You Can Learn Chinese

Jared Turner
  • 4.7 (120)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Learn HOW to learn Chinese with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. You will learn tips, strategies, and insights so you can supercharge your language learning. You will also be inspired by guest interviews with people from all over the world who have learned Chinese. Both Jared and John both learned Chinese, lived in China for many years, and have worked with learners all over the world and understand the unique challenges that Chinese learners face. They stay at the forefront of language learning research and methods and bring that to listeners everywhere.

  1. 3D AGO

    From Bubble Tea to Boxing Rings: How Freddy Buechel Found His Voice in Chinese

    What happens when you move abroad at age 10 and suddenly find yourself in daily Chinese class? For Freddy Buechel, it was the start of an adventure that took him from Singapore to Taiwan, back to the U.S., and eventually to Shanghai for a full-on study abroad immersion. In this episode, Freddy shares his winding journey of learning Chinese across multiple countries, his turning point moment ordering bubble tea as a kid, and why fluency is a “moving target.” He talks about the humbling reality of using Chinese in the wild, how boxing with a former world champion in Shanghai boosted his Chinese, and why he eventually chose to focus on Chinese over Russian. Freddy is now a student at the University of Colorado Boulder, known online for his hilarious and motivational Instagram videos shouting in Chinese from mountaintops, canyons, and even Times Square. He reflects on how making language fun has kept him motivated and how every learner can find their own way to enjoy the process. Links from the episode: @theBaoLuo 保罗 | Freddie’s Instagram Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    32 min

  2. SEP 8

    You Can Speak Chinese, but Can You Understand the Reply? (And Other Listener Questions)

    Jared and John are back with a full episode dedicated to answering listener questions covering everything from language learning strategies to cultural quirks.  They explore the challenges of using sarcasm in Mandarin, how to prepare for a trip to China if you're not yet fluent, and whether watching Chinese TV shows actually helps improve listening skills. And yes, they also get into one of the most common learner frustrations: you ask a question in Chinese, but when the reply comes… you’re totally lost. It happens to everyone, so what can you do about it? They also share thoughts on overcoming the intermediate plateau, what makes leveled content like graded readers so effective, and how to build study habits that actually stick. Along the way, they reflect on their own learning experiences, like John’s ongoing Italian project and Jared’s use of Chinese in everyday work and life. Packed with relatable stories and practical insights, this episode offers encouragement and clarity for anyone learning Chinese—whether you're just getting started or pushing through the advanced stages. Listener Questions Answered From: Elena Leeds (elenaleeds8505) Owen Kempton (owenkempton9691) Gregor Schafroth Kathryn Bozzay Ming (Chinese immersion teacher) Notable Quotes: “Sarcasm just doesn’t work the same way in Chinese. It’s not that it doesn’t exist, it’s just different.” —John “If you’re learning Chinese and you’re not enjoying it, it’s going to be hard to keep going.” —John “Leveling content is deceptively hard. It’s why our readers take so long to write, and why they work so well.” —Jared Links from the episode: Mandarin Companion Graded Readers Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    33 min

  3. AUG 18

    How to Learn to Read Chinese: Developing Fluency Now (Replay)

    In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, John and Jared discuss the concept of fluency now as opposed to some distant time in the future and how reading will get you there.Guest interview is with Olle Linge of Hacking Chinese and Chinese language enthusiast extraordinaire. He offers the Chinese learning tips that he wishes someone had told him back when he started Chinese.Thanks for listening to our podcast! Please write us a review on Apple Podcasts and we’ll give you a shout out on the podcast! We are also taking questions from our listeners. If you have a question, reach us at feedback@mandarincompanion.com. Follow us on Facebook and catch our latest Chinese learning memes on InstagramLinks referenced in this EpisodeMandarin Companion Memes - InstagramFunny Chinese ShirtsHacking ChineseEscape – Chinese language text game#46 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Pinyin, Characters, Vocabulary#47 How to Learn to Read Chinese: Baby Steps to Real ReadingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    59 min

  4. AUG 4

    Fun First, Fluency Follows: Karl Vilhelmsson’s Chinese Strategy

    What happens when a Swedish physics student decides to go all-in on Chinese? Meet Karl Vilhelmsson, a particle physics student at Stanford’s SLAC lab and a self-described language adventurer.  From a middle school classroom in Stockholm to immersive conversations with a Taiwanese friend and a solo Chinese language-only trip to Suzhou, Carl shares how curiosity and fun fueled his Chinese learning journey.  Carl talks with Jared about building meaningful friendships through Chinese, discovering the joy of reading and writing characters, and how Chinese has deepened his global perspective, both personally and professionally. Carl’s story is a reminder that Chinese is learnable, and it doesn’t have to be boring. Links from the episode: Mandarin Companion Graded Readers Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    32 min

