chinese listening skills using AI transcription tools and other smart resources.
In this episode, youâll learn:
How to use AI tools to turn Chinese audio into transcripts you can study.Why listening comprehension is often one of the hardest skillsâand how to make it easier.How to âtrain your earâ with slowed-down, AI-generated audio.Ways to leverage native content such as TV shows, songs, podcasts, YouTube videos, and make them more accessible for learning.The value of transcribing your own Chinese speaking to catch patterns, mistakes, and growth areas.John and Jared walk you through real-world workflows, tools theyâve personally used, and the best types of media for improving listening. Whether youâre trying to understand a native podcast, follow along with a Chinese drama, or make sense of a street conversation you recorded, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for turning audio into insight and comprehension.
Listening doesnât have to be your weak spot. With todayâs tools, it can become your strength.
Links from the episode:
TurboScribe | AI transcription tool
Language Jones & Anki Hyper TTS | YouTube
"DuĂŹbĂčqÇ WÇ de ZhĆngwĂ©n BĂč HÇo" | Sung by Transition on YouTube
âOne Semester of Spanish - Love Songâ | YouTube
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
in this episode, Jared sits down with Alexander Brose, President & CEO of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, to trace his remarkable journey learning Chinese and how it shaped his life and career in unexpected ways.
From his early years living in South Korea with his family, to choosing Mandarin over Cantonese at an international school in Hong Kong, Alex shares how Chinese gradually became part of his identity. He continued studying the language through high school and later majored in Asian Studies at Cornell University. A pivotal summer in Harbin with the CET immersion program further deepened both his language skills and cultural connection to China.
Alexâs path led him to build cross-cultural musical collaborations between China and the U.S., eventually becoming the founding Executive Director of the Tianjin Juilliard School. He reflects on how speaking Chinese created unique professional opportunities, opened doors to deep cultural understanding, and enabled him to be at the forefront of classical music education in China.
Throughout the episode, Alex offers thoughtful reflections on the value of immersion, the challenges of maintaining language confidence, and the power of music as a bridge between cultures.
Links from the episode:
Alexander Brose | Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada)
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
CET Academic Programs
From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China | IMDB
-
Is handwriting Chinese characters slowing you down? In todayâs digital world, does it still make sense to focus on writing by hand or should you just type? In this episode, Jared and John dive deep into this hot-button issue for Chinese learners: handwriting vs. typing.
Pulling insights from a research paper by Chinese Breeze creator Chengzhi Chu (ćšèŻćż), they explore how character instruction is evolving and why prioritizing typing can make your learning faster, more efficient, and less frustrating, especially for adult learners.
Theyâll break down:
Why typing Chinese is not âcheatingâ, itâs how Chinese is actually used today
How handwriting can become a bottleneck to fluency and motivation
What it really means to âknowâ a character in the modern era
The myth of muscle memory and why stroke order perfection isnât essential
Why itâs okay to treat handwriting as a hobby, not a core skill
Youâll also hear how character writing has changed more in the past 20 years than the previous 2000, the "three eras" of Chinese writing, and how modern teachers are shifting to a âtyping-first, handwriting-secondâ approach in classrooms around the world.
If youâve ever felt overwhelmed by handwriting or wondered if youâre âdoing it wrongâ by typing, this episode will give you the clarity, and permission, you need to move forward confidently.
Links from the episode:
The Evolution of Hanzi Proficiency and the E-Writing Transformation of L2 Chinese Teaching in the Digital Age | Paper by Chengzhi Chu
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
Learn Chinese Characters by Reading (the book)
Learn Chinese Characters by Reading (free resources for 200 characters)
-
What began as a teenage crush became a lifelong journey into Chinese for Matthew McGuire, an Australian creator and accent coach. In this episode, Jared sits down with Matthew to discuss how he learned Mandarin without textbooks, grammar drills, or writing practice. Instead, he immersed himself in love dramas, shadowed dialogue, and built a Chinese-speaking social circle. Matthew shares how his curiosity and enjoyment guided him from impressing a girl from Sichuan to achieving real proficiency and forming meaningful friendships. He also explains how Chinese opened doors for him both personally and professionally, and why he believes language learning should be fun, intentional, and grounded in real-life use. For anyone feeling stuck in their studies or unsure of how to move forward, Matthewâs story offers valuable perspective and inspiration.
Links from the episode:
Matthew McGuire on Instagram | @realozziemcguire
Chinese graded readers make an excellent gift! Head over to: https://www.mandarincompanion.com
AllSet Learning has some amazing deals on lessons right now: https://www.allsetlearning.com
-
With AI advancing at lightning speed, many are wondering: Do I still need to learn Chinese? Jared and John say yes, and in this episode, they break down 10 ways your Chinese skills remain AI-proof. These are the kinds of things no app, bot, or translation tool can truly replace.
Along the way, you'll hear stories about phone conversations that left taxi drivers in disbelief, the joy of reading your first Chinese book, and how language learning leads to deeper relationships.
Whether you're just starting or years into your Chinese journey, this episode is your reminder that learning Chinese is still very much worth it and more human than ever.
