Chinese learners today are surrounded by video, TikToks from tutors, YouTube explainers, online courses, sitcoms, and AI-powered tools promising to boost your progress. But with so much content, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck in passive learning.

In this episode, we dive into how to actually learn Chinese through video. Jared and John discuss the strengths and limitations of different approaches, from short-form content on social media to more structured courses. They talk about when Chinese movies and TV shows become useful (and when they’re just frustrating), the surprising downsides of subtitles, and how to match video content to your level.

You’ll also hear about powerful tools like Language Reactor and SRT subtitles, how AI transcription can supercharge your review sessions, and why relying on ChatGPT alone might not get you very far—yet.

John also shares a big announcement: the launch of AllSet Go, a short video course designed to take absolute beginners from zero to ready for real online Chinese lessons.

Links from the episode:

• AllSet GO 10-lesson video course for absolute beginners | 50% off Voucher: YCLCGO

• #72 The Truth about Chinese subtitles | You Can Learn Chinese

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Chaniece Chen didn’t just study Chinese, she built her own major, battled burnout in an intensive language program, and came back for more. In this episode, Jared talks with Chaniece about her 12-year journey in China, from struggling with tones to thriving in Shanghai as a translator, community organizer, and content creator.

Chaniece opens up about the highs and lows of immersion: how her college program led to burnout, how thinking in Chinese helped her improve, and why perfectionism can be a hidden danger for motivated learners. She also reflects on what it's like being a Black woman in China, her experience in Xinjiang, and how she built a life, and family, abroad.

Links from the episode:

• @ThisIsChaniece | Instagram

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You’re reading Chinese, and there it is, pinyin over every character. It feels helpful, even comforting. But is it actually holding you back? In this episode, Jared and John explore how pinyin can become a crutch that cripples your Chinese progress and keeps you from truly mastering characters.

They revisit Jared’s blog post from years ago, Pinyin Over Characters: The Crippling Crutch, and unpack how this issue is still alive and well, especially with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek.

You’ll hear how pinyin over characters affects your eye movement, slows your reading speed, and hinders character recognition. Jared and John also break down the psychology behind why pinyin is so hard to ignore and offer practical strategies to reduce your reliance on it. From browser extensions to smarter AI prompts, they share ways to keep pinyin available only when you need it, not when it interferes.

If you’ve ever found yourself relying too heavily on pinyin, or wondering why your reading fluency isn’t improving, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to move forward.

What you’ll learn:

• Why native Chinese speakers learn characters before pinyin

• How pinyin affects your focus, memory, and reading speed

• The difference between helpful support and harmful overuse

• How to use AI tools more intentionally in your learning

• What extensive reading looks like without pinyin distractions

• The importance of finding level-appropriate reading materials

Links from the episode:

• Pinyin over Characters: The Crippling Crutch

• Mandarin Companion Graded Readers

• Learn Chinese Characters by Reading | Amazon

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