You Can Learn Chinese

10 Things AI Will Never Do Better Than a Chinese Learner

With AI advancing at lightning speed, many are wondering: Do I still need to learn Chinese? Jared and John say yes, and in this episode, they break down 10 ways your Chinese skills remain AI-proof. These are the kinds of things no app, bot, or translation tool can truly replace. Along the way, you'll hear stories about phone conversations that left taxi drivers in disbelief, the joy of reading your first Chinese book, and how language learning leads to deeper relationships. Whether you're just starting or years into your Chinese journey, this episode is your reminder that learning Chinese is still very much worth it and more human than ever. Links from the episode: * Mandarin Companion Graded Readers [https://mandarincompanion.com/products/] * AllSet Learning [https://www.allsetlearning.com/]

A Czech Perspective on Learning Chinese: Renata Mirkova’s Story

In this episode, Jared sits down with Renata Mirkova, a Chinese language educator from the Czech Republic whose journey into Mandarin began not with a grand plan, but almost by accident. What started as a university entrance decision led her to master Chinese, live in China, and now teach both Czech and Chinese across cultural boundaries. Renata shares the unique challenges of learning Chinese in a non-English-speaking environment, including outdated textbooks from the 60s, Czech-Sinology programs steeped in history, and a lack of direct Chinese-to-Czech resources. But through her perseverance and multiple immersive experiences in China, Renata carved out her own path to fluency. From surviving the linguistic chaos of Sichuan dialects to interpreting for Czech officials on business trips in China, she offers candid reflections on what works for her, what didn’t, and how learning Chinese changed her life. She also gives insight into her current work creating Chinese learning materials specifically for Czech speakers and what it’s like teaching Czech to Chinese speakers in return. Links from the episode: * Learn Chinese with Renata Mirkova [https://www.renatamirkova.com/] | Website * Mandarin Companion Graded Readers [https://mandarincompanion.com/products/]

The 7 Worst Ways to Learn Chinese (And What to Do Instead)

After 300 days of secretly studying Chinese, one guy surprises his partner with phrases like “the cheesecake is grieving” and “the purple elephant eats passion for breakfast.” It’s a bit humorous, but it also highlights a bigger issue: extreme learning methods that feel productive but fall flat in practice. In this episode, Jared and John dive into seven common extremes they’ve seen (and lived) in the world of learning Chinese. From bingeing flashcards or grammar rules to over-relying on Duolingo or doing nothing but watch TV in Mandarin, these extremes can slow your progress, or worse, burn you out completely. Drawing on personal experience, stories from past podcast guests, and insights from language learning experts like Paul Nation, the hosts break down what works, what backfires, and how to build a more balanced and effective approach to learning Chinese. If you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning your methods, this episode will help you get back on track. Links from the episode: * “Burnout, Breakthrough, and Fluency: Chaniece’s Story” [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gb6vWKJLXWoLbM4lpa5Pn] | YCLC Podcast * “Vocab Apps and Learner Engagement” – Jonathan Covey Interview [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6G1JsgG3m1XyvwNj0rTZSd] | YCLC Podcast * “Steven Kaufmann “The Linguist” Interview” [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3psiyeu1leTzH8kICrMtC9] | YCLC Podcast * Hack Chinese [https://www.hackchinese.com/] | Modern flashcards * Mandarin Companion Graded Readers [https://mandarincompanion.com/products/]

Fluency Now with Marko Jovanovic: No Classes, Just Progress

Can you become fluent in Chinese without teachers, classes, or even Chinese speakers around you? For Serbian software engineer Marko Javoanovic, the answer is “yes” by focusing on “fluency now”. In this episode, Marko shares how he started learning Japanese out of a love for anime but quickly pivoted to Chinese when he realized there were far more Chinese people than Japanese in his hometown of Novi Sad, Serbia. What began as a curiosity turned into a disciplined daily habit that transformed not only his language skills but also his friendships and worldview. Marko dives into how he built real working fluency from scratch using English-language resources like Mandarin Companion, YoYo Chinese, and extensive listening and how that foundation led to translating live at a visa interview, making friends over baozi, and becoming part of his local Chinese community. His story includes: * Why he stopped obsessing over flashcards and HSK levels * How “fluency now” helped him understand without translating * Why tones matter more than you think (like mixing up “food” with “video”) * The emotional reward of using Chinese to truly connect This episode is a roadmap for any Chinese learner, especially those going it alone. Links from the episode: * Mandarin Companion Graded Readers [https://mandarincompanion.com/products/] * Little Chinese Everywhere [https://www.youtube.com/@LittleChineseEverywhere] | YouTube * Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us [https://mandarincompanion.com/contact-us/]

Does It Matter Where You Learn Chinese? Yes And Here’s Why

Ever wonder how the place you study Chinese can shape your accent, comprehension, and even identity as a learner? In this episode, Jared and John dive into the importance of where you learn Mandarin in China and how different regions can affect your speaking and listening skills. From Beijing’s “pirate R’s” to the relaxed tones of Taipei and the “happy medium” of Shanghai, they explore the linguistic quirks of China’s top Mandarin learning destinations. You’ll hear: * The differences between Chinese accents in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei * Why Shanghai might be the perfect balance for learners * How non-standard Mandarin can actually improve your listening skills * What it's like to learn Chinese in tier 2 or tier 3 cities (or tier 88) and why it might supercharge your progress * Stories from past podcast guests, including John D’Andrea's experience being laughed at for his Lanzhou accent * How regional accents and fangyan (local dialects) impact Mandarin learning * A mildly controversial debate on cilantro in beef noodles If you’ve ever thought about studying in China or are curious about regional language variation, this episode is a must-listen.  Links from the episode: * John D’Andrea’s story [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-the-stages-of-learning-chinese/id1451549039?i=1000438859946] | YCLC Podcast #10 * Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us [https://mandarincompanion.com/contact-us/]