Chinesepod
July 15, 2008 – 4:50 am
I wanted to do a review for Chinesepod for a very long time. Then one thing has stopped me: Chinesepod is already so well known, it is hardly necessary to write a review. During the last few weeks however I bumped into some people who still didn’t know about Chinesepod, so this was a good motivator to finally write what the buzz is all about. So let’s get started.
What is Chinesepod all about?
Chinesepod is a website, that helps You learn Chinese. Their core product is a regular podcast, that serves lessons on Mandarin Chinese on a regular basis. As far as I can remember every day there is at least one new podcast. These podcasts are split up in various difficulty levels from Newbie to Advanced.The majority of the podcasts are in the lower levels, as the mass of all people is starting with Mandarin, or still in venturing in the lower levels. However advanced learners also can find a fair share of podcasts.
Around the podcast core there are several additions to create a helpful learning enviroment. Every podcast is accompanied with a pdf transcript to help the learner follow the Chinese text. Grammar and new words are explained in English in the lower levels, while in the higher levels concepts and new vocabulary is explained in Chinese.
Other helpful resources are exercises, tests, additional text with audio to memorize the key words of a lesson. There is even more on the website I haven’t mentioned, it’s just to much to mention everything they have.
Why is Chinesepod so much fun?
The podcasts are presented by unique characters, who bring a personality into the show. As I’m mainly still in the Elementary level of Chinesepod, my idols are John, Ken and Jenny so far. Other products I’ve tried before only showed me one side of learning: not fun. Chinesepod changed it. They approach basic topics, but also bring up humorous, embarrassing, personal and relationship topics, such as buying condoms or chit chatting about the neighbours husband. Things that matter to the learner in everyday life. As I have mentioned earlier, motivation is a key in learning. Chinesepod and the people that make it work provide just that. I could go on with the praise, but I think You just should check out the Chinesepod website and download a lesson. There is also a listening test to see what is Your personal level in learning Chinese, so You can grab an appropriate podcast for Your level.
How much is it?
You can try Chinesepod for free, sign up and get access for 1 week for free. After that You still have access to the podcast, however if You want to continue to use the extra features You need to buy one of their plans. These come at a fair price, the Basic membership which I think offers most value for Your money starts at $9 per month. If You order long term membership it becomes even cheaper and goes a slow as $5 a month.
I hope I gave You some idea about Chinesepod. If You are a Mandarin Chinese learner, You really should try this resource, because at the moment it is one of the best on the market. Although once in a while a few people on the Chinesepod Forum ask for a Cantonese podcast, none seems to be in the making and Cantonese learners have to stick to other learning resources. I’m also looking forward to see a Japanesepod, hopefully in the near future as I do want to make an attempt on Japanese this autumn, especially since Mandarin Chinese has lost a bit of its value due to the new Chinese visa policy.
At the moment it is absolutely free to get a one week trial at Chinesepod, check it out here: Chinesepod
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