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- 28. Okt.letzte Folge
Learn HOW to learn Chinese with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. You will learn tips, strategies, and insights so you can supercharge your language learning. You will also be inspired by guest interviews with people from all over the world who have learned Chinese.
Both Jared and John both learned Chinese, lived in China for many years, and have worked with learners all over the world and understand the unique challenges that Chinese learners face. They stay at the forefront of language learning research and methods and bring that to listeners everywhere.
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From Basketball Coach to Graduate Student in Chinese: William Whitaker’s Unexpected Journey
What does it take to go from barely speaking Chinese to giving a three-hour university presentation in Chinese? For William Whitaker, the journey was anything but planned, and when that intimidating presentation finally arrived, he wasn't e
Think Your Chinese Is Good? Try Surviving a Dinner Party
Ever feel confident speaking Chinese with your teacher or tutor, only to find yourself completely lost when you're with a group of native speakers? Why does your Chinese suddenly seem to fall apart? In this episode, Jared and John explore w
A Language, a Leap, a New Life: Cassandre Egolf’s Journey into Chinese
Sharing a heater with the family dog during Chinese New Year. Sitting in the front seat of taxis to practice Chinese with the drivers. Rehearsing a speech in Chinese to thank her team at a store opening in Shenzhen. For Cassandre Egolf, lea
Great Teachers Don’t Fill Your Head; They Light a Fire
In celebration of Teachers’ Day in China, Jared and John reflect on the teachers who have shaped their language-learning journeys and what actually makes a great teacher. They share stories of teachers who were hilarious, inspiring, technic
From Soft Serve to Stand-Up Comedy: Turner Sparks’ Excellent Chinese Misadventure
In a mildly confusing bit of podcast naming, Jared Turner sits down with comedian Turner Sparks. Turner moved to China in 2004 to teach English, planning to stay for just one year. He ended up staying for twelve. In this episode of You Can
The Frustrated Learner and the Sound of Progress (Replay)
Jared and John discuss the frustrations faced by a learner who came to John for help—particularly with pinyin and distinguishing similar sounds in Chinese. They explore why learners often misapply English pronunciation rules to pinyin and h
Following a Century-Old Path to China: Ben Lee and the Legacy That Led Him Back
What does it mean to walk in the footsteps of an ancestor whose life connected China and America more than a century ago? In this episode, Ben Lee shares how moving to Wuhan in 1992 pushed him to learn Chinese for survival—and eventually le
Go Get Lost: Stop Studying. Start Exploring.
Whether you're planning your first trip to China or reminiscing about past adventures, Jared and John share why even a little Chinese can transform your experience, from connecting with locals through place names and ordering regional speci
Learning Chinese Through the Lens of a Camera with Jake Hines
What happens when a childhood choice turns into a life-changing career change? In this episode, Jared talks with Jake Hines, an Australian content creator based in Xiamen, China, whose Chinese learning journey began in high school thanks to
The Lesson Isn't Over Yet: Notes, Recordings, and AI for Chinese Learners
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 c
From Burnout to Belonging: Emma Jane Sandford's Story
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
Welcome to the Tone Danger Zone
Why do tones sometimes seem “good enough”… 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
How Anastasia Changed Her Goals, And Transformed Her Chinese
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 “hardest language in the world” and become
What Does Your “Chinese Level” Even Mean?
What does it actually mean to be at a “level” 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 creati
From Med School Prep to Mandarin: Adam Syed’s Story
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 didn’t begin with a clear
How Chinese Changed Our Lives (and Why It Might Change Yours)
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 “ayi” caregivers, Jared and John share stories that highlight the human side
Heritage, Belonging, and Healing Through Chinese: Jade’s Story
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
Don’t Read Kids’ Books to Learn Chinese
Should you learn Chinese by reading children’s books? It’s a common recommendation, but is it actually a good idea? In this episode, Jared and John unpack why kids’ books aren’t as “simple” as they seem. These books are written for native-s
Speak First, Figure It Out Later: How Jack Turned Chinese into a Superpower
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 Chengd
6 Chinese Listening Hacks That Will Transform Your Chinese Listening
Struggling with listening comprehension in Chinese? You're not alone—and 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 transcrip
Alexander Brose on Juilliard, the Royal Conservatory, and the Power of Language
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 hi
The Lie We Were Told: You Must Handwrite Chinese Characters
Is handwriting Chinese characters slowing you down? In today’s 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 lea
Learning Chinese Through Life, Not Lessons: How Matthew McGuire Did It
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 dr
10 Things AI Will Never Do Better Than a Chinese Learner
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,
A Czech Perspective on Learning Chinese: Renata Mirkova’s Story
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 he
The 7 Worst Ways to Learn Chinese (And What to Do Instead)
After 300 days of secretly studying Chinese, one guy surprises his partner with phrases like “the cheesecake is grieving” and “the purple elephant eats passion for breakfast.” It’s a bit humorous, but it also highlights a bigger issue: extr
Fluency Now with Marko Jovanovic: No Classes, Just Progress
Can you become fluent in Chinese without teachers, classes, or even Chinese speakers around you? For Serbian software engineer Marko Javoanovic, the answer is “yes” by focusing on “fluency now”. In this episode, Marko shares how he started
Does It Matter Where You Learn Chinese? Yes And Here’s Why
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 af
From Bubble Tea to Boxing Rings: How Freddy Buechel Found His Voice in Chinese
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 f
You Can Speak Chinese, but Can You Understand the Reply? (And Other Listener Questions)
Jared and John are back with a full episode dedicated to answering listener questions covering everything from language learning strategies to cultural quirks. They explore the challenges of using sarcasm in Mandarin, how to prepare for a t
