From Townsville to Shanghai and back again — Maree shares her 18-year expat journey teaching English in China.

We go deep into the reality of reverse culture shock, expat identity, starting an education business back in Australia, and how living abroad transforms your perspective forever. If you're an ESL teacher, migrant, or international student navigating life between cultures, this episode is for you.

⌛Chapters / Key Highlights

• ​Maree’s unexpected leap from Townsville to teaching in China
• ​Falling into ESL and realising “I didn’t know how to teach English!”
• ​Starting over: From managing a language school to TESOL certification
• ​Launching a curriculum company from scratch back in Australia
• ​The invisible struggles of returning home after 18 years abroad
• ​Relearning Aussie life: supermarkets, slang, and social “rules”
• ​Professional rejection: Why global experience isn’t always valued in Australia
• ​What reverse culture shock really feels like after living overseas

Looking to improve your Aussie accent or understand real Australian English?

This episode is packed with real talk on reverse culture shock, teaching English abroad, and reintegrating into Australian society. Maree's story is perfect for migrants returning to Australia, international English teachers, and anyone who's ever felt caught between two cultures. If you're aiming to learn Australian English, improve your Aussie accent, or want inspiration for navigating life transitions — you'll love this chinwag.

📲 How to Contact Maree

• Email: [email protected]
• Website:www.internationaltesolcollege.com.au
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/maree-donaldson-ab452713/ 

What does it mean to sound Australian when you’ve grown up multilingual, lived abroad, and still say “France” instead of “France”? This episode with linguist Nick is a love letter to Australian English, culture, and identity — especially from a South Aussie perspective. Get ready for a lively chinwag about Balkan languages, ethnic pride, Aussie small talk, reverse culture shock, and the unique South Australian accent.

Key Highlights

• Welcome & meet Nick: Growing up in multicultural Elizabeth 

• Speaking Macedonian before English & early language identity 

• What it means to translate into Australian English 

• Amanda & Nick share their migrant family roots 

• Losing your Aussie accent while living abroad 

• Being the token Aussie & reverse culture shock moments 

• South Australian accent: France, dance & other vowel shifts 

• Local slang, small talk & navigating Aussie culture

Looking to improve your Aussie accent or understand real Australian English?

This episode is packed with authentic pronunciation insights, migrant stories, and useful tips for international students, new Aussies, and curious language lovers.

📲 How to Contact Nick

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nicknasev.com

Blog: www.nicknasev.com/blog

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-nasev/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nicknasev.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicknasev/

Substack: https://nicknasev.substack.com/

Ready for a real chinwag? This week on Chinwag Tuesdays, I sit down with Richa, a passionate English teacher from India who's taught students from over 15 countries—and she's only just getting started! 🎓🌏

P.S. Just a heads-up—there was a little recording issue towards the end, so the episode ends a bit suddenly. But don’t worry, you won’t miss any of the good stuff!

We chat about the ups and downs of teaching English online, her transition from voice acting to education, and why she champions new age English over outdated, textbook-style learning. Richa also opens up about accent confidence, Spanish lessons, and her love for Aussie slang (and Love Island Australia 👀🇦🇺).

Whether you're an international student, language learner, or aspiring tutor, this episode is packed with motivation, mindset shifts, and actionable tips—especially for those chasing fluency in Australian English or building a global teaching career.

Key Highlights

Here’s what we cover in this episode ⬇️

• Meet Richa: English teacher, chess lover & Love Island fan

• From voiceover work to global English tutor

• Teaching online: low pay, big dreams & early lessons

• Why student loyalty matters more than big numbers

• Learning Hindi & Spanish: What it’s like from the teacher’s seat

• Mindset shift: Stop saying “my English is bad”

• New age English vs textbook learning (and why it matters)

• Can’t practise with others? Talk to yourself!
  

Speaking Australian English confidently isn't just about grammar—it's about understanding informal speech, adapting to change, and having the right mindset. This episode dives into all of that, with stories that’ll inspire both students and teachers alike.

📲 How to Contact Richa

In this inspiring episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I chat with Dawa — a Nepalese international student, gardener, and aspiring IT professional living in Melbourne. From juggling three jobs and a master's degree to starting a gardening side hustle, Dawa shares the real challenges and wins of migrant life in Australia.

We talk about Aussie slang in trade jobs, navigating cultural differences, working in hospitality and aged care, and how Dawa is now preparing for a career in IT. Whether you're an international student, new migrant, or just curious about life down under — this one’s packed with real talk and solid advice.

