Job Discussion Forums

[bartokrok]

Hello! I am planning on taking a CELTA certification course at Akcent IH Prague this May, and I must admit that I am interested in staying in the country afterwards to teach. In particular, I'd like to work in Brno.

However, after reading this forum I am beginning to worry.

For one, I am American and have every intention of working legally in the EU. From what I understand, few schools are willing to go through the arduous process of supplying their non-EU teachers with support for work permits/visas. Add the upcoming implementation of the Schengen Agreement into the picture and you've got, in my opinion, a very precarious situation for incoming newbies such as myself.

For two, I do not have a university degree. I started it in Russia, continued it in the States, and have no intention of finishing in the near future. As for work experience, I only taught English [part-time] for a period of 5 months. This was in Russia.

What do you think? I'm aware that I am, after all, just another one of thousands of hopefuls trying to set up post in the Czech Republic. Indeed I will have a CELTA certificate by summertime, but given the constant influx of [more qualified] teachers, will this be enough?

Sorry if this post seems silly, but I would really appreciate some insight from those who have experienced the job market in the Czech Republic first-hand. I am serious about finding a job teaching English in Central or Eastern Europe, and for that reason I need your [brutally] honest answers and realistic advice!

Thanks,
A.

[john_n_carolina]

...Spiral78 or Moore can probably help you better...they bounce in these forums from time to time. but, it seems if you are serious, and tell the school this, you look presentable, and have a positive attitude...the school might just convert your tourist visa to a work visa. i did this in Ecuador once at a university, they converted my missionaries visa to a work visa...took a few months

the poland forum has threads about this same type of deal.

won't your CELTA school be able to advise you?

[spiral78]

So far as I understand the proposed changes in hiring law for English teachers (I have two friends who've owned language schools in the Czech Rep long-term, and we've just been discussing this issue), you CAN work legally in the country as a North American in 2008. The paperwork has always been onerous, but it is doable and the schools still commonly go through the process.

Your lack of degree is a bit of a drawback, but most employers here are going to be more interested in your professionalism. A CELTA will help, and you'll need to make sure that when you go for interviews and work, you dress and behave as a professional.

I'm not casting any doubt on your professionalism, you understand - it's just that there are many newbies on the job market here who don't take teaching/working as seriously as they might, and this shows in their appearance and behavior. Without a degree and as a North American, your best asset will be reliability and professionalism - this can go a long way to counter the drawbacks.

However, there may be one issue that you haven't considered regarding the timing of your CELTA course. The vast majority of job contracts here run September - June, and there is VERY little work to be had in July/August. You might rustle up a private student or two, but you are probably facing at least the summer without income - so you'll need to be sure to have enough financial backing to support yourself until your first paycheck - at the end of the first month worked, usually, hence end September at the earliest - and this one isn't likely to be a full month as schools don't start usually on the 1st.

[john_n_carolina]

...also, were you living / grew up in Russia? just checking....if you have a bit of an accent, that might be a small drawback also. i just thought it was a little strange that people start their bachelor's degree in Russia and their last name / handle name is Bartokrok??

[bartokrok]

Heh, nope. I'm a native English speaker with no Slavic accent, born and raised in the US. However I moved to Russia when I was 17 and matriculated there. Also had a few odd jobs on the side, including teaching English, translating, and writing articles for English and Russian sites.

My user name refers to my favorite composer, Bela Bartok, who was Hungarian.

[bartokrok]

[spiral78]

I think you should run the interview gamut in June and try to get some commitments before the summer break. I'd be surprised if anyone would be willing to start the paperwork trail before September, though I suppose it's possible.

The traditional approach by the foreign police to this kind of scenario is to give the benefit of the doubt during the period from which requests are officially filed to the date you actually have legal documents in hand - meaning that, so long as the legal proceedings have been initiated and you have not been denied for any reason, you're technically ok.

[Kootvela]

Sounds you are the right candidate for most language schools in Europe, eps. those that hunt for as many native speakers as they can find, even though they are builders and plumbers (no disrespect intended) but speak English as a mother tongue. A bit of sarcasm but the reality does bite. I think you will get a teaching position just because you are a native speaker but you will be required to take some special courses about teacher training alongside with your job. My 2 cents.

[spiral78]

Kootvela, I think you're in Lithuania, right?

The job market's not the same for teaching in all of Europe.
Prague's a teacher training centre mecca, and 99% of newbie teachers here have a university degree in something, and a TEFL certification from an on-site course.

It is NOT enough just to be a native-English-speaking plumber or whatever. You've got to be at least have a professional/reliable personality and the above qualifications to get a foot in the door at reputable private language schools.

Somebody trying to get in the door here with just native-speaker status is way at the bottom of the job market.

No relation to the OP.

[john_n_carolina]

...yes, it is a BIG teacher training city (Prague). i don't see the ads anymore though, you used to see them all the time, "TEFL Prague", etc...must've raised his rates and the Asian countries outbid

[Kootvela]

Yes, I am from Lithuania and the info in my previous posts relate to the facts that I saw happening where I worked. I guess our countries' standards and understanding of things a worlds apart. But I am happy there is a difference because my last year here was depressing, I was just meant to make money but not teach.

[bartokrok]

... perhaps I should check out Lithuania if I can't find work in CZ?

[john_n_carolina]

...if you finish the CELTA in June, seems you like you should do these options :

1) look for privates until Aug 30, when you can apply to language schools
2) go to Spain for 2 months
3) go around to the local Prague unis and look for 'summer privates'??
4) forget about teaching and go climb the Pyrenees or the St Michael trail

Have you thought about staying just 2 months more in the US, until Aug, and then going to do the CELTA??

[Kootvela]

[spiral78]

Privates are also pretty thin on the ground in July and August. It's simply holiday time. You might rustle up a few who are starting university in some English-speaking environment in the fall and want a short crash course, but I doubt you'd find enough to actually make a living.