Learning Chinese with Podcasts (2): 10 Recommended Podcasts for Learners

How Do You Choose a Podcast for Chinese Learners?

In the previous post, Learning Chinese with Podcasts (1): 3 Reasons TCSL Teachers Should Know Podcasts, we covered what podcasts are and why TCSL teachers should pay attention to them. In this post, I’ll introduce ten Chinese-language learning podcasts, with notes on each show’s characteristics, structure, and languages used.

Keep in mind: there’s no single “best” show. Always consider the learner’s:

• Goals
• Personality
• Listening habits
• Language level

Those factors will point you toward the right fit. Questions and thoughts are welcome in the comments.

Since there are many platforms out there, I’m linking primarily to Spotify. Most of these shows are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other platforms — just search the show name. :)
The order here is completely arbitrary — I listed them roughly in the order I encountered them. XD

1. 中文好好學 EZ CHINESE ON THE AIR! @wzuclc

Episode length: ~6 minutes.

A bilingual show co-produced by Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages’ Chinese Language Center and Radio Taipei International. Each topic is explained first in Chinese, then in English.
Two hosts (one male, one female) make it easy to distinguish speakers in dialogue.
Each episode focuses on a single theme (e.g., birthday parties, bulk discounts), with a structured format that includes dialogue, vocabulary, and other segments — a proper “lesson-style” podcast.
Suitable for beginners.

2. 自然而然說中文 Speak Chinese Naturally — Learn Chinese (Mandarin)

Episode length: 15–25 minutes.

A solo host speaking primarily in Chinese at a moderate pace — better suited for more advanced learners.
Topics include language (idioms, proverbs), stories, and cultural introductions. Transcripts available for download.

3. Mandarin Monkey Podcast

Episode length: ~60 minutes.

Two co-hosts, presenting in both Chinese and English. The male host speaks English; the female host responds in Chinese.
Loosely structured, more conversational in style, with occasional Chinese language teaching woven in.
Later episodes bring on guests to discuss specific topics.

4. 海外兒童中文頻道 Mandarin Podcast for Kids

Episode length: 5–10 minutes.

An all-Chinese show aimed at children learning Mandarin.
Each episode covers one clear topic (weather, current events, movies, etc.).
Speech pace increases in later episodes, making those better suited for students with a stronger foundation.

5. Learn Chinese – Easy Situational Mandarin Chinese Audio Lessons

Episode length: 10–20 minutes.

Primarily a male host, with occasional female co-hosts.
Conducted mainly in English; each episode covers one situational topic (greetings, hot springs, year-end bonuses, etc.).
Structure includes dialogue, vocabulary (with example sentences and tone explanations).
Suitable for beginners.

6. Talk Chineasy — Learn Chinese Every Day with ShaoLan

Episode length: ~10 minutes.

Host ShaoLan updates almost daily on relatively small, focused topics, usually working through them with a guest learner.
Primarily in English, with vocabulary and key words in Chinese.
Light and accessible — no deep grammar or vocabulary structure, but the casual format makes it easy for learners to carve out a few minutes daily.

7. ChinesePod — Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Episodes typically feature a male-female host pair, tackling one small topic per week. Each episode is labeled by level.
Beginner episodes are mostly in English, using Chinese only for the actual teaching content. Intermediate and Advanced are primarily in Chinese.
Each episode has a dedicated webpage with transcripts, vocabulary lists, and lesson notes — very complete package.

8. 聽故事學中文 Learning Chinese through Stories

Episode length: 5–40 minutes.

Almost entirely in Chinese, so best suited for higher-level learners.
Each episode tells a story and explores its cultural context and vocabulary.
Vocabulary lists and dialogue transcripts are made available to show patrons/supporters.

9. One Chinese Word a Day

Episode length: ~5 minutes.

Solo host, primarily in English, using Chinese only for the word being taught.
Introduces one word per day, exploring its meaning, related concepts, and example sentences.

10. 大鵬說中文 — Speak Chinese with Da Peng

Episode length: 5–20 minutes.

All-Chinese show covering current events and trending topics, with dialogue and vocabulary segments.
Show notes for each episode record the content discussed.
Best for higher-level learners.

Honorable Mentions

Beyond the ten above, here are a few more I’ve found interesting — though their catalog or production consistency is still developing. Excited to see where they go! XD

OH Chinese 藕！中文

Episode length: 5–10 minutes.

All-Chinese show, each episode on a topic the host is personally interested in (food, bathing, etc.). Language level is on the harder side — suited for advanced learners.

Chinesisch

Episode length: 5–40 minutes.

A newer show, and one of the rare ones where the primary language is German. Chinese content is relatively limited.

ペイの5分間中国語

Episode length: ~6 minutes.

A Japanese-language show teaching Chinese. Each episode opens with a Chinese dialogue (read character by character rather than word by word, worth noting), followed by Japanese explanations.

The above are all shows that were still actively updating at the time of writing — take them as a starting reference. Once you’ve considered the learner dimensions discussed in the previous post, you can recommend the most appropriate shows from this list.

Here’s that chart again for reference:

TCSL podcasts categorized by structural completeness and proportion of Chinese used

Placement may shift depending on episode content or host changes — I’ll keep updating this over time.

Remember: there’s no best show, only the most suitable one for the learner. :D

Beyond these dedicated Chinese-learning podcasts, there are also great supplementary shows for extending learning — check those out in the next posts:

Thanks for reading this series! You’re also welcome to dig into the original academic paper: More Than Just Learners: The Diverse Applications of the New Generation of Podcasts for Chinese Learners and Teachers XD

Other posts in this series:

Learning Chinese with Podcasts (1): 3 Reasons TCSL Teachers Should Know Podcasts
Learning Chinese with Podcasts (3): 7 Thematic Podcast Categories for Learners
Learning Chinese with Podcasts (4): 7 Teaching-Related Podcasts for TCSL Teachers

Feel free to share any questions or thoughts in the comments. Thanks! <3

Thanks for reading :D

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