You Can Learn Chinese
Episodes
From Burnout to Belonging: Emma Stanford’s Story
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When Emma first came to China for a two-month internship, she had no intention of learning Chinese. In fact, she had spent years telling herself she s...
Welcome to the Tone Danger Zone
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why do tones sometimes seem “good enough”… until they suddenly create complete chaos? In this episode, Jared and John dive into one of the tric...
How Anastasia Changed Her Goals, And Transformed Her Chinese
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when your reason for learning Chinese changes?In this interview, Jared talks with Anastasia Tulupova about her journey from a goal-driven...
What Does Your “Chinese Level” Even Mean?
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it actually mean to be at a “level” in Chinese and why does moving up feel so slow?In this episode, Jared and John dig into the concept ...
From Med School Prep to Mandarin: Adam Syed’s Story
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people struggle to find time to learn Chinese. Adam started learning it in the middle of one of the most intense study periods of his life, and k...
How Chinese Changed Our Lives (and Why It Might Change Yours)
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How could learning Chinese shape your life? From meeting lifelong friends (and even a spouse!) to navigating life in China with the help of mentors, c...
Heritage, Belonging, and Healing Through Chinese: Jade’s Story
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jade grew up knowing she was half Chinese, but without the language, family connection, or cultural context to understand what that really meant. In t...
Don’t Read Kids’ Books to Learn Chinese
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Should you learn Chinese by reading children’s books? It’s a common recommendation, but is it actually a good idea?In this episode, Jared and John...
Speak First, Figure It Out Later: How Jack Turned Chinese into a Superpower
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jared chats with Jack Mullinkosson, whose Chinese-learning journey runs from a Vice China documentary set… to living with a Chinese...
6 Chinese Listening Hacks That Will Transform Your Chinese Listening
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling with listening comprehension in Chinese? You're not alone—and this episode is here to help. Jared Turner and John Pasden dive into pr...
Alexander Brose on Juilliard, the Royal Conservatory, and the Power of Language
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
in this episode, Jared sits down with Alexander Brose, President & CEO of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, to trace his remarka...
The Lie We Were Told: You Must Handwrite Chinese Characters
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is handwriting Chinese characters slowing you down? In today’s digital world, does it still make sense to focus on writing by hand or should you jus...
Learning Chinese Through Life, Not Lessons: How Matthew McGuire Did It
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What began as a teenage crush became a lifelong journey into Chinese for Matthew McGuire, an Australian creator and accent coach. In this episode, Jar...
10 Things AI Will Never Do Better Than a Chinese Learner
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 do...
A Czech Perspective on Learning Chinese: Renata Mirkova’s Story
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The 7 Worst Ways to Learn Chinese (And What to Do Instead)
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 300 days of secretly studying Chinese, one guy surprises his partner with phrases like “the cheesecake is grieving” and “the purple elepha...
Fluency Now with Marko Jovanovic: No Classes, Just Progress
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you become fluent in Chinese without teachers, classes, or even Chinese speakers around you? For Serbian software engineer Marko Javoanovic, the a...
Does It Matter Where You Learn Chinese? Yes And Here’s Why
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
From Bubble Tea to Boxing Rings: How Freddy Buechel Found His Voice in Chinese
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
You Can Speak Chinese, but Can You Understand the Reply? (And Other Listener Questions)
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John are back with a full episode dedicated to answering listener questions covering everything from language learning strategies to cultura...
How to Learn to Read Chinese: Developing Fluency Now (Replay)
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 read...
Fun First, Fluency Follows: Karl Vilhelmsson’s Chinese Strategy
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 la...
Too Many Chinese Videos, Too Little Progress? Lets Fix That
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese learners today are surrounded by video, TikToks from tutors, YouTube explainers, online courses, sitcoms, and AI-powered tools promising to bo...
Burnout, Breakthrough, and Fluency: Chaniece’s Story
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Crutch or Catalyst? The Truth About Pinyin
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 thi...
Starting Over in China: Chimsy’s Story of Risk, Grit, and Growth
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jared sits down with Chimsy—marketer, meme connoisseur, and host of the China University Podcast—to dive deep into his unconventi...
Are AI Tutors the Future of Language Learning?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI tutors are everywhere—but are they actually good for learning Chinese? In this episode, Jared and John take a deep dive into the fast-evolving wo...
