Job Discussion Forums

[Aramas]

I've been checking out salaries and cost of living in CZ and it seems to pay badly - around $500-$600 USD a month, which seems to be about what the rent on a 1 bedroom flat in Prague is. Does that sound about right? That would mean that TEFL in CZ pays about half what it does in SE Asia, and cost of living is about double?

Or am I missing something?

[spiral78]

Housing's always been relatively expensive in Prague, ranges roughly between 8,000 and 15,000 kc monthly, less if you live outside of the center and share a place with others. Teaching jobs don't support living in the center or a lavish lifestyle in most cases. Salaries are high by local standards, but it's not easy to save money or to finance a lot of travel outside of the country. Basically, you can still get by in Prague and have a great time, but it's much tighter than most places in Asia.
If you're really interested in CZ, why not consider living in a smaller place outside of Prague? The ratios are better in many cases between salaries/cost of living.

[denise]

If you find a school that provides or subsidizes your housing, you can live quite comfortably. When I was there, my salary was something like $300/month, with free housing. I could not go on lavish shopping sprees (not my style anyway) or travel much in Western Europe, but I could always afford to go out for meals, shows, etc., and I was able to travel around the country quite a bit.

d

[comenius]

My experience when living in Prague was about the same. I also earned around the equivalent of $300 USD per month. While travelling outside of Eastern Europe was not financially possible, I had a great lifestyle in Prague and was able to go pretty much where I wanted, do what I wanted, when I wanted, and to the extent I wanted, without any worries or concerns.

[Foster_520]

I constantly read on these pages about the poor rates of pay in Prague and Czech Republic but also constantly meet fellow teachers who jet off a couple of times a year on holiday and on a teachers wage.
Anyone reading these pages must make the clear distinction between the sort of people who work hard and , well, the others who don't.
I can imagine some of these teaching bums cancelling lessons when the hangovers on, getting round to teaching a handful of lessons a month and then complaining about the low wages
One of the teachers at the school where I work travels at Xmas to Egypt and in the summer to South America on the cash he makes during the year teaching.
Wages are relatively high here if you compare the local average wage and costs.
You have to look at it from a local level and not an international one.

[merlin]

Nonsense, Foster_520.
The Czech Republic is no longer a Poor Country.
People Who live in Prague have a considerably higher wage than the rest of the country. Language Schools in Prague should compensate for the high cost of living their teachers have. After all, they charge their students more than schools out in the boonies.

Making negative blanket statements to paint all English Teachers in Prague to be Drunken ne'er do wells does not reflect well on the school you are promoting (TEFL Prague). That is a problem YOU may have due to faulty management practices but this has no relevance in discussing the teaching scene in general and teaching wages.

13,000 crowns ($600US) a month for 20 contact hours is just barely adequate in most places in the Czech Republic - in Prague due to it's higher cost of living it's just exploitation, pure and simple. Oh, yes, that's for 2 weeks paid holiday in witer and paid summer break, just like state-employed teachers. Teachers with 9-month contracts should get considerably more.

[Cull]

I don't see how it could look bad on TEFL Prague if one of their graduates claims that many teachers in Prague are, well, lazy.
I also graduated from TEFL Prague recently and would defend their management indefinately. Had a great time, and having a great time now teaching through a job which they set up.
The fact is that the Czech Republic isn't Switzerland. Prices ARE cheaper there and compared with the average teaching salary life IS GOOD

If Stephanie wanted to express something then hell, let her. I'm afraid I agree.

Damn Merlin, U don't arf sound like U ave a bit of a chip on your shoulder. Ironically, most teachers in Prague ARE drunks ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Cull]

Now that Merlin brought up a bit of criticism regarding the lovely folk at TEFL Prague I just want to say again that I had a great time with them. Their site is www.tefl-prague.com

Respect!