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: maree@internationaltesolcollege.com

• 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: info@nicknasev.com

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

• • 🌐 Preply Profile: https://preply.com/en/tutor/3000042
  • 📷 Instagram: www.instagram.com/@richienglish05
  • 📧 Email: kricha292@gmail.com
  • ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richienglish5