Steven's Language Vlog Podcast
A podcast dedicated to learning languages and living in overseas. How do you find the time, energy and motivation to learn a language while holding down a full time job? Tune in to find out how one expat makes time each and every day to learn and teach languages.
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SLV | Episode 64 | Who should decide what to teach in a class?
11/16/2025
SLV | Episode 64 | Who should decide what to teach in a class?
Episode 64! Who Gets to Choose What's Worth Learning? As Beijing's weather turns colder, we tackle a fundamental question that emerged from a recent university class: Who should decide what students study in a language classroom? The teacher? The students? The administration? In this episode, we explore the difference between what's fun, what's necessary, and what's boring but inevitable in language education. Drawing on experience teaching academic writing to 40+ students at a Chinese university, we look at how COVID-era online teaching has shaped current classroom dynamics—and why students who once multitasked across screens now struggle with focused, in-person instruction. From gamification debates to AI dependency, from the challenges of teaching citation formats to the question of whether musicology could make academic writing more engaging than environmental studies, we consider the messy reality of university-level English language instruction. Can you make homelessness interesting to study? Should classes be customized to student interests when exam requirements are fixed? And what happens when the curriculum emphasizes reading and writing but largely ignores speaking practice? No easy answers here—just an honest reflection on the competing demands of education, engagement, and examination in modern language teaching. Topics discussed: The shift from online to in-person teaching post-COVID Student engagement and the attention span challenge The role of speaking practice in academic English courses Choosing curriculum content: teacher autonomy vs. institutional requirements AI's growing presence in student work Tell us what you think, whether you're a student, teacher or in the admin seat, who do you think should make the decisions and how much leeway should be given? --- Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: --- Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:46 Podcast Background and Evolution 01:57 Challenges in Language Teaching 05:01 Student Engagement and Classroom Dynamics 09:57 Technology in Education 18:23 Curriculum and Subject Relevance 32:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 63 | You're doing it wrong! Does all education need to be gamified?
11/09/2025
SLV | Episode 63 | You're doing it wrong! Does all education need to be gamified?
Episode 63! Recorded at the end of October, this episode reflects on how the semester is going, especially given a recent exchange with my manager. In brief, two suggestions: Plays games with the students Move the students to the front of the classroom. All good in theory, but this is a university class of 40 students... for academic writing. This follows a comment by one of my students that I'm one of only teachers that walks around the classroom, the rest of their teachers (professors) just stand at the front and talk from a PPT. This got me thinking: does all education have to be gamified? And is the university language class any different from other classes? -- Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: -- Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:45 Seasonal Changes in Beijing 02:46 Classroom Observations and Challenges 04:02 Gamification in Education 06:34 Classroom Dynamics and Student Engagement 07:52 Teaching Methodologies and CELTA 10:41 Student Expectations and Language Learning 22:23 Technology in the Classroom 27:30 Future of Education and AI 31:36 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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SLV | Episode 62 | Chinese Ghose Stories
11/01/2025
SLV | Episode 62 | Chinese Ghose Stories
