Return to Chinesepod Podcasts and Transcripts

I've been using Chinesepod transcripts and podcasts again over the last 6 months. My new emphasis has been on reading, writing, and building my vocabulary in an integrated manner. When I previously used Chinesepod, I had focused only on listening, speaking, and pinyin. I had completely avoided trying to learn the written script.

I am using Chinesepod material to move forward from where the Integrated Chinese Level I textbook left me. I had learned about 350 characters and 550 words through that effort.

I terminated my original subscription to Chinesepod a couple years ago, due to frustrations I experienced with their approach. I currently am re-visiting old Chinesepod lessons that I had downloaded and worked through previously. I have not yet re-subscribed to the service, although I plan to try that again soon.

Below is a timeline of the primary tools I've used so far in this Long March through the Chinese language. I've had to switch between systems over time, because I haven't yet found what a really good complete system for self-study of the Chinese language. There is lots of good content and many good tools available, but no really good system available yet, I don't believe.

I use the Chinesepod Newbie and Elementary level transcripts primarily as practice reading material. I don't generally listen to the podcasts associated with these lessons, since a majority of the content is in English. I am using the Intermediate lessons in a more integrated manner, though (i.e. reading, writing, listening, and speaking), because they are mostly in Chinese and full of rich content. Each Intermediate lesson typically introduces somewhere on the order of about 15 new characters and 20 new words into my vocabulary.