Steven's Language Vlog Podcast

Episode SIX SEVEN!

We promise we won't even touch on that... in this episode.

Instead, it's exam time and the students are struggling, not just to find the energy to keep going, but to understand why they can do so well in an exam only to break down when trying to speak for real. What gives?

We'll look at some of the possible reasons for this occurence and what to do about it. 

Further, we take a look what makes a person FLUENT in a language. Is it the ability to h...

Episode 66!

In this episode we discuss the effectiveness of subject-specific language learning. Does it work better than a more generalized approach to learning a language?

Many language learning APPs and books as well as many language classes are general in nature, that is, they don't focus on any ONE topic, opting, instead, for a more broader apporach to a variety of topics.

But is this better than focusing in on one subject? If you wanted to learn another language, is it better to pursue a subject you enjoy rather than use a broad-based...

Episode 65!

In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of using children's books to learn another language as an adult.

No doubt you've heard from others that you need to read a lot in order to build up your vocabulary, but what are you supposed to read?

Some materials made for older language learners are too difficult and so students are often guided to pick up a children's book in the language they are studying. But is this a good idea?

From the advantages of building vocabulary and grammar structures...

Episode 64! Who Gets to Choose What's Worth Learning?

As Beijing's weather turns colder, we tackle a fundamental question that emerged from a recent university class: Who should decide what students study in a language classroom? The teacher? The students? The administration?

In this episode, we explore the difference between what's fun, what's necessary, and what's boring but inevitable in language education. Drawing on experience teaching academic writing to 40+ students at a Chinese university, we look at how COVID-era online teaching has shaped current classroom dynamics—and why students who once multitasked across screens now...

Episode 63!

Recorded at the end of October, this episode reflects on how the semester is going, especially given a recent exchange with my manager.

In brief, two suggestions:

All good in theory, but this is a university class of 40 students... for academic writing.

This follows a comment by one of my students that I'm one of only teachers that walks around the classroom, the rest of their teachers (professors) just stand at the front and talk from...

Episode 62!

Liaozhai ZhiYi and the Chinese ghost story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Tales_from_a_Chinese_Studio

Strangles Tales as told through the centuries, what are they, who are they about and where can you find them? And how much Chinese do you need to know to read them?

Translated as "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and was written / compiled by Pu Songlin, a government official back in the late 1600s and early 1700s, during the Qing dynasty.

...

Episode 61!

Answering the question: Why did I come to China? (Part 2) Was it because of a job? The money? A girl? 

What are some things to think about if YOU want to move overseas? Do you have to teach English or can you do something else?

And how much language do you need to learn to live in another country? Do you need to live there to become fluent?

Membership program: https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog

Contact: stevenslanguagechannel@gmail.com

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The Beijing autumn is in full swing! It's the most colourful time of the year!

Citations, referencing and the idea of academic honesty. What are they? Why are they important? And do you do them properly?

What's it like to visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China? How do you get there? What do you need to do? What do you do there? And how long should you stay?

How much Chinese do you need to survive in the country? The expectation and the reality of life in another country.

And why...

China's on its Golden Week break, seven days of no work… but two need to be made up. Why is it like this and what is there to do? Would you dare go anywhere if you know 10,000 other people were doing the same? Tiananmen, the Great Wall, or even Hangzhou's West Lake will ALL be crowded.

On the AI bandwagon, and is it necessary? What are the tools being used these days and how can they help? Do you need to LEARN AI? How can you USE it? And who benefits most: students or teachers?

An...

Episode 58!

APP building begins! Let's see where this goes? Have some tasks to complete for the weekend, but this course only lasts one month so gotta get them done. Working on a "to do list" agent, multi agents, language agents, all sorts of agents. We will share these once they are out!

Chinese vs Western Literature. Had a bit of a sitdown with one of the graduate students on campus to get his thoughts on the usefulness of the modern university degree, why he switched majors, and some of the books that he's reading these...