Episode 62! Liaozhai ZhiYi and the Chinese ghost story. Strangles Tales as told through the centuries, what are they, who are they about and where can you find them? And how much Chinese do you need to know to read them? Translated as “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” and was written / compiled by Pu Songlin, a government official back in the late 1600s and early 1700s, during the Qing dynasty. Usually deals with ghosts or apparitions, or even shapeshifters (usually snakes or foxes). Most seem to be stories about ghosts, especially female ghosts, who deceive young men. Quite a few deal with vices, eg, gambling, drinking, jealousy, greed and Daosit monks. A few famous stories that have been done a few times, either in a TV series or a movie. Notably Painted Skin (画皮), The Painted Wall (画壁), (Nie Xiaoqian (聂小倩), and Lian Xiang (莲香). Some others I read through include 酒友 (Drinking buddy), 道士 (The Daosit Priest). Painted Skin (画皮) - A guy falls in love with a demon, then his wife finds out and so they have to call in a priest to exorcise the demon. A battle between good and evil ensues, and what happens with true love? The Painted Wall (画壁) tells the story of a trio of travellers who stumble upon a temple with a large mural in it. The mural contains images of a supposed “paradise” wherein there are a bunch of young women living in a mountain. Turns out the men can visit the place by going behind the mural and then become ensnared in a bit of godly jealousy. Nie Xiaoqian (聂小倩) has been remade SEVERAL times and deals with a ghost who died when she was only eighteen. At some point in the afterlife she’s coerced into joining some sort of demonic pact to attack a young scholar. It doesn’t work, she rebels, and the story goes on from there. Lian Xiang (莲香) is another type of love story where the guy falls for the ghost but is warned because of the presence of a fox. Foxes, especially white foxes, are often seen a demonic in Chinese literature, and LianXiang tells him as much: “There are foxes that do not harm people, but there are absolutely no ghosts that do not harm people.” Turns out the ghost lady is sick and needs to go to the Three Mountains to get some medicine. This story has been properly translated into English. The Chinese is kind of difficult so it might be easier to read it through in English first. Stories read in this episode: Petty Person: https://liaozhai.5000yan.com/20108.html Dragon Meat: https://liaozhai.5000yan.com/20146.html Loyal Dog: https://liaozhai.5000yan.com/20128.html ChangZhi Women: https://liaozhai.5000yan.com/20127.html Available in English on Project Gutenberg In Chinese at Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Special Episode: Chinese Ghost Stories 01:27 Halloween in China 02:30 Introduction to Pu Song Lin and His Work 04:36 Themes in Chinese Ghost Stories 06:59 Well-Known Stories from the Collection 11:35 Story Analysis and Recommendations 20:02 Reading of Short Stories 34:42 Get in touch
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SLV | Episode 61 | Why did I come to China?
10/25/2025
SLV | Episode 61 | Why did I come to China?
Episode 61! Answering the question: Why did I come to China? (Part 2) Was it because of a job? The money? A girl? What are some things to think about if YOU want to move overseas? Do you have to teach English or can you do something else? And how much language do you need to learn to live in another country? Do you need to live there to become fluent? Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:45 Podcast Background and Evolution 01:27 Challenges and Changes in Podcasting 02:14 Transition to YouTube and Content Strategy 02:51 Personal Journey and Language Learning 03:34 Exploring New Content Ideas 06:05 Listener Questions and Episode Recap 08:23 Why I Came to China 09:47 Life and Work Experiences Abroad 24:17 Settling in China and Future Plans 30:12 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 60 | The Beijing Autumn, University Citations, Visiting Tiananmen, and How Much Chinese Do You Need to Know?
10/18/2025
SLV | Episode 60 | The Beijing Autumn, University Citations, Visiting Tiananmen, and How Much Chinese Do You Need to Know?
The Beijing autumn is in full swing! It's the most colourful time of the year! Citations, referencing and the idea of academic honesty. What are they? Why are they important? And do you do them properly? What’s it like to visit Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China? How do you get there? What do you need to do? What do you do there? And how long should you stay? How much Chinese do you need to survive in the country? The expectation and the reality of life in another country. And why did I come to China in the first place? The answer may surprise you! Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:48 Classroom Setting and Weather 02:36 Beijing's Autumn and Tourist Attractions 06:17 Midterms and Academic Integrity 11:08 Challenges of Teaching Citations 15:52 ChatGPT and Academic Dishonesty 19:18 Visiting Tiananmen Square 30:31 Learning Chinese and Living in China 35:48 Why I Came to China 37:34 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 59 | China's Golden Week, The AI Bandwagon, and How Are My Chinese Classes Going?
10/05/2025
SLV | Episode 59 | China's Golden Week, The AI Bandwagon, and How Are My Chinese Classes Going?
