Job Discussion Forums

[photo2541]

Hello! I�m a 48-year-old male from the United States. I have a B.A. in English Literature. No formal teaching experience. Looking possibly to teach in the Czech Republic for at least one year.

1. How much is my age a factor is being hired?

also:

2. What is the possibility of finding work in June-July, 2012?

3. What do male teachers wear in the classroom?

Thank you!

[spiral78]

Age is not likely to impact you much here, given that it does not negatively affect your ability to travel about the city to reach your students, who will typically be businesspeople whose classes are held in their offices. Further, given your tolerance for split shifts and subsistence-level pay - standard of living will definitely be different than in the US. On teaching salaries in the cCzech Rep, you can expect to enjoy cultural events, eating out, and travelling around the country, but any purchase from a new pair of jeans on up will likely require planning and forethought.

You will need a CELTA or equivalent to compete on the job market here - Prague boasts six or seven teacher training centres that provide this level of certification, and anything less will be a real handicap, with so many recent grads on the streets.

Jobs here are not normally found from abroad - you need to be here to interview in person. June and July are wrap-up months for the normal Sept/Oct - June contracts. and there is little/no new work around at that time. August is full-on holiday month. Hiring begins at the end of August and is usually wrapped up by the end of September.

As a US citizen, you will have 90 days from landing in the Schengen zone (google for more info) to get a job lined up and get paperwork filed for legal work permits. This is a hassle for both you and a potential employer, but it is still do-able. You'll want to time your arrival with this in mind.

On possible scenario: sign up for a certification course to run in August, and you can start interviewing in the last week of the course. This is one way to maximise your chances of landing legal work in the time period allowed.

Male teachers normally wear business casual dress -

[photo2541]

Thank you very much for all the information!

I've been reading the forums for a few days and seen the advice on taking the course in country. I definitely plan to do that. The two courses that seem the best are Cambridge CELTA (via Cactus) and TEFL through The Language House.


I see the peak hiring season other than September is January. However, might there any chance of obtaining a position in February? The Language House offers a course ending December 9. But ask because I might not be able to arrive in time to take that course. The next course ends February 3. That one I could possibly arrive in time to take.

[spiral78]

Basically, the job market is pretty competitive and it's impossible to predict whether you would find work in an off-season. February is quite iffy - you would be essentially trying to pick up the end of someone else's Sept-June contract. You might get lucky.

I do recall several US teachers who ended up going home a few years ago because their course finished in November and their 90 days ran out before they could land anything.

The basic thing is that because you need an employer to go through the legal hoops to get you a visa, you are less desirable than any UK teacher floating around. That's why your best bet is to be ready in the peak season.

It doesn't mean that you would find it impossible to land a job that would get you a visa in February - obviously no-one can say this with certainty - but your chances would definitely be less.

[photo2541]

Ok, scratch February.

So are you saying January is not a peak hiring season? I have come across that as being true here and there.

If January is a reasonable possibility, I could possibly swing the course that ends December 9. 90 days from the course start date (November 14) would easily get me to the end of January.

Just trying to think of something that might work since waiting until September-October hiring is definitely not going to work for me.

[spiral78]

There are usually a few jobs going in January, mostly to replace teachers who didn't return from their winter holidays. A few openings to cater to clients who started contracts in January. It's much smaller than the normal September hiring season.

Again, you might get lucky, but September is by far maximising your chances

[mr tree]

it'd be unfair of us to be over-optimistic and leave you here high and dry... Spiral's words are wise.

i would say that there is always the chance to pick up work, throughout the year, but September is definitely the big "spike" in hiring activity. January would be the second most-common time, but far far less new hires than in September. and other times are possible, but you might have to really pound the streets... and get lucky...

[cks]

As for the age factor, you are at an advantage. Many schools are relieved to find a mature instructor in addition to the students.

[Chris Westergaard]

If you have the energy and a good personality you'll do fine. Getting a job is the easy the part, developing a stable group of peer(ish) friends is what you need to be concerned with. Go on Expats.cz and check out a lot of outside of work activities and clubs/groups that you can join that will help you meet people in your same age group (although you're not old by any measure.)
Cheers,
Chris

[Arab Strap]

And again......