SLV Episode 57

Bus adventures! how was it and why did you do it? From Changping to Shuangjing and back again, will be posting this to YouTube.

Enjoy your freedom! Enjoy your boredom! It'll change! Life goes fast!

Working on citations and referencing in class… honestly no idea how to make this more interesting for the students. All of the punctuation and abbreviations, etc. Ouch. My admiration continues: they're doing this in a second language.

How easy would it be to create an APP? Apparently not so easy. Good for personal use, but...

Episode 56!

Changes in China! No more paper tickets! How important are these anyway?!

Didn't go to the Coffee Show this year, it cost 10 RMB!

Australian videos done, where to next?

-Dubai? Canada?

14 more weeks! Who's counting!?

-time is flying!

And Apple is releasing Airpods with built in translation?!

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Contact: stevenslanguagechannel@gmail.com

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Time stamps: 

00:00 Introduction and Podcast O...

Wanted to shoot this outside but then remembered why: mosquitoes. And heat and humidity.

New week and we're back to school! How is it so far?

What's it like and what will we do?
-Neat classroom with screens all over the place
-Argumentative Essays
-Citations and references

Useful resources: Goodnotes 6, Local Send, ViiTor Translate, Y2Doc

The last of the Australian videos! The Great Ocean Road and back to Beijing.

And the Sept 3rd parade is over, back to normal! … Until National Day Week, that is. 

Episode 54!

Welcome TikTokers! Been active there as of late. New platform to teach on?

And what am I hearing people need help on?

-Reading and listening (practice dictations - USE THIS PODCAST!!)

-Speaking

-Not too much for Writing (HERE)

-A lot of people are using Cathoven AI

-Common Errors HERE

Live streams and fluency practice, is making videos a good way to learn?

-This is something I've been recommending as of late

-Helps with confidence and fluency...

Episode 53!

Saw Dead to Rights (南京照相馆). Heartbreaking. Lots of people die. About the Japanese invasion of Nanjing and how the atrocities were documented. During the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, postman A Chang posed as a photo developer, helping Japanese forces while secretly sheltering Chinese refugees. He later risked his life evacuating them and revealing evidence of the atrocities.

-One interesting point made: one reason why the Chinese couldn't assemble a cohesive defense against the Japanese was because of their own language barrier - the north and south didn't speak the same language

Live streams a go go - both...

Episode 52 already!

LIVE STREAM walk n talk! Let's do this again! What did we see?

Question: just what do you have to see when you're travelling?

IELTS Top 10 and FAQ: FREE DOWNLOAD! All over on BMAC:

Top 10: buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/441366

FAQ: buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/444905

Looking to the future: what if I started a business instead?

Oh and a bonus!

And what is gerrymandering? "Early 19th century: from the name of Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts + salamander, from the supposed similarity between...

Episode 51!

Not as hot, but still humid here in Beijing. Lots of rain and lots of warnings to stay away from the forests, etc.

More Australian videos! A couple more to go! Should we try an ASMR video? (ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)).

Then on more Chinese videos that we have ready and waiting.

Let's talk about AI and Language Learning! Our recent live stream. Summary and example prompts available HERE.

IELTS Top 10! FREE! A free cheat sheet addressing some of the things I've seen and heard over the...

With Episode 50 we're back into the groove and thinking about just what makes a book worth saving? Shot from the second floor of the Victoria State Library, we could see that some books were off limits to touch. Why is that and who makes the choice?

Next, looking at the new Huawei (really expensive!) Matebook Fold: a dual touch screen tablet and laptop combination complete with breakaway QWERTY keyboard. Neat, but worth it?

Last week we had time to review some of the requirements for the different levels of the IELTS scoring system. What makes...

In episode 49 includes a look at the last of the Changping videos

Looking at some Chinese Study Resources (download here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dftK4HdrZ6dB6UAUpu8-9FfNcu9s7-r_13JAcfzENr4/edit?usp=sharing). List includes: (HSK Textbooks, Chinese Grammar Wiki, HSK Reading, Ankiweb/Ankidroid, DuChinese, iTalki. HelloTalk / Tandem, MDBG Dictionary, Chinesepod).

