Jonny Blair’sβœοΈπŸ“Wactionary (Wacky Dictionary)πŸ“šπŸ“–πŸ“•πŸ“œ 2024 Edition

Wactionary (Wacky Dictionary)

Jonny Blair’s Wactionary (Wacky Dictionary) 2024 Edition

Rough translation guide from Northern Irish and Jonny Blairish intill English:

acronymically – in the form of an acronym whereby the first letters of each word in the sequence are placed together one after the other to form a new word
afforequoted Β­Β­
– quoted before
aftermathically
– in the aftermath and worked out mathematically
Alanis Mozzarella – Alanis Morrisette
alightings – getting off public transport a plural amount of times
amalgamshate – to bring things together but in the end it is totally shite
anagramically
– in the form of an anagram whereby the letters can be rearranged to spell another word
aneath
– a form of reflectively being underneath
apparence
– noun form of apparent
arrivation
– the act of arriving in that place
authoric – of an author
BB – Boys’ Brigade
bake – face
bake on ye / look at the state of yer man / see yer bake – you do not look happy
ballix – bollocks, testicles
barwork
– working in bars
bate
– beaten, lost
beehived
Β – placed in a beehive (so till spake)
beezer – excellent, wheeker, classic
beg
– bag
belshynic – of Belshina Belarus
betweenic
– of in-between
blastful – full of blast
blondynka
– blonde girl (usually a very attractive one)
blowmouth
– an action of a lady taking some male sperm intill her gob
bodyness – related to the human body
bogs / bogside / bogside residents
– toilets, loos, WCs, toalety, pissers, lavatories
boobage
– a brace of boobs
Bournemouthian – a person from Bournemouth
Bournemouthic – typical of Bournemouth
bovver-rated – badly over-rated
brace
– two, 2
bracic
– two, 2
braceically
– twice
brave – really good
breasticles – a word mixing testicles and breasts, but in a cute way to mention only female breasts
breath thefter
– something that takes your breath away
buck eejit – cultured idiot
buckie – tonic wine (95% of the time it’s the brand β€˜Buckfast’)
buspacking – backpacking on a bus
busticated
– broken
byline – the entire line on a football pitch between the two corner flags, except for the goal part which is called the goal line
calendarically
– by order of a calendar
canalic
– of canals
carrotic – of Netherlands 1990 football shirt orange
carryout – takeaway alcohol
caser – leather football
charmigator – something that is very charming
chimney corner
– around the corner in the near future
cheapercrack
– better value
chapteric, chapterical
– of a chapter
chaptertitlic – to call the chapter’s title that
coolbeans
– relatively awesome or cool
countrywise
– in terms of countries
Covi g
– Covent Garden in London
craic – banter so it is
crackation – of cracking
crappuccino – a very bad quality cappuccino
Cremola Foam – a popular fizzy drink in Norn Iron during the 1980s
crushic – the act of having been crushed
Cullybackey
– back
dandered, a dander, to dander – walked, a walk, to walk at a normal Northern Irish pace
datily – in order of date
deathable – to be able and leading or willing to represent death
deathhole
– a terrible place, where a feeling of death is present
Dennis – wise, clever
Desmond / Dessie – a 2-2 draw in football (β€œDesmond Tutu”)
dieic ­– appearing like they are dying or about to die
docken leaf
– rumex obtusifolius, a leaf that helps after a nettle sting
down south – Republic of Ireland (even the northern parts of it like Donegal!)
duptuple – a double of something, like brace, dual, twice etc.
dwoll
– dwelled (alternative emotional past tense use)
earthful
– around planet earth
eejit – idiot
eejitiotic – like an idiot
electionic – resembling an election
enignymity – not knowing what might happen, mystery, enigma
ensuic – what ensued, what came next
fakeify – to make something fake
fallation
– the act of falling
farmlife
– life on a farm (I actually couldn’t believe this isn’t a recognised word!)
feg
– cigarette
fillim – movie
fleg – flag
fly nets – no specified goalkeeper in nets. Anyone can do nets.
footballic
– of football
forwardlash – exact opposite of backlash
forwardtrack – exact opposite of backtrack
fourology
– a four part series
freelancic
– of freelancing, doing it for yourself
frightclub – a nightclub that frightens you
frostbit – bitten by frost, freezing, Baltic, very cold
gat shat – got shot, was fired at using a gun
GAWA – Green and White Army, Northern Ireland football fans
geg – funny person, ridiculously funny
gighopper – a person who goes to lots of gigs/concerts
glew
– glow (in my past tense – instead of β€œglowed”)
goryness
– feeling of ugly, gory, grotesque
grass, grass up
– to tell the authorities about something potentially illegal
growupathon – the act of growing up
gunless
– without a gun
hallions – buck eejits, hooligans, idiots, loonies, lunatics, mentalists
handal
– using the hand
handal ability
– ability of using the hand
hereonin – from now on
here’s me till im
– after that, I said to this man
holdancy – the situation of holding something
hourfall – at that exact moment where that significant thing happens
impulsivic – stronger adjective than impulsive
intill
– into
inventigateΒ­ – the act of investigating an invention on inventing an investigation
jamember?
– do you remember?
Jurassic Park – it’s a fillim about dinosaurs
keeperity – the situation of keeping / maintaining something
keepie uppies / keepy uppys – juggling a football with your feet and knees etc., literally β€œkeeping it up” off the ground
leavepacking
– to go backpacking when clearly doing it due to leaving somewhere
leet
– litre (example – β€œgimme a swig of yer two leet”)
Lesi’s Q – Leicester Square in London
loke
– local public house/pub
look at the bake on yer man
– look at his face
lovein – fake love that I cringe at
