Jared Turner interviews Matt William Knowles, a former college football player, who turned an unfortunate event into a remarkable life-changing adventure in China. After a career-ending injury left him uncertain about his future, Matt took a volunteer teaching position in one of China's most impoverished regions, Guizhou Province. Here, Matt found himself in a remote town far removed from the comforts and familiarity of his South Carolina home. Without any knowledge of Chinese, he faced the challenge of communicating with his students and the local community, sparking his dedication to mastering Chinese.

Matt's story is not just about language learning; it's a tale of personal resilience and transformation. He shares how immersing himself in the culture and the language reshaped his identity and life's direction, leading him from the classroom to unexpected fame on Chinese television and stages. This inspiring story shows that with enough determination, you can turn even the most daunting setbacks into new pathways of success and fulfillment.

Tune in to hear how Matt's unique experiences in China taught him not just a new language but opened doors to a world of new opportunities and self-discovery.

Links from the episode:

• Matt William Knowles | Personal website

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• Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Hosts Jared and John discuss the frustrations of a learner who came to John for help, particularly with pinyin and differentiation of similar sounds in Chinese. They explore why learners often misapply English pronunciation rules to pinyin and how comprehensible input can ease the learning curve. This episode is not just a deep dive into the phonetic and perceptual aspects of learning Chinese; it's also a heartening reminder that while the journey to fluency can be fraught with frustration, tailored strategies and persistent effort can lead to meaningful progress.

Links from the episode:

• Character Play in Chinese | Sinosplice

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

• Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Driven by her love for Asian cultures, anime, and K-pop, Happi (from Happi Across Cultures) has learned Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Starting with friendships with exchange students, she went on to double major in Chinese and Japanese including studying abroad in Tokyo and Shanghai where she deeply engaged with the local culture. An accomplished singer, her story takes a viral turn when she sings at a concert with the famous Chinese singer, Joker Xue ( 薛之谦 Xuē Zhīqiān), showcasing the incredible opportunities that arise from language learning. For an inspiring tale of cultural immersion, language mastery, and musical collaboration, tune into this episode and follow Happi's ongoing journey on social media.

Links from the episode:

• Happi’s viral duet with Joker Xue | Instagram | Weibo

• Happi @ Instagram | Weibo | Douyin

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

• Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Dive into the fascinating world of East Asian languages with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. Whether you're navigating the tonal waves of Chinese or untangling the polite intricacies of Japanese, this episode offers a deep dive into the nuances, challenges, and delights of learning these two rich languages. They also discuss invaluable resources for learners and the global implications of the Chinese diaspora versus Japanese homogeneity.

If you've ever pondered the complexities of learning Japanese or Chinese or are simply fascinated by the cultures behind these languages, this episode is a must-listen.

Links from the episode:

• Language Power Struggles | Sinosplice.com

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

In this riveting episode, a clueless American white guy shocks a podcast host with flawless Chinese using one trick that teachers hate! Our special guest, Ari Smith, widely recognized as Xiao Ma on YouTube, shares the unexpected journey that led him from being a curious American to a Chinese-speaking internet sensation.

Our special guest is none other than Ari Smith, widely recognized as YouTuber Xiao Ma. In this light and engaging interview, we dig into how he got started with Chinese and how he turned, almost by happenstance, into a YouTube sensation.

Starting with a random free class in Chinese, his fascination with Chinese propelled him to immerse himself in its language and culture, leading to a year in China where he embraced full Mandarin immersion, laying the groundwork for his fluency.

Ari reveals how his genuine interactions in Chinese settings, from restaurants to nail salons, have captivated and motivated many. He also discusses his experiences into learning lesser-known languages, such as Native American dialects, underscoring the importance of preserving endangered languages and offering insights into the vast landscape of linguistic diversity.

Links from the episode:

• Xiaomanyc 小马在纽约 | YouTube

• YourTeacher.AI

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

  Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Some people may find they have a knack for learning Chinese, but deciding to make Chinese a part of your life is another decision entirely. Akeel Alleyne shares his story from learning Chinese in high school to making the move to live and work in China. He talks about how Chinese has enriched his life, helped find his calling, and enabled him to carve out his own career. 

Links from the episode:

• Card Games for Language Learning | Where John & Akeel met

• Akeel Alleyne | Linktree 

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form

Join us as we step into the world of China's educational system. With an extra special guest interview, we pull back the curtain of how Chinese is taught in Chinese schools. These first-hand insights shed light on how China’s classrooms influence how Chinese is taught around the world. 

Links from the episode:

• Memes for Chinese Learners | Instagram

• Mandarin Companion graded readers

Hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden give you some pro tips on how to use AI, specifically Chat GPT, to learn Chinese. They explore a variety of use cases, including limitations and tips on how to get the most out of these large language models we call artificial intelligence. 

Links from the episode:

• Chat GPT

• Send us a message | Mandarin Companion feedback form