Links from the episode:
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
AllSet Learning
-
In this episode, Jared sits down with Renata Mirkova, a Chinese language educator from the Czech Republic whose journey into Mandarin began not with a grand plan, but almost by accident. What started as a university entrance decision led her to master Chinese, live in China, and now teach both Czech and Chinese across cultural boundaries.
Renata shares the unique challenges of learning Chinese in a non-English-speaking environment, including outdated textbooks from the 60s, Czech-Sinology programs steeped in history, and a lack of direct Chinese-to-Czech resources. But through her perseverance and multiple immersive experiences in China, Renata carved out her own path to fluency.
From surviving the linguistic chaos of Sichuan dialects to interpreting for Czech officials on business trips in China, she offers candid reflections on what works for her, what didnât, and how learning Chinese changed her life. She also gives insight into her current work creating Chinese learning materials specifically for Czech speakers and what itâs like teaching Czech to Chinese speakers in return.
Links from the episode:
Learn Chinese with Renata Mirkova | Website
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
After 300 days of secretly studying Chinese, one guy surprises his partner with phrases like âthe cheesecake is grievingâ and âthe purple elephant eats passion for breakfast.â Itâs a bit humorous, but it also highlights a bigger issue: extreme learning methods that feel productive but fall flat in practice.
In this episode, Jared and John dive into seven common extremes theyâve seen (and lived) in the world of learning Chinese. From bingeing flashcards or grammar rules to over-relying on Duolingo or doing nothing but watch TV in Mandarin, these extremes can slow your progress, or worse, burn you out completely.
Drawing on personal experience, stories from past podcast guests, and insights from language learning experts like Paul Nation, the hosts break down what works, what backfires, and how to build a more balanced and effective approach to learning Chinese.
If youâre stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your methods, this episode will help you get back on track.
Links from the episode:
âBurnout, Breakthrough, and Fluency: Chanieceâs Storyâ | YCLC Podcast
âVocab Apps and Learner Engagementâ â Jonathan Covey Interview | YCLC Podcast
âSteven Kaufmann âThe Linguistâ Interviewâ | YCLC Podcast
Hack Chinese | Modern flashcards
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
-
Can you become fluent in Chinese without teachers, classes, or even Chinese speakers around you? For Serbian software engineer Marko Javoanovic, the answer is âyesâ by focusing on âfluency nowâ.
In this episode, Marko shares how he started learning Japanese out of a love for anime but quickly pivoted to Chinese when he realized there were far more Chinese people than Japanese in his hometown of Novi Sad, Serbia. What began as a curiosity turned into a disciplined daily habit that transformed not only his language skills but also his friendships and worldview.
Marko dives into how he built real working fluency from scratch using English-language resources like Mandarin Companion, YoYo Chinese, and extensive listening and how that foundation led to translating live at a visa interview, making friends over baozi, and becoming part of his local Chinese community.
His story includes:
Why he stopped obsessing over flashcards and HSK levels
How âfluency nowâ helped him understand without translating
Why tones matter more than you think (like mixing up âfoodâ with âvideoâ)
The emotional reward of using Chinese to truly connect
This episode is a roadmap for any Chinese learner, especially those going it alone.
Links from the episode:
Mandarin Companion Graded Readers
Little Chinese Everywhere | YouTube
Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us
-
Ever wonder how the place you study Chinese can shape your accent, comprehension, and even identity as a learner?
In this episode, Jared and John dive into the importance of where you learn Mandarin in China and how different regions can affect your speaking and listening skills. From Beijingâs âpirate Râsâ to the relaxed tones of Taipei and the âhappy mediumâ of Shanghai, they explore the linguistic quirks of Chinaâs top Mandarin learning destinations.
Youâll hear:
The differences between Chinese accents in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei
Why Shanghai might be the perfect balance for learners
How non-standard Mandarin can actually improve your listening skills
What it's like to learn Chinese in tier 2 or tier 3 cities (or tier 88) and why it might supercharge your progress
Stories from past podcast guests, including John DâAndrea's experience being laughed at for his Lanzhou accent
How regional accents and fangyan (local dialects) impact Mandarin learning
A mildly controversial debate on cilantro in beef noodles
If youâve ever thought about studying in China or are curious about regional language variation, this episode is a must-listen.
Links from the episode:
John DâAndreaâs story | YCLC Podcast #10
Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us
-
What happens when you move abroad at age 10 and suddenly find yourself in daily Chinese class? For Freddy Buechel, it was the start of an adventure that took him from Singapore to Taiwan, back to the U.S., and eventually to Shanghai for a full-on study abroad immersion.
In this episode, Freddy shares his winding journey of learning Chinese across multiple countries, his turning point moment ordering bubble tea as a kid, and why fluency is a âmoving target.â He talks about the humbling reality of using Chinese in the wild, how boxing with a former world champion in Shanghai boosted his Chinese, and why he eventually chose to focus on Chinese over Russian.
Freddy is now a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, known online for his hilarious and motivational Instagram videos shouting in Chinese from mountaintops, canyons, and even Times Square. He reflects on how making language fun has kept him motivated and how every learner can find their own way to enjoy the process.
Links from the episode:
@theBaoLuo äżçœ | Freddieâs Instagram Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us - Laat meer zien
