Happy in Hong Kong

Teaching the whole world English

just wanted to share this fabulously beautiful picture of my wife and son at yet another Saturday function where we teach English to Asian children.  We're getting very very close to the opening day of our new dance studio, so we have all hands on deck for that.  We'll try to keep you current on what's happening with it (and actually with my Master's degree program that I started about 2 weeks ago) here, but we'll also be adding a photo gallery and online forum to our dance studio website to document the proceedings.

Sonia Herron Academy of Jazz....Now Open!!

The latest Modern Jazz and Hip Hop Dance syllabus from Australasia. Classes taught in English, Internationally recognised examinations, and all done to the latest trend setting music your child will LOVE!
A safe and positive dancing environment for your child to learn and develop their full potential in dance.
Syllabus info and timetable with prices can be found by click image above.

Register NOW at dance academy website   www.academyofjazz.com

Address of studio is:  Shop 26, 1/F, The Waterside, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan

phone/fax:  +852 2643 9688

Classes start on 20 November.

Don't miss the grand opening specials!!!

Year-end kindergarten show

our kids worked hard on the dance and drama for weeks before the ceremony, and it all paid off on the big day.  they did "Footloose" and as you can see everyone loved it!  See more pictures in the Kindergarten album.

video blog 1.0

living the fast-paced Asian life.  kindergarten, mass transit, tourist destinations, shopping, and heaps of info on how to come and thrive in Hong Kong. we're a family who is doing it and want others to benefit from our experience. God called us to this place, and we know his plan is majestic and worthy of following with all our hearts...enjoy all Hong Kong and Asia have to offer

  Quicktime video -- Download here 

  Windows Media Player DivX video -- Download vlog_intro7.avi 

Dancing & English in Hong Kong

if there are two things you can come and do for work in HK it's definitely these two.  just so happens that my wife is qualified and experienced in both.  I guess my special skill would be cooking -- that is, if you would consider using a blender as cooking.  it was "Healthy Week" for our kids, so I made fruit smoothies and chicken burritos with my students, and Sonia made salad.  these are all dishes that average HK families don't eat very often at all.  they cook their veggies, and that's about the only way they eat them, strangely enough!

HK kindergarten interview

time to take her two-year-old to a famous and established local kindergarten for an "interview".  and what did the Chinese teacher and English teacher do?  the Chinese teacher put all the toys on the table and ordered the little girl to play.  no interaction, no instruction.  just a stare.  then the young expat teacher came by.  she started to read a storybook loudly and word-for-word.  no imaginative illustration or kind interaction.  when is it that teachers reach out to little toddlers and actually help them to develop instead of just treating them like little adults?
this is a picture of what teaching kindergarten is like here in HK.  I know what this woman means after having taught in a local kindy for 9 months now.  i think we need to make our own kindergarten and go into business.

Flat Stanley in kindergarten

for all those kindred spirits....(family or those desperately looking for children activities)....my most recent kindergarten video is ready to view.  you can view it and read info about the activity on my video page