🤖 AI technology has changed the way I learn Chinese
嗨 Chinese learners,
Something big has changed the way I learn Chinese recently.
I’ve written previously about how listening to podcasts was the most important tool in helping me learn fluent Chinese. But there is one big flaw of podcasts: they don’t usually come with transcripts or captions.
This is a common challenge for beginner and intermediate learners. This lack of transcripts means students struggle to follow along, understand the content, and pick up new vocabulary. Often, if the speaker speaks too quickly or I don’t catch a word, there’s no reliable way to look up what words or phrases they said, resulting in missed learning opportunities.
Although I think there is still a benefit to listening when comprehension is low, having transcripts no doubt improves the learning experience.
Fortunately, with the advances in AI technology, we now have automated transcripts from popular podcast sites like Spotify that are surprisingly accurate! This feature is a game-changer for language learners and has changed the way I learn.
I’ll show you how to access the transcripts and 3 methods I use to get the most out of them to help me learn Chinese.
Let’s get started.
How To Access Automated Transcripts
Go to Spotify.com or open the Spotify app
Find a Chinese podcast episode (check out my favorite podcasts here)
On the episode screen find and click “Episode transcript”
The automated transcript feature is a new feature so some older episodes may not be compatible.
1. Read While Listening
One of the best ways to use these transcripts is to read along while listening.
This method helps in connecting spoken words with their written form, adding two forms of contextual cues that enhance memory: auditory and visual.
I use this approach when I want to immerse myself in the podcast. Think of it like having a guided tour in a museum; you not only see the art but also get the story behind it.
The best part? The transcript automatically syncs with the speaker and the text is highlighted as the speaker speaks making it very easy to follow along and connect speech to text.
2. Read First, Then Listen
Another approach is to first read a sentence or paragraph out loud and then listen to it.
I like using this technique because it forces me to “test” my reading and pronunciation and then get immediate feedback when I listen to how it sounds in the podcast from a native speaker.
This is the most effective method I’ve used to help me improve my reading and pronunciation because it forces me to actively recall what I’ve learned in the past while having the “answers” immediately accessible to correct any mistakes.
After listening to it I may try to say it again or try with the next sentence or paragraph. Although this process may make listening to a podcast slower, I find it helps to solidify what I learn.
After a while, this can get exhausting if I’m moving too slowly so I do this until it’s not fun anymore and then I switch to one of the other strategies.
3. Use Transcripts As Needed
When the first two options become tiring, I switch to simply listening with low expectations and only using the transcripts as needed to look up characters.
This is akin to how I used to listen to podcasts with the added benefit of being able to easily look up characters. Simply copy and paste phrases into Google Translate or use a popup dictionary to look up individual characters when you hover over them.
This method is excellent for testing listening comprehension and then using the transcript as a tool to check understanding. It’s like solving a puzzle on your own and then checking the solution guide when you're stuck.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons and I switch between them often depending on my mood and interest level, allowing maximum flexibility for learning.
Takeaway
The availability of transcripts significantly lowers the barrier to engaging with Chinese podcasts. Beginners, who might have previously felt intimidated, now have a supportive tool to help them dive into the world of Chinese podcasts.
This is a huge psychological advantage in addition to the practical benefit of being able to look up new vocabulary with ease. This all contributes to lowering the friction of learning.
If you want more practical guidance on how I improved my listening and speaking by listening to native material like podcasts and videos, check out the Copy Paste Speaking Course.
加油，
Danyo
PS The next 10 people who sign up for the Copy Paste Speaking Course will get access to my Top 50 Chinese Phrase Guide to help you speak faster.
Copy Paste Speaking Course: This course will teach you a better & faster way to learn to understand and speak Chinese by copying native speakers and speaking from day one.
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