City 不 City: How Paul Mike Ashton Memed His Way to Fame in China
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Paul Mike Ashton, the American content creator who turned a quirky catchphrase into a nationwide sensation with his viral "City 不 City&quo...
Translating: A Tool for Fluency or a Crippling Crutch?
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is translation a necessary tool or a crutch that slows down your Chinese fluency? In this episode, Jared Turner and John Pasden dive deep into the rol...
How to Pass the HSK and AP Chinese Tests (replay)
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Jared chats with Grant Brown, an expert in HSK and AP Chinese test prep. Grant shares why so many students f...
Why Chinese Learners Know the Language Better Than Natives (Sometimes)
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Surprise! When it comes to Chinese, learners sometimes know things native speakers don’t. In this episode, John and Jared explore intriguing aspects...
Your Chinese Accent Is Terrible, But It Doesn’t Have to Be
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No matter how long you've been learning Chinese, you’ll still have an accent. But why is that? In this episode, Jared and John talk about your a...
Fluent in Funny: Jesse Appell on Learning, Performing, and Laughing in Chinese
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when an American comedian immerses himself in Chinese comedy? Jesse Appell’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode...
RedNote 小红书 Buzz: Can It Really Help You Learn Chinese?
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is a growing buzz around "RedNote" (小红书), as westerners—especially “TikTok refugees"—flock to this Chinese social med...
Persistence, Connection, and Culture: Joseph Vincent’s Journey from Student to Teacher
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Joseph Vincent, a passionate Chinese and Spanish teacher in California. While growing up in rural Ohio, he visited c...
Charting Your Path to Chinese Fluency: Finding Purpose and Making Progress
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ready to turn your Chinese learning aspirations into reality? Jared and John share insights on how to stay focused and motivated by finding your “wh...
The Best of You Can Learn Chinese: Top Stories from 2023-2024
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired! In this milestone 150th episode, we’re looking back on the most incredible stories from our interviews ove...
Roll for Initiative: How Learning Chinese is Like a Game of Dungeons & Dragons
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jared Turner isn’t just a language enthusiast—he’s also a seasoned Dungeon Master! In this episode, Jared and John dive into thow learning ...
Economist by Day, Rapper by Night: Andrew Dougherty (a.k.a. Big Daddy Dough)
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Dougherty first learned Russian and some Spanish and French before pursuing Chinese. Sensing the opportunity China held, Andrew pursued Chinese...
Listener Mailbag: Keeping Fluent with AI, Grammar, and Real-World Practice
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this listener mailbag episode, Jared and John dive into real questions from Chinese learners on topics that every language student encounters. From...
Pinyin Over Characters: the Crippling Crutch (Replay)
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
John and Jared discuss the all too common situation of pinyin over Chinese characters, something Jared sometimes refer to as the “crippling crutch”...
A Shortcut to Chinese Fluency? Narrow Reading in Chinese
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jared and John dive into the concept of "narrow reading"—a strategy that involves focusing your language learning on a specific top...
From Forgetful to Fluent: Elijah’s Inspiring Persistence in Learning Chinese
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Elijah Wilcott never thought he was cut out for learning languages. With a self-proclaimed terrible memory and a history of struggling in language cla...
The 6 Biggest Questions About Chinese Characters—Answered!
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're learning Chinese, these are the must-know answers about Chinese characters. Join Jared and John as they dive into key questions like: Sh...
Characters, Cocktails, and Karaoke: How Mike Kennedy Blended Passion and Chinese
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During a trip to Hong Kong, Mike Kennedy haphazardly began studying Chinese characters which started him on a path he could have never imagined. His g...
Language Learning Adventures: The Role of Randomness and Unpredictability
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John explore how randomness and unpredictability can prepare you for adventures in your Chinese learning journey. From spontaneous conversat...
From the Classroom to China: Teenagers Putting their Chinese to the Test
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, host Jared Turner takes you inside a study abroad trip to China with a group of teenagers including his two sons. These teen...
Is Your Chinese as Good as You Think it is? Confronting the Dunning-Kruger Effect
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you think your Chinese skills are better than they actually are? You might not be alone. This cognitive bias can cause learners to overestimate the...
