Can you give me a testimonial?

kencarroll
July 17, 2008, 09:04 AM posted in General Discussion

I need to gather some testimonials from CPod users - for possible media use. If you'd like to offer your thoughrts i'd be mightly pleased.Feel free to write your thoughts - long, short, whatever. you can post them here or message them to me. (Note that reportters could possibly contact you to verify.)

Thanks!

 

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mickeytoon
July 17, 2008, 11:18 AM

Having tried and failed to maintain a consistent level of Mandarin learning with a variety of other sources, both web based and traditional, my first encounter with ChinesePod hit the sweet spot immediately. I've been addicted ever since and have been amazed at the progress I've made in the short time I've been subscribed. This, I suspect, is in no small part down to efforts of Ken Carroll.

On a superficial level Ken comes across in the regular podcasts as an effervescent ebullient character with a good sense of humour to lend an easy natural feel to the lessons. His interactions with the other team members are the glue that holds the broadcasts together. But to claim that these are his only assets would be to do a gross disservice. Ken and the rest of the team have clearly put a lot of deep thought and planning into the ChinesePod structure. Ease of use and accelerated learning seem to be paramount, from the layout of the website to the format of the dialogues and the follow-up discussions. We are bombarded with memory aids and learning tools. Not all work for all individuals, but the range available make Chinesepod unique. You can't fail but to find one that is effective for your personal style of learning.

In putting together this format, Ken has demonstrated an amazing grasp of the most up to date learning methods. I won't use the word genius as it might go to his head, but he's close!

 

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paigeums
August 09, 2008, 01:31 AM

I really like the Japanese language, and for about 10 years I have been studying it on and off.  I'd concentrate for a week at most, then just forget to pick up any books again for several months.  I was going to start studying again around mid-June, but I was tired of of the same old routine, so I decided to look for a new language to study.  Since Mandarin is so much more widely spoken (with the bonus of its writing system so similar to Japanese) I looked around for sources.

I studied tones on various sites for a week before diving in to the actual language.  I downloaded a lesson from Pimsleur, and deleted it after listening for 10 seconds, every word going in one ear and out the other.  Then I downloaded a trial of Rosetta Stone, and deleted it after about 5 minutes. Then I found Chinesepod and haven't even thought of trying to use anything else to learn how to speak.  It's been nearly 2 months now, and I'm moving up to Elementary lessons on Monday, with 55 Newbie lessons (I didn't want to rush, ok?) and most Qing Wen lessons under my belt.  I lost count after learning 300 words a while ago, and when I made friends on this site I realized I had a vague idea of Chinese sentence structure, even through I always have trouble with sentence structure in all other languages I've studied.

I've already signed up to the JapanesePod holding page, and might someday try to see how much French I remember from high school using FrenchPod.  There is no way I would still have as intense an interest in Chinese if Chinesepod didn't exist, and I certainly wouldn't spend hours a day studying AND enjoying it.  Ken and Jenny are fantastic people and teachers, and I really don't look forward to the day when I have no new show from them.

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pinkjeans
July 17, 2008, 03:50 PM

I like Chinesepod, pure and simple. I wish I'd discovered it sooner, but nonetheless, I'm hooked. I think it's a really effective medium, and the way it is done is enjoyable, unrivalled by anything else I've come across so far (it's true; I've been recommending this to others who are interested in learning Chinese).

I use it to supplement my classroom learning, and I must say my progress in the conversational and listening aspects are contributed in no small terms by Chinesepod, even though I've only been on Chinesepod for not more than 2 months. I especially like the fact that verbal communication as it happens in real life is the focus of the lessons. To a small degree, I am also improving in the written character and recognition aspects.

I am especially impressed by Jenny's command of English which enables her to explain vocabulary clearly and by John's fluency, which puts me, an ethnic Chinese, to shame. I also appreciate the patient responses given by the rest of the Cpod team, Connie, Amber, Clay, etc. and I learn a lot from the supportive online community especially the helpful native speakers. As I can see there's a big element of social networking present, might the addition of a live chatroom for members be considered?

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bazza
July 17, 2008, 05:59 PM

ChinesePod Rocks!!

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mccorvic
July 17, 2008, 06:22 PM

I tried to study Chinese on my own for about a year, but didn't get far.  That was until I discovered Chinesepod! Chinesepod offers both the structure, guidance, and humor that I need to learn and I have already learned more in a month than I did in a year using just books and audio CDs!