  5. JUL 21

    Too Many Chinese Videos, Too Little Progress? Lets Fix That

    Chinese learners today are surrounded by video, TikToks from tutors, YouTube explainers, online courses, sitcoms, and AI-powered tools promising to boost your progress. But with so much content, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck in passive learning. In this episode, we dive into how to actually learn Chinese through video. Jared and John discuss the strengths and limitations of different approaches, from short-form content on social media to more structured courses. They talk about when Chinese movies and TV shows become useful (and when they’re just frustrating), the surprising downsides of subtitles, and how to match video content to your level. You’ll also hear about powerful tools like Language Reactor and SRT subtitles, how AI transcription can supercharge your review sessions, and why relying on ChatGPT alone might not get you very far—yet. John also shares a big announcement: the launch of AllSet Go, a short video course designed to take absolute beginners from zero to ready for real online Chinese lessons. Links from the episode: AllSet GO 10-lesson video course for absolute beginners | 50% off Voucher: YCLCGO #72 The Truth about Chinese subtitles | You Can Learn Chinese Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    25 min

  6. JUL 7

    Burnout, Breakthrough, and Fluency: Chaniece’s Story

    Chaniece Chen didn’t just study Chinese, she built her own major, battled burnout in an intensive language program, and came back for more. In this episode, Jared talks with Chaniece about her 12-year journey in China, from struggling with tones to thriving in Shanghai as a translator, community organizer, and content creator. Chaniece opens up about the highs and lows of immersion: how her college program led to burnout, how thinking in Chinese helped her improve, and why perfectionism can be a hidden danger for motivated learners. She also reflects on what it's like being a Black woman in China, her experience in Xinjiang, and how she built a life, and family, abroad. Links from the episode: @ThisIsChaniece | Instagram Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    52 min

  7. JUN 23

    Crutch or Catalyst? The Truth About Pinyin

    You’re reading Chinese, and there it is, pinyin over every character. It feels helpful, even comforting. But is it actually holding you back? In this episode, Jared and John explore how pinyin can become a crutch that cripples your Chinese progress and keeps you from truly mastering characters. They revisit Jared’s blog post from years ago, Pinyin Over Characters: The Crippling Crutch, and unpack how this issue is still alive and well, especially with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek.  You’ll hear how pinyin over characters affects your eye movement, slows your reading speed, and hinders character recognition. Jared and John also break down the psychology behind why pinyin is so hard to ignore and offer practical strategies to reduce your reliance on it. From browser extensions to smarter AI prompts, they share ways to keep pinyin available only when you need it, not when it interferes. If you’ve ever found yourself relying too heavily on pinyin, or wondering why your reading fluency isn’t improving, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to move forward. What you’ll learn: Why native Chinese speakers learn characters before pinyin How pinyin affects your focus, memory, and reading speed The difference between helpful support and harmful overuse How to use AI tools more intentionally in your learning What extensive reading looks like without pinyin distractions The importance of finding level-appropriate reading materials Links from the episode: Pinyin over Characters: The Crippling Crutch Mandarin Companion Graded Readers Learn Chinese Characters by Reading | Amazon Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    28 min

  8. JUN 9

    Starting Over in China: Chimsy’s Story of Risk, Grit, and Growth

    In this episode, Jared sits down with Chimsy—marketer, meme connoisseur, and host of the China University Podcast—to dive deep into his unconventional journey from Costa Rica to China. What started as a challenge to prove a dismissive restaurant owner wrong turned into a life-changing adventure of language, culture, and self-discovery. Chimsy shares how he went from working graveyard shifts in call centers to earning a Chinese government scholarship, despite setbacks like failing the HSK 3 and losing his passport on day one in China. Through humor and raw honesty, he reveals the challenges of adjusting to life in Chinese university dorms, building real friendships, and grinding through language barriers.  Be prepared for his raw, unvarnished, and honest take on learning Chinese and living in China, how memes can be more than just entertainment, and why making one good Chinese friend can change everything.  Links from the episode: China University Podcast Memes | Instagram  China University Podcast | Spotify Do you have a story to share? Reach out to us

    49 min
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4.7
out of 5
120 Ratings

About

Learn HOW to learn Chinese with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. You will learn tips, strategies, and insights so you can supercharge your language learning. You will also be inspired by guest interviews with people from all over the world who have learned Chinese. Both Jared and John both learned Chinese, lived in China for many years, and have worked with learners all over the world and understand the unique challenges that Chinese learners face. They stay at the forefront of language learning research and methods and bring that to listeners everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    Jared Turner
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jared Turner
  • Show Website
    You Can Learn Chinese

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