Mad Dogs and English Teachers

Chris and Rob
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  • 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. Sep 20

    When I were a lad...

    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!

    When I were a lad...

  2. Sep 13

    Whatever the Weather

    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

    Whatever the Weather

  3. Sep 6

    Curriculum Woes

    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"

    Curriculum Woes

  4. Aug 23

    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

  5. Aug 16

    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.

  6. Aug 10

    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!

  7. Aug 3

    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

  8. Jul 26

    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
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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.

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