lunatical
– crazy
madliness – lunatical
marathonic – an adjective used to describe a person who loves marathons
McCrums – penalty kicks
memoric – memorable
meantimmic
– in the meantime
minoritise
– to prioritise the minority
moonie – the act of showing your ass/bum/rear end
mundanity
– the act of being mundane, bland, boring
musicly
– musically
nat – not
nets – goals, goalkeeper, keeper
nightness – the feeling that it is at night
NISC – Northern Ireland Supporters Club
Norn Iron
– Northern Ireland
nounal – adjective form of noun
nuder
– more nude, less amount of clothes
off the wheaten craic – a place where there are no other tourists and no airport (the real β€œoff the beaten track”)
oopsilon – whoops in an embarrassing way
ourselfs – ourselves (an acceptable poetic plural form)
pantal – in the body region of yer pants
pantal orgasm
– having an orgasm while you still have your pants on
peelers
– policemen and policewomen, members of the police force
peeler station – police station
pelanty – penalty, McCrum
penisular – of the penis (willy)
photy, photies
– photo, photos
pintage – the act or process of drinking pints
pinting
– going for pints, often at that exact time
pociΔ…g
– an alternative word for train (taken from Polish)
Portadownczyk – a man from Portadown in Northern Ireland
premath – opposite of aftermath (beforehand)
quare – a lot of, hugely, magically
quare geg – a right laugh/something funny
Quoile – a river in Northern Ireland
quartology – a four part series
quintology
– a five part series
quitpacked
– gave up, quit backpacking
quittion – the process of quitting
radaboutye
– how are you?
randomic – alternative adjective form of random
regression
– nounal form of regret.
repitivity
– alternative adjective form of repetition
rethunk
– thought about again
ringathon
– a ringing session that doesn’t have to be 26 rings
saff – south (in a broad London accent)
saviourity – noun of being a saviour
scrake of dawn
– first thing in the morning, at dawn, at sunrise
scory
– a mixture of story and score
scroat – a person acting the lig, being annoying or being a pest
screamager
– it’s a song by Therapy?, or an amazing goal in football
seafrontal – by the seafront
see him?
– look at that guy
shap – shop
shar – shower
shiner – a black eye/face, a damaged face; a shiny Panini football sticker
shitfuck
– poo poo and sex
shitment
– a shit shipment, something you ordered that when it is delivered is wrong, shit or incorrect
showall
– showing all, revelation, revealing all
singleton and singledom
– a person alone, the act of being alone
SOENISC
– South of England Northern Ireland Supporters Club
so it is
– no meaning, can be replaced with a blank space, but that would be boring
solitudinal – the only one of that thing
spake – speak, dialect, style
(to) squeal – to tell the authorities about something potentially illegal
stolica – capital city (borrowed from Polish)
(to) sultrify – to sexily seduce someone
sunnic
– to be of sunny weather
swiftission
– to do something swiftly as a noun
swankaday
– always swanky
swapsies
– doubles of Panini football stickers which you swap
szalenstwo
– the act of being crazy (original from Polish)
Tannoy
– public address system
tap – top
tentic – giving the feeling of being in or witnessing a tent, or in erotic terms, feeling the willy go up like a tent being erected
Termostel
– a hostel in Termiz, Uzbekistan
textbookic, textbookery, textbook
– of the finest textbook quality as an example within that field
textbookikly, textbookicly – done by the textbook, the best way that it should have been done
that there – meaningless Northern Irish garbage
themmuns – those people
theseuns – these ones
thingy – that person, you know that person right?
thon – that wee one
till – to
timeclock – clock of your time
townic – of a town
turnation – the act of turning as a noun
txakoli
– (or chacolΓ­) is a slightly sparkling, very dry white wine with high acidity and low alcohol content produced in the Basque Country.
Ulsterczyk
– Ulsterman, a man from Ulster, often used when talking about myself (Jonny Blair)
Ulsteric – adjective describing β€˜of Ulster’
Ulsterka – Ulsterwoman, a woman from Ulster
unchaptertitled – that was not the title of the chapter I gave
ungobbery – when the sperm from a blowjob doesn’t go into the girl’s mouth
unhyperbolic
– opposite of hyperbolic, not exaggerated
unin – not included in, not in
unquenchingly – to not quench a thirst
unstrong
– not strong
unwilting – not wilting
unyearable
– when the year is not mentioned either because the year is not known, it is not possible to mention the year or the author doesn’t want to mention the year
UTCIAD
– Up the Cherries, in all departments! (AFC Bournemouth fan chant)
Wacaday, wacadaisical – (copyright of Timmy Mallet) crazy, lunatical
wactionary – wacky dictionary, Jonny Blair’s dictionary
wateric
– of water
wallfall
– the falling of a wall (e.g. Berlin Wall)
wee – term of endearment, often signifying small
whackdrinking, whackdrinker – to go drinking in a crazy way, a crazy drinker
whackpacking, whackpacker
– to go backpacking in a crazy way, a crazy backpacker
whackwhopping – a more crazy version of whopping
whatcha – what are ya?
whoppaday – crazy low/high amount
wildernistic – of wilderness
wintric – giving a feeling that it is winter
worldic
– global
wove – waved
ya, ye – you
yearically – by year, including that year, within that year, you can also use this word the same way as daily, weekly, monthly, annually
yer Da woulda stuck thatun away
– your father would have scored a goal
yer gegging me – you are joking about with me
yer man – that male person
yer woman – that female person
yoghurty – creamy like a yoghurt
yous, youse, yousens – you people
zielonic – green

