ChinesePod is one of the most well-known names in online Chinese language learning and for good reason. Whether you love or hate hosts Ken, Jenny and John, pretty much all of the expats you come across in China have an opinion about them one way or the other.
Lessons on ChinesePod cover common circumstances, such as talking on the phone and buying groceries, and you can find Chinese language dialogues that pertain to pretty much any situation you might get into while in China.
You can listen to any of the over 1,500 episodes from your computer or pay for monthly plans starting at $14, which gives you access to the downloadable episodes, transcripts, exercises and study tools. Discounts are available for buying 3,6,12 or 24 month subscriptions. A week long free trial is available to check out this Mandarin language learning program before you buy.
There are five levels of language learning, so you are sure to find one appropriate for your personal level of Chinese.
The company offers podcast lessons for other languages as well, including French, Spanish and Italian.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
How to Find a Chinese Conversation Partner
Now that you understand the importance of having a Chinese conversation partner, you may be wondering how to find one.
Many colleges and universities offer programs to hook up Chinese speakers who are students at their school with local students who want to practice Chinese and are willing to help their students improve their English skills. Contact the foreign language department of nearby schools to find out if they have such a program.
Even if your local school doesn’t offer a conversation partner program, you may be able to make a connection on your own by placing an ad in the school paper or on bulletin boards on campus.
People who don’t live close to a school may have more trouble finding a conversation partner, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Try placing ads in your local classified paper or go talk to people working at a local Chinese restaurant who may be or know recent immigrants eager to practice their English in exchange for a little bit of Chinese conversation.
For the more technologically inclined, you may be able to find a conversation partner online who can converse with you via free chat or calling services such as Skype.
Many colleges and universities offer programs to hook up Chinese speakers who are students at their school with local students who want to practice Chinese and are willing to help their students improve their English skills. Contact the foreign language department of nearby schools to find out if they have such a program.
Even if your local school doesn’t offer a conversation partner program, you may be able to make a connection on your own by placing an ad in the school paper or on bulletin boards on campus.
People who don’t live close to a school may have more trouble finding a conversation partner, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Try placing ads in your local classified paper or go talk to people working at a local Chinese restaurant who may be or know recent immigrants eager to practice their English in exchange for a little bit of Chinese conversation.
For the more technologically inclined, you may be able to find a conversation partner online who can converse with you via free chat or calling services such as Skype.
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