The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

• SSAB - December 12, 2025

  What a nap! This is in strict contrast to one of my students who left class saying she was going to the bar in Sanlitun. She invited me but I declined the offer.We got snow! And it’s cold!Debates are over! Did it wrong since I booked resubmits on Friday afternoon and they all showed up! Sneaky cell phone usage!Getting essays done, this is the last weekend!iTalki closes applications aaaaand… I forgot to press submit! What about Preply, Verbling or other online platforms?And what about those workouts, how are they going? They’re NOT!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote02:24 Weather Update and Seasonal Reflections03:45 Teaching in Beijing: Challenges and Observations05:44 Debates and Student Performance09:03 Grading and Resubmissions14:32 Student Quotes and Curriculum Reflections17:20 Challenges in Teaching and Student Understanding21:19 Student Resubmissions and Classroom Dynamics26:09 Balancing Work, Fitness, and Personal Life29:35 Exploring Online Teaching Platforms33:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections

  --------  

  35:01

  --------

  35:01
• SSAB - December 11, 2025

  Reading Reddit and what do the Elders say? What of the ESL industry, its career progression, and WTF you’re supposed to do in it? What happens to the long-timers?Should I get an MA in TESOL? TEFL? Whatever? That would move me into administration, this is something I was looking at with the DELTA a few years back. I know people who the full suite of DELTA Modules completed, and they’re still working the same job and not seeing their pay increase.There’s no way around it: I think this is it for ESL.You know what’s really odd - the fact that I’m facing the end of a contract, semester and visa all at once. You’d think I’d feel some sort of closure?!The next six months… what about my workouts?!Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:28 Current Life Situation and Challenges02:04 Podcasting Journey and Reflections07:17 Future Plans and Financial Considerations16:30 Thoughts on ESL Career and Upskilling22:03 Reflecting on the Delta Experience22:29 Challenges of Teaching in China24:07 The Value of Upskilling25:32 Starting a YouTube Channel27:50 Career Reflections and Future Plans32:12 Personal Life and Decisions34:33 Considering New Adventures38:35 Concluding Thoughts

  --------  

  41:07

  --------

  41:07
• SSAB - December 10, 2025

  HEY! What about GOLD?!YouTube introduces AI Studio… sounds like ChatGPT!SLV Episode 67 recorded, not published! Checking out iTalk.And what about this six month thing? What else is there to say?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Introduction and Current Situation01:21 Visa and Job Concerns02:13 Job Market Realities04:53 Considering Online Work13:17 Future Plans and Options17:56 Alternative Ideas and Reflections20:04 Reflecting on Language Vlogging Challenges21:10 Considering New Language Learning Adventures21:50 Financial and Logistical Concerns22:35 Debating the Future of the YouTube Channel24:10 ChatGPT's Perspective on High-Risk Decisions25:11 Evaluating the Progress and Future Plans27:04 Technical Challenges and Equipment Upgrades28:22 Visa and Relocation Options30:32 Gold Market Analysis34:55 Podcasting and Content Creation Realities35:53 Final Thoughts and Reflections

  --------  

  40:28

  --------

  40:28
• SSAB - December 9, 2025

  Impatience to leave is not a good sign! Hello students, this is an exam!Have there been any highlights from the debates? Yes!How did the sound go? Wasn’t there when I woke up but I had to play my ocean waves throughout the night.And what could the next six months look like?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogHope you have a great one!! 00:00 Introduction and Exam Announcement00:33 Visa and Job Situation in China02:28 Apartment Dilemma and Future Plans10:51 Hotel Noise Issues16:52 Student Impatience and Class Management20:30 Unexpected Highlights from Student Speeches21:15 Challenges with Debate Chairperson Assignments24:55 A Standout Student's Performance28:05 Upcoming Debate Sessions and Grading30:49 Visa Dilemmas and Future Plans33:17 Possible Visa Solutions and Their Implications35:12 Considering Long-Term Options39:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  --------  

  40:28

  --------

  40:28
• SSAB - December 8, 2025

  I’m guessing she just turned it down… why not turn it off?Teacher! You’re so serious! Wait, I wasn’t before? Isn’t this an exam?I guess exams begin but to me it’s just a speech.No SLV podcast recorded just yet, spent much of yesterday setting up cameras! Tried out the Zoom H5 and then… decided to just record it tomorrow.No workout on Sunday, a small workout today (full body), three runs: 3.51 km in 25.51, 3.52 km in 25.22, 3.01 km in 24.06. Taking it easy as I gotta get some grading done.And, what about this travel idea? What would I do, where would I go, and why would I do it?Donate to the show! PayPal link below!https://www.paypal.me/stevensirski?locale.x=en_CA***Show notes n tracks up on stevensirski.comAnd on Notion: https://stevensirski.notion.site/SSAB-The-Audio-Blog-of-Steven-Sirski-00acfe344e164bfab191d3cddf6952b2?pvs=4Newsletter over at stevensirski.substack.comLanguage vlog on http://www.youtube.com/@stevenslanguagevlogHope you have a great start of week!00:00 Introduction and Initial Observations00:31 The Mysterious TV Incident05:49 Classroom Dynamics and Student Behavior07:49 Debate Day Challenges14:44 Exam Expectations and Issues19:27 Penalized for Talking Too Much19:54 Strict Parenting and Student Behavior20:42 Exam or Just a Speech?21:17 Teachers' Perspectives and Concerns23:12 Marking Criteria and Student Strategies28:48 Challenges of Recording a Podcast36:30 Balancing Workouts and Grading39:37 Travel Plans and Future Decisions40:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

  --------  

  42:04

  --------

  42:04

More Society & Culture podcasts

Trending Society & Culture podcasts

About The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski

The Audio Blog of Steven Sirski: Podcasts in Family