Course Outline and Usage
How to use the WLC Audiocasts?
Our audiocasts are recorded in the MP3 file format. Our MP3 files can be downloaded from our site or popular “podcast” hosting sites like: Apple’s iTune media portal, Podcast Alley and Feedburner. Audiocasts can be downloaded to your computer for playback or to common MP3 players or playback devices like Apple’s iPod and iPhone or Creative Technology’s ZEN player.
Listening to our audiocasts along with our audiocast transcripts is the best way to quickly comprehend lesson content. WLC Transcripts include instructional and grammar explanations that go far beyond what is included in our audiocasts.
Basic and Self-Study Subscribers have access to more advance lesson plans along with review and testing tools from within the Learning Center section of the WLC website in a virtual learning environment.
The WLC website has three control sections:
A) The Opening Website Page gives direct access to the free WLC audiocasts. After login Subscription Members also have direct access to WLC audiocast transcripts and review audio and video files.
B) The Members Area is where all registered users, both Free Membership users and Subscriptions users has access to personal profiles and a links to the Learning Center.
C) All registered users have access to the LearningCenter. In the Learning Center registered users have access to Discussion Forums, free language learning tools and Chat Rooms.
The WLC website has three control sections.
1) Opening Web Page:
- Login panel
- Audiocast listings
- RSS links
- Recent Postings and Comments
- External Site Links
- Transcription Download and Viewing access for Subscription Users 
2) Members Area:
- Link to the Learning Center
- Link to the Opening Web Page
- Membership Profiles
3) Learning Center:
- Access to Forums and Chat Rooms
- Access to Online Learning Tools
= Additional functionality for Subscription Members
1) Listen to a lesson’s audiocast completely at least once.
2) Next, try repeating news words and dialogues along with the native Chinese speaker.
3) For a more in-depth understanding of the audiocasts, subscribe and download the lesson transcripts.
4) While listening to the audiocasts, pay special attention to the Pinyin and pronunciation of the native Chinese speaker as well as the Pinyin pronunciation listed on the transcripts. Note the transcript’s notes on Chinese grammar and usage. Pronunciation along with grammar comprehending is the key to communicating correctly and clearly. Take your time and do not rush through lessons.
5) Take part in the Learning Center. From the Members Area press on the link to the Learning Center. While there bring up your personal questions about Mandarin Chinese pronunciation or grammar in our discussion forums. You can also bring up questions concerning our audiocasts.
6) If possible, try to practice speaking with a native Chinese speaker. If you would like assistance with finding a native Chinese speaker to practice with please let us know. We will assist you is setting up a time to practice with one of our Chinese teachers over the Internet.
7) Repeat the tips listed above. Drill as often as possible. Also remember that repetition helps a lot in building fluency. No matter the speed of your progression, keep following the tips listed. The key is: 不怕慢， 只怕站 (bù pà màn ，zhǐ pà zhàn ) = Don’t be afraid of moving slowly, be afraid of just standing (and not doing anything).
