URLLesson Introduction
News and Features has become a weekly segment on ChinesePod, and it now boasts the content to make it worthwhile! Find out what new lessons are coming out next week, some of the plans for video, and what the deal with this whole groups thing is.
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johns says
September 6, 2008
What a pleasure it is to see our charming teachers on video! I look forward to Jenny's debut. You guys certainly know how to make learning entertaining and have provided such great insites into life in China. I wish that I would have been able to have these lessons before my first trip to China.
bababardwan says
September 6, 2008
Very exciting developments.Can't wait for them.I had to laugh at the thought of the upcoming newbie lesson about seeing an argument in the street.Don't get me wrong;nothing grabs attention like an argument in a public place and the need to know what's going on.I look forward to this lesson.But the thought of perhaps having to be a witness in court if things got nasty ,and my interpretation of what was said and trying to communicate this !lol. .Fortunately there would probably always be plenty of other more reliable witnesses.Also excited about the video lessons as the vegie market is just so everyday.Just went and bought a better mp3 ,just so I can watch these video lessons on the move too.Good to hear that different things will be tried with the video format;the more variety the better .The ones so far have been great ,but live conversations would be great too.I've noticed some have requested some quite specific lingo for there area of expertise/interest,and think the groups sound like a great solution to this.
greatname says
September 7, 2008
Good job team! Very innovative!
chas33735 says
September 7, 2008
Wonderful innovations. The videos are really effective! Keep it up!
vikram says
September 7, 2008
Great stuff! Couldnt help myself not renewing my subscription thanks to the great improvizations and cool new content especially the videos! Keep at it guys!
monica5 says
September 7, 2008
Sounds great! Keep up the good work!
checkingoutchina says
September 7, 2008
I'm expecting Jenny's debut on the video Cpod cast to be exceptional compared to the others on Cpod.
No pressure ;)
mattwhyndham says
September 7, 2008
yes, what is the deal with the whole groups thing?
I find them sort of less than completely functional, compared to, say, Flickr groups. Lots of interface issues need sorting out I think. Don't want to clog this comment stream up too much, is there a comment stream/conversation/group where I can raise these issues?
andrew_c says
September 7, 2008
There's around 7 minutes of no sound in the mp3 file.
cytj says
September 7, 2008
@andrew_c
This is the The 80/20 Rule. Seems to be more and more important in chinesepod. Maybe its an american influence, more and more show.
The videos are nice, thats it, nice. a lot of work to produce them, the effect of learning chinese less.
But like the comments show, the guys want to see the girls. So why videos are not free like newbie lessons, they are only a good PR-Gag, not for real learning.
Come to chinesepod and then find only Dear Amber, next day only Qing Wen and News and Features with 7 minutes silence, this is not interesting enought to upgrade and subscription.
I would prever more lessons at intermediate and upper intermediate levels, more interesting stories like beauty peagent.
Only 20% I find really helpfull to learn chinese, 80% only waste time, time we should better use to learn vocabs, not looking videos Jenny is looking good or not.
calkins says
September 7, 2008
cytj, I think the videos are a really great way to learn vocabulary, and I think the majority of users agree (based on comments from the 2 videos).
One thing always missing from CPod was a visual connection with learning vocabulary (much like Rosetta and other software use). The video now provides that very important link. I don't think the videos need to be long, and they don't need to be packed with vocabulary. Keeping them short and simple, like the current videos are, will make them that much more effective.
I love these little vocab vids and I'm looking forward to more!
patmethenywesmontgomery says
September 7, 2008
I noticed that if you have a bit of intuition about the video, then you get what the Cpod video is trying to teach. cpod might want to make a recommendation to subscribers about the best way to use the video as they've designed/implemented it in Cpod, then we can make choices on it "on our terms".
For the LA intermediate lesson forthcoming, it would be really helpful if cpod could address vocabulary in addition to the usual movie/entertainment industry vocab. Metropolitan LA has a big aerospace/defense industry, hiking, skiing (near big bear lake), camping, deep sea fishing, beaches, 20-50 universities, and a enormous commute to do anything fun no matter where you live. You could even talk about the gangs, shootings, the changing demographics of neighborhoods in LA. Thanks.
urbandweller says
September 7, 2008
WILL WE EVER GET TO SEE CONNIE AND JIAOJIE ON THE VIDEOS?!!
patmethenywesmontgomery says
September 7, 2008
This "new lessons" feature as a weekly podcast is helpful. It's helpful also to get more transparency into the CPOD roadmap. It's annoying that you're doing this cutesy, "surprise" feature thing for Ken in the next few weeks. Either state the new capability so we users can plan for it, or don't. If you don't think you can deliver it in a timely manner, then don't announce it.
