Episode 41 has us looking at a few different types of Chinese food, breakfast and lunch in particular, and some vocabulary on how and what to order.

Next up, what do you do with your commute time? Do you try to use all of the time you have available for something productive, or do you simply enoy getting away from it all and deal with it once you get there?

Finally, a look at some course offerings and ideas going forward. Want to learn Chinese? Get in touch. Want to learn English? Get in touch. Want to learn better study habits or how to implement AI into your own language learning process? Get in touch.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:36 Exploring Chinese Food in Beijing

02:08 Learning Mandarin: HSK Exam Experience

03:46 Mandarin Study Methods and Progress

07:45 Creating Chinese Content for Chinese Audience

08:32 Offering Chinese and English Lessons

14:14 YouTube Channel Updates and Upcoming Videos

21:06 Typical Chinese Breakfast Order

30:01 Using Commute Time for Language Learning

36:05 Conclusion and Contact Information

Episode 40 has us looking around the campus, what do we see and would you want to visit as a teacher, student or just an online viewer?

Responses to using AI and other LLMs in the grading and feedback process - what does the internet say?

Question: if you only had an hour to spare every day, would you rather spend your time learning a new technology or a human language?

And a Happy Mother's Day to all the hardworking Moms out there!

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:45 Language Learning Journey

03:49 Mother's Day Reflections

07:13 YouTube Channel Updates

16:45 AI in Education Debate

25:02 Human vs. Computer Languages

30:58 Exploring Beijing's EV Scooters

35:39 Chinese History Books Discussion

44:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

In Episode 39 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we consider the relationships between teachers, AI, and classroom teaching. We posted a video on our YouTube channel which garnered a lot of attention and plenty of comments. As universities try to fill up the classroom seats, are teachers able to keep up with the demand, or should they be allowed to use modern tools such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek and other LLMs?

We also look at what goes on during the Labour Day long weekend here in Beijing (hint: for Steve, it's rather quiet). We did, however, post a video that showed a snapshot of Changping on a Friday night, a typically sleepy area but has its periods of celebration and noise.

Finally, we take a look at the words that hang above the gate of the Beijing Rose Garden, an enclosed compound in Changping that hosts some rather costly houses. Did we ever find out what the words were? No. But why not?

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:41 Labor Day Weekend in China

01:18 Public Holidays and Makeup Workdays

06:25 Teachers Using AI for Grading

14:52 Exploring the Beijing Rose Garden

29:52 Friday Night in Changping

37:26 Conclusion and Contact Information

In Episode 38 we review what it means to be "fluent" in a language, including two important distinctions between "real life fluency" and "test-taking" fluency.

We take a look at the campus bookstore and what they have in store (literally!)

A visit to the aviation museum in Changping district.

And what is a TiaoXiu (调休) and why do you have to make up work days in China?

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:47 The Evolution of the YouTube Channel

03:02 Podcast and YouTube Channel Parrallelism

06:03 AI and Automation in Language Learning

15:48 Weekend Routine and Productivity Tips

22:31 New Video: A Visit to the Aviation Museum

26:47 Chinese Holiday Work Schedule

34:27 Conclusion and Contact Information

Episode 37 of the Language Vlog Podcast brings yet another language check in for the Mandarin Chinese language. This one was a bit rough and required a bit more editing than usual. Also begs the question: what is fluency? Is fluency the ability to speak at length without interruption or the ability to see, hear, and respond to anything in another language?

We also discuss a little bit about collecting postage stamps as I was tasked with finding a few for someone back in Canada. I managed to pick up a few and it makes me wonder: what is worth collecting?

And finally, we talk about constructing our own language tutor and whether or not it's worth the time and effort... or if we should just hire a human teacher already. The answer is probably "Both" since that would give the greatest exposure to learning the language.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Podcast Format and Recording Setup

05:00 Exam Week Reflections and Teaching Schedule

08:30 Immersive Study Strategies and the 30+30 Method

11:00 Language Progress Check: Editing, Fluency, and Grammar

18:00 Stamp Story: Going to the Post Office and Collecting Stamps

29:00 Using AI in Language Learning and Content Creation

34:30 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

This week we take a look at what Beijing's REAL spring is like: catkin fluffs floating through the air being whisped around by the whims of the Big Wind (大风). That means it's mask season all over again, not just for allergies, but to keep those things out of your nose and mouth. They can be especially distracting while riding a bicycle or running outside.

And that brings up a question: do you prefer to study inside or outside? We consider some of the pros and cons of being outside in Spring time or whether it's simply better to stay inside separated from the elements.

Finally, another languager progress check has been uploaded to YouTube. This time I made the video in a few different places throughout the day. I also had to substantially edit the video because I was on the move which meant I was not only out of breath, but also not able to keep my focus on what I was saying. Good practice? Or waste of energy?

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

 00:20 Beijing's Catkins Season

00:44 Recording Challenges and Preferences

06:09 Studying Inside vs. Outside

10:25 Language Progress and Practice

27:11 The Big Wind in Beijing

32:53 Upcoming Videos and Conclusion

In this episode, Episode 35, we take a look at one of the recent videos published to the YouTube channel, all about a walk back from the university to the hotel. We take a look at the neighhourhood, some of the things that are developing, and how the place could potentially change over the next few years.

Next, we go over some of the things that go on in Beijing and in China over the recent QingMind holiday. It's not a long holiday, only one day, and oftentimes people have to complete a "make up work day", but this year we didn't have to. What are some of the traditions that go on and why are they important?

We also cover a simple yet effective method to practice your language skills when you don't want to: typing. Find a text, any text, and start typing out on a keyboard or touchscreen, each letter and word. The aim is for contact time with the language and developing the ability to type in the target language. This is an underated practice and one that deserves some attention as these days we so often use electronic devices but mostly for speaking practice, not writing practice.

Finally, the big entertainment news of the month is iShowSpeed's visit to China. I'm a little surprised that he's still here but apparently he's still streaming from the country. So, what's he up to now?

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:39 Outdoor Recording Challenges

03:37 Beijing's Springtime Catkins

05:03 Coursework and Video Production Updates

06:18 Language Progress Checks

08:22 Walking Tour of Changping District

12:49 Typing Practice in Target Languages

17:19 Qingming Festival Insights

21:45 IShowSpeed's Visit to China

26:32 Podcast and YouTube Updates

28:12 Conclusion and Contact Information

This week's episode takes a look back at Beijing's Temple Fairs, particularly LongTanHu in the southern portion of the city. We discuss a little bit about what goes on at these fairs, what makes them unique, and whether or not you have to go to them all.

We also review another video just posted to the YouTube channel that talks about teaching English as a Second Language overseas - is it worth it in 2025? Short answer is "Yes" but there are some things to consider before going. Not only that, the one thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to go for only a year, that year will fly by fast.

Finally, we consider the future of teaching, education and language learning, including how much of the process can be automated and if students will care if their teacher is just a video. Not only that, Steven asks, "Can I teach Chinese?"

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:31 Why Start a Podcast?

01:35 Funding and Support for the Podcast

03:20 The YouTube Channel and Content Evolution

05:59 Beijing Temple Fair Experience

11:32 Teaching ESL Overseas in 2025

14:35 Learning Mandarin Chinese: Challenges and Insights

21:29 AI and Language Learning Innovations

33:50 Conclusion and Contact Information