The Chinese Voices Projectis a large collection of short mini-essays written in a simple, accessible style about life in modern Beijing. Each essay has an English introduction and is accompanied by an MP3 audio recording, so you can listen along as you read (or read along as you listen!).

Topics range from social issues to current events, from family dramas to workplace woes. You'll find essays on blogging, AIDS, celebrities, marriage, migrant labor, prostitution, computer viruses, bicycle theft, Hillary Clinton's presidential candidacy, and many more.

Needless to say, you can read all the essays and study the vocabulary they contain with the help of the Clavis Sinica software!

Once you've made your way through a piece you like, be sure to post your reactions (or questions) on this forum so we can compare notes about the essays.

--David

This is a brilliant project. Absolutely brilliant. And how interesting! Thank you so much!
EM

Glad you're finding it useful, EM. Please feel free to start new discussion threads on the CVP essays that interest you most!

--David

Thanks - I will.

I was thinking - what a clever way to establish vocabulary around a topic. I listened to several, the one I am thinking of at the momeht was the one on Buddhsim. Within it was not only interesting discussion content, but also a basic vocabulary. I am not a Chinese teacher, but if I were, I would love assigning these for classes!

You guys had a great idea!
Thanks so much -
EM