Job Discussion Forums

isaac · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Brazil

Hi. I'm a United States Citizen living in Brazil. I am currently planning on taking a TEFL course here in Brazil. In the future I would like to work in Czech Republic. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for the best websites to look since getting a job without actually being in the country is hard I guess. I would take a TEFL course in Czech and then get a job, but I don't have enough money for that right now. Thanks for any help people can give.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Hi, isaac - Dave's is a small world. I posted an answer or two to your questions about Portugal.

I thought you felt that the Czech Rep would be a 'royal pain.' I'd still like to know why you think this, but I'll try to give you some info anyway...

Jobs are rarely found from outside the country. This is true in Europe generally, but very much so in the Czech Rep, where Prague is something of a training centre mecca and there are lots and lots of newbies on the job market all the time. the exception is for jobs in remote areas or places which are hiring teachers with specialist qualifications.

There will be work for you, I'm sure, but you'll definitely need to be in-country to get a good job.

Beware of schools that are hiring from abroad - in some cases, this indicates problems that make local teachers avoid the school.

If you do find a school that's willing to hire you sight unseen, post here. Between those of us who have been around the Czech Rep for awhile, someone can likely give you some info about the reputability of the school itself, or at least the contract and package that they are offering.

isaac · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Brazil

Before I thought that working in Czech would be a royal pain because I read some posts and most of them were negative. I did more research and it doesn't seem like more of a pain than other EU countries. And since I'm from u.S. the only EU country that will allow me to work besides Poland and Romania. So I'm trying to find out what my options are. Right now I can't afford to attend school in Czech for TEFL, long story. So I guess I'll continue my teacher training and then save money to do some traveling. Thanks so much for dealing with my newbie comments and thanks for the information.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Well, you can get a legal working permit for the Czech Rep, though it is a bit of hassle.
The job market in Europe generally doesn't pay well enough for people to save up money, pay off debt outside the country, or travel extensively.

That said, teaching/living in the Czech Rep is a fantastic experience for most.

I've lived in five countries, and the Czech Rep is the only one I call 'home.' I'm a big fan, and can give you lots of good reasons to try it - but I'm not gonna be unrealistic.

C'mon and try it. Your qualification, as you've described it, will be fine in the Czech Rep. You'll just need enough savings to get yourself there and support yourself for a couple of months until you can get your first paycheck.

Best time to come for earliest possible work is probably mid-late August.

ITTP · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 343 Location: Prague/Worldwide

Hi Isaac!

There are so many opportunities in Prague to find teaching work if you are TEFL qualified that it makes little sense applying from abroad.
The best deals are always to be found whilst here in Prague.

Here is a list of the major TEFL schools in Prague to begin your search:
http://www.expats.cz/prague/directory/tefl-schools/0/

http://www.praguetv.cz is also a good local source.

All the best!