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06 Dec 05 Learning Chinese Podcast and other language learning podcasts

Want to learn to speak Mandarin? Head on to chinesepod.com and subscribe to their podcast.

I have seen many “learning Chinese” books, audio and video content but I have to say that this is the best presentation I have come across. The shanghai based producers follow a very practical approach in introducing Chinese language.

I liked the particular episode where they compared the differences between Mandarin and other dialects. I also liked another episode where they got a foreigner to speak a few sentences in Chinese and they go through each of the mispronunciations and correct his tones - the four tones in Mandarin being one of more complex things for us learners.

The site also provides the transcripts of the lessons as a pdf download. There is also a paid premium version that has more learning tools.

Thanks to Julia for posting a comment with info on another Mandarin learning podcast by Serge Melnyk. I have subscribed to this one too and it is as good as the previous one I mentioned.

I like the idea of teaching language via podcasts. This way the content producers are constantly in touch with the users and they can produce episodes based on the user’s recommendations.

Some other language learning podcasts I subscribe to:
A spoonful of Russian
Learn Japanese podcast

Not sure how to listen to podcasts? Follow these steps.
1) Go to http://www.apple.com/itunes and download the iTunes software and install it.

download itunes

iTunes works both on Mac as well as Windows. You may have to restart your computer after installing iTunes.

2) Go to the site that has the podcast. Usually podcasters will have an “iTunes” button somewhere on the first page.

Click on this button. iTunes will connect with the site and download the program. From now on, whenever there is a new episode, iTunes will download it your computer.

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Reader's Comments

  1. |

    My first time here…

    And I like it very much. Enjoyed reading your travels!

  2. |

    There is another great place to learn Mandarin Chinese I found the other day on the Internet. Since I am a beginner, I find it very useful and easy to follow.
    Here is the podcast URL http://blog.melnyks.com

  3. |

    I just discovered another greatlearn chinese pod. Chinesepod is good, but it’s a little bit too fast for me. Learnchinesepod is more structured and they keep using the words you learned in the previous chapters. check it out: http://www.learnchinesepod.com

  4. |

    Thanks Sofia and Jackie for the links. I have subscribed to both these podcasts and I will review them and post the details of the podcasts you guys mentioned shortly.

  5. |

    Preface our email hkknhtcth@yahoo.com.hk
    How to cooperate with each other for development Chinese language learning system. such as USA government support u$1300 million dollars request
    American development Chinese language learning system

    We development an method and a new useful Chinese computer keyboard Fig.50 for creating Chinese character computer codes for primary,Kids and Elementary school student study Chinese language.
    we development a new Chinese character computer software system for input and search out Chinese information, its very easy learning, clear to encoded an Chinese character computer codes for learing Chinese language.
    Because of no useful Chinese character computer keyboard and software system for input and search out Chinese language for learning information, course,translating…..
    We can spell or encoded an Chinese character computer codes for learing Chinese language software system. Search out an Chinese character , find out pronunciation of an Chinese character and so on….
    We had finished a new useful Chinese computer keyboard Fig.50 fitting with all Chinese and Japanese Chinese character which can reduce the double or plurality and spell error of Chinese character search out from computer system and so on.
    We hope we can manufacture the new useful Chinese computer keyboard and offer to you for UK,Europe,USA ……primary,Kids and Elementary school student learning Chinese language.
    Can you subscribe money to us because We are poor Chinese people,
    such as USA government support u$1300 million dollars request
    American development Chinese language learning system
    Our bank Information:
    Bank: Hua Nan commercial Bank Feng Yuan branch
    Account no:400970012204
    Swift code:hnbk twtp 400
    Our represent lawer: Frank B.Dehn & co
    Can we get subscription money from you,and then manufacture the new Chinese computer keyboard and then offer to you for UK,Europe,USA ……primary,Kids and Elementary school student learning Chinese language.

    CONTENT
    Charapter 1:fig.50 inscribing each said key pad also with a different group of one or more of standard Chinese character word shape figurations, all of said standard word shape figurations being divided into 45 groups equal in number to the plurality of key pads;
    Chapter 2: description an example of standard Chinese character word shape within an Chinese character
    Chapter 3: The method of encoded computer codes of the Chinese character word shapes, wherein the designated small rectangular area of each Chinese character is the upper right corner worde shapes. and the bottom left corner word shapes.
    Chapter 4:Detail specification for encoding sentence structure of a plurality of encoded Chinese characters wherein the designated small rectangular area of each Chinese character is the upper right corner worde shapes. and the bottom left corner word shapes.
    Chapter 5:brief drawing

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    hkknhtcth @yahoo.com.hk

  6. |

    We have developed a new website to learn Chinese online, it’s called Activechinese, Flash animated lessons, downloadable materials (mp3, PDF), interactive exercises, with online live tutoring. it’s more systemetic and personalized, not very expensive. You should check it out! http://www.activechinese.com

  7. |

    There is an online chinese language school in Taiwan that my classamate likes. I tried it once and so far so good. World Learner Chines at http://worldlearnerchinese.com

  8. |

    I have built a website to let you watch a lot of videos to learn mandarin and english. It is all free! Do check it out: http://www.ecpod.com

    You can also contribute videos and we pay you. Thks.

  9. |

    Hi guys, I found a good site to learn mandarin too… I can’t believe it when i saw it… Lots of videos there for u to watch to learn and it’s all free. Yah boy, really free…. Better than anything I have used so far… the site is http://www.ecpod.com

  10. |

    Two other really good sites are imandarinpod.com and cslpod.com. These sites were put together by mandarin teachers whose English isn’t always that good, and you might find it a little difficult to navigate the sites at first. The lessons are aimed at the intermediate to advanced learner, but both sites have a little material aimed at the advanced beginner. Both sites deserve to be more widely known.

  11. |

    that is so nice to read your blog…i’ve been researching for so long trying to find a good blog like yours…many thanks… john

  12. |

    Hi,

    I’ve found an excellent site for Chinese learning - http://www.nciku.com

    There’re a lot of features for Chinese learners, like audio pronunciation, flashcards, pinyin assistance and so forth.

    Well, what i like most is the handwriting recognition, amazing! You can draw the Chinese character when you don’t know how to input it.

  13. |

    Practical approach matters a lot while learning or teaching Chinese language..Good post…Nice to read it.



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