Today, we’re diving into the unexpected. Sure, we knew raising bilingual kids would be about language—but it’s turned out to be so much more than that.

In this episode, Bei shared some of the surprising moments, emotional challenges, and hidden joys that has shaped her family along the way. From deeper family connections to identity shifts and worldview changes, we’re opening up about what bilingual parenting has really taught us.
In this episode, we explore:

• An unexpected challenge or benefit we’ve each encountered
• How bilingualism has influenced our family’s relationship with culture and extended relatives
• The surprising ways speaking two languages has shaped our kids’ personalities and perspectives

Whether you're early on in your bilingual journey or deep in the trenches, we hope this conversation reminds you that the path is full of unexpected, meaningful growth—for both kids and parents alike.


Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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In this episode, we take a deep dive into what it’s really like raising a bilingual child in Taiwan. Our guest, Lucy, opens up about the challenges of language placement, the emotional toll on kids, and what finally helped her daughter feel more confident in learning Chinese.
Whether you’re exploring a move to Taiwan or just curious about different bilingual education paths, Lucy’s story offers honest insights and practical takeaways for any parent walking the bilingual road.


Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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When it comes to learning Chinese, no two kids are the same—even in the same household. In this episode, Grace shares her personal experience raising bilingual twins—a boy and a girl—and how their Chinese learning journeys turned out to be vastly different.

Grace walks us through the ups and downs, from early literacy milestones to hitting walls and finding alternative paths. This isn’t about reinforcing gender stereotypes—it’s about recognizing that every child has their own rhythm, learning style, and challenges.
Whether you’re raising one child or multiple, this episode offers relatable insights on how to adjust your teaching methods, choose the right tools, and find your child’s unique learning path.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Grace’s daughter and son responded differently to early Chinese instruction
• Why Sagebooks worked for one but not the other—and how they revisited it later
• The role of patience, games, and tutoring in helping a reluctant learner make progress
• What to do when a child forgets characters easily or gets frustrated
• Encouragement for parents: different doesn’t mean delayed or behind
• How to meet your child where they are and still move forward

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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In this episode, we’re excited to welcome 安媽, the blogger behind 好山好水慢慢走, a long-running blog that has chronicled her family's bilingual journey since 2010. Her posts have inspired many parents navigating the challenges of raising bilingual children, especially those aiming for advanced Chinese literacy.

We dive into a topic many parents wonder about: What comes after bridge books? 安媽 shares her firsthand experience guiding her daughter through this transitional stage, where reading becomes more complex and sustaining language growth requires more than just leveled readers.


Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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In this mini episode, our podcast producer Grace shares her personal experience navigating the world of online Chinese classes for her kids. From toddler-age Zoom sessions to one-on-one tutoring, she walks through what worked, what didn’t, and how her approach evolved as her children grew.

You’ll hear practical tips on:

• Where to look for online teachers and programs
• How to evaluate group vs. individual classes
• What to expect at different ages
• Why trial classes are essential before committing
• How to use bilingual Facebook groups as a valuable resource

Groups where Grace found her children's online classes:

• 中文教學百寶箱
• Raising Bilingual Children in Chinese & English
• 台灣媽媽在美國
• 繁體中文與注音教學分享團（美國地區）
• 虎爸 Online Class review

Whether you're just beginning your search or looking for new ideas, this episode offers a realistic, parent-tested guide to finding online Chinese classes that meet your family’s needs.

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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Speaking Chinese to children when it’s not a parent's first or frequently used language comes with its challenges. Even for native speakers, maintaining a consistent Chinese-speaking environment requires intentional effort. In this episode, we explore this topic with Andrew, a Taiwanese American dad who follows a one-parent-one-language (OPOL) approach at home. 

Whether a parent is a native speaker, non-native speaker, or somewhere in between, this episode offers relatable experiences and insights on incorporating Chinese into family life.

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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In this mini episode, we’re diving into a big milestone for bilingual families—getting kids to read Chinese chapter books!
How do you know when your child is ready? Where should you start? And how long does it take before they feel confident reading on their own? We’ll break down the process of introducing chapter books, share tips on choosing the right ones, and explore resources that can make the journey smoother.

Grace's learning to read project


Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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Today, we’re joined by Pamela Rose, an educator focused on helping overseas students learn Mandarin in English-dominant environments. Her research explores balancing language learning with cultural understanding.

We’ll discuss her bilingual journey, teaching approach, and practical advice for families aiming for English-Chinese bilingualism. Pamela will also share insights from her research, challenges in teaching Chinese abroad, and strategies to connect students with both language and culture.

TRPS by Terry Waltz

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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We’re introducing something new this season—mini episodes! These bite-sized, 15-minute episodes will dive into key topics bilingual families care about.

Raising bilingual kids takes time, energy, and money. It comes with challenges, sacrifices, and major opportunity costs. But what does that really look like in daily life? And is it all worth it?
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on Bei’s family’s bilingual journey—the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. Tune in for an honest look at what it really takes to raise bilingual kids.

Follow us on our bilingual journey:

• Bei's IG
• Grace's IG

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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When is the best time to learn Chinese? While early childhood is often emphasized, what if someone discovers their passion for Mandarin later in life—like in college?

In this episode, we explore the Chinese Flagship Program, a U.S. college initiative designed to help students achieve professional-level fluency through intensive coursework and immersive study abroad experiences.
Our guest, Rachel, a graduate of the Hunter College Chinese Flagship Program, recently completed a full study abroad year in Taiwan (2023).

She shares:

• Her journey learning Chinese from scratch in college
• How the Chinese Flagship Program works and what makes it intensive
• Her study abroad experience
• The impact of immersion on her language skills and future opportunities

Follow us on Instagram Our Chinese & English Journey Podcast If you like this episode, give us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.
Any feedback or ideas for future episodes: please email us at [email protected] or DM us on IG.

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