🧠 If you're improving your Aussie English or figuring out how to start a side hustle in Australia — this episode will motivate and guide you.

Key Highlights ⌛

Here’s what we cover in this episode ⬇️

• Dawa’s background and journey from Nepal to Australia
• Master’s studies, financial challenges, and international student struggles
• Starting a gardening business as a migrant
• Hospitality vs. aged care: emotional impact and industry culture
• Making friends in Australia and adjusting to Aussie work culture
• Learning Aussie slang from tradies and navigating different workplaces
• Advice for migrants and international students on visas, work, and study

🗣️ Practise listening to real Aussie English and learn natural pronunciation in a relaxed, meaningful context.

📌 If you’re improving your Aussie accent, navigating life in Australia, or seeking inspiration as a migrant — this episode is for you.

In this heartfelt episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I sit down with Xiang — a Chinese-born art therapist, artist, and migrant living in Melbourne — to unpack her inspiring story of healing, creativity, and adjusting to life in Australia.

Xiang opens up about learning Aussie English, navigating cultural differences, experiencing burnout, and how art therapy became a transformative tool for self-expression and recovery. From designing a multicultural dress for Melbourne Fashion Festival to working in corporate and clinical mental health spaces, her story will resonate with migrants, international students, and professionals alike.

🧠 Whether you’re learning the Aussie accent, passionate about mental health, or finding your way in a new country, this episode offers honest insight and inspiration.

✅ Key Highlights:

• What is art therapy and how it supports mental wellbeing and identity

• Xiang’s journey migrating to Australia and learning Aussie English

• Burnout, mental illness, and the healing power of creativity

• Mental health stigma in migrant communities

• Designing a multicultural dress featured in Melbourne Fashion Festival

• The link between language learning and emotional healing

• Talking about mental health in the workplace & EAP access

• Using art to express emotions safely and without judgement

🗣️ Practise listening to real Aussie English and learn natural pronunciation in a relaxed, meaningful context.

📌 If you’re improving your Aussie accent, navigating life in Australia, or seeking inspiration as a migrant — this episode is for you.

📲 How to Contact Xiang:

👉 Website: https://www.arttherapymelbourne.com.au/ 

👉 Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/xiangliarttherapy 

📢 Planning to move to Australia? Avoid these visa mistakes & get expert PR advice! 🇦🇺

In this episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I chat with Aakarsh, an immigration lawyer in Melbourne, about:
✅ The biggest visa mistakes international students make
✅ PR pathways and how to transition from a student visa
✅ Why cultural integration is essential for long-term success in Australia

Aakarsh shares:

• His journey from international student to launching his own law firm, MAD Migration (My Aussie Dreams)

• The top visa mistakes migrants make that can cost them PR

• The truth about visa crackdowns and who is getting caught

• PR and work pathways that help international students settle in Australia

• Why cultural adaptation is key for career and migration success

  
  

📢 If you're an international student, migrant, or considering moving to Australia, this episode is packed with expert insights! 🎙️✨

🔑 Key Highlights🚀 Aakarsh’s Story – From student visa to becoming an immigration lawyer in Australia
❌ Common Visa Mistakes – Why listening to unregistered agents & friends can be risky
💼 PR & Work Pathways – Essential steps for international students to transition smoothly
⚖️ Visa Crackdowns – What’s changing & why many rule-breakers are being caught
🌏 Aussie Culture & Integration – Why it matters for your long-term success

📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe! 👍✨📲 How to Contact Aakarsh:

👉 Free consultation: https://link.madmigration.com/widget/bookings/free-initial-catchup-madmigrationxamanda
📸 Instagram: @theunfilteredlawyer

In this episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I sit down with Leticia, a marketing executive at Pearson, originally from China and now based in Melbourne. 🇨🇳➡️🇦🇺 Leticia shares her journey of studying in Australia, securing PR through marketing (a rare pathway!), and thriving in the Aussie job market.

We discuss:

✅ Moving from China to Melbourne – Why she chose Australia and her experience settling in
✅ Getting PR as a marketing professional – How she navigated the visa process and key strategies
✅ Marketing in Australia vs China – The differences in platforms, strategies, and audience engagement
✅ Building a career in marketing – Tips for international students and skilled migrants
✅ Networking & job hunting – Why LinkedIn and industry connections are essential

If you're an international student, a marketing professional, or looking for insights on PR and career growth in Australia, this episode is for you! 🎙️✨

In this episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I chat with Anish, a civil engineer from Chandigarh, India, now living in Adelaide. 🌏 From growing up in a family of engineers to navigating university life in Australia, Anish shares his journey of career choices, cultural adaptation, and the challenges of settling into a new country.