If there are any other unknown words or phrases that are used in this book, you can email the author Jonny Blair for clarification, as he often uses his own phrases and confuses others with his peculiar use of language.

Working Wednesdays: Teaching English Online From Home

Working Wednesdays: Teaching English Online From Home

It feels almost unimaginable that we can now work online from the comfort of our homes as an English teacher. I remember back to my days at Tech in the 1990s when a guy at Tech got a pager for the first time. A pager you say? You even forgot they existed right? That was in 1997. Nobody else knew what a pager was and none of my friends of family had a mobile phone or an email address. Fast forward 23 years and you look like an idiot now if you don’t have an email address, a smart phone or even a Facebook Account. Times have changed. This of course should be all for the better. As a blogger, I can now work online from around the world as long as I have internet. But as a teacher, you can work anywhere you want as well, also provided you have internet of course.
Working Wednesdays: Teaching English Online From Home
Working Wednesdays: Teaching English Online From Home

My TEFL and Teaching Journey

So I got my TEFL years ago. 2011 to be exact and just after that, I was working in kindergartens and primary schools teaching English in Hong Kong. The TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language is the place where the entire adventure starts. Once you have your TEFL, the world is your oyster. I spent about 4 years teaching English in Asia and I loved it – I earned good money, I worked in over 10 different schools teaching ages 3 – 16 as well as adults. After that, I continued to do some teaching, whether as a volunteer, educating friends or going into schools on my travels.
kindergarten kids at mid autumn festival
With the kindergarten kids during Mid Autumn Festival in 2011.

I simply haven’t had enough time to write about all my teaching experiences but they have been so memorable and for sure this made a huge impact on my life. Especially in Asia, where I managed to visit 16 Chinese Provinces and every country in the continent except Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Bhutan, Tibet, Pakistan and Maldives.

Jonny Blair in Tsuen Wan Hong Kong
Playing with the kids in a kindergarten in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
Since the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown, life has changed though, right? So this means teachers have stopped teaching face to face for the most part. While that is true, what about the alternative – teaching English from the comfort of your own home…

Can you Teach English from Home?

Yes you can! These days it is easier than you think! You will need a laptop and internet, plenty of materials and skills plus of course the relevant qualifications. You can find clients online – Google search should help with that. You can sign up for an agency. I am currently teaching English in Poland. Since the Coronavirus lockdown, I have been at home for over 8 weeks now. In that time, I have been teaching English online from my home. To do this, I contacted my clients and organised times and dates.
Teaching English online
I prepared materials for lessons and then signed up for many online video platforms. These include Webex, Whereby, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Zoom. The connection isn’t always as good as face to face teaching of course, but it’s still a great way to earn money from the comfort of your own home.
Teaching English online

Now it is your turn!

So why not go for it? Teaching English online is a really amazing chance to earn money while gaining an amazing experience from your own home. For more info, request a call back or enrol today from The TEFL Academy!
Stay safe and Good luck!
free TEFLs in China

FREE TEFLs!! Get Your Free Certificate and Teach English in China!!

free TEFLs in China
FREE TEFLs!! Teach English in China and get the TEFL for FREE!!