A note on AI Agents and how they can be used for language learning (Manus, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, NotebookLM).

And we saw a movie, The Lychee Road - how was it? Based on the novel by Ma Boyong...

Settling back into Beijing's heat and humidity, in Episode 48 we talk a little bit about our recent trip to Australia and the respoting of one of our videos.

We also discuss a common problem with no apparent solution: dealing with the sock that gets stuck in the side-loading washing machine.

A re-visit to the campus cafeteria for 麻辣香锅, a type of spicy hot pot.

And, a return to our own language studies and live streaming while we do it!

Oh, and a new membership program? It's in the works!

PS - We rec...

Episode 47 has use returning to our regular schedule. In this episode we talk a little bit about how our social habits change as we change, but do they need to?

What do you miss most when you're overseas? Is it the food? The people? The fragrances?

What are some of the changes we saw occur in our recent travels? And what is the latest on the power bank dilemma here in China?

What is a dummy check and how do you make sure you have all of your stuff when you leave a...

After two weeks in Australia, we're back in Beijing for Episode 46 of the Language Vlog Podcast. 

In this episode we talk a little bit about what the trip was like, what we saw and what we missed.

This episode follows along with this week's newsletter which you can read here.

Major highlights included:

Sydney: Harbour Bridge, Opera House, The Rocks, Hyde Park Barracks, St. Mary's Cathedral, Australian Museum, CBD, George Street, Sydney YHA Harbour, Bondi Beach, Southern Cross constellation, Australian Stock Exchange (all digital!).

Melbourne: Melbourne Museum, downtown Melbourne (b...

In Episode 45, we're hitting on a topic that we've covered a little bit before: the relevance of university degress. If you saw someone struggling with their studies, would you encourage them to struggle on through or give up and go find something else to do, such as a job?

We also talk about what it takes to renew a work residence permit here Beijing. The work residence allows you to stay in the country for extended periods of time, including entering and exiting the borders as often as you like.

We're also looking to get...

Episode 44 has us looking at the end of the university semester and what should be done next.

What is the GaoKao and why is it important?

Would you encourage a young person to study or work, especially if you knew they didn't like what they were studying?

AI agents and programming your own language learning experience: good idea or bad?

And what will we be doing this summer?

BONUS! A list of TV Shows in Chinese to watch this summer! (Download the list here!)

Transcripts h...

In Episode 43 of the Language Vlog Podcast we take a look at the development AI agents and what it means for language learning AND teaching. Should it be allowed? Is the technology there yet? Can we make these things on our own or should we continue to pay a teacher?

Next up, if you ever land in Beijing, especially during the winter months, you might be greeted by an unfamiliar scene: a land covered by green... fabric. Are they faking it? Are they covering something up? No, all they're doing is protecting the top soil from blowing...

In Episode 42 we're looking at the idea of the United Nations adding a computer language to their list of "official" languages (alongside the six others of Spanish, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese). Is it time to add a "common computer language" to the mix and, if so, which one would it be?

Next up, we consider what could survive the test of time. I mentioned in a recent Youtube Short that we have to thank the monks of time's past for much of the literature we have today, even if it's only a fraction of what...

Episode 41 has us looking at a few different types of Chinese food, breakfast and lunch in particular, and some vocabulary on how and what to order.

Next up, what do you do with your commute time? Do you try to use all of the time you have available for something productive, or do you simply enoy getting away from it all and deal with it once you get there?

Finally, a look at some course offerings and ideas going forward. Want to learn Chinese? Get in touch. Want to learn English? Get in touch. Want...

Episode 40 has us looking around the campus, what do we see and would you want to visit as a teacher, student or just an online viewer?

Responses to using AI and other LLMs in the grading and feedback process - what does the internet say?

