Good News For Hong Kong

Good News For Hong Kong

Between political unrest, Covid 19, lots of people leaving and now the TaiPo fire, Hong Kong people have been through a lot. A number of people have told me that they are leaving for their kids (they want a better future for them) and I have talked to others who tell me that they are staying because they need the money. They have established themselves here in Hong Kong and they are afraid to leave and start over again somewhere else. It doesn't sound like a very positive atmosphere, does it? I think in Hong Kong, most people tend to…
Finding Community in Hong Kong

Finding Community in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a busy place. Everyday people sacrifice relationship in favor of efficiency. Get more work done often translates into more money but fewer relationships. I know that this isn’t just a Hong Kong phenomena, but maybe I’m more sensitive to it because Hong Kong is my home. People work really long hours here, but it's not just work that gets in the way of community. As modern people who live in a modern city, we place a high value on food, convenience, and gadgets. These things aren't by themselves wrong. However, they do have a tendency to distract…
Having Something To Say

Having Something To Say

In this post I interview a friend on learning a second language. Richard has a lot to share about the importance of connecting with another person in there native language and we will explore that shortly, but first what about having something to say in the target people's second language. I’ve spent about 15 years teaching English in both Hong Kong and China. As a “Foreign Expert” that’s what they used to call me in China, people used to really pay attention to what I would say. Occasionally, I would sound eloquent and people seemed to hang on my words.…
Buying Shrimp Without Thai

Buying Shrimp Without Thai

The alternative to connecting with others around language is body language, noises, acting, use of a smartphone and whatever else one might have at their disposal. Of course, people don’t bother going through all of this hassle unless they have a good reason. For us, my wife, friend Ting Ho and I that good reason was dried shrimp. We wanted 5KG of it. If you want to see the video of the trip chick here. We didn’t know exactly where we were going, but my Ting Ho was pretty familiar with the market and the process. He also had an…
Fake it Till You Make it?

Fake it Till You Make it?

Fake it till you make it? A few years back, I interviewed a friend Hubert. Hubert’s English is native. That makes sense. He grew up in Singapore and they speak English and Mandarin there, but that’s not all. Hubert speaks Cantonese. Yes, his family spoke it to him when he was growing up, but he didn’t use it a lot. Hubert’s Cantonese ability really took off when he moved to Hong Kong to go to university. I know that’s crazy; learning Cantonese at university because he had to. Of course, all of his subjects were in Cantonese. One of the…
Our Backgrounds and Paths as Learners

Our Backgrounds and Paths as Learners

Recently I read the story of two very smart individuals. The story comes from Outliers. They were both recognized geniuses, but unfortunately only one was successful. A person’s up bringing has a lot to do with whether or not they will be successful. The first man Chris Langan grew up with an alcoholic father. He was emotionally neglected and even abused. The second man Robert Oppenheimer grew up privileged. His parents were wealthy and they gave him a rich cultivating environment. He was regularly encouraged to think outside of the box and asked questions. Robert developed great social skills and…
Choosing What to Care About

Choosing What to Care About

Wealthy parents provide their children with a rich cultivating environment. Their kids learn good habits and discipline. They learn to expect the best from themselves and others. When someone is unkind to them, they don’t sweep it under the rug and forget about it instead they talk to the person who was unkind to them. They learn to work with others to achieve positive outcomes. As adults they are able to invest themselves in worth while causes. They have self confidence and don't second guess themselves. They are better equipped to lean into difficult relationships and to choose work things…
Something Gained And Something Lost

Something Gained And Something Lost

Teaching wasn't what I expected. Years ago, I went into teaching thinking that I would make a difference in the lives of young people. Now years later, as I reflect, I realize that there was something gained and something lost. I gained skills and experience to become a better teacher, but I went through a lot of loneliness to get to this point. I teach in a band 3 school. For those of you who don’t know, there are 3 bands and band 1 is the best. Students are “banded” according to their academic performance. Lots of people have asked…
The OxBridge Teachers Are Back

The OxBridge Teachers Are Back

Wow, I am surprised, Oxford and Cambridge, OxBridge teachers are back to TWGH’s English Summer Camp. It’s been a while, last year they hired teachers who lived in Hong Kong to teacher and before that the camp was canceled due to Covid19. Anyway, it felt good to have them back. The picture below has both the Hong Kong counseling staff and the teachers toasting each other. The HK counseling staff are a critical part of the program. They handle disciplinary issues and keep things running smoothly. This is my 5th year participating in the summer camp. My school, currently has…
Coffee Activities – Do You Really Want to Do Life in a Foreign Language?

Coffee Activities – Do You Really Want to Do Life in a Foreign Language?

Awhile back my wife told me that she got the luck draw in a raffle and that we were entitled to a free outing to TopMun Island. Tracy’s work decided to offer this activity to encourage colleagues to relax. They organized the boat ride, lunch, sharings, and coffee activity. I thought it sounded like a good opportunity. When Tracy and I arrived at Wong Shek Pier, the tour guide met us and introduced us to the others in the group. She wanted to know if I could speak Cantonese. I told her that I understood Cantonese and that if I…