Yes that’s right I’m offering FREE TEFLs today on Don’t Stop Living. You can get a FREE TEFL and start a new life and a new career in teaching English in China. It’s all organised through the FREE TEFL service. I’m pretty excited to be helping to promote this – you’ll know one of the aims of my site is to prove anyone can travel. All it takes is making the first step and getting out there. This is a great opportunity to escape your mundane life and make a step into the world. I love FREE stuff and if you follow my normal Monday’s Money Saving Tips you’ll know that!

Free TEFLs in China
China here you come!! Make your first step and take on the FREE TEFL!

What is a TEFL?

TEFL means “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” and it’s a qualification which allows you to work as an English teacher as you travel. If you’ve followed my Working Wednesdays features on here, you’ll know I have taught English on my travels, as have a load of other prominent travel bloggers and serial backpackers out there. It’s an easy and fun way to work as you backpack round the globe. And basically ANYONE can do it – you don’t even need to have English as your main language by the way (I’ve met English teachers from Netherlands, Peru, China, Poland, Latvia and Spain over the years).

free TEFL for china
Teaching English in Hong Kong and loving it! This could be you!!

A TEFL can cost up to $1000 US dollars to get, but Through New Life ESL you can get it for FREE. As well as getting a Free TEFL, you get a guaranteed work placement in China. New Life ESL can also help you set up other things – visas, accommodations etc. They’ll sort it all out and you’ll have a smooth passage to a new lifestyle teaching English in the world’s most populated country.

free TEFL english
Get your FREE TEFL and start teaching English in China!

So while I backpack my way round the Middle East, a project pioneered and afforded through my own English teaching ventures in Hong Kong, I wish you all good luck and success in choosing a new career, or at least a temporary shift. I’ve backpacked my way round all 7 continents, and 75 countries through jobs like this. Don’t forget I’m just a wandering Northern Irishman eager to work hard and travel hard – if I can do it, so you can you!

Drop them an e-mail and make sure you get your FREE TEFL!!

Safe Travels my friends!

Jonny Blair in Bournemouth

Working Wednesdays: The Easiest 5 Jobs to Travel The World With

Jonny Blair in Bournemouth
Working Wednesdays: the 5 Easiest Jobs to travel the world with!

Through my years of working and backpacking around the globe I’ve built up a wide and varied range of work experience. I’ve managed to find a job everywhere I’ve wanted one and this is mainly through hard work, a bit of charm and experience in the types of job that are easy to find as a traveller. So today’s Working Wednesdays I’m hoping to get you inspired. I bring you (in my opinion) the easiest 5 jobs to travel the world with! These are easy jobs to get, easy jobs to do and you earn good money. Gotta be a winner!

1.Β Bar Work
I’ve worked in bars in 5 different countries to date and I LOVE bar work. There are bars everywhere and as far as I can tell all you need to work in a bar is to have enthusiasm, to be sociable and outgoing and to be hard working. It’s an easy type of job to get into, and it offers you lots of interacting with staff and customers, good steady money in a job which means you don’t spend much and TIPS.Β Bar work is one of the best jobs you can have as a traveller.

jonny blair working in hong kong
Easy travel jobs – Working as a barman in Delaneys – Tsim Sha Tsui – Hong Kong

I could earn over $1,000 Australian Dollars a week when I worked in an Irish Pub in Parramatta, working about 6 or 7 shifts and milking the tips. The other huge advantage of working in bars is that you are working on Friday and Saturday nights, therefore you can’t be going out spending money! It’s an easy way to save money.

How to get a bar job?Β I normally just call into the pub and ask the manager straight up for a job. Failing that, drop them an e-mail before you arrive in the country, expressing how keen you are to work there. Some countries require an alcohol licence and certificate before you can legally work there, so be sure to check that out. In Australia I got my RSA and RCG for example. In Europe, it’s a lot less strict and you can easily get bar work in places like England, Spain and Greece. Bar work gets busier in the summer months in those places.

2.Β Farming
In places like Australia and New Zealand, farming work is ridiculously EASY to come by. Just get your working holiday visa sorted and head to the wilderness. I did most of my farming work in Tasmania, working with vegetable harvest mainly. However I also milked cows in Colombia on my mate’s farm.

farming jobs in australia dont stop living
Easy jobs to get as a traveller – farming work in Australia is easy to come by and very rewarding!

How to get a farming job?

Ask around and stay in the wilderness. You’ll find the job comes to you before you look for it. A good website to check out is WwoofingΒ – volunteer opportunities. In Tasmania I was employed by Work Direct. I’d recommend them of course!