From Reluctant Traveler to Fluent Speaker: Cleopatra’s Chinese Language Adventure
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cleopatra Wise initially had no desire to learn a foreign language but after being convinced to go to China for a class trip, her visit to Shanghai be...
When to Start Reading for Maximum Fluency
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover why reading in Chinese is a game-changer for fluency and learn the best time to start using graded readers. Jared and John break down the ben...
Raising Bilingual Children: Sunny's Story and Strategies from Spot of Sunshine Chinese
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the world of raising bilingual children with Sunny from Spot of Sunshine Chinese. In a chat with Jared, Sunny shares her journey from Taiwan...
Motivation and the Influence of Cultural Attitudes on Learning
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John delve into research discussing the crucial role of attitudes and preconceptions of a culture towards learning its language. They explor...
From American Football to Chinese Films: The Journey of Matt William Knowles
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jared Turner interviews Matt William Knowles, a former college football player, who turned an unfortunate event into a remarkable life-changing advent...
The Frustrated Learner and the Sound of Progress
13 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Jared and John discuss the frustrations of a learner who came to John for help, particularly with pinyin and differentiation of similar sounds i...
Finding Your Voice in Chinese: Happi's Multilingual Melody
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Driven by her love for Asian cultures, anime, and K-pop, Happi (from Happi Across Cultures) has learned Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Starting with f...
Japanese and Chinese: Unraveling the Differences of Two Ancient Tongues
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the fascinating world of East Asian languages with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. Whether you're navigating the tonal waves of Chin...
The Making of a YouTube Star: Ari Smith's Transformation into Xiao Ma
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this riveting episode, a clueless American white guy shocks a podcast host with flawless Chinese using one trick that teachers hate! Our specia...
Bridging Continents and Cultures: How Akeel Alleyne Found His Calling and Career in the Heart of China
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some people may find they have a knack for learning Chinese, but deciding to make Chinese a part of your life is another decision entirely. Akeel Alle...
The Impact of Native Teaching Methods on Chinese Learners: Insights from a Shanghai Classroom
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we step into the world of China's educational system. With an extra special guest interview, we pull back the curtain of how Chinese is...
How to use ChatGPT to Learn Chinese
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden give you some pro tips on how to use AI, specifically Chat GPT, to learn Chinese. They explore a variety of use cas...
Christmas in China (Ep. 25 Replay)
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our special Chinese Christmas episode first aired Dec 16, 2019.
The Future of the You Can Learn Chinese Podcast
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John and Jared have some sad news to share and want your feedback on the future of the podcast.
Mandarin reboot: How to get back into learning after taking a break
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So you want to get back into learning Chinese after taking a break. John and Jared give you tips on how to get back into learning Chinese and make it ...
Reframing the 10 worst Chinese learning tips
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is no shortage of advice on how to learn Chinese, but in this episode, hosts John and Jared not only talk about 10 common bad tips for learning ...
Fluency now: The power of extensive reading
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stories about the impact of extensive reading on language fluency pulled from studies and research. Guest interview with Sarah Reinstein, a game devel...
Knowledge vs Proficiency (Ep. 12 Replay)
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You know a lot of Chinese, but can you actually use it? Listen to the stories of 10 years in Xinjiang from John Summers.
Five tips on taking better notes for learning Chinese
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John and Jared discuss 5 principles to optimize your note-taking for language learning to maximize your learning gains. Guest interview is with Nick A...
Imperfectly fluent: Letting go of perfection
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What if your perfectionism is holding you back from progressing in Chinese? Learn how perfectionism can both help and hinder you. Interview is with Ro...
How To Find The Perfect Tutor (Ep. 36 Replay)
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does a great tutor do differently and how do you find them? Tune in for the answer. Guest interview with Lucy Jak-Lax, an aspiring musician who f...
Unleashing the power of motivation: Swire Chinese language conference
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode features Jared Turner’s keynote address at the Swire Chinese Language conference in June of 2023 in Newcastle, England, along w...
Listener questions answered: learning habits, immersion, and the power of extensive reading
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John answer listener questions about learning Chinese and interview Shannon Kennedy, a polyglot who shares her experiences learning the lang...
Why are dialogues so popular in language learning?
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John and Jared discuss the benefits of dialogues in language learning. Guest interview is with Bohan Phoenix, a Chinese-American hip hop artist.