Question: if you only had an hour to spare every day, would you rather spend your time learning a new technology or a human language?

And a Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking Moms out there!

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive...

In Episode 39 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we consider the relationships between teachers, AI, and classroom teaching. We posted a video on our YouTube channel which garnered a lot of attention and plenty of comments. As universities try to fill up the classroom seats, are teachers able to keep up with the demand, or should they be allowed to use modern tools such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek and other LLMs?

We also look at what goes on during the Labour Day long weekend here in Beijing (hint: for Steve, it's rather quiet). We did, however, post a video...

In Episode 38 we review what it means to be "fluent" in a language, including two important distinctions between "real life fluency" and "test-taking" fluency.

We take a look at the campus bookstore and what they have in store (literally!)

A visit to the aviation museum in Changping district.

And what is a TiaoXiu (调休) and why do you have to make up work days in China?

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

Keep in touch! Join our n...

Episode 37 of the Language Vlog Podcast brings yet another language check in for the Mandarin Chinese language. This one was a bit rough and required a bit more editing than usual. Also begs the question: what is fluency? Is fluency the ability to speak at length without interruption or the ability to see, hear, and respond to anything in another language?

We also discuss a little bit about collecting postage stamps as I was tasked with finding a few for someone back in Canada. I managed to pick up a few and it makes me wonder: what...

This week we take a look at what Beijing's REAL spring is like: catkin fluffs floating through the air being whisped around by the whims of the Big Wind (大风). That means it's mask season all over again, not just for allergies, but to keep those things out of your nose and mouth. They can be especially distracting while riding a bicycle or running outside.

And that brings up a question: do you prefer to study inside or outside? We consider some of the pros and cons of being outside in Spring time or whether it's simply better to s...

In this episode, Episode 35, we take a look at one of the recent videos published to the YouTube channel, all about a walk back from the university to the hotel. We take a look at the neighhourhood, some of the things that are developing, and how the place could potentially change over the next few years. 

Next, we go over some of the things that go on in Beijing and in China over the recent QingMind holiday. It's not a long holiday, only one day, and oftentimes people have to complete a "make up work day", but t...

This week's episode takes a look back at Beijing's Temple Fairs, particularly LongTanHu in the southern portion of the city. We discuss a little bit about what goes on at these fairs, what makes them unique, and whether or not you have to go to them all.

We also review another video just posted to the YouTube channel that talks about teaching English as a Second Language overseas - is it worth it in 2025? Short answer is "Yes" but there are some things to consider before going. Not only that, the one thing to keep in mind...

Episode 33 takes us to Beijing in the midst of the Spring time flower bloom. The peach blossoms are out (and now blown away) and the cherry blossoms will be here soon. (But the weather's nice so it's a good time to travel here if you're thinking about it.)

Looking at ways to use our spare time, be it at home, in the classroom, or wherever we may have it - what do you do with the time you have?

A look back at a video we published YEARS ago about developing speaking skills. 

A...

Episode 32 of the Language Vlog podcast we talk about some of the essential APPs you need if you want to live in China (and some if you want to travel through the country). We also talk about finding a job overseas teaching English, be it in China or elsewhere, and how easy it can be to find a lead.

We also talk about the recent vlogs uploaded to the YouTube channel (@stevenslanguagevlog) which discuss Steven's first impressions of returning to the classroom and what he gets to see on his way to the university each and every...

Episode 31: Teaching in China, University Life, and Navigating Beijing

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I share some thoughts and insights into my transition back into classroom teaching in China, detailing my commute and living arrangements between Beijing's Changping District and Shuangjing. I also talk about salary expectations for English teachers, the role of grammar knowledge in ESL teaching, and some common challenges of working at a university in China.

Additionally, I talk about how moving from remote work to in-person teaching has changed my daily routine and impacted creating videos for our...

In Episode 30 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we take a look at a recent "progress report" on my Mandarin Chinese studies and whether or not it's a feasible idea to create videos (in my broken Chinese) directed at a Chinese audience. Would people like that?

