SLV | Episode 30 | Language Checks, Teaching in China, and Just What Can a Teacher Do?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
Release Date: 03/05/2025
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...
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SLV | Episode 36 | Studying Outside, Catkins and Wind in Beijing, and Another Chinese Language Check
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
This week we take a look at what Beijing's REAL spring is like: catkin fluffs floating through the air being whisped around by the whims of the Big Wind (大风). That means it's mask season all over again, not just for allergies, but to keep those things out of your nose and mouth. They can be especially distracting while riding a bicycle or running outside. And that brings up a question: do you prefer to study inside or outside? We consider some of the pros and cons of being outside in Spring time or whether it's simply better to stay inside separated from the elements. Finally,...
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SLV | Episode 35 | Changping Walking; Language Typing Practice; What is QingMing; and what is iShowSpeed up to now?
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
In this episode, Episode 35, we take a look at one of the recent videos published to the YouTube channel, all about a walk back from the university to the hotel. We take a look at the neighhourhood, some of the things that are developing, and how the place could potentially change over the next few years. Next, we go over some of the things that go on in Beijing and in China over the recent QingMind holiday. It's not a long holiday, only one day, and oftentimes people have to complete a "make up work day", but this year we didn't have to. What are some of the traditions that go on and...
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SLV | Episode 34 | Beijng's Temple Fairs; ESL Overseas; and Faceless YouTube Channels
Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
This week's episode takes a look back at Beijing's Temple Fairs, particularly LongTanHu in the southern portion of the city. We discuss a little bit about what goes on at these fairs, what makes them unique, and whether or not you have to go to them all. We also review another video just posted to the YouTube channel that talks about teaching English as a Second Language overseas - is it worth it in 2025? Short answer is "Yes" but there are some things to consider before going. Not only that, the one thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to go for only a year, that year will fly by fast....
info_outlineIn Episode 30 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we take a look at a recent "progress report" on my Mandarin Chinese studies and whether or not it's a feasible idea to create videos (in my broken Chinese) directed at a Chinese audience. Would people like that?
Next, we go through some of the things to consider if you're looking for working in China and how much you could potentially make while living and working in the country. This episode continues on a little bit where the YouTube video leaves off in that I also consider some of the things to check before signing a contract, including benefits, airfare coverage, and expectations.
I also share a classic example of a useful Chinese idiom that I've been telling the students since Day 1: the teacher can only take you so far before you have to learn yourself.
Finally, for those interested in my return to the classroom after years in a corporate environment, I share some of the details of what it's like especially now that I know a little bit more Chinese than when I first arrived some ten years ago.
Transcripts here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing
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Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:42 Origins and Evolution of the Language Vlog
02:57 Challenges and Realities of Language Learning
05:09 Monetizing the YouTube Channel
14:35 Teaching English in China: Insights and Experiences
23:31 Returning to the Classroom
30:03 Conclusion and Contact Information