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?...

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...

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...

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 diff...

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...

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...

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...

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 gree...

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! https://sendfox.com/stevensla...

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: readin...

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...

Welcome to the Language Vlog Podcast for September 15, 2024! Reflecting on living in China for 10 years, new podcast website, and live stream updates. We also delve into Beijing's autumn season and our current status  studying Chinese, Russian, and English. Tune in for insights on gym routines, Cyrillic typing, and English grammar resources. Plus, find out about the Read the Classics series and up...

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we give an update our language learning journeys, focusing on Mandarin Chinese and Russian. We also discuss choosing a podcast hosting service and the challenges of distributing the podcast across different platforms. The episode touches on living as an expat in China, Beijing's cooler autumn weather, and the scenic beauty of the Great Wall duri...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we take a look back at the year so far, what we've accomplished and what we'd like to see done in the remainder of this year, particularly continuing with Mandarin Chinese and Russian.  The episode also covers a visit to the CAFE Show 2024 and weekly video updates, including live streams focused on Chinese reading and Russian grammar. Steven looks at h...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I discuss recent updates in my language learning journey, focusing on Mandarin Chinese and Russian. I also delve into creating YouTube content, the challenges of running a channel, and the frequency of video uploads. A significant part of the conversation revolves around ESL certifications like the DELTA and TESOL, including personal experiences, the p...

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I discuss our YouTube content strategy, including YouTube Shorts and long-form videos. We also take a deep dive into my recent visit to Universal Studios Beijing and share insights on dealing with Beijing's summer weather. Additionally, I introduce a new podcast idea aimed at making our content more accessible and talk about the upcoming videos we're w...

In 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...

In this episode of the podcast, I take a walk around my neighborhood in Beijing and answer some frequently asked questions about living in the city. We discuss the presence of security cameras, popular local food spots like the roast duck stall and Daoxiangcun dessert shop, and address common concerns about pollution and traffic. I also share insights on the extensive bike-sharing system, navigati...

In the first episode of the Language Podcast, I introduce this new format as a way to dive deeper into language learning beyond YouTube shorts. I discuss the challenges of uploading longer videos, potential solutions, and my motivations for starting this channel. I delve into a bit of my language learning journey, covering Mandarin Chinese and Russian, and share my experiences preparing to learn K...