Mad Dogs and English Teachers

Chris and Rob
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated weekly

Pack your bags and leave your lesson plans at the door. Hosted by longtime expats Chris and Robin, Mad Dogs and English Teachers is a weekly deep-dive into the reality of life as an international educator. What’s on the syllabus? True Stories: The stuff they didn’t mention in your TEFL course. Your Turn: We read listener emails from across the globe—the good, the bad, and the "did that really happen?" Hard-Won Advice: Real talk on surviving and thriving in a foreign country. It’s less about pedagogy and more about the people. Come for the stories, stay for the community.

  1. 23 Aug

    AI vs real stupidity

    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

    AI vs real stupidity

  2. 16 Aug

    It's newbie season.

    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!

    It's newbie season.

  3. 10 Aug

    20th Episode. Oooh!

    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

    20th Episode. Oooh!

  4. 3 Aug

    Back to School

    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!

    Back to School

  5. 26 Jul

    The way to go home

    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 way to go home

  6. 19 Jul

    Road to Mandalay

    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.

    Road to Mandalay

  7. 29 Jun

    A Korean Odyssey

    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!

    A Korean Odyssey

  8. 21 Jun

    I'm telling Mom!

    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

    I'm telling Mom!
See All (22)

About

Pack your bags and leave your lesson plans at the door. Hosted by longtime expats Chris and Robin, Mad Dogs and English Teachers is a weekly deep-dive into the reality of life as an international educator. What’s on the syllabus? True Stories: The stuff they didn’t mention in your TEFL course. Your Turn: We read listener emails from across the globe—the good, the bad, and the "did that really happen?" Hard-Won Advice: Real talk on surviving and thriving in a foreign country. It’s less about pedagogy and more about the people. Come for the stories, stay for the community.

Information