China in Plain English

Two Intrepid Explorers. One Big China. Zero Dictionaries.

The Center for Global Education's China Learning Initiatives is pleased to present the second series in its China Straight Up project, China in Plain English. This 11-episode series follows Howie Southworth and Greg Matza as they make their way through China—neither of them speaks Mandarin. Through their adventures and misadventures, we learn about China through a new and fascinating lens.

The series can be used in classrooms in many different ways. For teachers and students, it can foster discussions that help build students' Chinese skills. For example, beginners can be asked to come up with the right questions in Chinese that Howie and Greg should have asked. More advanced students can discuss in Chinese what they would do in a similar situation—in a country where they don't understand the language.

For more general audiences, China in Plain English is a way to show that travel in China is totally possible, even with very little knowledge of the language.

China in Plain English is an 11-episode series, with each episode lasting 3-4 minutes. The episodes will be released weekly beginning in January 2017. Be sure to check back each week for the latest episode!

Episodes in the China in Plain English Series

  • Howie Southworth (right ) and Greg Matza enter a massage parlor.
    series

    Dancing with Fire, Part Two

    In the last episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza continue their exploration of health and wellness in China.
  • Howie Southworth and Greg Matza participate in park dancing.
    series

    Dancing with Fire, Part One

    In the tenth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza continue their exploration of health and wellness in China.
  • A monk at a temple.
    series

    Mummies

    In the ninth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza seek mummies.
  • Howie Southworth meets Mr. Wang (but not *the* Mr. Wang).
    series

    Mr. Wang's Neighborhood, Part Three

    In the eighth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza visit the Wang Family Compound in the ancient city of Ping Yao.
  • Howie Southworth (left) and Greg Matza ride through Ping Yao.
    series

    Mr. Wang's Neighborhood, Part Two

    In the seventh episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza visit the ancient city of Ping Yao, founded in the 14th century.
  • Howie Southworth gets recommendations from a fellow tourist on where to go next.
    series

    Mr. Wang's Neighborhood, Part One

    In the sixth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza visit the Forbidden City and get recommendations for where to go next.
  • Howie Southworth (left) and Greg Matza drink the broth from bowls of soup.
    series

    A Big Bowl of China, Part Three

    In the fifth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza continue their tour of China through food.
  • Howie Southworth (left) and Greg Matza ask for recommendations for Chinese food.
    series

    A Big Bowl of China, Part Two

    In the fourth episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza continue their tour through Chinese cuisine.
  • Howie Southworth (left) and Greg Matza eating Chinese food.
    series

    A Big Bowl of China, Part One

    In the third episode of the 11-episode China in Plain English series, Howie Southworth and Greg Matza tour China through its diverse and delicious cuisine.
  • Greg Matza talks to a woman about visiting an older part of the Great Wall.
    series

    The Great Where of China? Part Two

    This 11-episode series follows Howie Southworth and Greg Matza as they make their way through China—but neither of them speaks Mandarin. In this second episode, Howie and Greg attempt to visit an older part of the Great Wall of China.

Connect With Us

China Learning Initiatives
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
t: 212-327-9260
chinese@asiasociety.org

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