Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Mad Dogs and English Teachers

Re-watching the 1969 British classic Kes got Chris and Rob thinking about their own school days in the 1970s and 80s—and just how wildly unhinged education felt back then compared to the international classrooms they teach in today.

From bizarre uniform requirements to classroom discipline that would never fly in the modern era, the lads take a nostalgic, laugh-out-loud trip down memory lane.

In this episode:

• Uniform Shock: Rob’s transition from sunny Rhodesia/Zimbabwe to the north of England, braving the winter chill in shorts, woolly socks, garters, and sandals.

• Spare the Rod?: The days of corporal punishment—from getting caned over a destroyed paper-plane hoop and slipperings to an eye-opening encounter with a pool cue in South Korea.

• Classroom Politics: Left-wing schooling, trade-unionist dads, and reading Animal Farm and 1984 in primary school.

• Teachers of Another Era: The sideburn-twisting biology teacher known as the "Dungeon Master," the ex-boxer art teacher threatening students with steel-capped boots, and why an entire cohort of teenage boys suddenly took up Home Economics.

• Playground Lore: The lost art of the scheduled after-school scrap, the sheer social disaster of having parents who banned television, and sneaking off to the local pub during sixth form lunch breaks.

Get in touch:

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

• Facebook: Search Mad Dogs and English Teachers

If you enjoyed the show, please share this episode on Spotify—it helps more than you know!

From breathtaking summer steppes to winter air so thick with coal smoke you can taste it—what happens when teaching overseas means taking on the local climate at its absolute worst?

This week, Chris and Rob tackle a letter from Dominic, an expat teacher in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who loves the country but dreads the onset of toxic winter smog. That kicks off a whirlwind tour of the extreme climates, bizarre weather, and questionable domestic heating setups the lads have survived over the years.

In this episode:

• Steppe by Steppe: Rob reminisces about crossing Mongolia on a vintage Soviet motorcycle and yurt-hopping through the wilderness.

• Communal Radiators & Heated Drains: Surviving sub-zero winters in Kazakhstan and Hungary, where central heating switches on by calendar date rather than temperature.

• The Smog Index: Comparing the yellow diesel haze of Yangon, gray high-rise fog in Southern China, and the nostalgic soot of industrial Britain.

• Nature Strikes Back: Surviving a Biblical sandstorm in Jordan that turned the world beige, tropical typhoons in the Philippines blowing whole wardrobes away, and Hungarian hail the size of prized marbles.

• Expat Home Comforts: British cold-bedroom traditions, the horror of carpeted toilets, and Chris’s ultimate defense against toxic air: the high-powered nasal brine blast.

Have you survived a winter in Ulaanbaatar or weathered freak storms in your corner of the globe? Drop us your survival tips!

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

What happens when you blag your way through an interview at an elite international school, only to find yourself completely drowning in ManageBac, 8-point rubrics, and learner profiles? In this episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Robin tackle an urgent SOS email from a listener facing professional ruin in Casablanca after jumping from Cambridge into the deep end of the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Join the hosts for a candid, humorous breakdown of what it’s really like navigating international curricula while teaching abroad:

• The Casablanca Dilemma: Surviving the jump from structured Cambridge/NCEA to the buzzword-heavy world of PYP, MYP, and statements of inquiry.

• Cambridge vs. IB: Comparing rigid exam specifications and resits against ongoing holistic assessments and evidence portfolios.

• Teaching EAL & IELTS Overseas: Helping students bridge the gap between English as a school subject and English as a functional communication tool (plus why making up stories on speaking tests is an essential skill).

• Curriculum Culture Shock: Lessons from teaching Canadian provincial frameworks, First Nations poetry, and navigating Orwellian themes in autocracies.

• The "Fake It Till You Make It" Verdict: Honest advice on when to confess to your supervisor and how to dig yourself out of the rubric rabbit hole.

Stick around to the very end for an exclusive original track: "Blagged My Way to Casablanca."

Get in Touch:

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

AI. It's not just a greeting where Rob comes from; it'ssomething that is changing the whole world, and the classroom is no exception.

This week on Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Rob dive into the brave new world of Artificial Intelligence in the overseas classroom. We look at how we’re actually using AI in our day-to-day teaching, the good and bad of its impact on our students, and how to use these tools to spark real critical thinking rather than letting algorithms do all the heavy lifting. Plus, we gaze into our slightly blurry crystal ball to ask: what does the future of learning look like, and how do we prepare our students to thrive in it?

