Post by BigRay on Mar 5, 2003 12:29:00 GMT -5
So now that I am here, I need to find a job. Fortunately, there is a large demand for native english speakers who can teach beginning and intermediate-level english to Czechs. This is what I will be doing here, and fortunately this will allow me to get a legal working visa.
Since I have never taught before, I will be starting a course to receive my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate which will give me some training so I am not completely clueless. This certificate is recognized around the world, but comes in many different flavors.
Many language schools here in Prague and the world over have very questionable reputations. Some of them are pure scams. It is worth noting that many "teachers" are scam artists as well, simply looking for a way to extend their backpacking travels and get paid. However, this IS a legitimate industry and there are many countries that have legitimate schools looking to hire english teachers.
In case anyone is interested, here are a few resources:
1. Next Level Language Institute (Prague)
www.nextlevellanguage.com
This is the school where I will be getting my TEFL certification. They also helped with my accommodation with a great apartment steps from Prague Castle. This is a fairly new school, but they have been extremely helpful to me even before I signed up with them. I have had the opportunity to meet several students attending their current course and all of them give the school high marks. The school also guarantees a job after completing their course. I would recommend this place whole-heartedly.
2. The Caledonian School (Prague)
www.caledonianschool.com/
This is the largest language school training TEFL teachers in Prague. I have heard many mixed reviews. This sounds to me like a good place for an inexperienced traveller who wants the security of having their hand held through the adjustment process, but I have no direct experience.
3. Akcent House (Prague)
www.akcent.cz/training.php
This place gives the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), which is essentially the same as a TEFL certificate, but the "Cambridge" title supposedly makes it more prestigious.
4. Dave's ESL Cafe (Worldwide)
www.daveseslcafe.com
This site is put together by a former english teacher and is a good resource for people looking for jobs or information about teaching in a foreign country. There are job postings, message boards, and teacher stories posted here from all over the world, though it can be a bit confusing finding it all. There are also good resources for teachers to help in lesson planning. I don't really like this site, though, because it seems most of the people who post here are a bunch of immature whiners. There may be some truth in what they are saying, but I think the site lends itself to people who like to complain.
If anyone is interested in learning more about teaching English in a foreign country, feel free to contact me via email or through this site and I will do my best to answer any questions.
Cheers,
Ray
Since I have never taught before, I will be starting a course to receive my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate which will give me some training so I am not completely clueless. This certificate is recognized around the world, but comes in many different flavors.
Many language schools here in Prague and the world over have very questionable reputations. Some of them are pure scams. It is worth noting that many "teachers" are scam artists as well, simply looking for a way to extend their backpacking travels and get paid. However, this IS a legitimate industry and there are many countries that have legitimate schools looking to hire english teachers.
In case anyone is interested, here are a few resources:
1. Next Level Language Institute (Prague)
www.nextlevellanguage.com
This is the school where I will be getting my TEFL certification. They also helped with my accommodation with a great apartment steps from Prague Castle. This is a fairly new school, but they have been extremely helpful to me even before I signed up with them. I have had the opportunity to meet several students attending their current course and all of them give the school high marks. The school also guarantees a job after completing their course. I would recommend this place whole-heartedly.
2. The Caledonian School (Prague)
www.caledonianschool.com/
This is the largest language school training TEFL teachers in Prague. I have heard many mixed reviews. This sounds to me like a good place for an inexperienced traveller who wants the security of having their hand held through the adjustment process, but I have no direct experience.
3. Akcent House (Prague)
www.akcent.cz/training.php
This place gives the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), which is essentially the same as a TEFL certificate, but the "Cambridge" title supposedly makes it more prestigious.
4. Dave's ESL Cafe (Worldwide)
www.daveseslcafe.com
This site is put together by a former english teacher and is a good resource for people looking for jobs or information about teaching in a foreign country. There are job postings, message boards, and teacher stories posted here from all over the world, though it can be a bit confusing finding it all. There are also good resources for teachers to help in lesson planning. I don't really like this site, though, because it seems most of the people who post here are a bunch of immature whiners. There may be some truth in what they are saying, but I think the site lends itself to people who like to complain.
If anyone is interested in learning more about teaching English in a foreign country, feel free to contact me via email or through this site and I will do my best to answer any questions.
Cheers,
Ray