Job Discussion Forums

libby702 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Can anyone offer me some sound advice?

I'm currently an ADOS at a language school in the U.S. I've been teaching for about 5 years and am thinking about taking some time to teach abroad, possibly in Prague. I don't have a certificate, but am willing to get one.

I am wondering about the logistics of all this. First of all, I've heard good things about IH Schools, but have had some trouble getting answers to my questions from them. I'm trying to find out the real deal about getting hired as an American in Prague. I'm also trying to find out if January is a good time to get hired. Finally, I'm wondering, financially, how it works when your certification program (say, CELTA or Trinity) ends at an odd time, like the middle of November of even in December. How has this worked out for other people?

It seems like a good number of people just show up and find jobs, but I'm not sure if that's the path for me.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

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

Briefly, you would need certification to teach in Prague, simply because everyone has one. It's best to get certified in the city, giving you a chance to get your feet wet and make local contacts before you have to search out housing and job contracts for yourself.
There are jobs in January. You would need to expect to be without a paycheck until end Jan/early Feb at the soonest, if your cert course ends late Nov/December sometime.
Be sure to consider your finances - you will have to support yourself while you're on the course through first paycheck. Landlords here will want one month's rent as a deposit and one month up front (plus you may have to pay an estate agent the equivalent of a month's rent for finding you a place), so you can count on as much as four months' rent out of pocket before paycheck one. You don't want to be caught short financially.

Good language schools in the city generally don't hire from abroad. If someone is offering you a job from abroad, you should be suspicious that their reputation is such that teachers here on the ground don't want to work there for some reason.

As an American in Prague, you're at a bit of a disadvantage since Brits are so much easier to hire legally. However, there are jobs and a school should start the ball rolling for you to get working visas. It's a hassle, but do-able.

May I suggest that you spend some time reading through older posts on this forum? All of your questions have been discussed in detail over the past few months, and you'll find more in-depth answers even just a few threads down.

libby702 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

I have been reading through some of the earlier posts. It seems like some of the info regarding Americans' ability to obtain working visas was a little contradictory, so I thought I'd post my own.

I have read a few posts mentioning the Schengen agreement. Do you know anything about how that would affect working visas for U.S. citizens? From what I could find online, it seems like the CR was planning to enter into the Schengen at the end of this year. I've heard in the past, people just made a border run every three months and then re-entered. With the dissolution of the routine border checks, any idea what would happen to Americans trying to obtain working visas?

Also wondering how experience might be factored into teacher pay in the CR. I'm not looking to get rich, but do hope that my 5 years of experience (plus a certificate I hope to obtain at the end of the year) would make a difference. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much for your time? By the way, are you in the Prague area now?

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

I've been living in the CR on and off for ten years and am here now thru the end of the year.

I don't know about how Schengen will affect foreign workers (not an issue for me, having permanent residency) but I can ask colleagues in Prague this weekend and get back to you. However, so far as I know the Laws regarding hiring non-EU workers won't change, and N. Americans should still be eligible for legal papers, albeit after much hassle standing in lines & etc.

5 years of experience is certainly useful, but be advised that salaries are generally just enough to get by on here. Regardless of qualifications and experience, the market just doesn't support substantially 'better' pay. Don't expect to make enough to save, pay off debts back home, or travel extensively outside the country.

This is true for me as well. And I have 10+ years of experience, an MA in TESL/TEFL, permanent residency, and functional Czech. I'm not kidding - the money's just not here for English teachers. One reason I just live here on and off.

However, there are significant offsetting factors in terms of quality of daily life. I love being here...

libby702 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Hmmm. Good to know. If you do happen to find out any info about the Schengen and you'd like to pass it along, that would be great.

I've heard pretty much what you're saying about pay. I would just hope to make enough to enjoy my time there...eat out a bit, travel a bit, etc. Not really expecting to pay off any debt or save really.

Thank you again...will probably continuing posting with my many questions!

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

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

Sure, I could support myself here quite all right. I have an edge in that I own a flat, so my monthly housing costs are below 2000kc.
But I like the project work that I do in Canada and the fact that they also send me abroad on teaching projects. It pays well. Why tie myself down? Our situation's very different from yours, in that we're child-free and happy about it.

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

We don't have kids either. But when we move, we'd live to go somewhere to start a family.

libby702 · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Hi Spiral...You mentioned that having about 4 months of rent saved up beforehand is advisable. I'm assuming you meant that this amount would be enough to cover rent only. Would you be able to give a ballpark for general cost of living overall for, say, three months (for a single gal...no kiddies or husband)? Please pardon if this question has been answered before...I thought I saw it a few weeks back, but have since lost the link.

Basically, I'm thinking of potentially taking the Trinity course that runs from mid November through mid-December. Just wondering how much I should plan to put away before getting there in order to make it to paycheck number one.

Again, thanks to you (or anyone else!) for your help!

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

I suppose, depending on your standard of living, around 10,000kc/monthly should be ok, apart from rent. If you've got more, good, less would likely be tough. And always be sure you've got access to enough money for a plane ticket home, just in case - though I'm sure that's obvious advice.