Job Discussion Forums

[lyndalorient]

Does anyoneknow about this school?
All I know is it is 50km north of prague.
Is 6100 K enough to live on considering they provide accomodation or is this impossible?

[spiral78]

6,100 k after taxes, even if you have no expenses for accomodation is quite tight. You could make it, and even afford a weekend per month in Prague, but it's tight.

[Chris Westergaard]

I'm sorry, but this is beyond tight. That comes out to no more than 200 CZK per day of spending money. Unless you live like a monk, you will struggle hard with this wage. My advice is to look at other schools.

[spiral78]

I live in a little town two hours from Prague, and probably dont' spend more than 6,000 per month on just 'regular' stuff, but traveling around to Prague and other places, eating out, etc. is all extra. I suppose I really spend about 10,000/monthly, not counting trips outside the country. I should also probably calculate the fact that my groceries are supplemented by the cottage garden and my mother-in-law....

Yeah, don't go for 6,100!

[lyndalorient]

Thanks. You all pretty much confirmed what I was thinking.
It does sound impossible even for Czech Republic. I ve been to Prague and its not THAT cheap. Sure you buy lots for an Irish salary and live like a king but if you are on those kind of wages in Czech.. I couldn t do it.

Its a pity as I love the counrty with all my heart.

I have a degree and am a native English speaker but I am not a qualified teacher yet.
When I will be qualified and have a bit of experience will the money get alot better in Czech? Or is it about the same?

[spiral78]

The thing about Prague is that it's a training-centre mecca, with lots and lots of newly-qualified teachers hitting the pavements every couple of months. This keeps wages generally low.

The wages are low outside of Prague as well, due to simple economics: housing's relatively expensive if you have to rent, so even if you're being paid "more than the locals," you'll have much higher housing costs than they do, so you still can't get ahead.

The 'new' market in Prague is focused on a few expensive schools for children, but teachers need to have official elementary qualifications, similar to those required by international schools, to compete for these positions.

So, basically, teaching in the Czech Rep can earn you enough to live all right in the country, assuming you're not accustomed to luxury, but not enough to save money or pay back debts at home or travel extensively outside the country.

[merlin]

200 crowns a month! WOW! That's more than enough! Here's your daily menu

Breakfast:
5 rolls - 10 crowns
7 decagrams aglicka slanina - 15 crowns
1 bottled beer from a kiosk - 9 crowns (drink it there and return the bottle)

Lunch:
1/4 Grilovani chicken - 40 crowns (with bread)
pickle - 10 crowns
2 bottles of beer from kiosk - 19 crowns (drink it there and return the bottles)

Dinner:
1/4 loaf of bread - 8 crowns
3 tins pastika - 36 crowns
3 bottles of beer - 27 crowns

And over 20 crowns a day savings in your pocket! Or just go ahead and buy the bottle of okena and have a blast.

Seriously though. You can live on 6000 for a limited time but what happens when you need to buy shoes, underwear, socks or a jacket? There goes half you salary.

[lyndalorient]

Yes I know but sadly people earn this and have to make do.. I don t know how on earth they manage as things like make up, toiletries, clothes from big stores and cosmetics cost exactly the same as in Ireland. Difference is our minimum wage is 1300 � per month as opposed to 200� in Czech. Apparently Romania and Latvia are even worse for wages.

The menu you are descibing sounds wonderful but not great for the waist, Though I can t beleive how cheap their groceries are (but then every country is cheaper than ours) As always the healthiest food is the most expensive.

[harlem]

Hi there
Want to know a little bit about Hampson CS in Mlada Boleslav? They advertise a lot don't they? Their teacher turnover is simply ridiculous for the average Native stays is 3/4 months...
The two owners (husband and wife) are really exquisite people, cheerfull and available, unfortunately they have embraced the worst part of capitalism since the pay us 80 Kc per hr which adds up to 120 including taxes and health insurance, while they charge 16,000KC per student at the their intensive. If you want to waste your time, have no training, be undervalued as a teacher and a human being, and have no hope of going anywhere apply at Hampson. The contract according to the labour office, incredibly is "LEGAL", with NO minimum wage (my last paycheck was 5400 Kc) no paid holidays, no protection against being fired, no minimum guaranteed hours (many schools in Boleslav have minim. 20 guaranteed hrs written on their contract), and lesson cancellation policy is not 24 notice hours but only TWO hours!
If employed you'd be away for one or two weeks per month ON THE FARM teaching an average of 9 hr a day at 70kc per hr (food is provided). There is no communication between teachers and Hampson (3 weeks ago I had no lessons, and they said bluntly "but it is holiday...." well thankx for letting me know). Also they hired two new teachers eventhough there was no need, consequently many hours were taken away from me and my colleagues. Back to the FARM. While you are underpaid, you are also expected to be friend and hang with the students on YOUR OWN FREE TIME...catch the drift..
By the way Czech English Teacher at Hampson are paid 250 kc.
On the other hand you have paid accomodation (shared with 3 other teachers, so 3 rooms 4 teachers..), they do not require certification or experience. It could be a place to start from, but honestly I do not think it is worth the anguish.
Concluding, while the human side of Hampson is acceptable, the professional side lacks of many essential elements a serious instituion requires starting from a seriuos contract.
Be safe
Md