This week's episode covers a well-known collection of short stories from the 1600 to 1700s, 聊斋志异, LiaoZhaiZhiYi, by Pu Songling. We just released a video about this on our YouTube channel and in this week's podcast episode we discuss what the collection is and why it's significant. Furthermore, we include a bonus audiobook at the end of this week's podcast which you can download for free over on our Buy Me A Coffee website (https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog/e/325755).

Next, we discuss a little about how our language study sessions are going, including what I'm currently reading in Russian (The DaVinci Code). I also mention how important it is to maintain good habits in our language studies and the challenges therein.

We also talk a little about the recent comments on a video we posted on YouTube. The video, titled "Why am I STILL in China?!" dicusses some of the reasons why I, Steve, came to China in the first place and what has kept me here for so long. The video has garnered a bit of attention to date and has prompted several responses. Both in this week's newsletter and podcast, I cover some of those responses.

Finally, we cover the progres on the book we're working on right now to (hopefully) be released by the end of the year!

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Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:28 Overview of the Language Vlog Podcast

00:47 YouTube Channel and Live Streams

03:06 Challenges and Internet Issues

03:57 Halloween in China

04:51 Support the Podcast

05:19 Chinese Literature Project

08:37 Reading and Translating Chinese Stories

12:19 Russian Language Studies

17:42 Engaging with Viewers

24:48 Upcoming Book Project

29:16 Audiobook Experiment

33:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

33.30 Lian Xiang Audiobook

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we discuss the busy week which saw me renewing my work visa, visiting the police station and navigating the usual paperwork.

All the while, we posted a new language check in video in which I try my hand at speaking both Russiand and Chinese.

We also cover this week's live streams which included Chinese ghost stories (聊斋志异 in particular) and Russian declenions.

We finished the week with a couple of YouTube Shorts that gave a look at the air quality in Beijing as it stood on Friday afternoon.

For more language tips, expat life insights, and to support the podcast, subscribe and buy me a coffee!

Keep in touch! Join our newsletter!

https://sendfox.com/stevenslanguagevlog

Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee!

https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog

Time stamps:

00:00 Multilingual Greetings

00:51 Introduction to the Language Blog Podcast

02:05 Visa Renewal Process in China

05:43 Recording Language Checks

07:42 Challenges of Multilingual Recording

13:40 Live Stream on Chinese Ghost Stories

14:28 Exploring Chinese Ghost Stories

16:02 Western vs. Chinese Ghost Stories

17:36 Learning Russian: Challenges and Strategies

21:00 Struggles with Russian Proficiency Tests

22:00 Beijing's Air Quality and Ginkgo Trees

25:57 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

In this week's episode of the Language Vlog Podcast, we talk about some of the challenges in learning Mandarin Chinese and Russian, including the difficulties of switching between the two languages. We discuss daily routines with writing out Chinese character sheets and translating them for better comprehension. There's also an overview of renewing a Type Z visa for China, obtaining a Chinese green card, and the life of an expat in Beijing during the colder months.

Finally, we cover building an effective Anki deck for Russian grammar and techniques shared by viewers during a recent live stream.

Keep in touch! Join our newsletter!

https://sendfox.com/stevenslanguagevlog

Enjoying what you hear? Buy me a coffee!

https://buymeacoffee.com/stevenslanguagevlog

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:55 Podcast Overview and Personal Updates

01:23 Streaming Challenges and Language Check Video

04:44 Language Learning Techniques and Live Streams

09:07 Chinese Visa and Green Card Information

13:36 Understanding the Tax Conversion

14:20 Green Card Eligibility and Benefits

14:46 Challenges in Qualifying for a Green Card

16:28 Newsletter and YouTube Channel Updates

16:49 Russian Language Learning Journey

20:42 The Five Second Rule

22:10 Upcoming Book on Language Learning

23:20 Final Thoughts and Contact Information