The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons
Excellent Materials for You to Learn Chinese Mandarin Language
Latest Lessons
Back to School News and Features
Ah, it's fall, and school is in the air! For many of you, that means Chinese class again. That's why we've set up a special program/promotion (don't forget the slash) just for the students. Oh, and we also have a new blog which offers free study materials. Listen in to find out what's going on!
Beauty Pageant for Bloggers Intermediate
'Beauty' and 'bloggers' may not seem a likely recipe for an eye-pleasing swimsuit competition. But in the new internet age, worlds meld. In this podcast, learn in Mandarin Chinese about a blogger who has got it all: nerdiness and avatar-appeal. Makes you wonder what the talent competition will be like... Fastest typing speed? Mouse-click interpretive-percussion musical renditions...?
appearance, internet, Beauty Pageant Series
Man or Woman? Pre Intermediate
When he/she walks like a woman and talks like a man, and the response that comes to your query of “Who is that?” is “It’s Pat,” you may find yourself in a quandary of gender identification. Think you can fake your way through this kind of predicament in Chinese with an evasive ‘ta’? That, and this podcast will help. And who knows, you may just find out that the elusive Lola ended up in China.
appearance, people
Election Candidates Upper Intermediate
Perhaps the upcoming 2008 presidential race in the United States could be made into the next TV reality show. It's got it all--the drama, the coifed blow-dries, the race around the country, the back-biting, the scandals, the slick acting, the lies and deceit, the slow elimination of the charismatically-not-quite-cutting-it... and of course the fetching winner who prevails over all. In this podcast, learn more about all this hoopla, in Mandarin Chinese.
government, medicine
All About 所有 (suǒyǒu) and 都 (dōu) Qing Wen
In this Qing Wen, we answer a question from a user who is feeling a little perplexed over how to use the two words for 'all' in Chinese, 所有 (suǒyǒu) and 都 (dōu). Listen in and the usage will be all cleared up for all time for all of you.
Time to Go Newbie
No, this is not another in our 'taking the classroom to the bathroom' series of Mandarin lessons. Rather, this lesson is about having to get going. So, next time you're waiting as your significant other is performing their getting ready ritual, you will have the words to get him/her rolling. Listen to this podcast and learn to nag a little, a la Chinese.
time
Flattery in the Office Intermediate
Rules of boss flattery: if you start complimenting your beer-bellied boss on his figure, he might catch on that you're just looking for a raise. Better to stick to his rugged good looks. In this podcast, a Mandarin lesson on how to use your Chinese charms to suck up.
jobs, professions, people, Wang's Office Series
#14 Movie Madness
This week Dave seizes back the studio and - in a sharp break from the past - delivers an explosively-fun film with no connection to Nora Ephron, love her though we might. So fasten your seatbelts, grab the popcorn and prepare your iPod for the madness. And be sure to get your answers in to Amber by tomorrow afternoon for a shot at our first mystery prize. Hint: not in the mood to comb through the IMDB for films starring rats? Listen closely the part of the clip we don't discuss for the real plot giveaway.
Number Two Elementary
Writing classy lessons about bodily functions may be considered a difficult task by some. One lesson better left to the naughty neighborhood kids, perhaps. But, we at ChinesePod know that there are certain times where acting out what you are trying to get across in polite company is just a big no-no. We are up to the task. A prequel to the clogged toilet lesson--this podcast, where we take the classroom to the bathroom. Learn about 'number two,' in Mandarin Chinese.
health, location
I'm hot! Newbie
For those of us all sweaty in our China summer, this lesson has a special significance. We want to know how to voice our complaints to the weather gods that be. In this podcast, learn to bellyache over the heat, in Mandarin Chinese. Now, if only we could learn how to do a rain dance...
weather
Volleyball Elementary
How a sport which involves sweaty sun-kissed bodies prancing around on sandy beaches became an official Olympic sport, who can say. But the gods of Athens would likely approve. In this podcast, catch some exciting Olympic volleyball action in Mandarin Chinese. And keep your eye on Team China for 2008!
Olympics, sports
It's Not Hard to Say Goodbye Qing Wen
We're not ready to say goodbye yet on Qing Wen, but as a sequel to last week's lesson on hellos, we bring you farewells. Listen in and learn the language and culture of goodbyes, in Chinese!
City Stats Intermediate
One never knows when one will find oneself in a game of pin the tail on the Chinese city. Get a head start on your Chinese topography. In a place where a city you've never even heard of can have the population equivalent to that of a small country, there is a lot to learn. Listen to this podcast and learn in Mandarin about some smaller (read: population 8 million) cities in China, and what the cityfolk are up to there.
geography, location
A New Home Page News and Features
In response to user requests, ChinesePod has revamped its Home page to make more of what you want readily available from one place. In addition, the Lesson pages and the ChinesePod Dictionary have also changed! Listen in as John and Eileen discuss the changes, or pop on over to the Praxis Language Blog for the full rundown.
I can't write it Newbie
Never thought we'd one day be just another illiteracy statistic, but, alas, learning Mandarin can be a humbling undertaking. If you just wrote down your name and the squinting clerk is turning the paper upsidedown, sideways and backward, this podcast is for you. Do not be daunted! Listen and learn how to get someone to write a Chinese character for you. And do not despair--literacy initiatives have worked in developing countries. There's hope for us yet.
language, studies
#13 Movie Madness
This week's movie is Jenny's pick. Listen in and test your luck on today's slightly romantic, slightly bittersweet Movie Madness. Oh, and a new and improved John Pasden. Only 24 hours to have a chance to win. Don't write your answer in the comments section--listen to the podcast for instructions on how to submit your guess! As always, the question is… can you recognize the Hollywood movie based on the audio clip?? The hosts offer their insight in order to help listeners to try to name that movie based on the Mandarin Chinese audio and a few clues.
Pushy Insurance Salesman Upper Intermediate
Now, pushy salesmen are an easy target, so today's introduction will not pick on them, even if they do wear tacky suits and cheesy grins. In today's podcast, learn the underappreciated skills of the pushy salesman: perseverance, faith in the face of adversity, thick-skinned oblivion and tenacious stick-to-itiveness. All qualities, come to think of it, that will help you to learn Mandarin. See, he's not so bad after all.
health, questions