Oh, and another farm lesson is good. It would be cool to have an elementary lesson about the village.
a1pi2 says
September 7, 2008
@cytj: "Maybe its an american influence"
CPod is run by an Irishman in China. Thanks for the bigotry but you might be wrong here.
sayanyah says
September 7, 2008
CPod Team, I want to thank you for the video clips.
I think the video clips are great for us "visual & audio learners."
Though Mandarin was taught at school, I found I needed the visual & audio connection to reenforce the learning process.
marcdevincentis says
September 7, 2008
@cytj:
I think you raise some important fundamental points beneath your insensitive language:
1) Subscriptions & Upgrading - I think you're saying that you want more (free) content, especially at the Int & UpInt level. I feel compelled to disagree and to defend CPod's approach here. If you 说汉语 at that level, you have enough skill to improve further using a variety of sources. Improving to Advanced level requires a pretty serious committment, I imagine, so the $39 for 6-month Premium subscription is a pretty good value. If you still don't like it after 6mo, then don't renew. If you can't afford it to begin with, well, then there are lots of other ways to learn Chinese. It's the relatively clueless Newbies and Ellementary students who need the most help, so I understand CPod directing most of their content at this level (free Newbie lessons, QW is usually Ellie level, etc). I'm curious, does CPod price access regionally? I think $40USD is quite a lot in some places. Is there any top-down initiative to make access more affordable for those people?
2) Videos - You and several others have criticized the videos for being ineffective learning tools. That is the start of good feedback for CPod, but why not follow through and recommend how they might improve. This is a podcast, not an office tower. The point being that once you build an office tower you never tear it down and start over no matter how ugly people think it is. If enough of the video-skeptics offer good constructive feedback, they will probably influence that program's production in ways that we all benefit.
3) Women of CPod - Finally, I think you are right about the voyeuristic dangers of the videos. I'm sure CPod is sensitive to this. There are definite advantages and disadvantages to filming CPod staff. I mean, the danger of converting customers into stalkers is enough without slow-motion hair tossing! How about a vid of Ken stripped down for some cupping and acupuncture? Now that's worth the subscription price!
cytj says
September 7, 2008
@marcdevincentis
every day a new lesson, thats my opinion. If you learn on a level, maybe elementry, one lesson a week is not much. "Dear Amber", "Qing Wen", "Videos" and "News and Features" are only specials to make it more interesting to learn and comunicate something about China ("Dear Amber").
Because my english knowledge is very poor, for me it makes no fun to hear "Dear Amber". 50% I do not understand. But I like to learn Chinese, not English.
In upper-intermediate level I can understand a lot without english translation. This lessons are very interesting and I like them. Media and Advanced level lessons are interesting too, but sometimes only newbie and elementry lessons are published.
If the specials are an addon to the normal published lessons, than it would be okay. But if the number of normal lessons decrease, I do not like it.
The new features in chinesepod maybe more interesting for english-speakers. Thats okay if the team of chinesepod see a chance of new customers in english-speaking countries.
I am only a short time at chinesepod, so I didn´t know they explore customers opinion before changings.
Finally I want to say, that chinesepod team makes a good job and a lot of lessons are interesting and well done. Thank you.
patmethenywesmontgomery says
September 7, 2008
BTW, this "news, features" podcast felt about the right length, and was about the right amount of content on what we can expect over the next week. I was happy to hear about future plans without it taking 20 minutes or so. I think about 5 minutes max for this type of podcast is fine, if not shorter.
rjberki says
September 7, 2008
I am having trouble understanding those few that are so negative when it comes to these videos. They are an added tool, not a replacement for what we had before. They are fun, and serve to reinforce vocabulary. Thanks for brightening my day cpod.
hape says
September 7, 2008
cytj says
Same for me. As Amber speaks so fast (e.g. compared to Ken and John), it is no fun to listen.
dariath says
September 7, 2008
The thing you have to understand is this is a website to help learn Chinese, yes. But, it's also a website designed for english speakers to learn Chinese. Everything about it says so, all the lesson descriptions that arn't in Chinese are in English. The people who do the lessons speak English and Chinese. It's for english speakers.
