Easy-to-Read Chinese Stories
Learn Chinese with stories you love and build fluency with adaptations of classic novels.
Start leveling up your Chinese today!
Reading in Chinese is one of the best ways to build fluency
Learn Vocabulary Faster
Acquire vocabulary twice as fast compared to flash cards
Learn Grammar Naturally
Seeing grammar patterns over and over again trains your brain to naturally understand
Automatically Process Chinese
As your reading speed increases, you’ll start to understand it in Chinese instead of translating in your head
Enjoyable
Interesting and fun stories you can AND want to read
We offer three levels of graded readers to help you learn Chinese confidently.
Breakthrough Level
For those who are just getting started with Chinese
Level I
For those with some built up vocabulary
Level II
For those taking it to the next level of learning
You Are In Charge of Your Learning
Welcome to Mandarin Companion!
We’ve worked hard to create enjoyable stories at the right level for you — that can help you build confidence and competence to improve your Chinese.
Our Graded Readers use language that is controlled and simplified that makes them easy for learners to read. Reading long strings of text in context shows you how the language is used to build proficiency in and naturally understand Chinese.
Research shows that learners need to ‘encounter’ a word 10-30 times before truly learning it. Graded Readers provide that repetition that you need to develop fluency NOW at your level.
In the next section, you can take an assessment and discover if this is the right level for you. We also explain how it won’t just improve your Chinese skills but will have a wide range of benefits, from better test scores to more confidence.
We hope you enjoy our books and all the best with your studies!
Start Learning Chinese Today!
Post List #1
You Can Learn Chinese Podcast
Learn HOW to learn Chinese with hosts Jared Turner and John Pasden. You will learn tips, strategies, and insights so you can supercharge your language learning. You will also be inspired by guest interviews with people from all over the world who have learned Chinese.
Both Jared and John both learned Chinese, lived in China for many years, and have worked with learners all over the world and understand the unique challenges that Chinese learners face. They stay at the forefront of language learning research and methods and bring that to listeners everywhere.
Struggling with listening comprehension in Chinese? You're not alone—and this episode is here to help. Jared Turner and John Pasden dive into practical, tech-powered strategies for sharpening your Chinese listening skills using AI transcription tools and other smart resources.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to use AI tools to turn Chinese audio into transcripts you can study.
- Why listening comprehension is often one of the hardest skills—and how to make it easier.
- How to “train your ear” with slowed-down, AI-generated audio.
- Ways to leverage native content such as TV shows, songs, podcasts, YouTube videos, and make them more accessible for learning.
- The value of transcribing your own Chinese speaking to catch patterns, mistakes, and growth areas.
John and Jared walk you through real-world workflows, tools they’ve personally used, and the best types of media for improving listening. Whether you’re trying to understand a native podcast, follow along with a Chinese drama, or make sense of a street conversation you recorded, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for turning audio into insight and comprehension.
Listening doesn’t have to be your weak spot. With today’s tools, it can become your strength.
Links from the episode:
TurboScribe | AI transcription tool
Language Jones & Anki Hyper TTS | YouTube
”Duìbùqǐ Wǒ de Zhōngwén Bù Hǎo” | Sung by Transition on YouTube
“One Semester of Spanish – Love Song” | YouTube
