Episode 40 has us looking around the campus, what do we see and would you want to visit as a teacher, student or just an online viewer? Responses to using AI and other LLMs in the grading and feedback process - what does the internet say? Question: i...
Happy Mother's Day!To all you hard-working Mothers out there: have a very happy and wonderful day! As I wrote to some of the Mothers I know here in China: 母亲节祝福快乐！And you expats: Don't forget to call home!This Week: Campus Walks, Rage Bait, a...
In Episode 39 of the Language Vlog Podcast, we consider the relationships between teachers, AI, and classroom teaching. We posted a video on our YouTube channel which garnered a lot of attention and plenty of comments. As universities try to fill up...
Hello and welcome to this week's newsletter!This Week: Teachers, AI, Labour Day, and Rose Garden MysteriesIt was a holiday-shortened week here in China as the Labour Day is in full swing. That means we have five days off straight (but have to make up...
In Episode 38 we review what it means to be "fluent" in a language, including two important distinctions between "real life fluency" and "test-taking" fluency. We take a look at the campus bookstore and what they have in store (literally!) A visit to...
This Week: Two Types of Fluency, University Life, Aviation Adventures, and What is a "Make Up Day"?Each week I share practical reflections, language-learning topics, and snapshots from daily life here in China. This time, we explore what fluency real...
Episode 37 of the Language Vlog Podcast brings yet another language check in for the Mandarin Chinese language. This one was a bit rough and required a bit more editing than usual. Also begs the question: what is fluency? Is fluency the ability to sp...
Happy Easter! Christos Voskres! (If you celebrate!)This Week: Daily Life in Beijing & The Variety of Chinese Postage Stamps (plus some AI)This week's newsletter is a little bit late since my usual routine was interrupted by a visit to the aviatio...
This week we take a look at what Beijing's REAL spring is like: catkin fluffs floating through the air being whisped around by the whims of the Big Wind (大风). That means it's mask season all over again, not just for allergies, but to keep those thi...
This Week: Studying Outside, Catkins in Beijing, and 中文检查A month ago we had snow, then the cherry blossoms arrived, now we have big wind (大风）and the air is filled with the fluff of the catkins (柳絮). I thought the weather was supposed to get...
In this episode, Episode 35, we take a look at one of the recent videos published to the YouTube channel, all about a walk back from the university to the hotel. We take a look at the neighhourhood, some of the things that are developing, and how the...
This week's episode takes a look back at Beijing's Temple Fairs, particularly LongTanHu in the southern portion of the city. We discuss a little bit about what goes on at these fairs, what makes them unique, and whether or not you have to go to them...
Episode 33 takes us to Beijing in the midst of the Spring time flower bloom. The peach blossoms are out (and now blown away) and the cherry blossoms will be here soon. (But the weather's nice so it's a good time to travel here if you're thinking abou...
Episode 32 of the Language Vlog podcast we talk about some of the essential APPs you need if you want to live in China (and some if you want to travel through the country). We also talk about finding a job overseas teaching English, be it in China or...
Episode 31: Teaching in China, University Life, and Navigating Beijing In this episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, I share some thoughts and insights into my transition back into classroom teaching in China, detailing my commute and living arrangem...