China’s on its Golden Week break, seven days of no work… but two need to be made up. Why is it like this and what is there to do? Would you dare go anywhere if you know 10,000 other people were doing the same? Tiananmen, the Great Wall, or even Hangzhou's West Lake will ALL be crowded. On the AI bandwagon, and is it necessary? What are the tools being used these days and how can they help? Do you need to LEARN AI? How can you USE it? And who benefits most: students or teachers? And how are Chinese classes going? With two courses due October 25, I gotta get a move on. It certainly is much easier to follow along but does that matter? (And I cancelled my DuChinese membership!) Comments, concerns, questions, suggestions? Get in touch. Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Overview 02:47 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival 04:43 China's Holiday Makeup Workdays 13:46 Travel and Tourism During Holidays 15:33 Experiencing Beijing During National Day 20:49 Tourist Attractions and Local Insights 23:22 Fireworks Regulations in Beijing 24:33 National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival Traditions 26:02 AI and Agentic Workflows 27:15 APIs and Model Context Protocols 31:13 AI in Education 41:07 Language Learning Update 44:53 Conclusion and Farewell
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SLV | Episode 58 | Building APPs, Chinese vs Western Literature, Air Raids and Wedding Stickers
09/27/2025
SLV | Episode 58 | Building APPs, Chinese vs Western Literature, Air Raids and Wedding Stickers
Episode 58! APP building begins! Let’s see where this goes? Have some tasks to complete for the weekend, but this course only lasts one month so gotta get them done. Working on a "to do list" agent, multi agents, language agents, all sorts of agents. We will share these once they are out! Chinese vs Western Literature. Had a bit of a sitdown with one of the graduate students on campus to get his thoughts on the usefulness of the modern university degree, why he switched majors, and some of the books that he's reading these days. Books mentioned: Western Literature • William Shakespeare – works referenced in general (e.g., Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth) • Albert Camus – works referenced in general • Jean-Paul Sartre (mentioned as “thought,” the French writer) – read two books in English • Gabriel García Márquez – One Hundred Years of Solitude (referred to as “the lonely 100 years”) Chinese Literature • Laozi (Lao Tzu) – Dao De Jing (referenced as “laws”) • Zhuangzi – works referenced generally as “the cons” • Sunzi (Sun Tzu) – The Art of War • Lu Xun – general recommendation for modern Chinese literature • Mo Yan – Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out (also noted that he won the Nobel Prize) What's up with the Air Raid tests this part weekend in Beijing? Do other cities have these? And what about those Wedding Stickers?? We’re trying out a new newsletter provider, so if you didn’t receive this week’s email, check your spam folder as it may be in there. Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup 00:21 Microphone and Recording Setup 03:26 Importance of Backup Recording 05:33 Podcast and Vlog Overview 09:44 Challenges of Learning Chinese 13:54 Chinese vs. Western Literature 20:00 AI Agent Building Course 28:12 Air Raids and Wedding Stickers 35:45 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 57 | Taking the Bus, Enjoying the Boredom, Working on Citations, and How Easy is it to Create an APP?
09/18/2025
SLV | Episode 57 | Taking the Bus, Enjoying the Boredom, Working on Citations, and How Easy is it to Create an APP?
SLV Episode 57 Bus adventures! how was it and why did you do it? From Changping to Shuangjing and back again, will be posting this to YouTube. Enjoy your freedom! Enjoy your boredom! It’ll change! Life goes fast! Working on citations and referencing in class… honestly no idea how to make this more interesting for the students. All of the punctuation and abbreviations, etc. Ouch. My admiration continues: they’re doing this in a second language. How easy would it be to create an APP? Apparently not so easy. Good for personal use, but not for production scale. Who’s going to maintain it? What about security? And is there something that can do it better for cheaper, even including time spent? -- Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: -- Time stamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Language Vlog Podcast 00:55 Life in Beijing: 11 Years and Counting 02:33 Learning Mandarin Chinese: Tips and Challenges 05:25 Using Italki for Language Learning 06:54 Conversation Practice with Steven 08:49 Bus Adventures in Beijing 21:49 Teaching Argumentative Essays 23:04 The Challenge of Teaching Referencing 23:23 Reflecting on CELTA and ESL Teaching 24:53 University-Level Teaching Challenges 26:18 Importance of Accurate Referencing 27:38 AI and Automation in Education 33:13 Developing AI Tools for Education 35:24 Challenges in App Development 41:53 Future Plans and Membership Program 43:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 56 | Changes in China; Making coffee at home; 14 more weeks and Apple's new earphones... job killer?
09/11/2025
SLV | Episode 56 | Changes in China; Making coffee at home; 14 more weeks and Apple's new earphones... job killer?
