Steven's Language Vlog Podcast

Episode 19 of The Language Vlog Podcast and we're talking about hometown memories, holding onto books for too long, and why China, why Canada?

Recorded on Sunday, December 8, 2024, this episode was shot in front of a bookcase of books I've had since my university days. Some might say it's been a long time, others might say too long. When do you get rid of a book that's just sitting on your shelf?

And if you're just joining in, be sure to join our newsletter (link below) as we're about to launch TWO new email campaigns: an introductory Chinese course and a "10-minute reminder" which we hope will help you better achieve your language goals.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Weather and Life in Winnipeg

02:30 Canadian Herbal Remedies

03:45 Books and Manuscript Tradition

09:53 YouTube Shorts Recap

14:20 Herodotus and His Histories

19:21 Who Was Saint Nicholas?

23:49 Why China, Why Not Canada?

27:12 Upcoming Projects and DONATE!

It's got cold and snowy here in Winnipeg, Canada, and this week's episode was recorded while walking around the block. Today we discuss what a Canadian prairie winter and Christmas time is typically like, the current language studies regimen, what it's REALLY like to be an expat (including what you miss and don't miss), and the new email-only Chinese language course we're developing.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Welcome to Winnipeg

00:45 Winter in Winnipeg

00:51 Christmas Around the World

02:40 Learning Russian

05:26 Expat Life Realities

07:47 Missing Home

08:51 Making Pierogies

15:32 Returning Home as an Expat

22:27 Developing a Mandarin Course

27:24 Wrapping Up

In this episode of the Language Blog Podcast, we talk a little about my trip back to Canada, touching on Winnipeg's harsh winters, the differences between Canada and China, and the challenges of maintaining language studies while traveling.

We also discuss some potential book projects for language learners and reflects on life as an expat.

Tune in for tips on language learning apps, a glimpse into downtown Vancouver, and thoughts on the reality of living abroad!

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:38 Canada's Cold Winters

03:09 Back in Canada: Personal Experiences

04:15 Vancouver Visit Highlights

09:46 Challenges of Studying While Traveling

13:19 Upcoming Video Ideas

16:35 Creating Language Learning Books

24:41 Going Forward

This episode was recoded while in transit at the Seoul Incheon airport in South Korea. I figured it would be better to record it early before the trip rather than try to set everything up once I was back in Canada.

This episode includes a discussion of recent activity on the language vlog, notably an "exit" language check while at the Beijing airport. Then we also talk a little bit about the difference in using textbooks and APPs and why it's sometimes easier to buy one instead of the other.

Finally, I talk about the reason for the trip to Canada and its short duration.

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

Welcome to episode 15 of the Language Vlog Podcast!

This week's discussions include:

• Deleted commentary on the YouTube channel (oops!)
• A visit to Universal Studio Beijing (bring your own food, power bank, and get the express tickets!)
• Reading classic novels and works of literature
• Taiwanese, Cantonese, and Russian language lessons
• Responding to even MORE comments about living in China

Transcripts here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-sDW4HyeAH9PssJp8kE6XWQduAHOXj7n?usp=sharing

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Channel Overview

00:35 Recent Video Updates

02:24 Universal Studios Beijing Visit

04:41 Key Takeaways from Universal Studios

07:17 Reading the Classics

12:49 Language Learning Journey

17:54 Russian Language Studies

23:49 Walk and Talk Videos

30:10 Future Plans and Conclusion

This week's episode covers a well-known collection of short stories from the 1600 to 1700s, 聊斋志异, LiaoZhaiZhiYi, by Pu Songling. We just released a video about this on our YouTube channel and in this week's podcast episode we discuss what the collection is and why it's significant. Furthermore, we include a bonus audiobook at the end of this week's podcast which you can download for free over on our Buy Me A Coffee website (https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/325755).

Next, we discuss a little about how our language study sessions are going, including what I'm currently reading in Russian (The DaVinci Code). I also mention how important it is to maintain good habits in our language studies and the challenges therein.

We also talk a little about the recent comments on a video we posted on YouTube. The video, titled "Why am I STILL in China?!" dicusses some of the reasons why I, Steve, came to China in the first place and what has kept me here for so long. The video has garnered a bit of attention to date and has prompted several responses. Both in this week's newsletter and podcast, I cover some of those responses.

