Job Discussion Forums

koreatom · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 35

Just a few general questions...

What's the average salary? I've been offered a job between 15,000 and 17,000 CZK... I understand I shouldn't move to Prague expecting to save bundles, but will this afford me at least a comfortable lifestyle? Also, this doesn't include housing... they're offering me a flat for 4,500 CZK a month.

Anyone know much about Tutor Language School?

Any thoughts? Any other details I should look for in a new job?

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

This salary sounds a bit low. If you are happy with the accomodation you'll be paying 4,500 monthly for, you can probably live on the salary.

'Comfortable' living is a personal standard. On a teachers' salary in Prague, you can expect to make enough to go out (though NOT often in the tourist centres!) and do some travel around the country. You shouldn't expect to save at all, or to make enough for extensive travel outside of the country. Or to go out shopping regularly.

I'd be asking serious questions about the accomodation offered.
You will want to know what is shared, and with how many people. Where it's located is also key: how long it takes you to get to the centre, and by what transport - you don't want to get stuck with a bus transit daily, though either tram connections or metro are ok.

Ask about split shifts and average travel time daily around the city to get to your students.

Generally, you should be aware that the better jobs going aren't usually found from abroad. There are so many teachers on the streets in Prague that most directors really want to see you standing before them, in their offices, CV in hand, looking professional and reliable, before they will give you a serious thought.

The school you mention may be entirely ok, but I'd be a bit wary of any school in Prague that is willing to hire from abroad, when there are so many teachers on hand. It may be that teachers in the city are avoiding this one.
Or just that they need someone to fill in an end-of-year contract period and no one wants to do the short-term stint. In this case, they job may be fine and the school would likely offer you a regular contract September-June after the summer break.

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

By the way, I was just cruising the Turkey posts and find that you haven't a TEFL Certificate. This is going to be a handicap for you in Prague, and may explain why you've found an offer with low-end-salary.

Prague is a TEFL training mecca, with at least six very active centres offering basic certs. 99% of newbies on the streets seeking jobs are certified.

You might better consider getting certified in July/August and seeking a regular contract in September.

koreatom · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 35

Yeah, after looking into it a bit, the salary seems way low.

How about this: what sort of salary can one live comfortably on? I'd say I'm not very extravagant... go out on weekends, don't do much shopping, certainly would like to be able to catch a movie and take a train to the countryside without worrying about money...

I'll put it this way: I made $40,000 a year in New York, and felt rich. Think I'll be alright in Prague?

Also, would you advise coming to Prague and finding a job in person? Think I can do that in December? That's when my contract in Korea is up... I just hate the stress of going to a foreign city without anything secured...

Just saw your new post... I'm thinking of getting a TEFL Online certification. Do employers accept that as the same as on-site certification? Is there a minimum number of course hours they look for? Or do they just want to see a fancy-looking certificate...

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

Basic certification for Europe is on-site, 100+ hours, including supervised teaching practice with feedback from teacher-trainers.

It's the supervised practice (on real students, not peer teachers) that's the key.

You won't find work to start in December, but in January, sure. You might want to consider doing a course in Prague Nov/Dec and getting something lined up for Jan-June.

If you do a Prague-based course, you can be sure that the local schools will recognize your certification, not to mention that your practice-teaching students will be really representative of ones you'll be working with when you start.
Training centres can offer you good advice about reputable schools and other vital info as well.

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

And, don't worry about coming without a job in advance. There is plenty of work around, and you'll have no trouble finding something suitable - and at a better salary that the one you've quoted above.

It's really how things are normally done here.

The only real exceptions to the rule of being here for your job hunt are for schools in very remote/rural locations or for teachers with special qualifications to teach children, or other specialist positions.

koreatom · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 35

Cool. Thanks.

So you don't think Prague schools will think much of a TEFL Online certificate? I think it comes in a fancy leather folder, ha ha. Sarcasm aside (at least in Korea they love meaningless superficialities like that), I don't think the certificate has the word 'online' anywhere on it... I think it just basically says that I'm TEFL certified, though of course none of the Prague certification program's names would be on it either...

Thanks for the help.

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

YOu're quite likely to be asked specifically about supervised teaching practice.

I wouldn't go with the online version, fancy leather folder or no.

koreatom · Joined: 04 Jan 2008 Posts: 35

Wow, sounds like they're pretty serious over there... kind of discouraging. Maybe I'll suck it up and turn into a more professional teacher... or just continue to be a lazy bum in Asia!