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excuter
July 17, 2008, 06:36 PM

I was scanning the internet to find something to learn chinese online and Chinesepod was the only realy helpfull and reliable source in sight. Since the day I started I come to learn and check out the community for interesting posts and comments every day. At my present state of understanding chinese I am able to listen to chinese radio and have conversations in chinese through skype and it´s all because of Chinesepod! Thanks guys and girls and please keep up the good work ^_^

Wow that was more text than I thought...but the truth is the truth!

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xiaohu
July 30, 2008, 05:56 AM

By the time I found Chinesepod my spoken Mandarin was already at a conversationaly fluent level.  I was searching for something that could deepen my level of listening comprehension, (an area I had always been weak in) and to build more vocabulary.

For the 4 years I had been studying Mandarin before finding Chinesepod, I was always told by the Chinese people that I speak Chinese with almost no American accent, and if they weren't looking at me would think I am Chinese. I could speak at length about any subject I wanted to.

However, listening comprehension was a totally different story.

I would frequently misunderstand even the simplest phrases.  Because of my high level of speaking ability this was often disconcerting to the Chinese people, when I wouldn't understand what they felt was a short and simple sentence, they would become anxious and look for the earliest opportunity to terminate the conversation, leaving me with no confidence at all in my Chinese. 

To me a so called, "short and simple" sentence felt like hour-long soliloquies, that would end up with me brain cramped, and a glazed over look in my eyes saying nervously, "ni zai shuo yi bian, hao ma?" (say that again OK?).

I was desperately searching for a solution to the communication breakdown, after all communication isn't a one-way street.

Traditional textbooks had always been rather limiting and offered little aid in this regard because they usually don't come complete with lenthly audio recordings of real Chinese people speaking Mandarin, and the language used in textbooks can't possibly keep up with the times, missing many keyterms and never having a root in newer living language.

While searching for a new textbook in a Chinese bookstore someone told me about Chinesepod, I signed up for the free trial and after that I was hooked.

Every lesson was a different 15 minutes of pure, concentrated listening exercises.  With brief stops along to way to explain what you don't understand.

PERFECT!  Just what I needed!

One of the things I love about Chinesepod is the charisma of the hosts. John, Ken and Jenny have fantastic chemistry together and keep lessons fun, upbeat and REAL.

They strive to keep the material frest, the topics modern and the vibe upbeat so the listener never gets bored.  I'm always looking forward with a sense of anticipation at the next lessons, to see what topic the lesson is about, what they do with the dialogue and the witty banter of John and Jenny, or Ken and Jen.

It's like great morning radio that teaches you Chinese.

I was loving it!

Also the system of self-exploration provides a great deal of freedom to keep studies focused on the subjects that I'm interested in.

Within just a few weeks of trying out Chinesepod I made greater and faster strides than ever before!  My worry and dread at having to keep up a conversation in Chinese were replaced with feelings of relaxation and a sense of fun!  Talking is supposed to be fun, right?  It gave me new found confidence at being able to listen and completely understand everything that was said, instead of desperately trying to pick out key-terms to piece together in my mind what was being spoken, falling behind and getting lost, I could just sit back, relax and FINALLY...ENJOY having a conversation!

Now I have virtually no trouble with understanding what people say to me, and it's all because of Chinesepod.  I always say, Chinesepod is the best website for learning Mandarin Chinese that is, or will ever be!

Xiao Hu

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mark
July 30, 2008, 06:04 AM

Chinesepod has given me a unique opportunity to indepently study Chinese while still living in the US.

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kencarroll
July 30, 2008, 06:14 AM

Guys,

These are fantastic.

mickeytoon, I appreciate your kind words in particular!!!

We were in the Huffington Post today and I think there amy be more media expoisure on the horizon. If reporters ask I may refer them to you.

Thanks again,

Ken

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mayor_bombolini
July 17, 2008, 03:17 PM

Wow.  I'm surprised to see there are not more posts.  A quick scan through the Community Conversations will net daily testimonials.

What can you say about CPOD?  It's got something for everybody.

Some of us do not have time to sit in a classroom. In my case, I'm done with University classrooms.  It's not an effecient learning method. 

CPOD is the perfect set of learning materials.  You can indivdualize your learning program.  The podcasts are very professionally done.  You can learn them on the go or sit at home with the pc. 

I like to take one lesson a day and open up all the windows: dialog, vocab, expansion.  I listen to the dialog a few times, read the dialog, listen to the 10 to 15 minute lesson, check the vocab, and do the expansions where I need it.  Done in 1 hour a day, then I'm ready for the street to unleash my Chinese (hah, hah).