Episode 56! Changes in China! No more paper tickets! How important are these anyway?! Didn’t go to the Coffee Show this year, it cost 10 RMB! Australian videos done, where to next? -Dubai? Canada? 14 more weeks! Who’s counting!? -time is flying! And Apple is releasing Airpods with built in translation?! Membership program: Contact: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 03:06 Changes in China: No More Paper Tickets 10:50 Reflections on the Coffee Show 18:50 Semester Updates and Teaching Challenges 23:21 Completion of Australian Videos 26:25 Future Travel Plans 30:36 Apple's New AirPods and the Future of Language Learning 36:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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SLV | Episode 55 | Back to School, from the Great Ocean Road, and Checking in on Chinese
09/05/2025
SLV | Episode 55 | Back to School, from the Great Ocean Road, and Checking in on Chinese
Wanted to shoot this outside but then remembered why: mosquitoes. And heat and humidity. New week and we’re back to school! How is it so far? What’s it like and what will we do? -Neat classroom with screens all over the place -Argumentative Essays -Citations and references Useful resources: Goodnotes 6, Local Send, ViiTor Translate, Y2Doc The last of the Australian videos! The Great Ocean Road and back to Beijing. And the Sept 3rd parade is over, back to normal! … Until National Day Week, that is. What will this semester bring? Learned a new words 学院好 (the study building number) Need to find a bike! And my latest language progress check, how did I do? Questions? Concerns? Comments? Suggestions? Get in touch! (I’m supposed to change this) Subscribe to the newsletter and visit the YouTube channel! Newsletter: YouTube: Membership program: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:16 Beijing's Military Parade and Its Impact 08:11 Classroom Experiences and New Semester 13:01 Teaching Argumentative Essays 22:56 Useful Study Resources 29:00 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content
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SLV | Episode 54 | Live Streams, IELTS Study Prep and the Beijing Military Preparations
08/27/2025
SLV | Episode 54 | Live Streams, IELTS Study Prep and the Beijing Military Preparations
Episode 54! Welcome TikTokers! Been active there as of late. New platform to teach on? And what am I hearing people need help on? -Reading and listening (practice dictations - USE THIS PODCAST!!) -Speaking -Not too much for Writing () -A lot of people are using Cathoven AI -Common Errors Live streams and fluency practice, is making videos a good way to learn? -This is something I’ve been recommending as of late -Helps with confidence and fluency building -You don’t have to publish them (I’ve seen a few people publishing them) Chinese books, what am I reading these days? -Children’s books about nature, science, inventions, etc. -HSK 5 books -Outlaws of the Marsh, one of the classics of Chinese literature () And what is all the racket in Beijing? Why all the planes? Military preparations?! -Sept 3rd is Victory Day in China, when the Japanese forces finally withdrew from China -Brutal occupation -Last week I talked about Dead to Rights, the movie about the Nanjing Massacre -More movies upcoming -Big parade on Sept 3rd New Chinese language check in progress, am I getting better or is it just the editing? Membership program is open, sign up through Buy Me a Coffee, cause learning shouldn’t cost more than a coffee and a talk. Practice your listening and writing! Subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Questions, concerns, comments, suggestions, get in touch! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:20 Living in China and Learning Mandarin 02:42 TikTok Outreach and Language Learning 03:59 Challenges in Language Learning 06:43 IELTS Test Strategies 14:09 Writing Section Tips for IELTS 19:19 Live Streams and Fluency Practice 21:25 Benefits of Making Videos for Language Practice 24:18 Reflecting on YouTube Journey 25:14 Focus on Pronunciation and Fluency 27:42 Editing Progress Check Videos 30:15 Reading Chinese Books 37:49 Military Parade Preparations in Beijing 42:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 53 | Movies, Live Streams, ASMR, and Wandering the Streets of Beijing
08/19/2025
SLV | Episode 53 | Movies, Live Streams, ASMR, and Wandering the Streets of Beijing