Next, we go through some of the things to consider if you're looking for working in China and how much you could potentially make while living and working in the country. This episode continues on a little bit where the YouTube video leaves off in that I also consider some of the...

In Episode 29 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we review some of the videos we've posted to the YouTube channel lately, including a brief look at Ne Zha 2, the latest animated film that's hitting cinemas throughout China. We look at the mythology behind the story and discuss my understanding of how the movie unfolds - including some challenges following the plot.

We also talk about Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), the platform that has seemingly taken over TikTok's spotlight, and why I'm using it more than I ever used TikTok. I share insights on how Xiaohongshu compares to other...

Episode 28 of the Language Vlog Podcast! Job changing in China! Returning to the classroom after years of remote work?! What does this shift mean, and how does it impact personal routines and career goals?

We also look into the future of language learning with AI, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we learn AND TEACH languages. From AI-driven teachers to personalized chatbots, we consider some of the ways that these new technologies may revolutionize (or replace) traditional language instruction.

Futher, we discuss a little about developing an APP for a more personalized language...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we visit one of Beijing's Spring Festival Temple Fairs, exploring the lively atmosphere, traditional foods, and the unique experience of being a foreigner in China during this festive time. From the crowds to the unexpected photo requests from attendees, we consider what makes each of the temple fairs stand out at a thing to do and place to visit during the Spring Festival.

We also answer a listener's email question: Should you buy everything in China or bring it from home? Whether it's clothing, supplements, or specialty items, we br...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we travel out to Harbin, China's premier winter getaway, famous for its impressive Ice and Snow Festival. We explore the colourful ice sculptures, massive snow carvings, and the city's unique blend of Russian and Chinese influences. Plus, we take a look at Harbin's Polar Exhibit, featuring beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins - and a lot of dancing.

Back in Beijing, we look at the city's subway system, including the key train stations you need to know if you're navigating China by rail. For those planning a visit, we also...

In Episode 25 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we explore the ripple effects of the TikTok and CapCut bans in the U.S., leading to an influx of "TikTok refugees" on the Chinese app Xiaohongshu. We also dive into the nuances of this distinctly Chinese platform, privacy considerations, and the use of shorthand expressions in Chinese social media.

This episode features an immersive journey through Beijing, including a daily commute past the historic Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We discuss the ceremonial flag-raising tradition and its cultural significance, offering some tips for visiting this iconic landmark.

...

In Episode 24 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we look at change and exploring what drives people to move jobs, cities, or even countries, especially as expats. The episode reflects on the challenges of transitioning to new environments and discusses thought-provoking questions like "What if?" and "How would I do it?"

We also review the 2024 Beijing Cafe Show, showcasing China's growing coffee industry and its global connections. 

Additionally, the episode introduces the world of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), emphasizing the value of CELTA certification and the growing opportunities in online teaching. 

Wra...

In this episode of The Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss airports that have carpeted floors and how many airports (and train stations) in China have opted for granite tiles instead. We look at a Ukrainian New Year's tradition from childhood. And we also look at some of the reasons why Steve came to China, what makes him stay, and what would make him leave.

Oh, and NOW LAUNCHED is our NEW Chinese Course by Email! Sign up here!

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp...

Recorded from YVR (Vancouver Airport) during a layover on my way back to Beijing, this episode of The Language Vlog Podcast reflects on some of the Ukrainian-Canadian traditions that take place during the Christmas season. Traditions include what is done on Christmas Eve, what types of food are eaten around this time, and the origins of the famous song "Carol of the Bells".

Also discussed are modern books that have been translated into ancient languages and the start of a new Chinese Course by Email that we will be launching on January 1st, 2025.

Transcripts here:<...

Welcome to Episode 21 of the Language Vlog Podcast. In this episode we talk a little about reading some of the "Classics", ie, some of Plato's works in the original language; we also cover reading religious texts in ancient languages and whether or not it's an appropriate form to learn a language these days; and, finally, we check in with my Chinese language abilities in a new video released on the YouTube channel.

