Job Discussion Forums

housedog11 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 9

I'm looking for jobs in the Czech Republic, and it seems to me like I may be able to get hired from abroad, however if I do, the job will probably be sketchy and/or less than desirable.

I can't afford to get over there until August. I'm wondering if I just show up without a job, will I be able to find a decent one for the school year that would start in September? If I just hop on a flight in August, should I worry about getting a teaching job?

thanks for any help.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You've got the best plan. Only dodgy school offer jobs from abroad here. You're going to be much better off if you are here on the ground, CV in hand, looking professional. Make sure you've got the basic qualifications that are competitive here: a 4-year uni degree in something and a TEFL/TESL certification that is at least 100+ hours on site, and includes at least 6 hour of practice teaching on real students with feedback from experienced teacher trainers. The vast majority of newbies on the job market have these quals here, so it's the minimum that schools are looking for.

housedog11 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 9

I've got the CELTA, however this will be my first teaching job. I guess my biggest concern is that I will be there less than a month before the new school year and am worried most positions will be filled. I realize there are a lot of schools, but still I'm worried it's kinda "short notice" or whatever.

thanks for the response

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Don't worry. August is The Holiday Month throughout Europe and many schools will be doing lots of interviewing in the last two weeks of August. It's traditionally been the time when schools fill out their staff. I did exactly the same thing you're doing, though this was ten years ago. You'll certainly be able to find something suitable.

Remember, if worst came to worst, and you actually didn't find anything in Prague (unlikely!) you could still always fall back on a smaller city, like Plzen, Brno, Ceske Budejovice, where there may be more demand for teachers.

You could contact the DOSes at some schools now and just ask whether you can come to talk to them in August when you arrive. You won't likely get any contract offers out of this (and beware if you do!) but at least you would know the names of some directors at some schools and this might speed up the interviewing process a little bit when you arrive.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Seems like jobs in general are better found in-country. However, getting hired from abroad can give you job security. I know it's what I'll be doing when we move to Europe.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Naturegirl, your situation is different. You aren't likely to be applying for newbie jobs. Any school that's offering newbies a contract from abroad is quite likely to be a shady one, particularly if it's located in one of the more desirable cities, like Prague.
As an experienced teacher with advanced quals (you have an MA, right?) you have an entirely different focus in terms of job-search. You may find something decent from abroad, though you'll still likely have to be here before you can upgrade to a really good position.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

housedog11 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 9

do i have any worries about a visa? i obviously don't have one now and am not exactly sure of the process to get one. should this be a concern? or can i just go over there and worry about it then?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

You'll enter on a tourist visa (they'll just stamp your passport at the airport) and after the course, when you have a contract, the school that hires you will get you started on the regular visa process. It's a question you should ask when you are interviewing for jobs. It's not an issue prior to employment.

Nashledanou · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 64

strokes42 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 5

My friend and I are also thinking that going in August would be a good idea, but what should we do about a place to live why we are interviewing for jobs? Is it better to just start a lease at a complex right away or live at hotels? Also, what areas of the town are best to live at?
Thanks for the help!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'd personally prefer to do the flat/apartment-search from the city. Most places in Prague are quite all right to live in - you mainly want to be sure you're located within what you think of as a reasonable distance from tram/metro stations.

strokes42 · Joined: 24 May 2007 Posts: 5

So what are the names of some places to stay at while you job and apartment search? Thanks for the responses!