Introduction
Podcasts are a fantastic way to learn acquire Mandarin naturally! Look, podcasts are sometimes entertaining and you learn new things. Most importantly, you acquire Mandarin as a byproduct of consuming podcasts that are interesting!
Specifically, podcasts can help you improve your listening skills, learn new vocabulary, and gain insight into Chinese culture. To make most of it, make sure to listen to podcasts that you find interesting and that is comprehensible for you. That doesn’t mean you need to understand everything. The sweet spot is if you understand about 90% of the words and hence you will come across a lot of new vocab that you acquire on the go. Mostly this will be a passive process, but if you want, you can also create some flashcards or use tools to create these for you and use a spaced repetition system like an app like Anki or other Chinese learning app.
Ok, Kungfucius provides you with this list of Mandarin podcasts that cater to various language levels and interests. All of these podcasts are a great way to build an immersive language learning experience no matter where you are located.
The podcasts are divided into three categories: podcasts about learning Chinese (mostly in English), podcasts in Chinese and English, and podcasts entirely in Chinese for learning Chinese (full immersion).
- Podcasts about learning Chinese (mostly in English)
I. ChinesePod
Hosts: Various hosts, including Fiona Tian and Gwilym James
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Language: English and Chinese
ChinesePod is one of the most popular Mandarin podcasts, providing lessons for learners of all levels. The podcast offers a mix of English explanations and Chinese conversations, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced learners. ChinesePod covers a wide range of topics, including culture, travel, and everyday situations, to help you build a strong foundation in Mandarin. This is a paid podcast that is especially useful in the intermediate phase to improve to an advanced level of Chinese.
II. Learn Chinese Insights Podcast
Host: Adam Menon
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: English and Chinese
Learn Chinese Insights Podcast features interviews with people who have learned Mandarin as a second language. The podcast focuses on the strategies, tips, and experiences of successful language learners, providing valuable insights and inspiration for your own language learning journey. The podcast is primarily in English, with occasional Chinese phrases and expressions.
(https://learnchineseinsights.simplecast.com/)
- Podcasts in Chinese and English
III. Mandarin Chinese Café
Host: Amy Lin
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Language: English and Chinese
Mandarin Chinese Café is designed for beginner and intermediate learners. The podcast uses a mix of English and Chinese, offering clear explanations and engaging content. Episodes cover various topics, from grammar and vocabulary to Chinese culture and history. The podcast aims to help you build a strong foundation in Mandarin while also providing a fun and enjoyable learning experience.
(https://www.mandarinchinesecafe.com/)
IV. Learn Taiwanese Mandarin
Host: Abby
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Language: English and Chinese
Learn Taiwanese Mandarin is a podcast that focuses on teaching Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent and vocabulary. Hosted by Abby, a native Taiwanese Mandarin speaker, this podcast covers various topics, including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and Taiwanese culture. The podcast is suitable for learners of all levels and provides a unique perspective on learning Mandarin in the context of Taiwan.
(https://learntaiwanesemandarin.com/)
- Podcasts entirely in Chinese for learning Chinese (full immersion)
V. Slow Chinese
Host: Various hosts
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
Slow Chinese is a podcast that features slower-paced, clearly articulated Chinese speech, making it ideal for intermediate and advanced learners who want to improve their listening comprehension. One negative aspect is that the sentences lose a bit of a natural tone. Still, it might be a good listen for a while. The podcast covers a variety of topics related to Chinese culture, history, and daily life, providing context for the language and helping you gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society.
(https://www.slow-chinese.com/)
VI. 聽故事學中文 — Learning Chinese through Stories
Host: Various hosts
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
聽故事學中文 (Tīng gùshì xué zhōngwén) is a podcast that offers engaging stories in Mandarin Chinese. Each episode is followed by a vocabulary review and a discussion on the story’s cultural context. This podcast is suitable for intermediate to advanced learners who want to improve their listening comprehension and expand their vocabulary while enjoying immersive stories.
(https://learningchinesethroughstories.com/)
VIII. MandarinBean
Host: Various hosts
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
MandarinBean is a podcast that provides intermediate to advanced learners with authentic Chinese listening materials. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, such as culture, history, and current affairs, helping you enhance your listening skills and gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society.
IX. 365讀書 — 365 Reading
Host: Various hosts
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
365讀書 (365 Dúshū) is a podcast that offers daily readings of Chinese literature, including novels, essays, and poems. With a new episode every day, this podcast is perfect for those who want to improve their listening comprehension while also gaining exposure to Chinese literature.
(https://www.ximalaya.com/waiyu/21668007/)
X. 狗熊有話說 — BearTalk
Host: Bear
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
狗熊有話說 (Gǒu xióng yǒu huà shuō) is a podcast hosted by Bear, who shares his thoughts and experiences on various topics. The podcast is entirely in Chinese and provides listeners with an opportunity to improve their listening comprehension while also learning about Chinese culture and society.
XI. 一個人聽 — Listening Alone
Host: Various hosts
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language: Chinese
一個人聽 (Yīgè rén tīng) is a podcast that focuses on sharing stories, experiences, and reflections on life. The podcast is entirely in Chinese, providing an immersive listening experience for intermediate to advanced learners looking to improve their listening skills and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.
(https://www.ximalaya.com/renwen/26828265/)
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, podcasts are an excellent way to improve your Mandarin skills. By incorporating podcasts into your language learning routine, you’ll not only enhance your listening comprehension but also gain valuable insights into Chinese culture and society. Explore these podcasts on Apple Podcasts or other podcasts.