Grab a cuppa, hit play, and join the conversation!

In this episode, we chat about:

• How we're using AI behind the desk (and where it saves our sanity)

• Getting students to use AI to engage their brains, not replace them

• Practical strategies to future-proof classroom skills

• What the next few years might hold for international educators

Got a one-way ticket in your hand and a massive case of imposter syndrome setting in? You're not alone.

This week on Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Robin answer an SOS email from listener Daniel as he packs his bags for his first international teaching post in Kuala Lumpur. From surviving endless induction PowerPoints and navigating staffroom cliques to avoiding drunken catastrophes at early socials, the boys share their essential dos and don'ts for new international hires.

Plus, stick around for another instalment of Strange Encounters, featuring a globetrotting, landmine-sniffing giant rat named Doris.

📧 Got a question or story? Email us at maddogsandenglishteachers.proton.me or find us on Facebook!

In this milestone 20th episode, Chris and Rob celebrate reaching their "porcelain anniversary" of podcasting. They look back on their journey since launching in February, reflect on returning to school for the new academic year, discuss the evolving role of AI in education, and outline where they want to take the show next.

• Milestone Celebration: The hosts mark Episode 20 with their signature theme song and ponder the correct term for a 20th anniversary (settling on duodeca with a nod to math).

• Back to School & AI Policies: Rob shares his experience returning to school for staff orientation days. He highlights his school's new legal-style AI policies regarding student privacy, data gathering, and using AI tools like ManageBac to create student avatars (or turning them into "Muppets").

• Privacy & AI Conversations: Chris and Rob discuss the boundaries of AI, questioning data security and how comfortable teachers should be when sharing classroom details or personal thoughts with AI voice assistants.

• Reflections on Summer & International Teaching:

  • Rob reflects on catching up with colleagues who traveled to Spain, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Philippines during the summer break.

  • Chris shares his quieter summer spent mostly in China, with short trips to Mandalay and Phuket.

  • The hosts chat about the challenges of traveling in Southeast Asia during rainy season and why Christmas remains the best time to explore the region.

• Filipino Musical Talent: Rob and Chris celebrate the incredible musicality of Filipino teachers and expats, noting how Filipino bands and musicians dominate live music venues across Asia.

• The Future of the Podcast:

  • Community Engagement: The hosts express gratitude to listeners who have followed them from the start and invited feedback and guest inquiries from fellow overseas educators.

  • Call for Anecdotes: Rob introduces a new call-out for listeners to submit crazy, hilarious, or unusual teaching/travel anecdotes (promising to share his own "submarines and walruses" story in a future episode).

• Facebook: Search for Mad Dogs and English Teachers

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Key Discussion PointsContact & Listener Submissions

Back to School Dread, Body Clocks & Cairo Heat

Summer is almost over, and the dreaded "back to school" blues are officially creeping in!

This week on Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Rob tackle the universal plight of educators everywhere: trading tropical freedom for lesson plans, admin meetings, and alarm clocks.

Rob is counting down the days until his return—complete with online PD webinars, classroom setups, and the looming terror of "Meet the Parents." Meanwhile, Chris is insufferably gloating with two full weeks of holiday still left on his clock.

In this episode, we cover:

• Listener Mail: Sarah writes in from Cairo about loving her job teaching secondary English while simultaneously dreading the end-of-summer transition.

• The Body Clock Reset: Rob’s high-stakes strategy to stop going to bed at 2:00 AM before school starts.

• School Admin Chaos: The endless maze of Viber, WhatsApp, and Google Chat that every international school seems to weave.

• Classroom Realities: The pros and cons of small class sizes, Saturday make-up days, and returning from vacation jet-lagged.

Whether you're currently packing your school bag or clinging to every last second of summer, grab a cup of coffee and laugh off the existential dread with us!

Have a back-to-school nightmare or a question for the gents?

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Get in Touch with the Show!

In this episode, Chris and Rob respond to an emotional listener email from John—a teacher who recently returned to quiet, expensive suburban Canada after two incredible years teaching in Thailand.

Is going home ever as good as you remember, or does living abroad change you forever?

• The "Homecoming Slump": Why returning to your home country often feels jarring, mundane, and alienating.