3.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Boats, Ferries and Cruise Ships
I worked for a couple of different ferry companies up until 2009 and I highly recommend it. My job was fairly straight forward, working on the restaurant on the England to France ferries. Easy work, easy money, good social life and always at sea, travelling!

Jonny Blair working in France
Cleaning the floor on cross channel ferries in St Malo – France

I loved it and managed to save a lot of money. The perks also included free food and discount on hotels and cigarettes (which I used to buy and sell on πŸ˜‰ ). I also worked on ferries sailing to the Isle of Wight, Guernsey and Jersey and loved my life at sea. But life took me elsewhere after that! Cruise Ships is a really good option for you – as high profile bloggers such as Wandering Earl saved a bucketload of money doing it this way.

car ferries jonny blair in france
Working on the cross channel car ferries living the travel dream and getting paid for it.

How to get a job on ferries or cruise ships?

Look no further than Wandering Earl himself who has written a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book on how to get a job on a cruise ship – buy it, read it and off you go!! Work on Cruise Ships.

In places like New Zealand and England, summer time are the peak periods for working on car ferries as they get busy. Check out Condor Ferries and Interislander for job options.

4.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Teaching English

You’ll find that a lot of the high profile nomads and backpackers have done a stint teaching English. Nomadic MattΒ and Nomadic Samuel have all used teaching English to fund their travels over the years. Naturally I got into this too, teaching in Kindergartens , Primary Schools and Summer Schools in Hong Kong over the last few years. If English is your first language, then what are you waiting for? Get your online TEFL, TESOL or CELTA and get teaching. Read my guide to teaching English in Hong Kong.

jonny blair teaching english in hong kong
Teaching English is a common and easy job to fall into when you’re travelling the world.

How to get a job teaching English?

I won’t go into it as this has been covered thousands of times by myself and every blogger out there. Nomadic Matt has a good starter guide on how to teach English overseas, which has tips and resources. Make sure you get some kind of TEFL as well (although I have to admit I started teaching without one, but have since got my certificate!).

5.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Flight Attendants!

Believe it or not in 2001 I did a course to become a flight attendant. Then a banking job came up and I got pre-occupied with that instead. That’s the way my fate took me and I’m happy with that as I think deep down I didn’t really want to be living every day of my life up in the air, it’s a bit of a claustrophobic place to work. Having said all that – the perks are GREAT and I have some friends who have managed to travel the world just from working on aeroplanes.

flights around the world
Flight attendants get around!

I hope these five tips help you along the way to get out there and live your travel dreams. If you have experiences in these five fields of work, you can literally work anywhere in the world as I have done for the last 10 years or so. You can check out my working career and my travel timeline for more specific information on my own work history, or simply just follow my Working Wednesdays stories every week on here!

Safe travels and don’t work too hard!!

graduation picnic

Working Wednesdays: K3 Graduation Picnic and Day of Sightseeing on Hong Kong Island

graduation picnic
Working Wednesdays: K3 Graduation Picnic and day of sightseeing on Hong Kong Island.

Today’s Working Wednesdays is as recent as a “WW” on Don’t Stop Living has ever been, as it happened last week on Friday 21st June 2013. Having been based in Hong Kong for the last two years or so of my nomadery, this has seen me take on about 5 or 6 different jobs, the most enjoyable of which has probably been working in TWO different Kindergartens in Tsuen Wan.

graduation hong kong
Working at kids graduation day in Hong Kong!

One of these Kindergartens is situated in the centre of Tsuen Wan. I’m the resident native English teacher there. I have attended many events with the school (mentioned one of them here – St. Patrick’s School fun day) but this was a day where I would literally be getting paid to go sightseeing and eat food completely for free. A backpackers dream if you like!

beatles backpacking
Backpacking with the Beatles while working!

Here’s an overview of what the day entailed!

8.15 am – Arrive in work as per normal (I got a bus from Ma Wan/Park Island, which cost me 6HKD – I’m currently sleeping on a settee in my mate’s flat there!)

ma wan park island bus view
Early morning – the view on my bus into work from Ma Wan.

8.35 am – 9 am – Meet and greet the children in K3 (mostly all 6 year olds, but a few 5 and 7 year olds too) and their parents – the parents are with them for a day.
After 9 am – There is no assembly today (as there are no K1 or K2 children – just K3). I am given the school camera and a spare battery as I will be cameraman for the day. I am also given a bag to carry onto the bus.

hong kong bus
Getting the bus from Tsuen Wan with the school over to Hong Kong Island.

9.20 am – I board bus number 4 with fellow teacher Miss Lai and am joined by the principal Miss Chow as well as about 30 children and their parents. Off we go! I can sit back and relax as everything is in Chinese. I only need to get up to say Good morning to the children and their parents.

hong kong skyline
View from my work bus across Victoria Harbour back at Kowloon from Hong Kong Island.