Episode 53! Saw Dead to Rights (南京照相馆). Heartbreaking. Lots of people die. About the Japanese invasion of Nanjing and how the atrocities were documented. During the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, postman A Chang posed as a photo developer, helping Japanese forces while secretly sheltering Chinese refugees. He later risked his life evacuating them and revealing evidence of the atrocities. -One interesting point made: one reason why the Chinese couldn’t assemble a cohesive defense against the Japanese was because of their own language barrier - the north and south didn’t speak the same language Live streams a go go - both got cut short and reminded me why it’s tough to do this. Australian vids uploaded and ready to go, a couple to go and then we’ll be done. It was an experiment in travel vlogging and I see how it should change going forward. Spent much of the morning working on the Chinese subtitles for one of the videos! And Idioms and Natural Conversation! How to rephrase what you want to say, those age old cliches. Common Idioms: Everyday Conversations: The video: And some questions answered! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and join our membership program! Membership program: Contact: Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 01:07 Learning Mandarin and Russian 02:34 Discussing the Movie 'Dead to Rights' 16:25 Live Streaming Challenges 20:12 Upcoming Video Projects 23:37 English Corner: Idioms and Natural Conversation 31:04 IELTS Preparation Tips 39:20 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 52 | Street Talks and Philosophy Walks
08/12/2025
SLV | Episode 52 | Street Talks and Philosophy Walks
Episode 52 already! LIVE STREAM walk n talk! Let’s do this again! What did we see? Question: just what do you have to see when you’re travelling? IELTS Top 10 and FAQ: FREE DOWNLOAD! All over on BMAC: Top 10: FAQ: Looking to the future: what if I started a business instead? Oh and a bonus! And what is gerrymandering? “Early 19th century: from the name of Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts + , from the supposed similarity between a salamander and the shape of a new voting district on a map drawn when he was in office (1812), the creation of which was felt to favor his party; the map (with claws, wings, and fangs added) was published in the Boston Weekly Messenger, with the title The Gerry-Mander.” Read more here: And whatever happened to that book of yours? Don’t forget to subscribe to our membership program. Transcripts, mp3s: Comments, questions, concerns suggestions? Get in touch! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:52 Busy Summer Recap 01:15 Daily Routine and Content Creation 03:13 Considering Full-Time Content Creation 05:11 Visa Options in China 06:25 Starting a Business in China 08:37 Challenges and Considerations 11:21 Career Reflections and Future Plans 14:23 Business Setup Costs and Legalities 17:42 Final Thoughts on Business Ownership 21:54 Finding a Reliable Incorporation Service 22:43 The Value of Content Creation 23:13 Reflecting on Personal Growth 23:50 Deciding on Starting a Business in China 26:04 Live Streaming Adventures 27:02 Exploring Beijing Through Live Streams 28:30 Engaging with the Audience 32:41 Preparing for the IELTS Exam 34:32 Understanding Gerrymandering 39:11 Wrapping Up and Future Plans
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SLV | Episode 51 | Australian Adventures, AI Learning, and Cheat Sheets Galore
08/06/2025
SLV | Episode 51 | Australian Adventures, AI Learning, and Cheat Sheets Galore
Episode 51! Not as hot, but still humid here in Beijing. Lots of rain and lots of warnings to stay away from the forests, etc. More Australian videos! A couple more to go! Should we try an ASMR video? (ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)). Then on more Chinese videos that we have ready and waiting. Let’s talk about AI and Language Learning! Our recent live stream. Summary and example prompts available . IELTS Top 10! FREE! A free cheat sheet addressing some of the things I’ve seen and heard over the years that can help students move up the bands. . Our membership now open! See our shop for more details! Transcripts, mp3s, worksheets, and more. Find it here: Comments concerns questions suggestions? Get in touch, we’d be happy to help. PS - And when do package cookies get healthy? Adding flax and chia seeds? Contact: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:47 Seasonal Changes in Beijing 01:53 Australian Trip Reflections 02:50 Exploring ASMR Videos 06:01 Video Editing Techniques 12:43 AI Tools for Language Learning 28:50 IELTS Preparation Tips 38:57 Conclusion and Membership Program
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SLV | Episode 50 | Books, tech and Sydney... and Ozzy and The Hulk
07/30/2025
SLV | Episode 50 | Books, tech and Sydney... and Ozzy and The Hulk
