SLV | Episode 20 | What would your retirement language be? Are expats guilty of giving up on their hometown? And do you still like bookstores?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Episode 20 of the Language Vlog Podcast! Finally returning to a structured language study routine, especially as my Cantonese lessons on iTalki near expiration. This week’s podcast features discussions on expat life, hometowns, and appreciating the moment: Best Smelling Bookstore in Canada: What makes a bookstore smell so good? And should it? McNally Robinson in Winnipeg does exactly that. (Not sponsored!) Have Expats Given Up on Their Hometown?: Discussing why some leave home and some stay. Retirement Language: If you retired abroad, which language would you learn to live somewhere...
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SLV | Episode 19 | Missing the hometown; how long do you hold onto a book; and why China? Why Canada?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Episode 19 of The Language Vlog Podcast and we're talking about hometown memories, holding onto books for too long, and why China, why Canada? Recorded on Sunday, December 8, 2024, this episode was shot in front of a bookcase of books I've had since my university days. Some might say it's been a long time, others might say too long. When do you get rid of a book that's just sitting on your shelf? And if you're just joining in, be sure to join our newsletter (link below) as we're about to launch TWO new email campaigns: an introductory Chinese course and a "10-minute reminder" which we hope...
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SLV | Episode 18 | Reality of being an expat and an introductory Chinese course
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
It's got cold and snowy here in Winnipeg, Canada, and this week's episode was recorded while walking around the block. Today we discuss what a Canadian prairie winter and Christmas time is typically like, the current language studies regimen, what it's REALLY like to be an expat (including what you miss and don't miss), and the new email-only Chinese language course we're developing. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee! Time stamps: 00:00 Welcome to Winnipeg 00:45 Winter in Winnipeg 00:51 Christmas...
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SLV | Episode 17 | Visiting Canada, Studying while Travelling, Making Books and Video Ideas
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this episode of the Language Blog Podcast, we talk a little about my trip back to Canada, touching on Winnipeg's harsh winters, the differences between Canada and China, and the challenges of maintaining language studies while traveling. We also discuss some potential book projects for language learners and reflects on life as an expat. Tune in for tips on language learning apps, a glimpse into downtown Vancouver, and thoughts on the reality of living abroad! Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee! Time...
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SLV | Episode 16 | From Seoul, South Korea! Textbooks, APPs, and another language check!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
This episode was recoded while in transit at the Seoul Incheon airport in South Korea. I figured it would be better to record it early before the trip rather than try to set everything up once I was back in Canada. This episode includes a discussion of recent activity on the language vlog, notably an "exit" language check while at the Beijing airport. Then we also talk a little bit about the difference in using textbooks and APPs and why it's sometimes easier to buy one instead of the other. Finally, I talk about the reason for the trip to Canada and its short duration. Transcripts here:...
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SLV | Episode 15 | Universal Studios Beijing, Reading the Classics, and Talking About Living in China
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Welcome to episode 15 of the Language Vlog Podcast! This week's discussions include: Deleted commentary on the YouTube channel (oops!) A visit to Universal Studio Beijing (bring your own food, power bank, and get the express tickets!) Reading classic novels and works of literature Taiwanese, Cantonese, and Russian language lessons Responding to even MORE comments about living in China Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Channel Overview 00:35 Recent Video Updates 02:24...
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SLV | Episode 14 | 聊斋志异 and the Chinese Ghost Story and Why am I STILL in China?!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
This week's episode covers a well-known collection of short stories from the 1600 to 1700s, 聊斋志异, LiaoZhaiZhiYi, by Pu Songling. We just released a video about this on our YouTube channel and in this week's podcast episode we discuss what the collection is and why it's significant. Furthermore, we include a bonus audiobook at the end of this week's podcast which you can download for free over on our Buy Me A Coffee website (. Next, we discuss a little about how our language study sessions are going, including what I'm currently reading in Russian (The DaVinci Code). I also mention how...
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SLV | Episode 13 | Language Checks, Chinese Ghost Stories, and Beijing's Air Quality
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss the busy week which saw me renewing my work visa, visiting the police station and navigating the usual paperwork. All the while, we posted a new language check in video in which I try my hand at speaking both Russiand and Chinese. We also cover this week's live streams which included Chinese ghost stories (聊斋志异 in particular) and Russian declenions. We finished the week with a couple of YouTube Shorts that gave a look at the air quality in Beijing as it stood on Friday afternoon. For more language tips,...
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SLV | Episode 12 | Chinese visas, Russian speaking, and what is the five second rule?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about some of the challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese and Russian, including the difficulties of switching between the two languages. We discuss daily routines with writing out Chinese character sheets and translating them for better comprehension. There's also an overview of renewing a Type Z visa for China, obtaining a Chinese green card, and the life of an expat in Beijing during the colder months. Finally, we cover building an effective Anki deck for Russian grammar and techniques shared by viewers during a recent live...
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SLV | Episode 11 | Deconstructing Chinese Characters, Russian Grammar Tests, and What Makes a Good Teacher?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about this past week's live streams including deconstructing Chinese characters (both Simplified and Traditional), failing Russian grammar tests, and what makes a good English teacher. We also ask: what does it mean to be self-taught and can you be a self-taught language learner? Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:22 Welcome to the Language Vlog Series 01:19 Weekly Language Learning Update 02:02 Deep Dive into Chinese Character Practice 10:22...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Language Podcast, we dive into the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) levels, explaining why they matter for Mandarin Chinese learners. We also discuss the structure of the HSK exams, their relevance, and why you might or might not want to pursue them based on your goals.
We review recent YouTube videos on the language vlog, covers language learning strategies including watching TV, and provides practical tips for mastering Mandarin Chinese. Tune in for insights on navigating the HSK levels, effective study methods, and more!
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Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Language Podcast
00:05 Recent Language Vlog Updates
01:54 Discussing HSK Levels and Certification
04:13 HSK Test Structure and Preparation
05:43 Challenges and Benefits of HSK
07:29 Certification and Its Implications
12:56 Time Commitment for HSK
20:20 Learning Mandarin: HSK vs. Immersion
26:54 Can You Learn a Language by Watching TV?
32:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts