SLV | Episode 14 | 聊斋志异 and the Chinese Ghost Story and Why am I STILL in China?!
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Release Date: 11/04/2024
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...
info_outline SLV | Episode 17 | Visiting Canada, Studying while Travelling, Making Books and Video IdeasSteven'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...
info_outline 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:...
info_outline SLV | Episode 15 | Universal Studios Beijing, Reading the Classics, and Talking About Living in ChinaSteven'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...
info_outline 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...
info_outline SLV | Episode 13 | Language Checks, Chinese Ghost Stories, and Beijing's Air QualitySteven'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,...
info_outline 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...
info_outline 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_outline SLV - PODCAST - Episode 10 - October 5, 2024Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In the 10th episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss how the Beijing autumn is now settling upon the city and touch on how the Chinese holiday "make up work day" system works. This episode also marks our foray into the land of podcast streaming, as we are now on all the major broadcast channels. I also discuss a little bit about a new habit I'm trying to form each and every morning: reading some Russian before going about my day (and before I fit in my Chinese studies, too!) We talk a little bit about the hutong neighbourhoods here in Beijing and an electric pipa performance that was...
info_outline SLV - PODCAST - September 29, 2024Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I provide some updates on my language learning journey, focusing primarily on Mandarin Chinese and Russian. We discuss the intricacies of living in China, exploring the unique nature of Chinese national holidays. I recap the past week's live streams and address the technical challenges faced, such as using a spectrogram to analyze Chinese tones and troubleshooting internet issues during broadcasts. Highlights include a detailed look at my Russian extensive listening practice, thoughts on English teaching overseas, and my gaming experience...
info_outlineThis 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 (https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/325755).
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 important it is to maintain good habits in our language studies and the challenges therein.
We also talk a little about the recent comments on a video we posted on YouTube. The video, titled "Why am I STILL in China?!" dicusses some of the reasons why I, Steve, came to China in the first place and what has kept me here for so long. The video has garnered a bit of attention to date and has prompted several responses. Both in this week's newsletter and podcast, I cover some of those responses.
Finally, we cover the progres on the book we're working on right now to (hopefully) be released by the end of the year!
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Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:28 Overview of the Language Vlog Podcast
00:47 YouTube Channel and Live Streams
03:06 Challenges and Internet Issues
03:57 Halloween in China
04:51 Support the Podcast
05:19 Chinese Literature Project
08:37 Reading and Translating Chinese Stories
12:19 Russian Language Studies
17:42 Engaging with Viewers
24:48 Upcoming Book Project
29:16 Audiobook Experiment
33:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
33.30 Lian Xiang Audiobook