Learning Chinese with Podcasts (4): 7 Teaching-Related Podcasts for TCSL Teachers

What Podcasts Are Worth Listening to as a TCSL Teacher?

In the previous post, Learning Chinese with Podcasts (3): 7 Theme-Based Mandarin Podcast Categories for Learners, we explored podcasts suited for more advanced Mandarin learners — shows that give them a window into what native speakers are actually talking about day to day.

The earlier posts in this series mostly focused on the learner’s perspective. This one shifts to the teacher’s side: here are some podcasts worth listening to as a Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) professional. They’re naturally centered on language education and linguistics — but if you come across anything good that I’ve missed, please share it with us!

Since there are so many platforms, I’m primarily linking to Spotify; you can also search for any of these shows by name on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and elsewhere. :) The order is completely arbitrary — just whatever I happened to come across. XD

1. 下課時分 (After Class)

Hosted by two Taiwan-based Mandarin teachers, this show covers real experiences in TCSL — classroom management, taking on private students, teaching theory, and more. Highly recommended for anyone working in the field.

2. 知識好好玩 — 語言好好玩 (Knowledge Playground — Language Playground)

The “Language Playground” segment is hosted by yours truly. It takes a linguistics-based approach to various topics, covering language theory, language and culture, and more — all of which can inform your teaching practice.

3. Linguistics with Laura

An English-language show covering key topics in linguistics. Great for TCSL teachers who want to brush up on the theoretical side of the field.

4. A Way with Words: Language and Linguistics

An English-language podcast about language and linguistics — each episode covers an interesting topic and makes for enjoyable, casual learning.

5. Language Teaching

An English-language show that discusses challenges and topics in language teaching. Unfortunately it hasn’t been updated recently.

6. I Will Teach You A Language

An English-language podcast hosted by a polyglot, sharing personal experiences and strategies for learning multiple languages — useful perspective for anyone in the language teaching world.

7. UK Chinese Teachers // 中文老師在英國

Only two episodes so far, but they feature teachers sharing first-hand accounts of teaching Mandarin in the UK — a valuable look at what’s happening on the front lines internationally.

Those are my picks for podcasts that TCSL teachers will find genuinely useful — all focused on education and linguistics. Of course, the travel and culture shows and current affairs podcasts mentioned in Learning Chinese with Podcasts (3) are equally worthwhile: they give you ready-made conversation topics to connect with students from all over the world.

Thanks for following this series. If you want to go deeper, feel free to read the original academic paper: Not Just for Learners: New-Generation Podcasts and Their Diverse Applications for Mandarin Language Learners and Teachers. XD

Other posts in this series:

Learning Chinese with Podcasts (1): 3 Reasons Every TCSL Teacher Should Know About Podcasts Learning Chinese with Podcasts (2): 10 Mandarin Learning Podcasts for Learners Learning Chinese with Podcasts (3): 7 Theme-Based Mandarin Podcast Categories for Learners

Questions or recommendations? Jump in below — happy to discuss! <3

Thanks for reading :D

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