10.25 am – After a bus journey with great views on a very hot day, we arrived at Stanley for the “photoshoot” – basically all the K3 students put on their graduation gowns and we pose for a big photo! Everyone is in good spirits and I take some time to pose for photos with kids and parents then walk around on my own admiring Stanley – a beautiful village on the south side of Hong Kong Island.

graduation hong kong
You might spot me in this photo with the children, posing at Stanley at the K3 Graduation Day!

11.35 am – We head back to the bus and board as we drive round the coast to Aberdeen. It’s my first time in Aberdeen, a skyscraping town on Hong Kong Island which is much bigger than I imagined! We get out and head to a seafood restaurant for lunch. All paid for by the school and really top traditional Chinese food. Even if I’d rather have had a pizza!

Working at Stanley as the cameraman!
Working at Stanley as the cameraman!
My view at Stanley harbour while working!
My view at Stanley harbour while working!
Chinese lunch paid for by work!
Chinese lunch paid for by work!

2pm – After lunch we had some draws and raffles for the kids to win prizes which was fun and by 2pm were back on the bus and we headed directly to The Peak. I had been to the Peak 3 times before but always by Peak Tram so it was nice to go there by bus.

At The Peak in Hong Kong with work!
At The Peak in Hong Kong with work!

On arrival at the Peak there were more photos in the Graduation Gowns before a big shock – FREE entry ticket to Madame Tussauds!

Work Freebies! A free entry ticket to Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong!
Work Freebies! A free entry ticket to Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong!

I was working of course, but was still able to walk at leisure round the waxwork model and get my photos taken wth lots of fake celebrity models including Barack Obama and The Queen.

Asking Barack Obama if he wants to come backpacking with me!
Asking Barack Obama if he wants to come backpacking with me!
Myself and the Queen and Prince Philip.
Myself and the Queen and Prince Philip.

There I was getting paid to go sightseeing…and the view of Hong Kong from the Peak is quite stunning.

Admiring the view from the Peak in Hong Kong!
Admiring the view from the Peak in Hong Kong!
The view from my work "window" last week! Pretty damn good.
The view from my work “window” last week! Pretty damn good.

At 4pm I had two options, ε‰θŠ½ζ²³either get the bus back to school with the children, parents and fellow teachers or make my own way home. I chose to relax and enjoy the views and make my own way home. I took the Peak Tram back down towards central and loved it!

After work on the Peak Tram down towards Hong Kong Island Central.
After work on the Peak Tram down towards Hong Kong Island Central.

This is an amazing working Wednesday as I got paid to go sightseeing and loved it. Don’t forget working is fun sometimes! Or if you have checked out my working career or travel timeline, then it’s nearly always been fun!

st. patrick's school po kong

Working Wednesdays: Working in St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Po Kong Village, Hong Kong

“Is this a kind of dream?” – Art Garfunkel.

st. patrick's school po kong
Working Wednesdays: A fun day out at St. Patrick’s School in Po Kong Village, Hong Kong.

It’s time for yet another installment of Working Wednesdays. I’m not shy of admitting my background on here, or to anyone I meet on my travels. I’m Northern Irish. And I’m a Northern Irish nationalist at that. I’m also British due to the UK’s ownership of Northern Ireland and I’m also Irish due to the fact I was born in Ireland. However these days I feel an equal affinity to both my passport countries but I’m still much too nationalistic for Northern Ireland.

I’ll only ever really be Northern Irish…

Nationalist on Tour: Flying the Northern Ireland flag on the Gergeti Hike

But Northern Ireland is a complicated enigma for uneducated halfwits. Perhaps it’s because officially also, I grew up on the island of Ireland. I love the countryside, the Irish pubs, the people and the food. But I’m equally proud of my British roots (my surname, Blair comes from Scotland). Speaking English has helped me travel round the world, and by having English as my main language it has made things easier, especially in communicating and getting jobs. Plus the British Government (despite all the unnecessary local criticism) has been one of the best political systems in the world down the years. I grew up in the Maggie Thatcher era and during troubled times for Northern Ireland. Yet despite the β€œtroubles” growing up in Bangor and being in Belfast once a week I really enjoyed my childhood.

working wednesdays teaching english
Enjoying a laugh with the children and the principal while working in Po Kong Village in 2012.

Now – when I left Northern Ireland 10 years ago, I was certain of one thing – I wouldn’t forget my roots or the fact that I’m a proud Ulsterman, Northern Irishman and I started off as a “Protestant” / “Presbyterian” (I went to church almost every week until I turned 19). By the time 2011 arrived, I had worked in a few Catholic schools and visited over 20 Catholic dominant countries. After visiting the Vatican CityΒ in 2015 and relocating to Poland, since 2016 I have classed myself as a Roman Catholic. The thing is, it was refreshing to be working in a Catholic School in Hong Kong but even better that it was my patron saint’s school.

working wednesdays
Shamrocks and the Irish Green at St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Hong Kong.

