Job Discussion Forums

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

It seems as if the majority of posts on this site are dealing with Japan, Korea and China.

I am an American, have a BA in English, and have taught ESL in the states for 3 years. I would very much like to teach in Prague, but do not know where I would begin.

Any Advice?

Thank you.

-Christopher

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I whole-heartedly recommend Prague, as I spent two years there and loved just about every second (OK, I am romanticizing my stay there just a tad, but on the whole I was quite happy). I got my TEFL certificate there through ITC, and there were several schools that hired directly from my TEFL program. BUT...

The EU may hinder your ability to work legally in the good ol' CR, unless you can get an EU passport from somewhere. They're going EU in, I believe, May (if not, can someone correct me?).

Good luck!

d

Littlebird · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 82 Location: UK

I have a degree and postgraduate diploma but no teaching qualification or experience do I need to get a TEFL qualification to work in Czechoslokia ? Is an introductory 120 hour one good enough ?

Obviously I have looked in the jobs section on this site but there seems to be few jobs in this country. Does anyone know of any other sites offering ESL positions in Czechoslokia ? I have surfed the web and found only mainly jobs in the Far East. Why are there so few jobs in Czechoslokia ? Is competition fierce ? Could someone give me some contact addresses or advice.
Smile

Thank you

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

Thanks Denise. I can't decide where I'm going yet, but I would love to go to Prague. Walk the same streets as Kundera did and all that. So an EU passport huh? I'll start on that Firday.

I see that you're in Japan now. Which of the two are you enjoying most.

I really appreciate your time.

Peace.

Christopher

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I see that you're in Japan now. Which of the two are you enjoying most.

So difficult to compare! I've only been in Japan for about a month and a half, and the lifestyle is completely different. I'm out in the countryside, sans the big city attractions that (among other things) make Prague such an awesome place.

bnix · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 645

Satchel...it is not all that easy to just go"get an EU passport".It is not a bottle of milk.
I taught in Czech before,too,in Plzen.Before all of the EU stuff.There are jobs in Czech,but for non-EU citizens,the obstacles will now probably be extremely difficult.As a matter of fact,the obstacles for the paperwork were difficult BEFORE the EU.Now they will be worse.
Denise....I am glad you enjoyed Praha.I did not find it to be "awesome"(if there is one word I suggest that you lose...it is that one..."AWESOME???))

Praha is more expensive than other places in Czech.Usually,and especially in the summer,there are hordes of tourists.It is nice to visit Praha,but in my opinion,not so nice to live there.Better places to live include Plzen(Pilsen),Brno,Olomouc,Domazlice,Cheb,just about any place else in Czech.

Of course,there are private schools which hire year long(Caledonian comes to mind)But I would advise that you think it over carefully before signing with a private school.They often do not have stellar reps,usually with very good reason.
I do have the email address for a place to contact regarding teaching with state schools(but they may have hired for the fall already).Anyway,if you are interested in contacting them,send me a PM,and I will give you the address.

John · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 17

[quote="bnix"] for non-EU citizens,the obstacles will now probably be extremely difficult.As a matter of fact,the obstacles for the paperwork were difficult BEFORE the EU.Now they will be worse.
[/quote]

Most of this is supposition and just wrong. Simply because the Czech Republic is about to become part of the EU does not automatically mean that they will bring in rules to make life harder for non-EU citizens. All it means is that they cannot treat EU citizens any differently than they treat their own citizens.

If Czech subjects do not need any special permits to teach then neither will British or Irish citizens. The regulations for Americans, Ozzies etc. will not change one little bit unless the Czech government decides to change those regulations.

In practice this means that schools will probably find it a lot easier to recruit EU citizens rather than go through whatever paperwork is involved in getting a work permit, but unless more native English speakers choose to go into TEFL then vacancies will remain to be filled by whatever means necessary.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

bnix,

Shall I substitute "rad" for "awesome"? Very Happy

I was under the impression that the EU changeover would make life more difficult for non-members because schools, regardless of any new government requirements, would choose to hire EU-passport-holding teachers to save themselves time on the paperwork. Am I mistaken, then? (Hmmm... once I get my insurmountable loans paid off, maybe I'll head back there! I had figured that I'd already used my chance to work there legally.)

d

satchel · Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

So, Where Can i find posting for jobs in Prague? Is there a website?

bnix · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 645

How do you know my statements about the EU qualifications are"supposition and just wrong"?Have you ever EVEN taught in Czech?(John).Or are you just making statements "off the top of your head"?

Denise..."rad"????Like,gag me with a spoon....Anyway,Denise has a sense of humor...probably help her in this business

Satchel,if you want a contact email address for some jobs in Prague(and elsewhere in Czech),send me a PM.

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

I've taught in Czech (briefly, Prague is not a nice place). I know that your statements are "just wrong". How do I know? I've just finished transcribing an interview with a member of the Czech government and he said that regulations will not be changing for non-EU citizens. The interview will be published in the Prague Business journal next month. Why not pick up a copy and learn something?

caesar · Joined: 30 Jun 2003 Posts: 24 Location: cyberspace

bnix taught in Czech sometime last century. Ancient history.
People who taught here way back when (more than 3 years ago) have a hard time understanding that countries change.

State schools? Now THAT's beaurocracy. Make sure you study anthropology because there's some real old fossils hidden away in those nice safe state jobs. At least private schools go out of business if they don't have good teachers. State schools promote the worst teachers to be prinicpals.

I have a feeling Englishmen aren't waiting in line to rush the border on Jan 1, 2004. There's a demand for native English speakers now and there will continue to be in the future. Englishman, American, or other. However, they're looking for a different type of teacher than in Asia so don't expect people to throw you loads of money just because you're white. If you're an unqualified or not very good teacher you'll get paid accordingly.

bnix · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 645

Yeah,just ask "Caesar".he is sitting in Portland,Oregon,but he will give you the real lowdown on The Czech Republic.Armchair expert.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I love Praha too. It is sooooo beautiful and romantic. Proposed to my wife there on a rowboat under the Charles Bridge. I was there in 90 and 95 and what a difference in prices (maybe the prices went up by 10 times in those 5 years). Is Praha expensive now? It was getting that way.