Job Discussion Forums

[Marjanian]

Hello,

I have been an inactive member of this and other Czech Republic forums for some time now and I think I have a general picture of what are life and pay like there.

However, my case is somewhat specific, and I need an honest answer so I would know whether to pursue this any further. Anyway, here it is:

I'm not a native English speaker, but rather an English language and literature student from the Republic of Macedonia. As such, I DO have an Eastern-European accent, much like the Czech do, because we are Slavs after all. On the other hand, our two languages being Slavic ones, I won't have the same problem with Czech to the degree that some of the other foreigners are having, and I'm ready to work on that too.

Furthermore, I don't have any job experience, but since I don't think of leaving until I finish my studies and work for some time, by the time I get there I'll have anywhere from 6 months to one year experience. Also, I don't have a CELTA or some other cert., but I can and will obtain one if my BA is not enough.

Finally, I'm thinking of staying there and building a future, of course, unless I have a horrible experience.

So, that's pretty much it, now when you know that I need an honest answer on these questions:

1. Will a good language school hire me? Will a so-so language school hire me?

2. If they do, will my pay differ from that of the native English speakers?

If you have some relevant examples or experiences to mine, please write and tell me about them.

Finally, if you are interested about Macedonia, post your questions here and I'll try to answer them.

Regards,
Marjan.

[spiral78]

You'll need a certification - preferably one you earn in the Czech Rep. You should be able to find work, and it certainly shouldn't be paid at any lesser rate than a native speaker!

You'll just need to be sure that you are among the best - best qualified, most professional, most reliable.... all qualities under your own control. And you may hear 'no' a few more times than native speakers do, but I know quite a few non-native speakers who teach in the Czech Rep and they do build strong reputations for themselves - there are opportunities!

However, if you really decide that you want to build a future in the Czech Rep, you'll need to build your local contacts there and eventually move into something other than teaching English for a private school. The wage level just won't be enough for you to build a future on. Housing costs are particularly problematic in the Czech Republic.

[Marjanian]

Hello Spiral. Thanks for your reply.

There just weren't many non-native speakers posting on this forum, so I didn't know whether this would be an issue. I don't think that a certificate would be a problem since I do study methodology of teaching English and I'll also have some prior teaching experience before I decide to move.

However, I'm also aware that as a non-native speaker I'll probably never achieve the fluency and accent of the native speakers, so I guess that I'll just have to concentrate on other qualities, such as good knowledge of grammar, professionalism, reliability etc.

The quality of life is just much better in the Czech Republic. Skopje is actually an expensive city and housing is an issue here too, and can't expect to earn nearly as much as there. Also, there is a program by the Czech government which allows for Macedonians and others to have legal residence there and also work legally and even acquire a permanent residence in only 2.5 years. This maybe doesn't mean much to you, but this is one of the few countries that allows us to work legally from the very start. A friend of mine actually had to jump over a fenced border with dogs chasing him in order to get to Italy.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. If anyone else has something to add or share an experience, please do, it would be very helpful.

Regards,
Marjan.

[spiral78]

Marjan, best of luck to you.

I actually know very well the value of legal work opportunities and eventual permanent residency in the Czech Rep. I have it, thanks to my Czech spouse. I hope to become a dual citizen (Czech/U.S.) in early 2008. It's really become my own home country, much closer to me than the U.S.

[Marjanian]

I'm glad to hear that you've achieved success even though the market is so competitive.

If you don't mind me asking, for how long have you taught English? Do you do something else now? In my particular case, the first 2.5 years would be critical, and after that maybe I can think of doing something else.

Again, thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

[johnchina]

When I was in the Czech Republic, I knew a Macedonian teaching English. She had no problems at all. As Spiral says, you'll generally be judged according to your abilities rather than your nationality.

[spiral78]

Marjan, I think your outlook on the thing is very practical. You're right: the first couple of years, while you are building local contacts and perfecting your Czech, are the steps to finding some feasible long-term niches. You may find you'll prefer to be in a different city in the Czech Rep, even.

For myself, I have been teaching EFL/ESL for almost ten years - I started this (second career) in Prague in 1997. I've now got an MA TESL/TEFL, and have taught in Netherlands and Canada as well.

But because the market is so competitive in the Czech Rep, it's very tough for someone with serious qualifications to find teaching jobs that pay enough to make it worthwhile to teach there. The market's being full of newbies willing to accept subsistence wages keeps wages relatively low

- and, as other posters have pointed out, the vast majority of Czech students are quite happy to work with teachers who hold basic certifications and have a professional, responsible attitude. They don't necessarily need a teacher with postgrad credentials.

So, teachers like me have (broadly speaking) priced ourselves out of the Czech market. For me, this means that I am loosely based at a Canadian technical college and work on international projects, and I am lucky enough to get to spend some months every year at our flat in the Czech Rep - but there I work on my own curriculum design projects and other stuff.

Anyway, I'll be home in the Czech Rep June until Christmas - and I'm seriously looking forward to being there!

[Chris Westergaard]

I've got some decent first hand experience with this. Have someone check your accent first of all. If it is really thick, it might cause some problems. If it is a basic normal accent it should be fine though. Spiral is dead on with his post regarding ability. You will most likely have to take a TEFL cert and taking one in the city is probably your best bet. The thing is you will have to work harder than any other native speaker at the school. Do really well to the point where the TEFL staff can give you a recommendation. After that, you should be fine. Best of luck.

[Marjanian]

Johnchina, that's good to hear. I read a statistics report from the Czech government that in the last 15 months (since the start of the Open Chance Program) about 750 Macedonians have settled in the Czech Republic, so slowly a small community is developing, especially in Prague.

Spiral, you lead quite a nomadic life. I had a professor at my university from England who had taught in about 10 different countries, from Saudi Arabia to Sao Tome and Principe, but he finally decided to marry and settle here. He managed to find two good jobs, as a lecturer and as a proofreader for one of Macedonia's biggest companies. So, I guess that some people can prosper even in Macedonia.

I know all this takes time and making contacts, so I'm not expecting a wonderful life from the very start, but I believe that the ultimate goal is worth the sacrifice.

Chris, no, my accent isn't that thick. The problem is that we only have 31 phonemes in Macedonian while English has 45 together with the diphthongs, so some of them can present a problem at times. Still, I would say that it's better than average for a Macedonian speaker. It also sounds more like the American than the British accent, even though I spell colour and not color.

Thanks again guys, I'll take your advice in consideration when I make the move. However, I still need to finish my studies and get some experience first, and hopefully in an year or two from now I'll be in the Czech Republic.

[johnchina]

Slightly off topic post, but I hope the moderators will indulge me ...

How could we forget! May I recommend the Czech film 'Samotari' (Loners). It features a Macedonian girl who goes to live in Prague.

One of my favourite Czech films!

[Marjanian]

Johnchina, thanks for the suggestion. I managed to find the movie and I just saw it. You are right, it's very good, hilarious at times, definitely something I would like to see a few more times. The scene with the Japanese tourists in the end was particularly funny. By the way, the Macedonian girl is our most famous actress, Labina Mitevska, it's funny how nobody has heard of this movie here, considering she is starring in it.