When the chance came up to work in Catholic kindergartens in August 2011, I jumped in without thought. I got the job, was working away and then in December 2011 I attended a Teachers Convention in a district of Hong Kong known as Diamond Hill/San Po Kong. It was a custom built education complex, bearing the name of St. Patrick. St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland and is buried in Downpatrick in Northern Ireland. Then almost a year later, November 2012 I’m there working at a special event for children and their parents. Working of course, as a native English teacher.

working wednesdays dont stop living
My first time at St. Patrick’s Primary School in Po Kong was December 2011 attending a teaching seminar.

My job entailed easy stuff like singing and dancing with the kids, holding a stick to show what group I was in, stamping cards, posing for photos with kids and β€œmanning” one of the stalls. It was a stall on throwing balls through holes in a fake apple tree.

working wednesdays jonny blair dont stop living
Working at St. Patrick’s – that’s me holding a sign for the children to follow on their big day out!

I loved it and as I stared at the sky and pondered what the hell I was doing here in this raised suburb of Hong Kong’s Kowloon I raised a smile. From my childhood local Protestant Church in Bangor, Northern Ireland to a Catholic school and church in Po Kong Village, Hong Kong. It was all a big dream…

working wednesdays hong kong a lifestyle of travel
Posing with the kids at St. Patrick’s School in Po Kong, Hong Kong.

This is one heck of a journey my friends – please don’t waste your life slaving away in an office. Working Wednesdays brings you my stories from an endless lifestyle of travel where I have had more jobs than I can remember!

working wednesdays as a teacher in hong kong
With some work colleagues after work in Po Kong Village.

Here is a video I made while working in St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Hong Kong:

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A Guide To Teaching English in Hong Kong

teaching english in hong kong c for cat
A guide to teaching English in Hong Kong. Altogether now “c” for cat!

Thinking about escaping the boredom and mundane-ness of your home town, village or city? But not sure where to go? Here’s a piece on how YOU can move to the skyscraping metropolis of Hong Kong and teach English! A quick guide to teaching English in Hong Kong, all from four years of my personal experience living and breathing in the Kong where I worked as an English teacher in kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools and to many private adult and teenage clients.

A lifestyle of travel teaching english in hong kong
A Guide to Teaching English in Hong Kong – working in a kindergarten in Tsuen Wan.

First things first – what do you need to teach English in Hong Kong?

Let’s go for 3 easy answers:

1. English to be your main/native language (even this is NOT essential as I found out – met Spanish, Peruvian, German and Austrian guys all teaching English here!).

2. Be enthusiastic.

3. Be legally allowed in the country.

Jonny Blair at the Peak Hong Kong
Hong Kong baby! Yeah viewing this skyscraping megamonstertropolis from the Peak!

Do you need anything else? Not really. I had the above 3 the day I started teaching English in Hong Kong and that was enough, I’d say the most important one was number two – BE ENTHUSIASTIC. That’s how I got the job, I was eager to teach, I was enthusiastic and I showed I wanted to work hard and do the job. In fact showing enthusiasm is pretty much something you should have for any job interview, hence how I have managed to live away from my home country for 10 years now: my travel timeline. I’d also recommend buying Matt’s e-Book on How to Teach English Overseas! This is a detailed expert guide delivered straight to your inbox.

Teaching English in Hong Kong – what you need to know!

I’m sharing with you an overview here of the ins and outs of the job, and a general impression of what it is like to teach English out here in Hong Kong, easily one of the most liveable places in Asia for a foreigner. If you’re thinking about moving to Hong Kong to teach English – what’s stopping you? It’s a great place to live and work. You can e-mail me or comment below.

Jonny Blair Santa Claus a lifestyle of travel
Teaching English in Hong Kong may also involve dressing up as Santa Claus. The kids love it!

I have experience of teaching English to children and adults. I have taught children on three levels:

1. Kindergarten children (aged 3-6)
2. Primary School children (aged 6-12)
3. Adults (18 +)
Jonny Blair teaching English
Teaching English in Yuen Long in Hong Kong – go and do it!

Hong Kong is littered with Primary Schools. They are immaculate. Neat, clean, tidy and all consist of at least a few floors. There is a constant need for Native English Speakers. Hong Kong is a global city and lives up to its promise. Local families want their children to be successful globally and the old ideals of sticking to Chinese and simply embracing their own country’s culture are changing. The children and adults in Hong Kong want and need to learn English. The children actually enjoy it.

Jonny Blair in Tsuen Wan Hong Kong
Playing with the kids in a kindergarten in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

A typical Hong Kong Primary School will consist of over 30 classrooms. You will more than likely be assigned to one classroom with the children coming to your room.

