Getting Started

Welcome to ChinesePod.com.

ChinesePod is a guided learning environment, not a structured course. What we offer is a way for Mandarin learners to immerse themselves in the language and explore the possibilities. Learning Mandarin is much like going on an adventure in uncharted territory. The journey is immensely rewarding but full of challenges. Without an experienced guide it is easy to lose your way. With ChinesePod you are never on your own. You have access to experienced language teachers, native Mandarin speakers, online leaning tools and a global community of Mandarin learners just like you. That is the ChinesePod difference.

Step 1: Listen

To get the most out of ChinesePod it is most convenient to subscribe to our daily podcasts in iTunes, Yahoo Podasts, Odeo, etc. Simply search for ChinesePod in the podcatcher of your choice and click the subscription button. A new podcast will be delivered daily to your computer, iPod or digital media player. The podcasts are 10 to 15 minute Mandarin lessons lead by two friendly and charismatic hosts - one a native Mandarin speaker and the other an experienced language teacher. Listen to our podcasts at home, on your way to work, or whenever is most convenient for you. Click here for more information about podcasts.

Step 2: Review

After you have listened to a lesson, logon to the ChinesePod.com website and review what you have learned. Every podcast is accompanied by a collection of premium learning tools including dialogue transcripts, exercises, and flashcards designed by our academic team to consolidate what you have learned, and cover the different aspects of the Mandarin language.

Step 3: Explore

You can start with our first lesson or the latest one. You can study the lessons that interest you and skip the rest. All of our lessons are available to you at anytime, and in whatever order you choose. ChinesePod offers lessons at several different levels of difficulty, and assessment tools to measure your language skills and track your progress. The individual lessons are integrated together with powerful resources like the Grammar Bank and Word Bank to keep what you have learned close at hand. Starting a new lesson never means starting over with ChinesePod.

Step 4: Apply

The hardest part of learning Mandarin is finding an opportunity to use the language. Actually communicating with someone in Chinese. ChinesePod is lucky. We are located in Shanghai, China, where experiencing Mandarin is as simple as opening the window. This is not the case for most Mandarin learners. Outside of China, finding a qualified Mandarin language teacher, let alone a native Mandarin speaker can be down right difficult. ChinesePod offers you several solutions. The Weblog and Wiki connect you with other Mandarin learners to find answers and share your experiences. Soon to be added Teacher Resources will give you the tools you need to lead group study sessions, and make language exchanges more rewarding. Find a language partner with community platforms like BabelPod.com, and use the Teacher Resources to focus the conversation during a Skype phone call or Instant Messaging session.

Sign up for a Free Trial.

ChinesePod is so much more than just a podcast. Click here to subscribe for a free 7 day trial of our premium features, and see why ChinesePod is the fresh, convenient and effective way to learn Mandarin Chinese.

Questions?