Dashu Mandarin Podcast

Many Chinese learners want to start reading “real Chinese books” as soon as possible, but this can often be frustrating — too many new words, long sentences, and not enough confidence.很多中文学习者都想尽快开始读“真正的中文书”，但是对很多学生来说，这件事很容易让人感到挫败：生词太多，句子太长，读不下去，也很难建立信心。In this episode, we talk about why graded readers can be a smarter way to start Chinese reading.在这一期节目里，我们聊一聊为什么分级阅读可能是开始中文阅读的更好方式。With shorter texts, controlled vocabulary, and level-appropriate content, graded reading can help learners build confidence, improve reading fluency, and stay consistent.通过更短的文本、更合适的词汇量和适合自己水平的内容，分级阅读可以帮助学习者建立阅读信心，提高阅读流利度，也更容易长期坚持。We also talk about Maayot, a Chinese graded reading platform that sends short Chinese stories to learners regularly, making Chinese reading easier to turn into a habit.我们也会聊到 Maayot，一个中文分级阅读平台。它可以定期给学习者发送短篇中文故事，帮助学习者更轻松、更持续地进行中文阅读练习。Check out Maayot here:了解 Maayot：https://www.maayot.com/

Are we in control of our lives, or are we just being pushed along?In this episode of Dashu Mandarin, three Chinese teachers in their 40s sit down for a painfully honest conversation about fate, free will, and the choices that shaped them.🔸 One of us got “forced” into chasing a girl in high school — and later realized he didn’t even like her.🔸 Another grew up in China’s intense exam system, became a “learning machine,” and now lives in Spain… but still can’t relax.🔸 And the third? He decided to stop blaming the system and started learning piano and guzheng in his 40s.We talk about:Chinese education and the “gaokao” mentalityWhy it’s so hard to start new hobbies as adultsThe guilt of relaxing when you grew up in a hardworking culture

How to Learn Chinese with Mandarin Teacher 如何跟真人老师学习中文?🎯 Learn languages 1-on-1 with native teachers on italki. 🎉 Use code DASHU to get $5 off your first lesson💻 Web: https://go.italki.com/dashu2606 | 📱 App: https://go.italki.com/dashu2606app👉 Book a lesson with Teacher Ben on Italki today：https://go.italki.com/teacherben

Ever wondered what happens when you combine a month-long European vacation with two "typical" Chinese aunties (and your own mother)? In this episode of Uncle Chinese, Ben breaks his silence after a 30-day journey across Spain, France, and Italy with his mom and her best friend of 50 years. What started as a labor of love quickly turned into a masterclass in patience, cultural clashes, and the universal experience of traveling with parents. From their obsession with asking locals about their rent and retirement age to their strict "no-cheese" diet in Italy, we’re unpacking the funny and often frustrating habits of the older generation.

Uncle Can is finally back after an operation and rest.