Several weeks back we started publishing lesson plans as part of our daily lesson pods. Our lesson plans are designed to help you structure face-to-face practice sessions with a native Mandarin speaker our fellow learner.
ChinesePod users working or traveling in China have opportunities to talk with native Mandarin speakers as soon as they open the door. But just because someone can speak Mandarin does not mean they can teach Mandarin. ChinesePod lesson plans give native speakers the guidance they need to review the Mandarin you are learning from ChinesePod and get you speaking the language. Study together with your colleague at work or your neighbour at home. Find an empty meeting room, get together at the local coffee shop or use the kitchen table. ChinesePod lesson plans make everyone a teacher and anywhere a classroom.
For ChinesePod users living outside of China or Mandarin speaking communities finding a native speaker to practice with can be difficult. ChinesePod lesson plans can also be used to help guide self study programs or together with other Mandarin learners. Find someone that is interested in learning Mandarin and take turns playing the role of teacher. ChinesePod lesson plans create opportunities for you to speak Mandarin.
How should I use ChinesePod Lesson Plans?
Our lesson plans are meant to guide your learning and not restrict you in anyway. Feel free to deviate from the instructions given in the lesson plan. Change the order of the exercises. Create new exercises. Here is an example of a typical study program.
Step 1. Download and listen to the podcast audio lessons or visit ChinesePod.com and play the audio lessons directly from the website.
Step 2. Visit ChinesePod.com to review the dialogues and expansion vocabulary and complete the online exercises.
Step 3. Print out a copy of the pdf transcripts and lesson plans that accompany our daily lesson pods and use them to practice with your teacher or language exchange partner.
And remember, like everything here at ChinesePod, our lesson plans are constantly being improved. Please send us your feedback and suggestions so that we can work them into the development process. We would also love to hear about how you are using ChinesePod lesson plans to learn Mandarin.
Kind Regards,
Matt Park 段伟
I’m in a similar situation to the one you described - I have a native speaking person to practice with, but lack the organized structure for a class. I’ve found the lesson plans moderately helpful - but largely repetitive (listen, read out loud, switch and read out loud, try to memorize, repeat key phrases from memory). The supplemental vocabulary is good.
If I would add something, it would be to expand on the conversational piece - instead of just “Ok, you’ve learned vocab relating to apartments, now have a conversation using the new vocab” it could be - have a conversation about apartments - here’s a list of questions you can ask or more specific areas of discussion (i.e. describe your living room - the size, furniture, color, etc., etc.). Or perhaps adding role plays - pretend you’re talking to a landlord, ask questions relating to number of rooms, rent, utilities, etc.
Basically, speaking freely (as opposed to reading, listening, memorizing dialogs) is the hardest part of learning Chinese - I think the lesson plans should focus primarily on getting the student to open their mouths and speak!
All in all, I think you guys are doing a great job - and it feels like there is always something new on the website - keep it up!
I second Dan’s recommendation. Synthesis is the hardest part of learning a new language. Exercises like he described would be perfect for practicing with my wife, who is a native speaker.
I like the lesson plans. They really help.