At the end of this week's episode, we also talk about our upcoming launch of a Chinese-by-email course that we will be releasing in January...

Episode 20 of the Language Vlog Podcast!

Finally returning to a structured language study routine, especially as my Cantonese lessons on iTalki near expiration.

This week's podcast features discussions on expat life, hometowns, and appreciating the moment:

Episode 19 of The Language Vlog Podcast and we're talking about hometown memories, holding onto books for too long, and why China, why Canada?

Recorded on Sunday, December 8, 2024, this episode was shot in front of a bookcase of books I've had since my university days. Some might say it's been a long time, others might say too long. When do you get rid of a book that's just sitting on your shelf?

And if you're just joining in, be sure to join our newsletter (link below) as we're about to launch TWO new email campaigns: an...

It's got cold and snowy here in Winnipeg, Canada, and this week's episode was recorded while walking around the block. Today we discuss what a Canadian prairie winter and Christmas time is typically like, the current language studies regimen, what it's REALLY like to be an expat (including what you miss and don't miss), and the new email-only Chinese language course we're developing.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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In this episode of the Language Blog Podcast, we talk a little about my trip back to Canada, touching on Winnipeg's harsh winters, the differences between Canada and China, and the challenges of maintaining language studies while traveling.

We also discuss some potential book projects for language learners and reflects on life as an expat.

Tune in for tips on language learning apps, a glimpse into downtown Vancouver, and thoughts on the reality of living abroad!

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n...

This episode was recoded while in transit at the Seoul Incheon airport in South Korea. I figured it would be better to record it early before the trip rather than try to set everything up once I was back in Canada. 

This episode includes a discussion of recent activity on the language vlog, notably an "exit" language check while at the Beijing airport. Then we also talk a little bit about the difference in using textbooks and APPs and why it's sometimes easier to buy one instead of the other.

Finally, I talk about the r...

Welcome to episode 15 of the Language Vlog Podcast!

This week's discussions include:

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

Keep in touch! Join our newsletter!

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...

This week's episode covers a well-known collection of short stories from the 1600 to 1700s, 聊斋志异, LiaoZhaiZhiYi, by Pu Songling. We just released a video about this on our YouTube channel and in this week's podcast episode we discuss what the collection is and why it's significant. Furthermore, we include a bonus audiobook at the end of this week's podcast which you can download for free over on our Buy Me A Coffee website (https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/325755).

Next, we discuss a little about how our language study sessions are going, including what I'm currently reading in Russian (The DaVi...

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss the busy week which saw me renewing my work visa, visiting the police station and navigating the usual paperwork. 

All the while, we posted a new language check in video in which I try my hand at speaking both Russiand and Chinese.

We also cover this week's live streams which included Chinese ghost stories (聊斋志异 in particular) and Russian declenions. 

We finished the week with a couple of YouTube Shorts that gave a look at the air quality in Beijing as it stood on Friday...

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about some of the challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese and Russian, including the difficulties of switching between the two languages. We discuss daily routines with writing out Chinese character sheets and translating them for better comprehension. There's also an overview of renewing a Type Z visa for China, obtaining a Chinese green card, and the life of an expat in Beijing during the colder months.

Finally, we cover building an effective Anki deck for Russian grammar and techniques shared by viewers during a recent live stream.<...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about this past week's live streams including deconstructing Chinese characters (both Simplified and Traditional), failing Russian grammar tests, and what makes a good English teacher. We also ask: what does it mean to be self-taught and can you be a self-taught language learner?

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Time stamps: 

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:22 Welcome to the Language Vlog S...

In the 10th episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss how the Beijing autumn is now settling upon the city and touch on how the Chinese holiday "make up work day" system works.

This episode also marks our foray into the land of podcast streaming, as we are now on all the major broadcast channels.

I also discuss a little bit about a new habit I'm trying to form each and every morning: reading some Russian before going about my day (and before I fit in my Chinese studies, too!)

