Lessons by Season
Season 01
Season 02
Season 03
Newest to oldest
Episode 16: Do you have any siblings?
In this lesson, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) ask about each other's families. This is the last episode of Season 1.
Episode 15: Excuse me!
In episode 15, I talk about how you might be misunderstanding your own forgetfulness. Meanwhile, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) fight over who's going to pick up the check.
Episode 14: Hurry up and try it!
Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) are enjoying the food they ordered, and we learn how to talk about trying things, whether or not you can handle spicy foods, and how to compare foods that look (or sound) different.
Episode 13: That's it!
Which dialect of Mandarin should you learn? In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) order some food! How do you call the waiter in Mandarin? (Hint: it’s not subtle.)
Episode 12: Let's hurry up and order!
In this lesson, I talk about how I went from not knowing a single word of Mandarin to starting a Mandarin learning podcast! Meanwhile, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) finally sit down at the restaurant to order. But there's a problem...
Episode 11: You don't know the way?
In this lesson, we talk about the similarities between learning a language and learning to play music. In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) get lost looking for the Korean restaurant.
Episode 10: I got it!
In this lesson, I talk about discovering the unique logic of a new language. In the dialogue, Ah-Ming (阿明) and Xiao-Li (小李) decide to break the law.
Episode 09: Aren't you going to drive?
This dialogue reinforces a lot of words and phrases you already know, which just a few new ones. In this dialogue, 小李 and 阿明 are talking about going to have some food, and who is going to drive.
Episode 08: What's your favorite food?
In this lesson, we'll talk about the single most important thing you should be doing for your spoken Mandarin. We'll also learn how to talk about food, and how to make plans to go eat with other people.
Episode 07: You ask me why...
In this lesson, you'll learn how to identify and produce the four main tones in spoken Mandarin, and some essential COVID-19 vocabulary to help you talk about your situation -- whatever it may be -- plus how to ask why? Why??!
Episode 06: I’m still waiting
In this lesson, you'll learn how to talk about things that haven't happened yet.
Episode 05: Can you hear me?
In this lesson, you'll learn how to have a successful video call, and how to talk about what you're drinking, and what you like.
Episode 04: Who are you again?
The contents of this episode are pretty standard fare for a language learner, or anyone else for that matter: What's your name? Nice to meet you. Do you have an English name? But hidden in the sentences are a handful of other extremely useful expressions.
Episode 03: Where are you again?
In this episode, you'll learn how to tell people where you are, and where you're from.
Episode 02: It’s OK to feel tired.
It's OK to feel tired sometimes, and acknowledging it is part of staying motivated. In this episode, you'll learn how to ask and talk about feelings, especially that feeling of needing some rest.
Episode 01: Listen, can you speak Chinese?
In our very first lesson, we'll get you started speaking useful Mandarin right away. You'll learn how to say whether or not you can speak Chinese, and we'll start building a good foundation for your accent, copying exactly what you hear.