Job Discussion Forums

ma-bell · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Ever since I was 17 I've wanted to go back to my home country and teach English.
However, this dream was crushed when my father insisted it was a bad idea and pushed me to pursue other endeavours. (no hard feelings!)
Anyways, I've held on to this dream for many years, but now I'm getting quite serious about making it a reality.
I'm 35, married to a Mexican man and we have 2 small kids.
I teach English in Mexico and have done so for the past 5 years.
I speak Czech, Spanish and English. I was born in CZ but have lived in Canada since 1980.
I have a TESL teaching certificate and have mostly been working with kinder kids.
I really love this work and sometimes get homesick for my motherland. (The food, my extended family (in Brno) and the culture.)
Now, the question is: Do I automatically qualify to work legally seeing as I am Czech?
How hard will it be for my hubby to work in CZ? (He speaks english perfectly but with an accent, and is in the restaurant industry)
The added hurdle is doing this with 2 kids (preschool age) in tow.
I was thinking of Prague, even though all my family is in Brno. I just find Brno a bit boring.
Anyways, I know this is a lot of information but was wondering if someone could answer some of my questions and maybe point me in the right direction.
Thank you for your patience and advice.

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

My spouse is Czech, so I can speak a bit to the legalities of your situation. You obviously have no problems living and working in the CR, as you're a Czech citizen (I assume this means you have a passport from the CR). Your husband will need to apply for residency/working papers, but there should be no major hassles there as you're married.

So long as you're happy sending your children to Czech schools (international schools being very expensive) I would think two wage earners in Prague should be able to make ends meet. The job market's generally a bit depressed these days, but not desperately so. I think you'll have no trouble finding jobs, though I would expect that you'll be starting out really at entry-level, and will need to work your way up some ladders over the first few years.

connick32 · Joined: 07 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

You have what you need to succeed. Go for the dream, if you are that passionate! You would regret it, if you don't try it. Good luck.

Sadebugo · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 524

I envy you! Living/working in the CR is my dream as well. I did manage to work in Slovakia for five months through my US government job but haven't been able to make it back since.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

smithryansmith · Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Posts: 75

I think you have a much better chance than most. Youve already hurdled the legal papers and language barriers which are what cause the most problems. you have teaching experience which is a giant plus. the kids would go to czech school but kids adapt quickly, especially if they have lived in other places before. your hubby will have the toughest time trying to get something in his field without speaking czech. he should probably consider going the english/spanish teacher route, at least in the beginning. a dual income teaching tandem couple with Czech relatives to help out should do pretty well, actually.