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Aniri
Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Bucharest
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:33 pm Post subject: Do I stand a chance or more? |
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Hi all,
First of all I would like to say a big THANK YOU for the wonderful job you are doing here! I found a lot of valuable advice and information.
I am seriously considering moving to Prague and having a 100% lifestyle change. Right now I am managing the operations of an online business in Bucharest.
I noticed that most people coming to Prague and looking for an English teacher job are native English speakers. Where does this leave me, a Romanian girl that has learned English as a second language?
I have finished an English highschool, I have a University Degree in Law, a Master Course in Business Law and 4 years of business and management practice. I will also get my Trinity Tefl in Prague and I hold an EU passport.
What are my chances in getting a good job as a teacher in Prague?
Do I stand a 50/50 percent against the natives or my chances are much less than that? |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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I would say - give it a try, if you haven't got too much to lose by leaving your old job, or you think you could in the worst case scenario get it or soemthing equivalent if Prague didn't work out and you needed to go back.
What are my chances in getting a good job as a teacher in Prague?
What do you consider a 'good job?' Most all English teaching jobs in Prague pay subsistence wages, and strongly feature travel around the city to the offices of your students, sometimes starting early in the day with a break in the middle, and continuing after business hours. It's tough, and that's because there are so many newbie teachers in the city - the sheer numbers of new teachers available keep wages down and competition fairly high.
As for being a non-native speaker - in the bigger world there are advantages and disadvantages, and a well-qualified non-native speaker can certainly compete on an equal level with native speakers. I work with mostly non-native speakers (but not at the newbie level, mind you!!) and they are definitely my equals - and betters sometimes:) in real terms.
But the reality you will be dealing with is a non-native competing on a very tight market with lots of native speakers at a newbie level. Honestly, it may be quite tough.
If you can give it a try without too much risk, go for it. |
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Aniri
Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Bucharest
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, Spiral78! I am aware that competition is high, especially on the entry level. Also, I know I am not used to running around the city everyday, from morning to night, but I will just compensate this with the beauty of the Golden City
When mentioning a 'good job', I mostly thought of a reputable school that would pay 800 E to 1000 E for a full time position and offer some perspective that would not make me wanna go anywhere else but there
Does this seem feasible to you? |
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Aniri
Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4 Location: Bucharest
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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Forgot to mention that I will be renting my place in Bucharest, so rent in Prague won't be an extra expense for me. |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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When mentioning a 'good job', I mostly thought of a reputable school that would pay 800 E to 1000 E for a full time position and offer some perspective that would not make me wanna go anywhere else but there
800 euro would be at the very top end of the net range after taxes for fulltime and overtime teachers in Prague. 6-700 would be more realistic.
So far as working much to keep their teachers happy - remember this is a market that is regularly flooded with newbies. Turnover is huge - the schools don't really need to worry about keeping teachers in general. Not to imply that there aren't good schools in the city that do care about teachers, but don't expect much special effort to keep you/keep you happy. |
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