Exploring Culture, Language, and Learning from Mistakes

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This week’s videos cover a mix of language learning, cultural experiences, and technology trends. From watching the latest Chinese blockbuster to taking a look at some of my biggest challenges learning another language, it was a bit more of a diverse week on the YouTube channel.

This Week’s Videos

1. 🎬 Watching NeZha 2 (哪吒2) – Given all the hype, we finally went out to see the latest big feature film release, NeZha2 (哪吒2). Watch here
2. 📱 What is XiaoHongShu? – Looking at China’s "other" big social media platform and how it differs from TikTok. Watch here
3. 📝 My Five Biggest Language Learning Mistakes – What I got wrong and what I’d do differently. Watch here
4. 🏛️ A Visit to the Military Museum in Beijing – Visiting a museum with a lot of big equipment in it, and a lot of history. Watch here

Watching NeZha 2 (哪吒2)

NeZha 2 is China’s latest big animated epic, continuing the story of the famous mythological figure. In this sequel, NeZha moves from his origin story to teenage superhero status, with a Pixar-like animation style. I found it a little long and overdrawn in that many of the fight sequences seem to go on longer than needed and were more meant to show off the animation capabilities of the studio. But, the cinema was packed and the movie catered towards a more family tone than anything else.

However, watching it in Mandarin with the subtitles blocked from my view was a challenge—I understood about 50% of the dialogue. If you’re studying Chinese, seeing a film like this in a local cinema is a good way to remind you how much more work you have to do!

Oh, and one of the best things about Chinese cinemas? Caramel popcorn.

📹 Watch here: YouTube Link

What is XiaoHongShu? (小红书)

If you’re interested in China’s social media landscape, XiaoHongShu (小红书) is a platform worth knowing about.

Think of it as a mix between Pinterest and Instagram. Instead of a full-screen vertical video feed like TikTok (Douyin 抖音), XiaoHongShu displays content in a grid layout, making it easier to browse through posts.

Key features of XiaoHongShu:

✅ AI-driven recommendations based on user engagement

✅ Text-heavy reviews and lifestyle content rather than just short videos

✅ Usable in English, except for settings like blocking and reporting

Should you download it? Sure. Try it out and let me know what you think.

📹 Watch here: YouTube Link

My Five Biggest Language Learning Mistakes

What are the biggest mistakes I’ve made while learning languages? After years of studying, I’ve identified five major errors that have slowed down my progress:

1️⃣ Not writing enough – Writing out grammar tables and full sentences helps with reading, writing, and vocabulary retention.

2️⃣ Being afraid to speak – Even now, there are moments when I hesitate, unsure if I’ll understand the response.

3️⃣ Not being patient with reading – Technology has made everything faster, but sitting down with a physical book still takes effort.

4️⃣ Overestimating my knowledge – Sometimes I think I know more than I actually do, leading to frustrating gaps in my ability to express ideas.

5️⃣ Avoiding translations – Trying to sight-read without using translations as a tool slowed my progress more than it helped.

Have you made similar mistakes? Let me know what has held you back in your language learning journey.

📹 Watch here: YouTube Link

A Trip to the Military Museum in Beijing

One of Beijing’s major museums, the Military Museum of the People’s Revolution, is filled with historic weapons, military aircraft, and artillery.

It also features a “Red Room” (propaganda hall) touting the achievements of the CCP. Whether you view it as history or propaganda, it’s an interesting look at how China presents its military past and national identity.

Things to know before visiting:

✅ Many of these museums are free—just bring your passport

✅ No selfie sticks allowed

✅ Contains historical displays dating back to the 1930s

✅ It's big! Multiple floors of displays surround a central axis of big military equipment.

We only managed to get through the main displays and neglected to visit the Korea and US sections up on the fourth floor. Maybe next time.

If anything, check out some of the comments on the YouTube video as many people have filled in some of the details of why certain pieces are in the collection.

📹 Watch here: YouTube Link

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That’s it for this week. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Reply to this email or leave a comment on YouTube.

For language learning support, reach out at stevenslanguagechannel@gmail.com.

Best,

Steve