We dive into his experiences studying in South India, overcoming confidence barriers, landing internships through LinkedIn, and even teaching in the Himalayas! 🏔️ Anish also reflects on key differences between Indian and Australian education, networking strategies, and his first impressions of Aussie life.

🔑 Key Highlights:

🏗️ Growing up in a family of civil engineers & his career journey

🛫 Moving from India to Australia & adapting to student life

🤝 The power of networking & how it shaped his career

🌄 Volunteering & teaching in remote Himalayan villages

🎓 Challenges with Australian education & cultural differences

🥶 First winter in Adelaide & adjusting to Aussie life

If you're an international student, a migrant, or someone who loves hearing inspiring personal stories, this episode is for you! 🎙️✨

📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with future episodes of Chinwag Tuesdays! 👍✨

How to contact Anish: 

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kambojanish/ 

In this episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I sit down with Emma from Mmm English, one of the biggest names in online English education! 🌟 Emma shares her journey from teaching in Vietnam to building a YouTube empire with over 6 million subscribers. We dive into the evolution of mmmEnglish, why she stepped away from her channel, and how she created Hey Lady - a thriving online community for women learning English.

🔑 Key Highlights:

🍽️ From Food Vlogs to English Lessons – How mmmEnglish started as a way to help her students in Vietnam
📈 The Growth of mmmEnglish – How her channel exploded and reached millions worldwide
🙋‍♀️ Hey Lady! – Why Emma transitioned from YouTube to building a safe, empowering space for women to practise English
🗣️ Confidence & Community – The secret to feeling more comfortable speaking English
🙊 Aussies & Swearing – A fun chat about how Australians use swear words in casual conversation

If you're an English learner, an online educator, or just love hearing inspiring stories of teachers making a global impact, this episode is for you! 🎙️✨

📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with future episodes of Chinwag Tuesdays! 👍✨

How to contact:

Hey Lady:

• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hey_lady_community

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRiVfHqBIIvSgKmgnSY66g

• Website:https://www.heylady.io/join. Interested in checking out Hey Lady!? Hey Lady offers a free 7-day trial!

Important to note:

Hey Lady! is a good option for a specific type of English learner:

• Women

• With an intermediate, upper-intermediate or advanced level of English. It is not appropriate for beginners.

• interested in the idea of practising and gaining speaking experience in a community of other English language learners.

MmmEnglish:

• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mmmenglish_emma

• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/ @mmmEnglish_Emma

• Website:https://mmmenglish.teachable.com/

In this episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I sit down with Tom, an English teacher from Melbourne and the founder of Ace Language Academy. Tom shares his inspiring journey from working in banking and travelling the world to discovering his passion for teaching English. He talks about how his experiences living abroad and learning new languages shaped his teaching philosophy, and how he now helps students build confidence, improve their pronunciation, and immerse themselves in Australian culture.

🔑 Key Highlights:

💼 From Banking to Teaching – Tom’s transition from a corporate career to founding his own language academy.

📚 The Callan Method – How a unique teaching approach sparked Tom’s love for language education.

🏫 Building Ace Language Academy – The challenges and rewards of starting a language school in Melbourne.

🗣️ Pronunciation & Confidence – Why mastering pronunciation is key to speaking confidently in English.🇦🇺 Cultural Immersion – The importance of understanding Aussie slang, idioms, and phrasal verbs.

🎯 Personalised Learning – How Tom tailors lessons to help students achieve their specific goals, whether it’s for work, study, or everyday life.

If you’ve ever felt held back by self-doubt or struggled to feel confident speaking English, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring insights. Tom’s passion for teaching and his relatable approach to language learning make this a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their English skills.

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with future episodes of Chinwag Tuesdays! 👍✨

How to contact Tom:

• Website: https://www.acelanguageacademy.com.au/: Use the code ACEMATE which is exclusive to the people listening to this episode and get $100 OFF your first next full general English course. Contact Tom via call, text, WhatsApp (number on the website) or email [email protected] .

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acelanguageacademy/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acelanguageacademy.com.au/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@acelanguageacademy3158

• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/ace-language-academy