• The Cost of Living Shock: From £6 pints and $9 bus rides to the astronomical price of groceries back home compared to Southeast Asia.

• Why Nobody Cares About Your Stories: The awkward reality when friends and family glaze over your expat adventures to talk about house mortgages, conservatories, and new curtains.

• Car Culture vs. Expat Freedom: Ditching the car dependency and dealing with the sterile predictability of suburban life.

• How to Cope: Real advice on navigating the "decompression chamber" and deciding whether to stick it out or buy a one-way ticket back overseas.

• Facebook: Search for Mad Dogs and English Teachers

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

What We Cover in This Episode:Connect With Us:

The boys are back in Burma! After a year away from Myanmar, Chris flies in from China to reunite with Rob in the stunning, rural setting of Mandalay. Recording in a roof-top bar overlooking paddy fields and distant mountains, the duo contrasts the upbeat, effervescent local culture with the tech-obsessed, screen-staring realities of modern school life.

There is a very strange interlude in this one, where they turned up the music in the bar that we were recording in and we had to find somewhere else. The music was really loud, but our mics didn't pick it up. The result is that we sound slightly insane.

The holidays have finally begun, and Rob is officially in full standby mode! In this episode, Chris and Rob look back at how a trip to the 2002 World Cup completely changed the game and kicked off a massive teaching adventure in South Korea.

From the electric energy of 1.5 million football fans flooding the streets of Seoul to navigating life in a smaller historic town where nobody spoke a word of English, the guys dive deep into the ultimate culture shock. They reminisce about the early days of teaching before Google Translate existed (cue the heavy miming!), getting treated like local celebrities, and the glorious, bottomless world of Korean barbecue and side dishes. Plus, find out why four-year degrees in "air hostessing" are a thing, and why you might just get gifted 48 cans of Spam during the holidays.

Grab a cold drink, kick back, and join the map-less journey!

In this very special, light-hearted episode, Chris and Rob are joined by a legendary guest of honor—Rob’s mom! For the first time, we get a parent’s perspective on what it’s really like when your children pack up and move across the world. From the initial worries of sending her kids abroad to becoming an international traveler herself, she shares her heartwarming and candid reflections on her children’s global adventures. Plus, she doesn't hold back on reminding Rob about some of his most infamous overseas "mishaps."

• The Parent’s Perspective: The initial shock, worry, and ultimate pride of watching your children move overseas.

• The Travel Bug is Catching: How having children abroad inspired Rob's mom to travel to places she never expected, including Azerbaijan, South Korea, Brunei, and volunteering in Africa.

• Overseas Mishaps: A trip down memory lane regarding some of Rob’s less-than-ideal adventures (including that infamous Ukraine incident).

• Cultural Differences: Comparing life, behavior, and school disciplines between the UK, South Korea, Myanmar, and China.

• Golden Advice: Her inspiring words of wisdom for any parent whose child is about to move to a country they’ve never heard of.

“Do lots of lovely, wonderful stuff, but be cautious... Just go for it. Enjoy it.”

• Facebook: Search for "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Cruising from the Pitch to the Classroom with Aaron Leaver

With the World Cup finally kicked off, Chris and Rob are diving into that strange, post-exam twilight zone of the school year—you know, the two weeks where there's nothing left to do but we all still have to show up!

But the real treat this week is our very first guest, Aaron Leaver. Aaron didn't take the traditional path into overseas teaching. He breaks down his incredible 12-year journey as a football coach, sharing what it’s really like to scout for Valencia CF in India, work with European giants like Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur, and navigate the sheer madness of moving to Beijing right in the middle of pandemic restrictions.

We chat about the massive culture shocks of teaching PE online, the hilarious contrast between the "joked-around" persona of a locker room coach versus the decorum of an international school, and we put Aaron in the hot seat with some rapid-fire questions.

Plus, Rob and Aaron bond over their shared love for field hockey (or tarmac hockey, depending on your surface), and Chris successfully avoids talking about football for as long as humanly possible.

Connect with the Show:

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Next week: Rob's mum, Elizabeth Alderton, joins the show to discuss the parent's perspective of raising kids who live halfway across the world!

Episode 13: The Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Are long terms wearing you down, or are you just desperately counting down the days until the final school bell rings?

This week on Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Rob are diving headfirst into the chaotic "limbo period" of the international school year. As exam season winds down, they navigate the bizarre world of shifting schedules, lunar calendars, and the absolute headache that is the mysterious "Lent Day Debacle".