Finally, we cover the progres on the book we're working on right now to (hopefully) be released by the end of the year!

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Overview of the Language Vlog Podcast

00:47 YouTube Channel and Live Streams

03:06 Challenges and Internet Issues

03:57 Halloween in China

04:51 Support the Podcast

05:19 Chinese Literature Project

08:37 Reading and Translating Chinese Stories

12:19 Russian Language Studies

17:42 Engaging with Viewers

24:48 Upcoming Book Project

29:16 Audiobook Experiment

33:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

33.30 Lian Xiang Audiobook

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss the busy week which saw me renewing my work visa, visiting the police station and navigating the usual paperwork.

All the while, we posted a new language check in video in which I try my hand at speaking both Russiand and Chinese.

We also cover this week's live streams which included Chinese ghost stories (聊斋志异 in particular) and Russian declenions.

We finished the week with a couple of YouTube Shorts that gave a look at the air quality in Beijing as it stood on Friday afternoon.

For more language tips, expat life insights, and to support the podcast, subscribe and buy me a coffee!

Keep in touch! Join our newsletter!

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Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee!

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Time stamps:

00:00 Multilingual Greetings

00:51 Introduction to the Language Blog Podcast

02:05 Visa Renewal Process in China

05:43 Recording Language Checks

07:42 Challenges of Multilingual Recording

13:40 Live Stream on Chinese Ghost Stories

14:28 Exploring Chinese Ghost Stories

16:02 Western vs. Chinese Ghost Stories

17:36 Learning Russian: Challenges and Strategies

21:00 Struggles with Russian Proficiency Tests

22:00 Beijing's Air Quality and Ginkgo Trees

25:57 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about some of the challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese and Russian, including the difficulties of switching between the two languages. We discuss daily routines with writing out Chinese character sheets and translating them for better comprehension. There's also an overview of renewing a Type Z visa for China, obtaining a Chinese green card, and the life of an expat in Beijing during the colder months.

Finally, we cover building an effective Anki deck for Russian grammar and techniques shared by viewers during a recent live stream.

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:55 Podcast Overview and Personal Updates

01:23 Streaming Challenges and Language Check Video

04:44 Language Learning Techniques and Live Streams

09:07 Chinese Visa and Green Card Information

13:36 Understanding the Tax Conversion

14:20 Green Card Eligibility and Benefits

14:46 Challenges in Qualifying for a Green Card

16:28 Newsletter and YouTube Channel Updates

16:49 Russian Language Learning Journey

20:42 The Five Second Rule

22:10 Upcoming Book on Language Learning

23:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about this past week's live streams including deconstructing Chinese characters (both Simplified and Traditional), failing Russian grammar tests, and what makes a good English teacher. We also ask: what does it mean to be self-taught and can you be a self-taught language learner?

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:22 Welcome to the Language Vlog Series

01:19 Weekly Language Learning Update

02:02 Deep Dive into Chinese Character Practice

10:22 Exploring Effective English Teaching

18:16 Russian Language Challenges and Resources

23:50 Self-Taught vs. Teacher-Led Language Learning

25:55 Conclusion and Community Engagement

In the 10th episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss how the Beijing autumn is now settling upon the city and touch on how the Chinese holiday "make up work day" system works.

This episode also marks our foray into the land of podcast streaming, as we are now on all the major broadcast channels.

I also discuss a little bit about a new habit I'm trying to form each and every morning: reading some Russian before going about my day (and before I fit in my Chinese studies, too!)

We talk a little bit about the hutong neighbourhoods here in Beijing and an electric pipa performance that was put on at a recent event in GuoMao.

This podcast serves as a complement to Steven's YouTube channel focused on language learning and living abroad.

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Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee!

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:26 Life in Beijing: Weather and Holidays

04:45 Podcast Expansion and Listening Experience

07:11 Weekly Recap: Live Streams and Language Studies

09:12 Exploring Beijing: Hutongs and City Layout

14:00 Language Learning Approaches: Chinese vs. Russian

17:39 Morning Routine: Incorporating Russian Reading

20:22 Cultural Experience: Electric Pipa Performance

22:15 Traditional Chinese Writing: A Personal Journey

25:46 Conclusion and Farewell