Job Discussion Forums

[Sadebugo]

I currently teach ESL/EFL for the American government and will be able to retire with a pension when I'm 60. The government sent me to Slovakia a few years ago and I taught there for 5 months before I was recalled. I fell in love with the place and also visited the Czech Republic several times liking it as well. Anyway, this is my plan. I would like to move to the CR and/or Slovakia when I retire and continue teaching. Money would not be an issue since I would have a pension, but would it be feasible at that age to teach there? In some countries, such as Japan, being over 40 is a real hinderance to getting a job. I wonder if it's the same there? Please tell me what you think the situation is concerning this.

Thanks in advance,

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[spiral78]

Your age will not be a barrier. Czech schools don't need to look for the 'hollywood' types to impress their students, as is the case in some parts of Asia. Professionalism, reliability, responsibility are well-regarded. I would think you would certainly not be at a disadvantage at all.

(and, just to clarify, I AM in the CR at this moment, as I have been for much of my time over the past 11 years)

[Sadebugo]

[spiral78]

Learning the language will also help - but that can obviously come later on, when you're here and have the time!

Best of luck.

[Sadebugo]

[spiral78]

I'm impressed. That definitely gives you a strong leg-up when you come. There are relatively few fluent non-native Czech speakers around.

I hadn't realized that the military (US?) trained linguists in Czech. Probably it's not kosher to say why, though I'm curious. For co-ordination with field troops, maybe? Disaster relief teams?

In any case, I'm sure you'll be fine when you come, and your language skills will certainly make you even more attractive as a job candidate.

[Sadebugo]

[Aussie Chick]

The following article in the Prague Post recently made me think of this thread. Just a warning, because the Czechs can be ageist (as well as xenophobic).

Ageism Article

[willraber]

Interesting article, but what caught my eye was this statement about half way down:

Employment offices reported that the most common form of age discrimination in the work force is an employer�s preference for young women in positions as secretaries and waitresses in bars, restaurants or clubs.

Why do employers discriminate? Three guesses: they're male; they can; it's good for business.

Also, no mention as to what type of job the anonymous job seeker was looking for. I can't seem to find a way to say this without insulting the young but qualified child that will train me, and my sincerest apologies for even the appearance of rudeness, but I'd rather be taught by someone who knows what they're doing rather than how cute they might appear.

[ITTP]

The article is true for a lot of different types of careers in Prague.
When it comes to teaching English though then I think we r dealing with a whole different kettle of fish - if you can do the job then it doesn't really matter how mature you are or which gender you are.
I do know that some schools prefer to send out female teachers to male clients and male teachers to female clients and the school argues that the gender dynamics contrubutes to a greater learning experience.

The Czechs can be described as being xenophobic but as always it's never good to tarnish a whole nation with the same brush.

It is true though that if you are in your forties or fifties, male, and applying for that company secretary position then you probably shouldn't place any bets on whether you will win the position or not

Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1

[pacific]

How about this part of the article:

The Czech Republic faces possible fines after failing to pass an anti-discrimination bill before its entrance into the EU in 2004. Four years later, it is the only remaining country out of the 27 member states not to incorporate this legislation. Though such a bill was passed in March, it was vetoed by President V�clav Klaus shortly after. The bill would ensure equal access to education, work, health care and social advantages irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, health, sex, religion and world outlook.

What is it with the Czechs? (I am Czech. I should know. )

[Aussie Chick]

[ITTP]

In general gender doesn't come into the equation.
But SOME schools do prefer the mixed gender dynamics of teacher-student.



Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville

ITTP Prague
Jungmannova 32
Prague 1