Plus, the guys get real about the highs and lows of global travel. From the exhausting stress of airport connections to the post-Brexit visa struggles (thanks, Boris!), they debate whether the grass is actually greener overseas—or if it's just a different shade of tropical sun.

In this episode:

• Exam Limbo: Late-night IGCSEs and managing "unruly" students post-finals.

• The Travel Fatigue: Why sometimes a staycation sounds better than another flight.

• The Great Country Count: Rob totals up his staggering list of 91 visited countries.

• Blast from the Past: A lesson in simple math courtesy of some frustrating "chuffin' pigeons".

Grab a cold beer, kick back, and join the conversation about what it's really like to live and teach overseas!

Connect with us:

• 👥 Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• 📧 Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Don't forget to follow and leave us a review if you enjoy the banter!

Join Chris and Rob for another lighthearted look at the trials and tribulations of teaching overseas. This week, the boys are diving deep into the school year's finish line and the looming robotic takeover of the classroom.

• The Participation Award Debate: Rob is drowning in a sea of "Phoenix" and "Excelsior" certificates so that every student gets a prize, prompting a chat about whether everyone really deserves a trophy.

• Teachers vs. AI: From grading essays in two minutes flat to planning history lessons on the Blitz, discover how Chris and Rob are using AI to slash their workloads—and whether it makes them massive hypocrites.

• The Next Generation of Cheating: Chris catches students using suspiciously fancy vocabulary, while Rob details a 10-year-old who effortlessly generated an entire podcast script using AI.

• University Confessions: The guys look back at their own hilarious university hacks, including Rob's infamous "white font" word count trick and a legendary story of a student accidentally plagiarizing a professor's own book.

• Strange Encounters: Rob kicks off a brand new segment by explaining how he accidentally punched a bat in the face mid-air.

• Face-to-Face Summer: Chris shares his plans to head over to Myanmar this July for a long-awaited, in-person podcast meetup.

• Facebook: Search for Mad Dogs and English Teachers

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Are you a "tired teacher" in the UK exhausted by the relentless cycle of "new" educational strategies that feel like the same old ideas in a shiny new wrapper? You aren't alone.

This week on Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Rob dive into a listener email that strikes a chord with educators everywhere: the feeling that professional development has become a game of "snake oil" pedagogy. We discuss whether moving to an international school actually solves the problem or if "initiative fatigue" is a global phenomenon.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Innovation Cycle: Why so many educational "revolutions" are just foundational theories with a new price tag.

• School Accreditation: Rob breaks down the process of getting accredited by the Consortium of International Schools (CIS) in Burma and the "hoops" teachers have to jump through.

• Teacher Appraisals & Portfolios: The reality of proving your worth through paperwork and "portfolios of evidence."

• AI in the Classroom: How we are using tools like Gemini to streamline end-of-year reports and why prompt engineering might be the next big skill for teachers.

Whether you're teaching in the Midlands or Mandalay, join us for a light-hearted look at the trials and tribulations of life in the staffroom.

Connect with the show:

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

Don't forget to follow us on Spotify and leave a review if you're enjoying the pod!

In this episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers, hosts Chris and Robin dive into the complexities of living and teaching in Myanmar (Burma). The conversation strikes a balance between the lighthearted tone the show is known for and the more cynical realities of working in a region currently facing significant political unrest.

• The Naming Debate: Robin and Chris discuss the linguistic and political nuances behind the names Burma and Myanmar, noting how locals often prefer the former despite official changes.

• Listener Mail from Halifax: The hosts address an email from Heather, a teacher in Halifax, Canada, who has been offered a position in Myanmar but is terrified by international headlines.

• Boots on the Ground Reality: Robin provides a first-hand account from Mandalay, describing a "frozen in time" atmosphere where, despite the presence of soldiers and roadblocks, daily life remains surprisingly "chill" for expats.

• The Healthcare Hurdle: Chris reflects on his own time in the country with his family, explaining that the primary reason for his departure was the "dearth of healthcare" rather than direct safety concerns.

• The Ethics of Education: A candid discussion on the morality of teaching children of the ruling elite, with the hosts arguing that all children deserve an education regardless of their background.

• The Nightclub Lock-in: A look at the unique social scene created by strict curfews, where going out for the night often means being stuck in a venue until the early morning hours.