Teaching English in Yuen Long Hong Kong
My classroom in a Primary School in Yuen Long – the children came to my room for lessons – I didn’t have to move!

You have all the materials you need provided. The Primary schools in Hong Kong are extremely well equipped. Photocopiers, air conditioning, books, blackboards, pens, chalk, computers, internet, teaching materials. They have everything you need here. And if you do happen to get thirsty in the heat, schools even have their own drinks machines (which accept Octopus cards for purchases).

teaching materials in Hong Kong
The materials are almost always provided for you in these teaching jobs though you may have to make some.

The rate of pay is excellent and varies depending on the school. You can live a luxury lifestyle on what you can earn out here in Hong Kong. All of my Primary School work has been through an agency, and through them I have worked in 6 different Primary Schools, the main one being St. Francis of Assisis Primary School in Shek Kip Mei. The standard of the pupils there is high.

preparing lessons in Hong Kong
The office in one of the kindergartens I have worked in – plenty of space to prepare lessons!

I have taught a range of topics from Classroom Phonics to Cambridge English (Starters, Movers, Flyers) to even Interview Techniques and Extensive English Courses. The children’s behaviour is generally impeccable, especially if you come from a place like Northern Ireland.

teaching materials in Hong Kong
Materials for teaching the weather in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

The materials for teaching are all provided and the teaching hours are regular and consistent.

kindergarten kids at mid autumn festival
With the kindergarten kids during Mid Autumn Festival in 2011.

My main job has been working in Kindergartens, the Primary Schools have been extra work for me away from my normal contract. This proves there is also an abundance of part-time English teaching to be had in Hong Kong. If you fancy working full time in a Hong Kong Primary School, I have friends who have done that for a few years and love it – salary increases year on year and they become eligible for some additional money towards accomodation due to the fact they are living away from their natural home.

a guide to teaching english in hong kong
Playing games with the kindergarten kids in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

Please note that this type of work is aimed at Caucasian people only – local Asian English teachers are not in a niche. It’s the “western face” that most agencies look for! As racist as that sounds!

So in short, if you’re thinking about teaching English in Hong Kong – go and do it. You’ll earn good money, have decent students, all equipment provided and enjoy the vibrancy of living in Hong Kong.

hong kong dollars
You’ll earn a fair whack of Hong Kong Dollars as an English teacher in Hong Kong.

How much can you earn? – 20,000 HKD per month and above.

What Visas do you need? –Β 

If you’re under 30 and come from one of the listed countries, you can secure a one year Working Holiday Visa for Hong Kong. Read my full guide to getting a working holiday visa for Hong Kong.

If you’re British you can go there as a tourist and stay for 6 months (180 days). If you’re sponsored by a company they sometimes offer to sponsor your working visa (normally 1 year)

Jonny Blair dont stop living how to get a Hong Kong working holiday visa
My Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa from 2011!

When to go? – Hong Kong term times generally begin in September, so arrival in the Kong in July and August gives you plenty of time to scout about for a teaching job.

What qualifications do you need? – a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and a University Degree certainly help your cause though in some cases neither may be totally essential. You can just “wing it”.

children's songs in hong kong
One of many CDs you will get to play and sing with the children!

Where to live? – To start with you could try staying in the notorious Chung King Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui (which despite having the word mansion in its title, is hardly The Ritz) – once you get a network of friends, flat shares can easily be organised. Your schools or agencies may be able to help with setting up your accomodation. Gumtree is also very reliable and I often use it for sourcing new flats.

Lam Tin view Hong Kong
The view from my bedroom window in Lam Tin, first place I stayed in Hong Kong.

Good social life? – You bet – there are hoardes of foreigners and locals mixing here on nights out, particularly in Lan Kwai Fong, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui!! It’s not cheap but if you want to party at weekends in the Kong you most certainly can!

lan kwai fong having a beer.
You can relax with a beer in Lan Kwai Fong at weekends.

Anything to do? Are you kidding!! Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant, busy and diverse cities in the world. It has hiking, biking, shopping, drinking, eating and fishing. Even if you do get bored, Macao is only an hour away on the ferry and is a hot bed for Casinos, while Hong Kong of course borders China!

Anything else you need to know? Well you might have guessed I’m a very approachable, people person so if you have any questions on travel, teaching, the Kong etc. just e-mail me – jonny (at) dontstopliving (dot) net, or get connected through my social networks:

– Like Don’t Stop Living on Facebook

– Subscribe toΒ Don’t Stop LivingΒ videos on YouTube

StumbleUpon Don’t Stop Living

– Follow Don’t Stop Living on Twitter

– Buy the book “How to Teach English Overseas

In the meantime, enjoy my website, enjoy life and don’t stop living!!