#at least HP has pretty straightforward sentences in chinese

[rigelmejo]

Lmao with conversational chinese I am like... at the point I can listen to TeaTime Chinese and Maomi Chinese for main idea and some details, relisten for more details. You know, paying partial attention instead of focusing super intensely. So a hundred hours (or at least 50 since I initially tried podcasts) to finally understand the main idea of beginner level podcasts. Humbling lol. Both of these podcasts are great in that they provide an english translation the first time a new word is introduced that they don't expect you to know. Like 电报 dianbao telegram is a word I learned today. So these 2 podcasts in particular "hold your hand" more than some others I've found.

(And audio-visual materials are still better for learnimg the brand new words/getting a visual memory of the words I partly know, but podcasts have a lot of conversational discussion listening which I need to practice... and which is not really in cartoons as much or informational lesson type videos).

And then I recognize the main topic of some harder podcasts for learners like Talk to Me in Chinese, but I need to relisten to even know what her opinion is. Still need to practice with learner podcasts more, to gradually understand the more difficult ones.

Meanwhile 100 hours of listening did Amazing for my listening comprehension of audiobooks. I am so excited about how fast this is improving. I'm excited for when I can 1. Start handling MoDu chapters without any relistens, and getting most of the details on first listen (not sure when that'll happen). 2. Start brand new audiobooks of things I've never read before. Saye!!!!!! SCI!!!!! Those are the goalssss.

I love that with audiobooks about every 10-15 hours you get to see some (small or medium) noticeable improvement. With podcasts it feels like I'm equally comprehending stuff until at least 50 hours passes, then I notice some increase in comprehension, then wait another 50 hours.