Job Discussion Forums

[tmrontheroad]

I was wondering if someone could shed some light on what to expect from an employer in the CR other than pay? I've seen many posts on salary, but none on other benefits.

Although I will completing my BA in English prior to going next year, I will not have a teaching credential. I am in charge of training and curriculum development at my job and have plenty of volunteer experience in tutoring and reading. I assume the lack of a credential means I will be working at a language school.

I'm interested because I am looking to do this as a career and lifestyle change. I'm not as young as many in this field as I'll be 40 when I leave. I have plenty of savings and a decent retirement so I'm not worried about those aspects.

Can someone give me a general idea on what to expect in terms of benefits. I'm looking for information about vacation and insurance, but any general info would be appreciated as well.

Also, if anyone has input regarding what schedules can look like as well that would be great.

Thanks!

[spiral78]

July-August unpaid summer holiday.
Possibly a paid metro pass.
Insurance, basic, should be in the package.
Schedules likely to be split shifts first year, possibly moving up to something better in year 2. Split shift can equal something like 7.00 - 11.00 and then 15.00 - 18.00. Traveling all over the city to the offices of your students included.

You can count on a fairly tough first year as you pick up local language skills and contacts, and it can get better after that, depending on how dedicated you are to making it work.

Be aware that the economy here is falling fast. You're not coming at an optimal time to make things easy.

[spiral78]

I'll add that the very limited benefits reflect the fact that the vast majority of native speaking teachers in the CR are newbies, and move on after a year or two. Schools do not need to improve the package to fill the positions - and it's getting ever tighter these days, like everywhere else.

[smithryansmith]

i agree with everything that spiral said. the first year will be tough, particularly if you are not prepared to "live rough" (living with flatmates, cooking at home, unfurnished flats, etc.)

To add, i can almost promise that you will not get a job without a teaching TEFL certification. the reason is that 99 per cent of the job seekers around here will have one and chances are language schools wont even talk to you without one (speaking from experience).

i did mine here http://www.itc-training.com/ and it was loads of fun but hard work. it takes a month. I did other training at http://www.expats.cz/prague/czech/tefl-schools/akcent-international/. Very professional.

my boss had about 10 applicants for one full time post last week

[tmrontheroad]

As I said, this is more for the lifestyle change more than anything and I'd like to put in at least two years. I'm not looking to save big and I don't have any debts here to worry about.

Also, I do intend to get a TEFL cert. I wouldn't dream of doing this without it. I realize that the experience I have on a corporate training level (in terms of curriculum development/training) are not the same as this type of teaching.

Thanks for the info!

[spiral78]

You won't save big - or (probably) anything at all.
But Prague's s fantastic experience, and if I could afford to live there again, I'd be there in a minute. The only place on earth I've ever been homesick for...

[johnnyappleseed]

Our school gives assistance and advice with getting the visa for non-EU'ers.

We find and rent a flat for teachers(who pay rent to the school) and the rent we have is substantially lower than average in this town.
WE provide the flat with some basic furniture, including fridge and washing machine.

Reimbursement for travel to firms and such. Help with Z-card for public transportation.

That's about it!

[spiral78]

Do you mean the costs of travel only? Not travel time reimbursed, I assume?

[smithryansmith]

[johnnyappleseed]

[spiral78]

Ah, yes, the joys of living in a small town/city! I forgot, you're not Prague...I had some really long commutes there, back in the Olde Days.

[johnnyappleseed]

Sorry if my answer was a bit flip.
I think that traveling is, often, just a fact of life in the business. Along with strange working hours.

If you work in a state school or university it may be different, but it's very hard to get a job in a private language school without having to do a bit of unpaid travel and have early start times and late finish times(often with huge gaps in between.) THese are definitely drawbacks, but unless you have some leverage at your school(i.e. some type of seniority) that's just the way the business works.

People should be aware of that!

[Sigma]

My commute to work is 10 seconds down the stairs.

[spiral78]

johnny, don't worry - I know it's the norm, and not just for the CR!
Just to clarify for the newbie who was originally asking. Berlitz is the only outfit I know of that (used to, don't know now) reimburse travel time and costs, but their overall salaries were lower, and they probably had to to keep anyone on staff...

[smithryansmith]

Some schools will pay for a 3 month travel pass but i think its a lot less common nowadays. as a rule the more perks a school offers the lower the salary (understanably). Akcent offers a lot of perks and is legit but their monthly salary is pretty low compared to other places