EP2. Understand numbers (听懂英文中有关数字的描述)

If you're not familiar with numbers, you might end up SPENDING MORE, especially when buying a house. This episode explains the differences in how numbers are described in Chinese and English. It helps you understand numbers better, so that you can avoid making “expensive mistakes”.

English learner, Vanessa (left) and the show host, Dory (right).

Describing numbers are very different in Chinese and English, which is why many Mandarin speakers find it hard to speak, listen to, and understand numbers.

As Vanessa begins looking for a house, she faces a challenge. Because she wasn't very good at talking about numbers, she gave her real estate agent the wrong price offer that was way beyond her budget.

Dory Wang

Vanessa with Sam Maley, a real estate agent who has years of experience working with Mandarin-speaking clients.

In this episode, with Sam Maley, a real estate agent who has years of experience working with Mandarin-speaking clients, we help Vanessa learn:

• The differences in how numbers are described in Chinese and English.
• How to improve English listening skills for better understanding numbers.

^Credits:

^{Sound design and music composition: Bowei Zhu, Yuqi Huang}

This podcast helps Mandarin-speaking immigrants in Australia understand the English language better and feel more motivated to learn. Find previous episodes in the eight-part series your podcast app, such as the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Pocket Cast.

Watch Is English hard? No! on YouTube.

Visit SBS Learn English for more English learning material.