Introduction
I've been working at ChinesePod since April, 2006. I'm Jenny's co-host at the Intermediate and Upper Intermediate levels, and I am also responsible for the difficulty level system used on the site, as well as most of the topics we choose to create lessons. ChinesePod lessons tend to de-emphasize grammar, so I designed the much-anticipated ChinesePod Grammar Guide as a companion to the lessons which will satisfy the grammar-hungry students out there. As Senior Product Manager, I'm also heavily involved in the development of new Praxis Language products, such as SpanishPod.
What I'd like to share here is a collection of my thoughts about the product which may be useful to learners of Mandarin Chinese.
Where do I start?
One of the problems new users have with ChinesePod is that there are so many lessons that they can't figure out where to begin. Many go into the Newbie archive and go all the way back to the first lesson, then proceed forward. This is not recommended. With the exception of the Intro series (1-6) and a few other short series, the vast majority of ChinesePod lessons are not intended to be consumed sequentially. This has some serious consequences (massive benefits, in fact), but the one that is most relevant to you as a new user is this: you shouldn't consume the ChinesePod podcast archive sequentially.
OK, so now we're back to the original question. After you sign up, you should see the 6 Intro lessons on your Home page. Those are definitely good to study right away and get under your belt. But then what? From my position "in the trenches," I'd say the ten Newbie lessons you need the most right in the beginning are the following ones:
- Where's the bathroom?: The ultimate in practicality.
- What is this called?: Supplement your vocabulary in the wild. If you don't ask, no one's going to tell you what it's called. So just ask!
- How do you say...?: Many Chinese people are not fluent in English, but they know individual words. Be sure to ask them how to say those words in Chinese.
- Please speak slowly: A classic request for any language learner: SLOOOWWW DOOOWWWN.
- Please Speak Chinese: You may have to fight for your right to speak Chinese in China. (Yes, really.) This dialogue prepares you with what to say.
- Really Good Food: You're going to have to talk about food in China quite a bit, so get used to flattering your hosts!
- I love China!: OK, so maybe it's not entirely true, but flattery will get you everywhere.
- Too expensive!: This is Chinese Shopping 101. Since all the vendors carry calculators for haggling purposes, this is literally all the Chinese you need to get those deals.
- Do you have a girlfriend?: If you're a young person going to China for adventure, and maybe a little English-teaching, you will be asked this. Many, many times. And probably even if you're not young. Be prepared for it. (Note that this lesson also introduces a very simple flirting technique!)
- Asking for a Phone Number: This one perhaps follows the flirting. Regardless, you're going to need to get people's phone numbers, and you're going to need them to repeat those digits.
Now hold on a second. If you think the list above must be studied from #1 to #10, then you haven't been paying attention. The 10 lessons above can be studied in any sequence. It makes no difference. (Although th order above is designed to help minimize the possibility of you peeing your pants in China.)
Once you're through with those lessons, start browsing the archive. Study whatever catches your interest. This is not a textbook, so forget the sequence.
This section will be periodically expanded. See also John's blog entries relating to ChinesePod.