With Episode 50 we're back into the groove and thinking about just what makes a book worth saving? Shot from the second floor of the Victoria State Library, we could see that some books were off limits to touch. Why is that and who makes the choice? Next, looking at the new Huawei (really expensive!) Matebook Fold: a dual touch screen tablet and laptop combination complete with breakaway QWERTY keyboard. Neat, but worth it? Last week we had time to review some of the requirements for the different levels of the IELTS scoring system. What makes a four? What makes a six? And how to do you move up the bands? Full live stream on YouTube, cheat sheet . Finally, we're aiming to get the rest of the Australian videos posted and published this week, so stay tuned to see what we saw! Lastly, the last week saw the deaths of two notable, big name celebrities: Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan. Who were they and why were they important? And why do some people not like them? MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM NOW OPEN! Access to all episode transcripts, mp3s, worksheets, and even some tech stuff that will help you with your language studies. Thanks for listening! Any questions, concerns, comments or suggestions, get in touch! Transcripts here: Contact: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Milestone 00:42 YouTube Channel Growth and Content Strategy 04:07 Challenges of Vlogging While Traveling 06:36 Exploring the State Library of Victoria 10:17 Debate: What Makes a Book Worth Saving? 15:43 Review: Huawei Matebook Fold 23:00 Understanding the IELTS Band Descriptors 32:59 Tribute to Ozzy Osborne and Hulk Hogan 43:05 Conclusion and Podcast Information
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SLV | Episode 49 | Changping videos, Chinese Study Resources, AI Agents, and the Lychee Road
07/23/2025
SLV | Episode 49 | Changping videos, Chinese Study Resources, AI Agents, and the Lychee Road
In episode 49 includes a look at the last of the Changping videos Looking at some Chinese Study Resources (download here: . List includes: (HSK Textbooks, Chinese Grammar Wiki, HSK Reading, Ankiweb/Ankidroid, DuChinese, iTalki. HelloTalk / Tandem, MDBG Dictionary, Chinesepod). A note on AI Agents and how they can be used for language learning (Manus, Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, NotebookLM). And we saw a movie, The Lychee Road - how was it? Based on the novel by Ma Boyong. About a low level government accountant who gets assigned a task that is damn-near impossible: to bring fresh lychees from Lingnan to Chang’An by June 1st for the main concubine’s birthday celebration. Two hours long, first hour went by pretty quickly, well-paced, well-produced. Upcoming movie is 731, all about the Japanese bio-facility that did some bad things its subjects, including Chinese. *** Membership program: Transcripts here: Contact: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:45 Language Learning Journey: Mandarin and Russian 03:37 AI Agents and Language Learning 07:18 Changping Videos and Neighborhood Insights 12:59 Chinese Study Resources 30:58 AI Agents for Language Studies 36:57 Movie Review: The Lychees of ChangAn 40:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 48 | From Sydney to Beijng... we got our power banks!
07/16/2025
SLV | Episode 48 | From Sydney to Beijng... we got our power banks!
Settling back into Beijing's heat and humidity, in Episode 48 we talk a little bit about our recent trip to Australia and the respoting of one of our videos. We also discuss a common problem with no apparent solution: dealing with the sock that gets stuck in the side-loading washing machine. A re-visit to the campus cafeteria for 麻辣香锅, a type of spicy hot pot. And, a return to our own language studies and live streaming while we do it! Oh, and a new membership program? It's in the works! PS - We received our power banks! Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:43 Weather in Beijing 01:35 Travel Plans and Reflections 03:45 Chinese Character Studies and Live Streams 06:48 Exploring AI Agents and Teaching Chinese 15:35 YouTube Content Updates 17:54 The Leftover Sock Dilemma 20:38 New Go-To Noodles 24:46 Deciphering Beijing Rose Garden Characters 28:11 Membership Program Announcement 29:26 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 47 | Going Out, Coming Home, and Not Forgetting Your Charger
07/08/2025
SLV | Episode 47 | Going Out, Coming Home, and Not Forgetting Your Charger
Episode 47 has use returning to our regular schedule. In this episode we talk a little bit about how our social habits change as we change, but do they need to? What do you miss most when you're overseas? Is it the food? The people? The fragrances? What are some of the changes we saw occur in our recent travels? And what is the latest on the power bank dilemma here in China? What is a dummy check and how do you make sure you have all of your stuff when you leave a location? And, finally, what do you do first when you return home? Oh, and a bit of a discussion on the live streams we're looking to do over the summer months. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:44 About the Language Vlog Podcast 01:30 Recent Activities and Updates 04:15 Travel Experiences in Australia 07:53 Live Streams and YouTube Shorts 21:47 Changes in Travel Regulations 24:53 The Concept of a Dummy Check 26:33 Post-Travel Routine 29:12 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 46 | Back to Beijing and How was Australia?!
07/03/2025
SLV | Episode 46 | Back to Beijing and How was Australia?!