Beyond memorization: Higher order thinking skills in language learning
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jared Turner and John Pasden delve into the topic of higher order thinking skills in language learning, with a focus on learning Chin...
Will technology replace language learning?
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John discuss the role of technology in language learning and whether it can replace the need to learn a foreign language. Guest interview is...
Breaking down emotional walls: the key to successful language learning
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jared Turner and John Pasden discuss the affective filter hypothesis and its relevance to language learning. They explain the three k...
The impact of comprehensible input on language learning: a deep dive
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Delver into the topic of comprehensible input in language learning with John & Jared who discuss various approaches and stress the importance of perso...
How your personality changes in another language
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like you have a different personality in Chinese, then you’re not alone. Jared & John talk about this fascinating phenomenon on how ...
Traveling to the Middle Kingdom: What to know before you go
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
China has lifted COVID restrictions and is issuing visas. It’s time to visit China! Jared and John talk about what you need to know about visiting C...
How to increase your listening speed
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the nuances of rate of speech in Chinese and how it impacts listening comprehension & speaking ability. Plus, we have an i...
How to focus your learning efforts for the maximum gain
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden provide a refreshing take on language learning, offering insightful tips and hilarious anecdotes to make the proces...
The vocabulary dilemma
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you keep learning new vocab but have trouble using it? Jared and John talk about the vocab dilemma in which many learners find themselves caught an...
What you should know about Chinese literature
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So you want to read Chinese literature? John and Jared talk about the unique aspects of Chinese literature that you should know before jumping in. Gue...
Where Chinese Words Come From
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How did we get the set of Chinese words we have today? John and Jared talk about how the Chinese language has evolved, adapted, innovated, and borrowe...
Why we love Chinese (and so should you)
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do you like about learning Chinese? John and Jared talk about all of the reasons they love Chinese! Guest interview is with Jason Brooks, a forme...
The power of questions
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Questions are a fundamental function of language. John and Jared talk about how to use asking and responding to questions to maximize your learning ga...
Learning Chinese: expectation vs. reality
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all come into language learning with different expectations. John and Jared talk about common expectations many learners have versus the reality of...
100th Episode Special
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After nearly 4 years since the first episode, Jared and John celebrate their 100th podcast episode with two special interviews with two special guest ...
Nine signs your Chinese is getting better
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’re learning Chinese, but are you getting better? Chances are you’re improving but it can be hard to notice the progress. John and Jared discus...
The 10 worst pieces of advice for learning Chinese
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are a lot of opinions about how to learn Chinese with some of it being just plain bad! John and Jared share some of the worst advice they’ve c...
Should you take the HSK?
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many people study for the HSK exam but will focusing your language learning on your interests and needs be better and faster? Well, yes…maybe! In th...
Do music skills make you better at Chinese?
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Does a musical background make you better at Chinese? Believe it or not, there is research on this very subject that John and I are going to delve int...
Five qualities of good language learners
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anyone can learn a language, but in this episode, John and I are going to talk about five qualities of good language learners. Call them qualities, ca...
Four types of teachers to avoid
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Ultra-Traditional, the “Buddy”, the Know-it-All, and the “Too Nice” are all teacher types that John and Jared are going to break down and ...
Game-based learning with Fred Poole, Ph.D.
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Special episode with Fred Poole, a language acquisition expert from Michigan State University who shares his experience with game-based learning and h...
A rude awakening: Chinese norms and niceties
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had comments in Chinese about your weight, asked how much money you make, or experienced just a general lack of “please” and “than...
Brain exhaustion and building stamina
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How long can you use Chinese before your “brain is full”? John and Jared talk about endurance in Chinese, how to build stamina, and what to expect...
When the dictionary is wrong
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when your dictionary says one thing but native speakers say it differently? John and Jared will talk about how to handle this and put i...
Vocab apps and learner engagement
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jared and John discuss a research paper on learner engagement with vocabulary apps. Whether you’re an independent learner or a teacher, there are pl...
The importance of anticipation in learning
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Learning a language is much more than learning vocabulary. This includes understanding and anticipating interactions within a cultural context. John a...
The six types of Chinese learners
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2021, Jared and John at Mandarin Companion surveyed over a thousand Chinese learners worldwide. Based on a statistical analysis, they found six mai...