User Comments - nathanbadenoch

Posted on: (W)rapping It All Up

Seems that the Shanghainese series was successful and popular. Any chance that it could be continued?? 

Posted on: Getting Where You Need to Go

Greetings to all from Kyoto. First let me say that I think ChinesePod is revolutionizing the way we learn language, and I don't even know how many people I have recommended ChinesePod to.

My Chinese studies started with Cantonese and Hokkien, so I was overjoyed when I saw that you were starting Shanghainese. It is a bold move to invest in a Chinese language other than the Supreme Dialect, and should be commended.

However, the way Shanghainese is being introduced is working against this great initiative. The language is presented as being exceedingly difficult, comprised of confusing sounds. And rather than going through this methodically as is done in the Mandarin lessons, it is just thrown up as something to memorize. It seems to be suggested in each lesson that its really impossible for foreigners to learn Shangnainese, but you can make them smile if you throw out a few words. The hosts don't even seem to be very interested in it.

The lessons are very light, and I think could be packed with more vocabulary and grammar. That is the great thing about podcasts, you can listen over and over. No need to be shy about presenting information. 

I am hoping that ChinesePod will decide to continue with the Shanghainese lessons. I feel that if you rachet it up a notch, it will be more attractive as well. Looking forward to more!