"Whatever is going on in the country, it is not the fault of the children you are teaching, and they deserve the best chance they can have."

The episode concludes with a word of encouragement for Heather: while the environment is vastly different from the quiet predictability of Halifax, the professional and personal rewards of teaching in Myanmar often outweigh the risks portrayed in the news.

In this episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers, hosts Chris and Rob dive deep into the often-stressful world of medical emergencies while living and teaching overseas. From high-tech surgeries in China to "field-style" repairs in Korea, the boys share personal stories that highlight the critical importance of having the right health insurance before you pack your bags.

• Chris’s Big Week in China: Chris recounts his daughter’s recent 10-hour surgery to correct a 47-degree spinal curvature caused by Scoliosis. He discusses the incredible technology used in the Chinese medical system—including "spider-looking robots"—and why the family chose to have the procedure done in China rather than returning to the UK.

• The "Seven-Star" Hospital: Rob shares a story from his time in Brunei, where his infant son was treated in a hospital so luxurious it felt more like a palace than a medical facility.

• The "Piece of Leather" Story: On the flip side, Rob tells the harrowing tale of a motorcycle accident in South Korea where, without insurance, he faced an excruciating elbow repositioning with only a piece of leather to bite on for the pain.

• The Ukraine Cliffhanger: In perhaps his most dramatic story, Rob describes falling off a cliff in Ukraine while trying to take a selfie, resulting in two broken heels and a month-long stay in a military hospital staffed by landmine-injury specialists.

• The Insurance Deep Dive: Don't just take your employer's word for it. Research your policy, understand your "excess" (deductibles), and read real-world reviews on forums like Reddit to see how insurance companies actually handle claims.

• The "Bite the Bullet" Decision: Sometimes the best care isn't back home. Chris and Rob discuss the pros and cons of staying in your host country versus returning home for major procedures.

• Rob's Golden Rule: "Don’t fall off cliffs".

Have a crazy medical story from your time teaching abroad? We want to hear it!

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

In this episode, Chris and Rob dive deep into what it’s really like teaching and living in China after years spent in Southeast Asia. From the high-tech streets of Guangdong to the ancient history of Beijing, the duo compares the "Middle Kingdom" to the more relaxed—but often more challenging—lifestyle of Myanmar and Vietnam.

The conversation takes a serious turn as Chris discusses the primary driver for his move: international healthcare. He shares his personal experience navigating major medical procedures for his family and how the Chinese insurance system compares to the "atrocious" healthcare landscape in Myanmar.

The boys also tackle the "Nanny State" reputation, the reality of surveillance, the total disappearance of cash in favor of WeChat and Alipay, and why you should never leave a tip at a restaurant in China. Whether you are an expat, a TEFL teacher, or just curious about life behind the Great Firewall, this episode offers a candid, light-hearted look at the pros and cons of life in modern China.

• Healthcare & Insurance: Why the move to China was a "medical necessity" and the stark contrast in quality of care between China and Myanmar.

• Safety & Surveillance: Debunking the "Big Brother" myths and discussing why China feels like one of the safest places to live.

• The Cashless Revolution: The high-stakes reality of living in a society where your entire life—and wallet—is on your smartphone.

• Expats & Social Life: Finding community on balconies in Guangdong and the vibrant, cosmopolitan energy of Beijing.

• Cultural Faux Pas: Understanding tipping etiquette and why trying to be generous can actually be offensive.

• The Food Reality: Moving beyond UK takeaway standards to "hot pot," chicken feet, and the diverse regional flavors of authentic Chinese cuisine.

Follow the journey:Find us on Facebook by searching "Mad Dogs and English Teachers" or reach out via email at maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me.

Listen now on Spotify!

Key Topics Covered:

This episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers takes us on a journey through the "Stans" as Rob shares his lighthearted (and often frozen) experiences living and teaching in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

From the sweltering heat of Mandalay to the humid soup of Southern China, hosts Chris and Rob catch up after a short break to dive deep into the realities of life in Central Asia. Rob recounts his time working for the prestigious Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, where he unexpectedly found himself teaching French—despite only having a few months of intense self-study under his belt.

• Weather Extremes: Surviving the brutal -40°C winters of Astana and the blistering +40°C summers.

• The Teaching Hustle: What it’s like working at elite presidential schools and the surprising demand for non-native language teachers.