"The Community " is also fantastic: henning, bazza, changye, auntie, rj, calkins, cassie....the users are great teachers.

So no more classrooms for me.  Thanks CPOD.

Ken, feel free to have reporters contact me.

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RJ
July 30, 2008, 12:13 PM

Ken, my comments re cpod would be as follows:

Until Chinesepod I relied on CD's and tapes to try to learn Chinese. Alone these lead to much confusion as you inevitably encounter words that have the same sound but different meanings, or words in which the pronounciation is not clear. I longed for something less one dimensional. When I found Cpod it was a great thrill to find a tool that provided not only the conversational piece of the puzzle but also included the romanticized pinyin spelling and the Chinese characters for each word spoken. In additon, word usage and entymology is well explained by Ken and Jenny who as a bicultural team have the perfect chemistry for the task. At cpod one not only learns textbook vocabulary but Mandarin as it is truly spoken on the street. A refreshing and necessary change for me. Additional tools are provided in the form of practice sentences and exercises but really special is the commuity bulletin board where one can get timely answers to the inevitable  questions (including cultural)  that will arise. Finding Cpod was definitely a thrill and without exageration improved my ability to learn Chinese by at least an order of magnitude. Add the convenience of podcasting and the flashcard function and you have a one stop shop. Lessons are divided by level and their library of more than 900 lessons to date will insure you never run out of material. One on one counseling is also available. I am here for the duration provided they stick to their current standards. After one year, still thrilled to be here.

-RJ

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daynah
July 30, 2008, 12:25 PM

I take Chinese Language classes at University only two days a week. Reading and writing Chinese can be studied on your own, but it's really tough to study listening and speaking on the four day weekend I have between Chinese class. Listening to Chinesepod.com's podcasts really helped me get a grip on the pronunciation. I can prove it; I got a B the first semester without Chinesepod's help, and an A the next semester when I was signed up. I fully plan on signing up for a Guided on Executive plan after my University classes end to keep my Chinese progressing.

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irmapico
July 30, 2008, 02:21 PM

My family and  I lived in Beijing and learn to say what I needed with the help of a teacher, driver and ayi.

When we moved to Singapre, I found a lot of chinese people who tought chinese but didn't have a method. One was too stressing, other was too light.

When I decided to try CPod, it became my favorite teacher, my favorite hobby and my favorite class.

I feel eager to find out about the different tools offered and feel everyday hooked on it.

Now I have learnt to listen and understand. I personally use my ipod everyday and I enjoy listening to you and kind sweet Jenny.  The lesson make me laugh, concentrate and feel eager to continue with another lesson.

Everyday I listen to 5 old lessons and 3 new ones more or less.

This has been a wonderful idea.  Thank CPoD. I will always be your fan.

 

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irmapico
July 30, 2008, 02:26 PM

I forgot to say we are already living in Mexico and

love you English Ken.

 

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godinasia
July 30, 2008, 06:50 PM

To put it simply, I love ChinesePod. I've been through many different methods of attempting to learn Chinese, but I've never encountered a better method than ChinesePod. It's fun, it's simple, and it works. 

And that's the truth.

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daizi
August 08, 2008, 04:53 PM

I've tried many other religions, from Dao'ism to Pastafarianism, but I've discovered that ChinesePod is my true god.

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jimkahl
August 08, 2008, 09:19 PM

I initially started trying to learn from other web sites, most had few if any actual practical dialog situations, and some were more conentrated on just learning vocabulary.

When I finally found CPod, it was a wonderful find.  I signed up for the 7 day free trial period and within the first few minutes knew that I would be a life long subscriber. 

Two months after I started with CPod I signed up for a class at the local community college.  After two weeks in the class the teacher asked me where I had learned before, because I already knew more than what the class covered.  She suggested that I transfer to the second level class, unfortunately it did not work with my schedule.

As soon as the Guided level was added, I signed up and it has been pushing me to study harder and learn faster than I would have done on my own.

I suggest CPod and the other Praxis language sites to anyone that I know who is interested in trying to learn a new language. 

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matthiask
July 30, 2008, 10:25 AM

The everfresh podcasts manage to make my girlfriend utter the following words daily: "Wow, where did you pick up this word from?" And my answer stays the same: "From Chinesepod.com"

Lot's of the chinese high frequency words are not common in the "common" textbooks. The way to work becomes more and more entertaining to me as I advance to the different levels Chinesepod offers.

Many thanks to Jenny, Connie, Amber, John and Ken and all the others making this to a personal success.

Matthias