Job Discussion Forums

[eclectic]

I am a US citizen, 45 yrs old, 1 year teaching exp. in S. Korea, BA English/Masters International Studies, no TEFL, here in S. Korea with my wife (she doesnt teach).

I am thinking to get certified thru 1 of those Czech programs, and teach hopefully in Czech.

Are US citizens just as readily hired there after certification, in general, as are EU persons? What is the minimum salary I could expect (I realize big cities vs. small towns will change the salary) given my "qualifications"?

Finally, I certainly know I won't be saving the approx. $1,300 US per month I am saving here in the Far East.........but will I be able to save even $400 US/month on a frugal lifestyle?

I've gone back several pages on this forum and seen a wide range of salaries--some unbelievably high ($2,200 US per month?!), others quite shockingly low (16,500 czp/month).

[spiral78]

Are US citizens just as readily hired there after certification, in general, as are EU persons? What is the minimum salary I could expect (I realize big cities vs. small towns will change the salary) given my "qualifications"?

US citizens require visas and EU citizens don't - most employers would prefer to avoid the hassle - but there are not enough EU citizens on the job market to fill all the positions. Net salaries can range from 20,00 - 26,000.

Finally, I certainly know I won't be saving the approx. $1,300 US per month I am saving here in the Far East.........but will I be able to save even $400 US/month on a frugal lifestyle?

Highly ulikely. Even a frugal lifestyle won't really allow this. The main problem is rent - you should expect to pay no less than 8,000 monthly for a flat, and quite possibly more. As you can see, it's a very substantial chunk of your net pay.

If you also expect to support your wife on your teaching salary - well, honestly, I'm not sure that's a realistic scenario. Will she work somehow? Doing what?

The bottom line is that Prague's teaching market is primarily staffed by newbie level teachers. Wages are relatively low (approx the same as when I started out there 12 years ago, in fact!) and turnover is high. Employers will always be able to fill teaching positions with newbies, and therefore the overall scene probably won't improve.

Yes, once you have built up a local reputation and language skills and contacts, you can find ways to boost your income somewhat (hence, some of the higher figures you've read in other posts) but this comes after paying some dues at the entry-level scale, and does take some substantial effort.

[eclectic]

thx spiral78, that was probably 1 of the most excellent replies I ever got.

Well 20-26k comes out to about US $1,200-1,400/month net as you said. Lets say 8k/mo. rent as you said, leaves about 12k before food, transp., etc. It still seems based on that I could save about $400-500/month (8-10k) after rent, food, transp., utilities.

What am I missing here? We cook everyday, hardly go out, and dont drink or smoke. OK, Ill have a few beers a week.

Anyway thank you again for your info. 12 years! Wow, you must like it some!

[cks]

Would your wife consider teaching as well? I know there is often openings at the daycare at the Embassy. Are you also supporting children? If you can bring in an extra income, you can most likely save about $400 per month. I save about $300 per month with the exception of my December and July/August salary. I pay 6500 per month shared rent with my boyfriend and spend maybe 500 to 1000 per week for my share of the groceries. I still manage to go to the cinema occasionally, pub, eat out every now and then and we constantly go to Moravia about once a month to visit his family. We also go on holiday to Turkey, Egypt, or non Euro countries once a year.

With a double income, a modest flat away from the center, and at least 30ish hours of teaching; it is possible. When I was a workaholic; I once earned 34000-but I was teaching from 8am til 9pm on most days.

[spiral78]

I think 8,000 in rent is a fairly modest figure these days - I was actually paying 10,000/monthly my first six months in the city (just to avoid flat sharing with a stranger). I know people paying 12-14,000.

cks has the best idea - flat share with another wage earner.

I've also heard that the market for working with small children in an English speaking environment is growing fast. If you can also get your wife employed, you should be certainly fine - otherwise, I would think it will be tight.

You can afford the beer - it's literally cheaper than water, if you order one of each in a restaurant:)

[eclectic]

thx to you two for all that! we will see,...yes we will see....... I hope she can work too, but she doesnt have a BA........

[cks]

She can take a TEFL course and teach in most schools without a degree. Any TEFL school should accept her. There are also many call center jobs as well as working at the kindergartens and daycares. She won't earn as much at these centers but she will still bring some money home. I think I have seen the ads on www.expats.cz for call centers paying around 20,000. I see the occasional tour guide and pub crawl guide jobs as well. She can try Mulberry language school and Bumblebee. I remember my friend earned 13000 at Bumblebee in 2005. Salary is low, but the perk was being able to go on an all-expense paid ski trip with the kids and they used to offer low priced flats.

[eclectic]

cks thx so much again--we are going to try that asap, God Willing. Double salary will surely make it worth it.

[ITTP]

[spiral78]

I wrote: 'I started out there 12 years ago,'
There was no implication that I've remained in Prague for 12 years.

Once again, I'll note for the record that I have maintained strong contacts in the city both in terms of family, and in terms of friends in the TEFL business.

I have personal contacts at two of the teacher training centres (not Neville's, obviously) and another friend who has owned a language school in the city for 16 years, and yet another who has made a sustainable business out of corporate work over the past 8 years. I have a clue what's going on in the city in terms of TEFL work.

Further, through my university position in the Netherlands, we have two partner universities in the Czech Rep, both of whom I work with regularly.

[eclectic]

ITTP and SPIRAL78--thanks to you both. Both are very informative. I hope you 2 do not get into any spats or quarrels now! Peace and love!

Both of you seem quite knowledgable and extremely helpful. I will surely be pm'ing you both soon becasue my wife and I are SICK, SICK, SICK UNTO......, with South Korea, i.e. "The Land of Narrow-Minded, Sheltered, UN-international Paranoia and Xenophobia".

So is it true then, to confirm (it seems outrageous to me!) that my wife without a BA can simply take a cert course and teach? WOW, that would be fantastic!

Again, I feel 2 people each making 20 thousand czp/month (approx. $2,000 US) should be able to save ATLEAST 10 thousand per month, or $1,000 US. Tell me Im being optimistic.....(OK, tell me Im insane! )

OK, We decided to leave this place. Let's GO!!!!!!!!!!

[ITTP]