Smalltalk of China

In this episode of Smalltalk of China, we will break down the ultimate strategy for tackling the Mandarin GCSE speaking exam. Whether you are preparing for Pearson Edexcel or AQA, the biggest challenge is often sustaining a three-minute conversation on an unpredictable topic. We move beyond simple "yes" or "no" answers to explore how you can "bulletproof" your performance by mastering the art of the monologue. What you’ll learn in this episode: The Exam Roadmap: A clear breakdown of the three...

Today's episode is a brief introduction to the four tones in Mandarin Chinese. We will explore how beginners can use numbers to practise tonal pronunciation on their own. We will discuss why tones can be both easy and difficult for leaners and how important it is to get the tones right.

Today's episode is about how to form and ask basic questions in Mandarin Chinese especially when you are just getting started. You don't feel confident enough to do most of the talking, yet want to take the opportunity to gain exposure and practise. Sometimes it's not even about how to say something, and more to do with what to say when you finally are face to face with a native. Asking questions will give your conversation partner a reason to respond, asking the right questions will get them...

In today's episode we dive straight into numbers and its basic applications in day to day conversations in Mandarin Chinese. Counting in Chinese is simple, straightforward and logical. If you are a beginner, imagine your vocabulary is the brand new bank account that you just opened. Numbers are the first big deposit you can add to it. Once you learn how to say 1 to 10, you can count to 99. We will also go into how numbers can immediately help expand your vocabulary in telling date...