Not to say it doesn't help others out, but English is a very important language in this world. It's widely used in other country's. Malaysia, Singapore, China, etc. So, if you don't speak English well... I hate to be blunt, but you're in trouble.
As for 1 lesson a week. Yes, people would like more. But it takes take to make the lesson plan, record the lesson, record the dialog, record the vocab and supliments, record the expansion sentences, and input all of this into the website. The video's itself are a bonus that if you enjoy it, great. If you don't, then.. don't click them. Pretty simple.
Just my 2 cents.
john says
September 7, 2008
Yikes! Sorry about the extra-long, extra-silent ending. It has been removed.
jwosmun says
September 7, 2008
One feature of ChinesePod that I found most useful is the large library of past lessons on every level, and which is continually growing. Unless you are one of the few who have been here for most of the past three years, one lesson a week at a given level is not a problem - just go through the past lessons until a level is too easy, then move up. If all the lessons are too easy, then congratulations, you probably no longer need a ChinesePod on any terms. The number of lessons at each level is now sufficient that anyone starting now will not likely run out of lessons before becoming reasonably competent.
checkingoutchina says
September 7, 2008
I personally think the video's are a great addition to Cpod.
It's a totally fresh approach. It maybe too simple for some but let's not forget there's people like me who need the basic foundation of vocab to progress. If Upper Intermediate is not enough for some of you I pretty sure you're very competent in Chinese already.
Another thing is "Dear Amber" speaking too fast. I sure they can put a summary script so you guys don't miss out on the important info. The last thing I want is making the audio sound slooooooow and boooooring and Amber speaking the Queen's language like from some old grey and white film.
Good job Cpod.
cytj says
September 8, 2008
@dariath
okay, if its for english people, it is not for me.
I am a big fan of Jackie Chan. I read one of his books. After first time coming to the USA he thought, why they do not understand me, why I have to learn english? chinese people so many, why learning english? I saw in TV, pilots of chinese airlines come to european airports, they can not speak english very well, the co-pilot translates for them the communication with tower.
88
light487 says
September 8, 2008
Amber does get a little over excited at times.. but that is just her nature and what makes her such a good personality to have on the podcasts, and may I say adorable.. hehe :) I find some of the Chinese speakers sometimes do the same thing. When I listen to Jenny speaking, I never seem to have a problem but sometimes when Connie speaks, she goes way too fast for me..but again, it is just her nature and way of talking.. nothing wrong with it and eventually I will be good enough to understand it fully. I prefer that she speaks too fast for me because I can hear a different way of speaking the language. I find it similar to the way people speak in movies.. they don't slow down for me just because I want to enjoy the movie..
hape says
September 8, 2008
light487 says:
She should try to speak a little bit more slowly and clearly.
Erica from FrenchPod has the same problem, she speaks way too fast and has a funny US dialect (Chicago?)...
bababardwan says
September 8, 2008
I have to completely agree with light487.The DA show adds another dimension to CPod ,and is so entertaining because of Ambers great personality.To try and modify that would ,for me,make it less natural and perhaps start to sound staged.I think there is a presumption of a certain level of proficiency in English.I think it would be impossible to cater for all in one website. From what I can ascertain,most who post on this site have at least a good level of English ,and if it's hard to catch all Amber says,could perhaps use it as a challenge to improve their English at the same time.After all ,just as native Chinese speak very fast,so do native English speakers.That's the reality.
hape says
September 8, 2008
bababardwan says:
That's what I try to do. But my main interest is Chinese and China, not English or US dialects.
It reduces the number of xPod potential customers...
amber says
September 8, 2008
hey everyone,
Point taken! A good point, too. I will keep being me, but will try to do it a little slower :)
henning says
September 8, 2008
Amber,
in the hair video you were indeed talking very, very, very fast
;)
jennyzhu says
September 8, 2008
I look forward to Ken and John's idea.It's top secret. I don't even know what it is.
wolson says
September 8, 2008
Very good vehicle for communication and keeping the user community informated. Thank you.
wjefferys says
September 8, 2008
For some reason, the movie won't download into my Mac using iTunes and the RSS feed. I do not understand this.
