In an ideal world, everybody would be studying Chinese according to their own goals. Then, the challenge is to figure out what way of studying is...
Year: 2026
Study more Chinese: Time boxing vs. micro goals
Image source: freeimages.com/profile/timucin If you want to get things done in life, there seems to be one general truth that is applicable in...
A student’s guide to comprehension-based learning
In two previous posts, Diane Neubauer has discussed what comprehension-based teaching and learning is and why it’s useful. In this third and last...
Student Q&A, September 2024: Slowly spoken Chinese, passing listening exams and understanding numbers
This week’s podcast episode is a reader and listener Q&A, where I answer three questions about listening in Chinese. This time, I’m answering...
Student Q&A, October 2024: Pronouncing the final -i after sh-, the initial z- and if Pinyin is a good transcription system
This week’s podcast episode is a reader and listener Q&A, where I answer three questions about Mandarin pronunciation. This time, I’m answering...
Student Q&A, November 2024: Pros and cons of digital tools for Chinese reading, and the struggle to find comprehensible and interesting texts
This week’s podcast episode is a reader and listener Q&A, where I answer three questions about reading in Chinese. This time, I’m answering...
Student Q&A, November 2023: Reading Pinyin or characters, comprehensible vs. compelling content and reading tools
This week’s podcast episode (number 169) is a reader and listener Q&A, where I answer three questions sent to me about reading in Chinese, more...
Student Q&A: May, 2025: Learning Chinese characters and words with flashcard apps
Should you focus on many words superficially or few words well? How do you stay motivated when flashcards get boring? And how can you tell if you...
Student Q&A, May 2024: Understanding strangers, listening with transcripts, and which podcasts to avoid
This week’s podcast episode (number 196) is a reader and listener Q&A, where I answer three questions about listening comprehension in Chinese....
Student Q&A: March, 2025: Chinese slang, leaving expat bubbles, and competing with other learners
Is learning Chinese slang worth your time? What do you do when someone with less study time speaks better than you? And how can you escape the expat...