Job Discussion Forums

[Layli]

Hi all! I was recently offered a job at Brno English Centre, Czech Republic, and I heard that they have a pretty good reputation. I just wanted to see if anyone has taught there and what they think.

This is my first EFL teaching job, and I'm super-psyched. I'm also trying to figure out how best to pay my student loans while over there. My loans are only about $50 a month, and I should be able to swing that on the salary I've been offered, which is high compared to what I've seen other Czech schools offer. Does anyone have any advise about that?

I know that no matter how much I'm making, this is not really the place to save money, but that's not really why I'm going.

Also, if there is anyone who has lived in Brno, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks!

[naturegirl321]

I lived there for a bit. It's a nice quiet city.

As for loans, you can apply for economic hardship.

Or send money to your parents and have them write a cheque to the loan company.

[Layli]

Thanks. That's pretty much what I've been hearing about the student loan situation. I'd like to keep paying it while I'm away, but I'll see how it goes.

[ITTP]

Hi Layli.

ITTP has had grads head to the Brno English Centre, considered the leading school in Brno for learning English, and we have just had glowing reports of this school.

They pay is in line (if not better), than many schools in Prague and they also actively make sure that you become legal and so reap the benefits of paid holidays, health insurance, etc.

What is important to consider though is that if you like the feel of a big city then Prague might be more your scene - Brno is really just a 'big village' and doesn't have the energy which Prague has.
On the other hand, if you like the feel of a provincial town and very friendly locals all set in a wonderfully attractive countryside then Brno might be for you. It's only 2.5 hours away to Prague on the Student Agency bus whenever you need your Prague experience.

I would recommend heading out to Slovacko on countryside trips for a very warm reception from locals, low low prices, and a glimpse at centuries old customs and traditions still very much active today.

The additional bonus: spot the tourist - they are far and few between(definitely a respite from the crowded tourist tread of Prague's cobbled streets).

[Layli]

Thanks for the reply. It's exactly what I wanted to hear. I live close to New York City, and I visit only very occasionally. A more "village" type atmosphere is just what I want, but it's good to know that there is a city like Prague only a bus ride away, for when I feel like a little more action. Now I feel even luckier to have been offered a position at the school!

[Arab Strap]

The best thing about Praha? The train to Brno.

Most of my mates in Brno avoid Prague like the plague, too many tourists, too exepensive and snobby locals who'll charge you 10 crowns to use their toilet or tell you the time of day...............and anyway Vienna is closer to Brno and more interesting than Prague.

But keep it a secret please. We don't want hoards of expat-backpack-bratpack, pseudo teachers, only working to support themselves while they write their 'novel'...........moving from Prague and forcing the pirce of a pint up.

As for your 50 bucks a month, well with the poor state of the greenback at the moment your only talking about 1000CZK a month (you'd spend that easily on 'quiet' night out in Prague).

BEC is a good school and I know a couple of teachers who've been there for a while, this is always a good sign. You'll not make a lot of money, you'll save bugger all but you should be able to live quite comfortably.

Brno and indeed the Czech Republic is not as cheap as it used to be and it's getting more and more expensive.

Pay is not keeping pace with the cost of living which is getting closer to that of 'Western' Europe as the CZ heads towards joining the Euro. This is not a place to make money.

Anway, P.M. me Layli, if you want some more info. I'll be in Brno in June/July.

[ITTP]

Hi Arab Strap.

I'm actually in Brno right now and whilst I agree with most of your points made I must strongly disagree with your statement that Vienna is more interesting than Prague

Also, Prague CAN be expensive but when you know where to go then it can still be very affordable - same with Brno (although with Brno the availability of affordability is more prominent).

I don't think you can really compare the cost of living here with Western Europe - definitely not in terms of travel costs/ food/ entertainment.

Sure, electronic goods here are grossely overpriced and the choice of clothes, music, literature is limited and likewise expensive but general living expenses are low.

