SLV | Episode 46 | Back to Beijing and How was Australia?!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
After two weeks in Australia, we're back in Beijing for Episode 46 of the Language Vlog Podcast. In this episode we talk a little bit about what the trip was like, what we saw and what we missed. This episode follows along with this week's newsletter which you can read . Major highlights included: Sydney: Harbour Bridge, Opera House, The Rocks, Hyde Park Barracks, St. Mary's Cathedral, Australian Museum, CBD, George Street, Sydney YHA Harbour, Bondi Beach, Southern Cross constellation, Australian Stock Exchange (all digital!). Melbourne: Melbourne Museum, downtown Melbourne (both on our...
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SLV | Episode 45 | University Degrees, Street Food, and PSB Visits
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In Episode 45, we're hitting on a topic that we've covered a little bit before: the relevance of university degress. If you saw someone struggling with their studies, would you encourage them to struggle on through or give up and go find something else to do, such as a job? We also talk about what it takes to renew a work residence permit here Beijing. The work residence allows you to stay in the country for extended periods of time, including entering and exiting the borders as often as you like. We're also looking to get back into livestreaming throughout the summer, particularly YouTube...
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SLV | Episode 44 | Study or Work, DIY Teachers, TV Shows and The End of the Semester Begins
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Episode 44 has us looking at the end of the university semester and what should be done next. What is the GaoKao and why is it important? Would you encourage a young person to study or work, especially if you knew they didn't like what they were studying? AI agents and programming your own language learning experience: good idea or bad? And what will we be doing this summer? BONUS! A list of TV Shows in Chinese to watch this summer! () Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time...
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SLV | Episode 43 | AI Agents, Beijing Dust Covers, Visa Renewals, and The Dragon Boat Festival
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In Episode 43 of the Language Vlog Podcast we take a look at the development AI agents and what it means for language learning AND teaching. Should it be allowed? Is the technology there yet? Can we make these things on our own or should we continue to pay a teacher? Next up, if you ever land in Beijing, especially during the winter months, you might be greeted by an unfamiliar scene: a land covered by green... fabric. Are they faking it? Are they covering something up? No, all they're doing is protecting the top soil from blowing away from the winds that sweep the lands. The protective green...
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SLV | Episode 42 | Computer Languages; What's Going to Survive; And Plans for the Summer?!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In Episode 42 we're looking at the idea of the United Nations adding a computer language to their list of "official" languages (alongside the six others of Spanish, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese). Is it time to add a "common computer language" to the mix and, if so, which one would it be? Next up, we consider what could survive the test of time. I mentioned in a recent Youtube Short that we have to thank the monks of time's past for much of the literature we have today, even if it's only a fraction of what existed. And if we relied on people copying things by hand over the...
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SLV | Episode 41 | Foods, Commutes, and Language Learning
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
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?...
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SLV | Episode 40 | Campus Walks, Rage Baiting AI, New Tech vs Old Language, and a Happy Mother's Day!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
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: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: ...
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SLV | Episode 39 | Teachers, AI, Labour Day, and The Words of the Rose Garden
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
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...
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SLV | Episode 38 | Fluency, Campus Life, Airplanes, and What is a TiaoXiu?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
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: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:47 The Evolution...
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SLV | Episode 37 | Chinese Progress Check; Collecting Postage Stamps; and Building an AI tutor?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
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...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we take a look back at the year so far, what we've accomplished and what we'd like to see done in the remainder of this year, particularly continuing with Mandarin Chinese and Russian.
The episode also covers a visit to the CAFE Show 2024 and weekly video updates, including live streams focused on Chinese reading and Russian grammar.
Steven looks at his progress with traditional Chinese characters and Russian language maintenance, as well as the potential to introduce English grammar streams. The episode also highlights short video content, addresses whether China is safe, and includes some of the comments received through the YouTube channel.
We finally discuss the importance of balancing language study methods and the benefits of using a language hours tracker.
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Time stamps:
00:18 Introduction to the Language Vlog Podcast
00:41 Attending the CAFE Show 2024
01:22 Weekly Video Recap
02:47 Live Streams: Learning Chinese and Russian
03:57 Exploring Chinese Reading Levels
05:34 Diving into Russian Grammar
06:47 Future Live Stream Plans
08:02 Short Videos of the Week
13:12 Is China Safe?
17:33 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
18:49 Farewell and Upcoming Plans