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 own and with a free walking tour), Great Ocean Road, Victoria Market, Victoria State Library, kinda seeing koalas but we DID see a mob of kangaroos, Haigh's Chocolates, kangaroo burger, chicken parmisean (apparently very Australian pub-style), and fish n chips. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:41 Traveling and Podcasting Challenges 06:35 Australia Trip Overview 09:48 Cost of Living in Australia 15:45 Exploring Sydney and Melbourne 26:32 Travel Reflections and Future Plans 31:14 Channel Updates and Future Content 33:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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SLV | Episode 45 | University Degrees, Street Food, and PSB Visits
06/19/2025
SLV | Episode 45 | University Degrees, Street Food, and PSB Visits
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 Finally, a little discussion of Chinese numerology (and what we failed to do in Episode 44) AND... a trip announcement - we're off to Australia! Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:40 Reflecting on One Year of Podcasting 01:05 Challenges of Creating Long-Form Content 02:38 Adapting to Video Podcasting 04:19 Weekly YouTube Channel Update 05:43 Visa and Work Permit Process 09:08 Living and Working in China 22:00 Debating the Value of a University Degree 31:25 Future Plans and Live Streams 36:01 Conclusion and Farewell
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SLV | Episode 44 | Study or Work, DIY Teachers, TV Shows and The End of the Semester Begins
06/10/2025
SLV | Episode 44 | Study or Work, DIY Teachers, TV Shows and The End of the Semester Begins
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 stamps: 00:40 Experiences of Hot Summers in Beijing and Busan 05:05 Semester End and Student Exams 06:21 Debate: Study or Work? 12:52 AI in Education: Training Your Own Teacher 20:31 Reflecting on the End of the Semester 28:19 Exploring Chinese TV Shows 32:10 Conclusion and Farewell
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SLV | Episode 43 | AI Agents, Beijing Dust Covers, Visa Renewals, and The Dragon Boat Festival
06/05/2025
SLV | Episode 43 | AI Agents, Beijing Dust Covers, Visa Renewals, and The Dragon Boat Festival
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 mesh will stay in place until the grass or crops start to flourish (usually in April some time). Are these things recyclable? No idea. And if there's one thing you get to experience as a foreigner in a far off land: it's visa renewals! Yey! If you have never worked overseas before you might never have experienced such a process but, almost guaranteed, if you asked anyone who has come from abroad to your country, they'll no doubt have a little sticker in their passport that gives them the right to work there. So too with China. And with ESL contracts, which are usually one year long, this gets to be done every year! Yey! In this episode we take you through part of the process as a bit of foreshadowing of an upcoming video. Finally, it was the Dragon Boat Festival this past weekend. Unlike other "festivals" in China (just about all public holidays are called "festivals"), this one you're not supposed to say "Happy Dragon Boat Festival". Instead, opt for a more conservative and well-wishing greeting such as "Have a Safe Dragon Boat Festival!" This is because the Dragon Boat Festival (which only partially includes boat races) commemorates the Warring States poet Qu Yuan, who was exiled from his homeland and then threw himself into a lake. In an effort to ward of fish and evil spirits, the locals threw zongzi (粽子), sticky rice dumplings, into the lake. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:44 Recording Location and Background 01:43 Airplane Distractions at the University 06:37 Semester Wrap-Up and Future Plans 08:41 YouTube Channel Updates and AI Agents 16:49 Exploring the Green Mesh in Beijing 19:17 Visa Renewal Process 25:52 Dragon Boat Festival Insights 29:20 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 42 | Computer Languages; What's Going to Survive; And Plans for the Summer?!
05/28/2025
SLV | Episode 42 | Computer Languages; What's Going to Survive; And Plans for the Summer?!
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 centuries, how will we preserve our current production of digital material? How will future historians power the mp3 and ebook of today? Finally, we look ahead to the summer for what to do and where to do it. Stay in China? Go to Canada? Travel somewhere? Or stay put and work on... an AI Agent?! What would you do if you had six weeks off but weren't sure if you would have a job after that? 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 00:40 Reflecting on a Year of Podcasting 01:50 Content Creation and Distribution 04:38 Summer Plans and Language Learning Tools 07:49 Visa Issues and Travel Plans 11:28 Exploring AI Agents and Automation 21:44 The Future of Digital Content 27:18 Gaming: A Modern Dilemma 33:24 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 41 | Foods, Commutes, and Language Learning
05/20/2025
SLV | Episode 41 | Foods, Commutes, and Language Learning
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? Get in touch. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:36 Exploring Chinese Food in Beijing 02:08 Learning Mandarin: HSK Exam Experience 03:46 Mandarin Study Methods and Progress 07:45 Creating Chinese Content for Chinese Audience 08:32 Offering Chinese and English Lessons 14:14 YouTube Channel Updates and Upcoming Videos 21:06 Typical Chinese Breakfast Order 30:01 Using Commute Time for Language Learning 36:05 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 40 | Campus Walks, Rage Baiting AI, New Tech vs Old Language, and a Happy Mother's Day!
05/14/2025
SLV | Episode 40 | Campus Walks, Rage Baiting AI, New Tech vs Old Language, and a Happy Mother's Day!