Prices ARE rising and wages are for the large part remaining static and I do agree with you that this will be a serious issue in the years leading up to the adoption of the Euro.

For the time being though teachers CAN save some money (not nearly as much though as some other TEFL/TESOL destinations), but more importanly - teachers can experience a generally high standard of living on a full-time teacher's salary.

[Arab Strap]

[ITTP]

Hi Arab Strap.

It IS true that buying property or running a car is out of the question on a teacher's salary.

As a Prague resident of 12 years I have seen a steady increase in the price of goods in general. My wife is from Brno and we spend a lot of our free time here and so I feel that I can speak with objectivity when I say that it is still very affordable here and that food is still VERY good value (maybe your Watford store had a sale on ).

So I think we have concluded that the Brno English Centre is a good school to work for.

[Arab Strap]

Snap, my Mrs is also from Brno and on our travels she's been able to compare prices of a 'general shop'.

I can assure you that the UK is cheaper on quite a few things.

I was earning 17,000CZK in my hand in 1997 and back then that left me with about 12,000CZK after rent for beer and bread........there's no way I could earn that little these days and be able to get by, especially with two young kids to feed, dress and entertain!

Of course at that time I was a single man and lived like a lord. The average wage was around 8000CZK!!!!

Still you're right, Brno is cheaper and BEC is an excellent place to start your TEFL career, but why would you take Praha over Brno especially if your wife is from there?

AS

[ITTP]

Hi Arab Strap.

For me Brno is a lovely respite from the relative 'chaos' of Prague but I could never settle in Brno - well, at least not at this stage of my life.

I come from a very small English seaside town and growing up in a small town left me with the urge to always surround myself with the bright and fast lights of the city.

I take it you are from London (?) so I completely understand why you would view Brno as a place to live rather than a city like Prague.

I also have a child (who is currently snoring away happily with her Buzz Lightyear toy) and yes - a teaching salary really is geared towards a single person's lifestyle.
Still, it is an enjoyable lifestyle and if you are prepared to teach full-time then it does pay a very decent local salary.

I would rather live in Brno though than Vienna

But that's of course for another forum page area I guess.

Regarding prices here - are there any teachers out there who would like to add their 2 cents?
I maintain that this country is still very affordable and generally MUCH more affordable than France or England, for example.

[Arab Strap]

No I'm not from London, nor England for that matter, you've insulted my honour sir, easily done, I'm actually from Scotland.

Yes it would be interesting if a few others threw their hats into the ring with this debate.

I am currently in Saudi Arabia were petrol costs 3CZK per litre. I suppose that's to be expected.

Ciggies 27CZK, litre and a half of water 10CZK.......................and for those interested Viagra is 700CZK for 4 tablets (I priced this at 1200CZK in CZ). It's not that I need it you understand, I was thinking about buying a suitcase full and punting it around the pubs of Brno over the summer!

My Mrs is in Brno right now and she can compare prices.

Last night I got a haircut and a shave for about 70CZK which is not too bad I think.

Of course there's not much to spend your money on here in terms of entertainment but beer (non-alcoholic of course) costs 10CZK..........

At the end of the day CZ is fine for a singleton with no plans of marriage, kids or mortage but I still maintain that it's not as cheap as you might think. Just as a last example, it costs my mother about 2p a minute to call to Brno from Scotland, in CZ it must cost at least 10 times that...........

Maybe grumpty old me doesn't want Brno being upsized and Pragaized. Please keep it a secret and let's hope that backpacking-bratpacking TEFLers only stop off to change trains as they head East........

[naturegirl321]

TEFL Prague and Arab Strap, just a curiosity question, have you learnt Czech? I heard that it's a difficult language, but being married to Czech women would probably help

[Arab Strap]

I am ashamed to say 'No'..............

It is a difficult language but it's more down to laziness on my part.

Even my two year old speaks better Czech than I, but I know how to order a beer and I am blessed with two hands and 10 fingers.

Zdarec

[naturegirl321]

HOw long did you live there?