Another user by the name of BIGKEV posted a question a few weeks ago about how to handle the problem of making flash cards that carry han zi , english, and pin yin.  I figured this one out for myself a while back and wanted to share what I came up with via DIY video.  This is  a .mov file and may need Quicktime to play. Poddies... enjoy:

Hi, I have a windows mobile cellphone with a stylus, and I would love to use it to practice writing chinese characters. Is anyone aware of software for this purpose? Thank you

For awhile now, I've been wanting to practice writing the characters that are in my ChinesePod vocabulary lists, and have wanted a practice writing grid which I can print out to practice these characters.

I've been working on developing a web tool that takes my ChinesePod exported vocabulary list (an XML file) and then creates a PDF file with a writing grid for those characters.  Here is a screenshot of what the final PDF looks like:

If you're interested in using this tool to create your own vocab writing PDFs, I've put the tool up at:

http://www.miryclay.com/chinesepod/vocab2grid.php

I hope that this tool will be helpful for you!  It has been for me.  If you have any comments or feedback, feel free to let me know.  Enjoy!

I started a group for people who live near Albany NY. I did this to help create a support network for those people who live near me. It has been pointed out that chinese learning goes smoother when it is put to immediate application, so therefore we could do meetups at which we could practice what we are learning.

Announcing a new Meetup for The Atlanta Chinese Language & Culture Meetup Group!

What: Immersion! Hanyu only!

When: June 14, 2009 2:00 PM

Where: Click the link below to find out!

Meetup Description: Please join us for LOTS of Chinese conversation- at this meetup event, we are discouraging English use - here's your chance to really practice. This event is aimed at those with at least basic conversational ability and will likely frustrate beginners. Don't worry- we will have plenty of other events for beginners or just Chinese culture fans. Native speakers will be encouraged (and thanked!) when they correct our mistakes.

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/chineseatl/calendar/10584509/

Hey, guys.

Just a quick note to let you know that the free Skritter integration (we call it "Skritter Lite") is now live.  Premium and above subscribers can see it by going to either (1) the Vocab Manager (click on "Me" at the top, then "Vocabulary"), where there is now a "Writing Practice" link, or (2) from individual Lesson pages, on the Vocabulary tabs (select words to practice, then click on the new "Writing Practice" button).

I will do a blog post about this soon.

I entered my 2nd speech contest as a way to force me to focus on improving my fluency and pronunciation.

Take a look at me here.  I'm the American with the sun glasses and hat.

http://www.rti.com.tw/ajax/Activity2010Ajax/Foreigner2010VoteE.aspx

Chinese Podders, I could use your support on this one.  Come take a look and tell me what you think of entering speech contests as a learning tool.