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: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:45 Language Learning Journey 03:49 Mother's Day Reflections 07:13 YouTube Channel Updates 16:45 AI in Education Debate 25:02 Human vs. Computer Languages 30:58 Exploring Beijing's EV Scooters 35:39 Chinese History Books Discussion 44:42 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 39 | Teachers, AI, Labour Day, and The Words of the Rose Garden
05/08/2025
SLV | Episode 39 | Teachers, AI, Labour Day, and The Words of the Rose Garden
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 night, a typically sleepy area but has its periods of celebration and noise. Finally, we take a look at the words that hang above the gate of the Beijing Rose Garden, an enclosed compound in Changping that hosts some rather costly houses. Did we ever find out what the words were? No. But why not? Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:41 Labor Day Weekend in China 01:18 Public Holidays and Makeup Workdays 06:25 Teachers Using AI for Grading 14:52 Exploring the Beijing Rose Garden 29:52 Friday Night in Changping 37:26 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 38 | Fluency, Campus Life, Airplanes, and What is a TiaoXiu?
04/29/2025
SLV | Episode 38 | Fluency, Campus Life, Airplanes, and What is a TiaoXiu?
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 of the YouTube Channel 03:02 Podcast and YouTube Channel Parrallelism 06:03 AI and Automation in Language Learning 15:48 Weekend Routine and Productivity Tips 22:31 New Video: A Visit to the Aviation Museum 26:47 Chinese Holiday Work Schedule 34:27 Conclusion and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 37 | Chinese Progress Check; Collecting Postage Stamps; and Building an AI tutor?
04/22/2025
SLV | Episode 37 | Chinese Progress Check; Collecting Postage Stamps; and Building an AI tutor?
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 our own language tutor and whether or not it's worth the time and effort... or if we should just hire a human teacher already. The answer is probably "Both" since that would give the greatest exposure to learning the language. Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:00 Podcast Format and Recording Setup 05:00 Exam Week Reflections and Teaching Schedule 08:30 Immersive Study Strategies and the 30+30 Method 11:00 Language Progress Check: Editing, Fluency, and Grammar 18:00 Stamp Story: Going to the Post Office and Collecting Stamps 29:00 Using AI in Language Learning and Content Creation 34:30 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information
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SLV | Episode 36 | Studying Outside, Catkins and Wind in Beijing, and Another Chinese Language Check
04/16/2025
SLV | Episode 36 | Studying Outside, Catkins and Wind in Beijing, and Another Chinese Language Check
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, another languager progress check has been uploaded to YouTube. This time I made the video in a few different places throughout the day. I also had to substantially edit the video because I was on the move which meant I was not only out of breath, but also not able to keep my focus on what I was saying. Good practice? Or waste of energy? Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter: Study Resources: Sign up for our Chinese course by email: Time stamps: 00:20 Beijing's Catkins Season 00:44 Recording Challenges and Preferences 06:09 Studying Inside vs. Outside 10:25 Language Progress and Practice 27:11 The Big Wind in Beijing 32:53 Upcoming Videos and Conclusion
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SLV | Episode 35 | Changping Walking; Language Typing Practice; What is QingMing; and what is iShowSpeed up to now?
04/09/2025
SLV | Episode 35 | Changping Walking; Language Typing Practice; What is QingMing; and what is iShowSpeed up to now?
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 why are they important? We also cover a simple yet effective method to practice your language skills when you don't want to: typing. Find a text, any text, and start typing out on a keyboard or touchscreen, each letter and word. The aim is for contact time with the language and developing the ability to type in the target language. This is an underated practice and one that deserves some attention as these days we so often use electronic devices but mostly for speaking practice, not writing practice. Finally, the big entertainment news of the month is iShowSpeed's visit to China. I'm a little surprised that he's still here but apparently he's still streaming from the country. So, what's he up to now? Transcripts here: Keep in touch! Join our newsletter! Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee! Sign up for our Chinese course by email! Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:39 Outdoor Recording Challenges 03:37 Beijing's Springtime Catkins 05:03 Coursework and Video Production Updates 06:18 Language Progress Checks 08:22 Walking Tour of Changping District 12:49 Typing Practice in Target Languages 17:19 Qingming Festival Insights 21:45 IShowSpeed's Visit to China 26:32 Podcast and YouTube Updates 28:12 Conclusion and Contact Information
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