• Life on the Ground: Navigating the 23-hour train rides, the convenience of Yandex, and the incredibly low cost of living.

• Central Asian Hospitality: From "Flintstone-sized" steaks to the delicious local Plov, we explore the food and culture that make these countries unique.

Whether you’re an adventurous educator looking for your next post or just here for the "Fred Flintstone" steak stories, this episode is packed with insights on one of the world's most fascinating teaching destinations.

Connect with us:

• Facebook: Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

What are your thoughts on teaching in a place where the temperature can swing 80 degrees?

In this episode, we discuss:

Episode 6: The Tax-Free Life—Teaching in Brunei

In this episode, Chris and Rob dive deep into their shared history of teaching in the Sultanate of Brunei. From the "tax-free" dream to the reality of living under Sharia law, the boys break down what it’s actually like to live in the "Abode of Peace".

• The Brunei Deep-Dive: Chris shares his experience of seven years in the country, while Rob reflects on his two-year stint.

• Show Me the Money: A look at the incredible financial perks—high salaries, zero income tax, and housing allowances that basically let you pocket the difference.

• The Social Scene: Since pubs are scarce, we discuss the "garden party" culture and the legendary Hash House Harriers (a drinking club with a running problem).

• The Sharia Law Shift: How the implementation of Sharia law changed the expat landscape and why the reality was far less "harsh" than the headlines suggested.

• Logistics & Life: Navigating the "non-halal" section of the supermarket, obtaining an allowance of supplies across the Malaysian border, and why your passport will fill up with stamps faster than you can blink.

Whether you’re curious about the oil-rich lifestyle or just want to hear about "Chinese Tony" the beer-delivering milkman, this episode is packed with the trials and tribulations of life overseas.

Connect with us:

• Facebook: Search for "Mad Dogs and English Teachers".

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me.

This episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers takes a deep dive into the culinary highs and lows of living and teaching overseas. From the "hidden wheat" of Southeast Asia to the "dinosaur steaks" of Central Asia, Chris and Rob explore how our stomachs often dictate our expat experiences.

• Rain and Ramadan: Rob reports on the first rain in Myanmar since November, while the duo reminisces about the unique "waiting for the moon" tradition of Hari Raya in Brunei.

• The Gluten-Free SOS: We dip into the mailbag to hear from Becca in Laos, a gluten-intolerant teacher struggling to navigate a country that loves French baguettes and "stealth wheat".

• The Global Meat Tour: Chris and Rob share their most intense carnivorous memories, including:

  • Kazakhstan: Eating like a "Fred Flintstone dinosaur" in "Soviet Texas".

  • Bulgaria: The challenges of being a vegetarian in a meat-heavy culture.

  • Mongolia: A graphic and "crunchy" account of eating a sheep’s eyeball in a traditional yurt.

• Cultural Traditions: A look at the Hungarian Disznóvág (pig slaughtering) traditionand the vibrant Maasai cattle markets of Tanzania.

• Takeaway Truths: A nostalgic look back at the "blocks" of curry sauce in British Chinese takeaways versus the authentic—and sometimes startling—realities of chicken feet in China and Korea.

"I’m officially the teacher who was defeated by a menu." — Becca, writing from Laos

Connect with the Mad Dogs:

• Facebook: Search for "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

Join hosts Chris and Rob for a lighthearted, authentic look at the highs and lows of living and teaching overseas. Whether you're navigating the classroom in Vietnam, surviving the air pollution in Myanmar, or dodging bureaucratic hurdles in Hungary, this podcast is your companion for the global expat journey.

In each episode, we dive into the real-life "trials and tribulations" that come with the territory. From the comedy of errors in learning a new language to the head-scratching moments of international administration, we share the stories that only a teacher abroad can truly appreciate.

• Linguistic Pitfalls & Comedic Misunderstandings: Hear hilarious stories about the challenges of navigating daily life—from ordering a Fanta to asking for toilet paper—when you don't speak the local language.

• The Bureaucracy Battle: We explore the "administrative language" barrier, including the unique requirements for getting married in Vietnam and the struggle for address cards in Budapest.

• Cultural Immersion & Identity: What it's like to be "the foreigner" in local communities, from being called "David Beckham" in Korea to being "Kaka-shka man" in Azerbaijan.

