User Comments - jennyzhu
jennyzhu
Posted on: Breakup
August 17, 2011 at 11:00 AMGlad you like it. This is the first release and there's room for improvement. In general, supplementary vocab features words either related to the topic (at lower levels) or words outside the dialog that hosts use during the podcast (more of those in higher levels). But we do certainly acknowledge students' need to study words in expansion sentences and grammar sample sentences. The best way to do it is to save these words to your personal vocab bank by left clicking the words. It allows you to study them either by flashcards or practice writing using Skritter. Both can be accessed by going to the "Tools" section. If you want to see how a word is used in different contexts, type in the word in Chinese in the search box on top right of the page and choose "glossary". It will show you dialog or expansion sentences containing the word you looked up.
Posted on: Travel Wedding
August 17, 2011 at 7:48 AMContrary to what the woman says in the dialog, I think people tend to make money on wedding 红包/hóngbāo. There seems to be an unspoken agreement between newly weds and guests that the gift money should help them at least cover the reception cost. In Shanghai, you gift between RMB500 to RMB1000.
Posted on: Breakup
August 16, 2011 at 3:15 PMWe are adding the print function and it will be released within a day or two. It will allow you to print both the grammar description and sample sentences.
Posted on: 故宫摔盘事件
August 16, 2011 at 3:08 PM谢谢你！我很喜欢录高级媒体课，特别是这类时事观察话题，可以带大家了解一个有血有肉的中国社会。
Posted on: Where are you from?
August 16, 2011 at 8:33 AMI listened again. The recordings are correct, but the speaker prominently pronounced the 后鼻音(ng, nasal sound) in "yíng". I used to be criticized a lot for not doing it clearly and making "ng" sounds like "n". In any case, be aware that there are "ng" and non-"ng" sounds, e.g. yin vs ying. But don't stress out about it because people will understand you if you get the tones correct.
Posted on: Breakup
August 16, 2011 at 3:35 AMWe are adding it to some lessons that fall under a ChinesePod course (more about these later). But mostly grammar will be added to future lessons.
Posted on: All About the Lesson Content
August 16, 2011 at 3:12 AMDo you mean dictation in each lesson page or placement or level tests? In any case, they work the same way. First, choose how you how to answer, whether it's Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters. The options are on top right of the lesson test or a drop down box for placement and level tests. Then, play the audio and type in Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters based on what you have chosen. Please note that when you type in Pinyin, use numbers to indicate tones, e.g. ni3hao3. I have to say it's hard to get the Pinyin correct because you have to be absolutely spot on with tones such as neutral tones, which should be marked with the number 5. After submitting you answer, you will be shown the correct answers in Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters. If you have chosen to use Pinyin, compare the correct answer against yours, sometimes it's a minor issue in one tone out of an entire sentence, but you are still considered wrong. It happens to me a lot. But it's like having a strict teacher whom you are grateful towards later. Let me know if it works.
Posted on: Breakup
August 15, 2011 at 2:57 PMGlad that Poddies like the grammar section. It's about time. I have to apologize because it's still not working fully properly, e.g. there is no sentence level traditioanl support and you can't double click to to your vocab bank. We are working on these now and will update them shortly.
Posted on: Breakup
August 17, 2011 at 11:03 AMI am very sorry about that! We will fix it. It happens with multiple entries on other lessons too. Thank you for pointing it out.