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0Welcome back to Part 2 of our special episode on learning Chinese with AI! Daisy continues her conversation with Max (the German student who went from HSK 1 to recording a podcast in 9 months) and Xiao Laoshi (his teacher and founder of Chinese Surfing).
In this episode, we dive into the big question: Can AI replace Chinese teachers? Max shares a thought-provoking point — AI doesn’t make you “take responsibility.” Xiao Laoshi explains what AI can and cannot replace, and why real human interaction is irreplaceable when learning a language.
Max also asks Xiao Laoshi two interesting questions:
If DeepSeek wanted to add a new feature for Chinese learners, what should it be?
Are standard textbooks (like HSK official materials) boring and outdated?
Plus, Daisy shares some good news: our previous episode got more listens than ever — thank you, to our dear friends and listeners!
If you’re interested in an intensive class in Hangzhou, a summer camp in Hangzhou, or HSK preparation in Hangzhou, Chinese Surfing is right here in Hangzhou!
🎧 Timestamps & Key Takeaways (approximate)
00:00 – Opening & Good News
Daisy shares that Part 1 received more listens than expected. Thank you to everyone who listened, liked, and shared! Also a big thank you to Max and Xiao Laoshi.
00:30 – Recap of Part 1 & Introduction to Part 2
Quick recap: Max’s three AI methods, AI’s “hallucinations,” and the importance of prompts. Now we move to the big question: Can AI replace teachers?
01:40 – Max Summarizes: AI Is a Tool, Not the Only Tool
Max says AI is useful, but it’s not the only tool. Learning with real teachers (like Xiao Laoshi and other Chinese Surfing teachers) is more important than using AI. He also mentions that AI doesn’t know his learning history, but his teacher does.
📖 Keywords:
工具 (gōngjù) – tool
唯一 (wéiyī) – only
历史 (lìshǐ) – history
04:00 – Xiao Laoshi: Can AI Replace Chinese Teachers?
Xiao Laoshi breaks it down:
What AI can replace: Delivering knowledge, explaining background, history, and stories.
What AI cannot replace: Real communication with Chinese people. Language is a tool, but behind language are people. Every Chinese person is different. You need to know when to say what to build a better relationship.
AI only answers when you ask. It doesn’t continue the conversation or give you reactions like a real teacher does.
📖 Keywords:
取代 (qǔdài) – replace
知识 (zhīshi) – knowledge
交流 (jiāoliú) – communicate
关系 (guānxì) – relationship
反应 (fǎnyìng) – reaction
08:20 – Max: AI Doesn’t Make You Take Responsibility
Max shares a key insight: If he has a meeting with ChatGPT, he doesn’t feel he must attend. But if he has a meeting with Xiao Laoshi, he is 800% sure to attend. AI doesn’t give you that sense of responsibility. Real teachers do.
📖 Keywords:
承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn) – take responsibility
责任感 (zérèngǎn) – sense of responsibility
11:00 – Max’s Question 1: What New Feature Should DeepSeek Add?
Max asks: If DeepSeek wanted to add a new feature to help Chinese learners, what should it be? Xiao Laoshi suggests a “foreign language learning mode” — where the AI knows you’re a learner, adjusts its language to your level, and gives answers based on your input (speed, pronunciation, errors). She also mentions that DeepSeek currently has three modes: quick answer, expert mode, and image mode. She wishes for a mode that combines image + text, so learners can choose what suits them best.
📖 Keywords:
模式 (móshì) – mode
功能 (gōngnéng) – feature
水平 (shuǐpíng) – level
适合 (shìhé) – suit
13:50 – Max’s Question 2: Are Standard Textbooks Boring?
Max points out that many schools use the same standard textbooks (like HSK official materials). He asks: Don’t you find it boring to teach the same stories again and again? Xiao Laoshi agrees — both students and teachers can find the materials boring. Textbooks are written long in advance, and language changes quickly. Sometimes the materials aren’t even that useful for teaching specific vocabulary or grammar. But now with AI, teachers can create better, more suitable materials for each student’s level and needs.
📖 Keywords:
教材 (jiàocái) – textbook
无聊 (wúliáo) – boring
标准 (biāozhǔn) – standard
复杂 (fùzá) – complex
麻烦 (máfan) – troublesome
20:00 – Conclusion: AI Is a Tool, But People Are at the Heart of Language
Daisy wraps up: AI is a useful tool, but not the only tool. Learning with teachers and real people is more important. Through Chinese, through language, we can meet more people, learn more, and become better versions of ourselves. Max and Xiao Laoshi agree. Xiao Laoshi also shares a touching thought: she feels lucky to be on this journey with Max, exploring what AI can do for Chinese learning together.
📖 Useful Vocabulary from this episode (by HSK Level)
HSK 3
无聊 (wúliáo) – boring
麻烦 (máfan) – troublesome
HSK 4
工具 (gōngjù) – tool
模式 (móshì) – mode
教材 (jiàocái) – textbook
知识 (zhīshi) – knowledge
交流 (jiāoliú) – communicate
关系 (guānxì) – relationship
适合 (shìhé) – suit
复杂 (fùzá) – complex
HSK 5
取代 (qǔdài) – replace
标准 (biāozhǔn) – standard
功能 (gōngnéng) – feature
反应 (fǎnyìng) – reaction
官方 (guānfāng) – official
HSK 6+
承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn) – take responsibility
责任感 (zérèngǎn) – sense of responsibility
唯一 (wéiyī) – only
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you ever used AI to learn Chinese? What’s the most effective way you’ve found?
Have you ever felt that AI lacks a “sense of responsibility” compared to a real teacher?
Do you think standard textbooks are boring? How can AI help?
Share your stories in the comments!
📩 Learn Chinese with Chinese Surfing
Interested in intensive class in Hangzhou, summer camp in Hangzhou, or HSK preparation in Hangzhou? Chinese Surfing is right here in Hangzhou!
📧 Email: info@chinese-surfing.com
💬 WeChat: Chinesesurfing2
Follow us:
Instagram & Xiaohongshu: Chinese Surfing
🎁 Free learning materials: 👉 www.chinese-surfing.com
📜 Want the full PDF script of this episode?
📧 Email: daisy@chinese-surfing.com
Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this two-part series, please share it with a friend who’s learning Chinese. See you next time!