• The Tech Gap: Why teaching literature to digital natives is getting harder and how modern translation apps are changing the expat experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned TEFL teacher, a prospective digital nomad, or just someone who loves a good travel mishap story, Mad Dogs and English Teachers offers the grounded, supportive, and witty perspective you need.

In our latest episode, we discuss:

This third episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers is the perfect listen for anyone considering a leap into international education. Hosts Chris and Rob tackle the "jitters" of moving abroad while highlighting why the pros far outweigh the cons.

• Addressing Sam’s Indonesia Jitters: The hosts respond to a listener’s concerns about moving to Indonesia, offering a grounded and positive perspective on what to actually expect.

• The Work-Life Balance Myth: Discover why teaching overseas often offers a superior lifestyle compared to the UK, featuring smaller class sizes (some as small as 8 students!) and less administrative burnout.

• The Global Classroom: Insights into teaching in diverse locations like Myanmar, China, South Korea, and Vietnam, and why students in these regions often show a higher level of respect and appreciation for education.

• Travel & Adventure: Hear how teaching abroad has allowed the hosts to visit over 90 countries, exploring everywhere from Ethiopia to the Gili Islands during school breaks.

• The "Beer & Burger" Index: A look at the incredible financial benefits of living in SE Asia, where a night out or a weekly grocery haul costs a fraction of what it does back home.

• Cultural Immersion: The joy of local markets, learning new languages (like Korean), and forging lifelong friendships in unexpected places like the "Cozy Corner" bar.

"If you don't like it, you can always leave—but once you experience the freedom and the lifestyle of teaching overseas, you probably won't want to." — Rob

Episode Highlights

Episode 2: The Recruiter's Toolkit – Navigating the Wild West of International Teaching

Thinking about packing your bags and teaching English abroad? In this episode of Mad Dogs and English Teachers, Chris and Robin dive deep into the murky waters of international recruitment. Whether you're a seasoned expat or a first-timer, this guide is essential for navigating the hurdles of global teaching placements.

• The Recruiter Relationship: Why finding a "gold" recruiter can change your career and the importance of building a personal rapport.

• Red Flags to Watch For: If they’re asking for upfront fees or charging for job fairs, run for the hills.

• Essential Online Resources: Re-evaluating Dave’s ESL Cafe and the Times Educational Supplement (TES) for modern job hunters.

• Logistical Landmines:

  • Housing in Myanmar: Navigating the custom of paying six months of rent in advance.

  • Visa Nightmares in China: Why you should never laminate your degree and how to handle extreme bureaucratic queues.

  • The Paperwork Path: Understanding DBS vs. ACRO and why you need an up-to-date criminal background check for every country you've lived in.

• Listener Mailbag: We tackle a "visa crisis" from Brenda in Buenos Aires after her agency pulled a vanishing act mid-contract.

• Expat Anecdotes: Real talk on navigating local "customs" (and occasional corruption) in Zimbabwe, Hungary, and Vietnam.

Don’t get stranded! Tune in for our best advice on vetting agencies and securing your next international gig with confidence.

Have a teaching story (good or bad) to share? Email us at maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me or find us on Facebook at "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"!

What We Cover in This Episode:

👋 Welcome to the Mad Dogs and English Teachers Podcast!

Join Chris and Rob as they dive into the trials, tribulations, and hilarious highlights of teaching and living overseas. From the bustling streets of Myanmar 🇲🇲 to the tower blocks of China 🇨🇳, our hosts share their firsthand experiences navigating the complexities of international education.

In this episode, we're discussing:

• Week Without Walls & Field Trips 🧗‍♀️: Rob shares his experiences taking students out for a week of adventure, including a trash collection competition in Mandalay. ♻️

• The Expat Life 🌏: Chris and Rob reflect on the differences between life in Southeast Asia and China, including the efficiency of Chinese cities and the occasional earthquake. 🏠

• Listener Mailbag 📬: We answer letters from teachers considering making the leap overseas! We discuss trading the UK teaching trenches for Eastern Europe 🇷🇴 and the reality of life in a modern Malaysian "mega-project." 🏗️

Whether you're an experienced international teacher or just starting to dream about a life abroad, Mad Dogs and English Teachers is your go-to source for honest advice, relatable stories, and a good dose of laughter.

• Email: maddogsandenglishteachers@proton.me

• Facebook: [Search "Mad Dogs and English Teachers"]

🔗 Connect with us!