We talk...

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I provide some updates on my language learning journey, focusing primarily on Mandarin Chinese and Russian.

We discuss the intricacies of living in China, exploring the unique nature of Chinese national holidays. I recap the past week's live streams and address the technical challenges faced, such as using a spectrogram to analyze Chinese tones and troubleshooting internet issues during broadcasts.

Highlights include a detailed look at my Russian extensive listening practice, thoughts on English teaching overseas, and my gaming experience with 'Black Myth: Wukong'.

...

Welcome to the Language Vlog Podcast for September 15, 2024!

Reflecting on living in China for 10 years, new podcast website, and live stream updates. We also delve into Beijing's autumn season and our current status  studying Chinese, Russian, and English.

Tune in for insights on gym routines, Cyrillic typing, and English grammar resources. Plus, find out about the Read the Classics series and upcoming projects.

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In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we give an update our language learning journeys, focusing on Mandarin Chinese and Russian. We also discuss choosing a podcast hosting service and the challenges of distributing the podcast across different platforms. The episode touches on living as an expat in China, Beijing's cooler autumn weather, and the scenic beauty of the Great Wall during this season.

We also review some of the recent YouTube videos, covering topics such as Chinese calligraphy, Russian reading practice, and the Black Myth Wukong video game. We look at the balance between...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we take a look back at the year so far, what we've accomplished and what we'd like to see done in the remainder of this year, particularly continuing with Mandarin Chinese and Russian. 

The episode also covers a visit to the CAFE Show 2024 and weekly video updates, including live streams focused on Chinese reading and Russian grammar.

Steven looks at his progress with traditional Chinese characters and Russian language maintenance, as well as the potential to introduce English grammar streams. The episode also highlights short video content, a...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I discuss recent updates in my language learning journey, focusing on Mandarin Chinese and Russian. I also delve into creating YouTube content, the challenges of running a channel, and the frequency of video uploads.

A significant part of the conversation revolves around ESL certifications like the DELTA and TESOL, including personal experiences, the pros and cons of each, and advice for potential candidates.

Moreover, I share an clip about a unique sound you'll hear in China when a vehicle is backing up: 请注意！倒车！

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In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I discuss our YouTube content strategy, including YouTube Shorts and long-form videos.

We also take a deep dive into my recent visit to Universal Studios Beijing and share insights on dealing with Beijing's summer weather.

Additionally, I introduce a new podcast idea aimed at making our content more accessible and talk about the upcoming videos we're working on.

Join me as I explore language learning, expat life in China, and more!

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In this episode of the Language Podcast, we dive into the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) levels, explaining why they matter for Mandarin Chinese learners. We also discuss the structure of the HSK exams, their relevance, and why you might or might not want to pursue them based on your goals.

We review recent YouTube videos on the language vlog, covers language learning strategies including watching TV, and provides practical tips for mastering Mandarin Chinese. Tune in for insights on navigating the HSK levels, effective study methods, and more!

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In this episode of the podcast, I take a walk around my neighborhood in Beijing and answer some frequently asked questions about living in the city.

We discuss the presence of security cameras, popular local food spots like the roast duck stall and Daoxiangcun dessert shop, and address common concerns about pollution and traffic. I also share insights on the extensive bike-sharing system, navigating the Beijing subway, and the cultural nuances of dining and commuting.

Additionally, I touch on learning Mandarin, the challenges of the local payment system, and the vibrant art scene.

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In the first episode of the Language Podcast, I introduce this new format as a way to dive deeper into language learning beyond YouTube shorts. I discuss the challenges of uploading longer videos, potential solutions, and my motivations for starting this channel.

I delve into a bit of my language learning journey, covering Mandarin Chinese and Russian, and share my experiences preparing to learn Korean in just three weeks. I also touch on the importance of effective pronunciation and the challenges faced by ESL teachers.

Join me as I explore language learning techniques, cultural insights...