At least, the movie shows on the website OK.
rjberki says
September 8, 2008
More communication with the users was definitely needed. This is a good start. Please continue.
maike28 says
September 9, 2008
Awesome. You guys are the best. I really like how Chinese Pod is expanding and trying out new things.
I mentioned this in a previous post, but I'll just say it again - I think it would really valuable in the video lessons to include both the traditional and simplified characters.
Keep up the great lessons!
crisgee says
September 9, 2008
What i really like to do is dancing to the "News and Features" jingle! I do the "Running Man" with it.
"It's news! It's feeee-cherrrz! News! And feeeee-cherrrz!"
Yeah, that's my morning.
henning says
September 9, 2008
crisgee,
cheap thrills?
CPod: Please, please get rid of that jingle. And while you're at it, would you mind erasing it from my memory also?
joannah says
September 9, 2008
I actually kinda like the jingle
kencarroll says
September 9, 2008
henning,
dave and I put that jingle together. I was always pretty proud of it (though now I'm having second thoughts) ...
henning says
September 9, 2008
Ken,
didn't intend to hurt your feelings. It just...follows me around. Creepy...
;)
boran says
September 10, 2008
If this is going to be the new format for "News and Features", then I would prefer just a weekly blog post with this information (along with an actual ChinesePod official blog too!). This would make the information much more discoverable by the regular users.
I understand that part of the reason for doing "News and Features" now is a promotional tease for non-subscribers but the information is just as useful for the paying folks and having it in a more convenient format would be nice.
light487 says
September 10, 2008
I half agree (吧 :)) with boran.. I like that it is another podcast but I'd prefer there to be more of a "Saturday Show" feel to it rather than just a list of things to come.. have some fun with the News & Features segment.. throw some jokes in, some news about what is actually happening at Praxis offices, gossip.. all that fun stuff! :)
rockynash says
September 10, 2008
ChinesePod,
Thank you for the News & Features podcasts. I feel like a real part of this language program by receiving these updates. Communication is always good, and your News & Features assure us that you are hearing our voice and want to help us improve in our linguistic endeavors.
I don't know anyone at ChinesePod personally to try to flatter them. I will just tell you my personal experience with ChinesePod. I have only been a member for several months and already my conversational Chinese is much better. I have been casually studying Chinese for 2 years now on my own, and after adding ChinesePod to my study program I feel confident to go out and try my limited Chinese language skills. I guess I joined at a good time because it sounds like a lot of things are changing for the benefit of the elementary-upper intermediate students. I enjoyed the 2 videos I have seen thus far. They just introduce yet another faculty by which our bodies can help us perceive this challenging language. I myself learn best visually, but now that I have audio and video-visual combined it has pushed me to the next level. Months ago I could only read 100 characters max. Now, I can say for certainty that I can read almost 500. That is not because of 2 new videos, but as a result of the natural conversations and PDF's in ChinesePod lessons. I am motivated to look up more new words that I've never heard in the more commercial methods of learning Chinese. I appreciate all of your efforts.
For the staff at Chinese Pod, I suggest you disregard negativity and move forward in your exciting new plans. Use your positive energy to add more valuable lessons for us, audio and visual. Like Mr. Einstein said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Therefore, carry on.
For all of my fellow students who post positive, constructive criticism, quirky & funny comments.. nice to meet you.
auntie68 says
September 10, 2008
Dear rockynash, I do hope that you don't consider service complaints by paying customers to be just "negativity"! I'm not so "evolved" that I can feel happy when such "negativity" is disregarded by CPOD staff. Still, welcome on board, and all the best with the Chinese studies.
rockynash says
September 10, 2008
Thank you. As long as it is mentioned as a means to help improve I don't see it as negativity at all. Constructive criticism is good for everyone, so I thank you for enlightening me on your thoughts. I only meant to express my gratitude for Chinese Pod's affordable program, and my comment was not directed at any particular comment. I'm letting Chinese Pod know I like the News & Features and want to be added to the pool of people who want to hear more.
rjberki says
September 10, 2008
Well said Rockynash. Nice to meet you as well.
And Ken, my vote would be to keep the jingle. I found it a little "different" at first but it grows on you. Its the kind of thing that you love and hate at the same time, but you definitely wont forget it. Its a CPOD trademark now.
wchan says
September 11, 2008
您們好﹗我只想向大家打個招呼
行個見面禮。
祝
CHINESEPOD工作愉快﹗