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To the east of Germany, and the southwest of Poland and to the north of Austria and Hungary lies a country (now two) that many in the “west” had nearly forgotten up until 1989—Czechoslovakia, which peacefully separated into its constituent countries in 1993. In 1945 Prague and Czechoslovakia were liberated from Nazi rule by the Soviet Union, and for the next 44 years existed under the watchful eye and the heavy-handed influence of the Soviet regime. In those days one’s second language was more often than not Russian, imposed on anybody who went to school, which meant everyone. Many years before the Second World War, and up to the end of the war, one of the more common second languages of Czechoslovakia was German. For people from countries of Anglo-Saxon roots and traditions, multi-lingualism is a bit of a novelty. But for many people in the world, it is a normal aspect of life.
In the early 1990s the Czechs and Slovaks began their transition from a semi-closed country where communists had run the show since 1945 and with more severity since 1968, to very open societies that were more than ready to (and capable of) transforming themselves into the liberal democracies that Europeans and North and South Americans now assume to be the way things should be. The Czechs quickly discovered that learning English would be part of this transformation, and beginning in the early 1990s “ex-pats” from all over Europe and from many English-speaking countries in the world flooded into the country.
The English-teaching jobs were there for the picking (and in fact exceeded the supply of teachers for a while), work regulations were lax, the Czechs were excellent students and learned quickly, and they made little fuss about the number of “foreigners” coming into the country, except to remark that the extra money being brought in had the undesired effect of sending real estate prices through the ceiling, especially in Prague.
Today, as the end of the first decade of the 21st century is upon us, the Czech Republic and her cousin, Slovakia, are still “hot spots” for single teachers looking for an interesting and exciting place to land. (I say single as a way of excluding a married couple with children—barring exceptional situations, this family might find it hard-going to live in the Czech Republic, earn a local salary, and plan for a comfortable future with a return to their home country in mind.)
If you are interested in teaching English in the Czech Republic and are from a country that is a member of the European Union, you can easily enter the country and be set to go as a teacher, provided you have the qualifications. If your country is not an EU member, you’ll need to know that with the country’s entry into the European Union in 2004, their laws regarding foreigners working in the country have tightened up. In the mid 1990s I needed a work permit when I went there to teach, but it was handled with ease by the local police—I in fact entered the country with a tourist visa for a nine-month contract; today, getting permission to work is a bit more time consuming and strictly regulated, but not impossible.
You will have to start the process in your own country, though, with the nearest Czech Consulate. But don’t see this as a daunting task, my experience with the Czechs has shown me that they are generally open and kind-hearted people; that said, if you are ever unsure about working visa information, ask the people at the consulate what you need to ask—and I believe you will get a straight answer (something very refreshing about the Czechs, they will tell you things straight). You may also want to check out the website of the Czech Consulate in Washington DC (or a consulate having jurisdiction over your region or in the country where you reside): Or simply enquire with a prospective employer in the Czech Republic, who will know exactly what needs to be done for you to work legally. Assume that the application process for a resident and work visa will take several months in your country. Keep in mind that if your country is not a member of the EU, it may have an agreement with the Czech Republic whereby citizens can enter the country and teach for a limited amount of time without a visa. Enquire with your nearest Czech consulate!
The Czechs have, since the early 1990s, come to demand more of their English teachers. They still want native speakers or people who speak with native-speaker fluency (this latter being a huge demonstration of open-mindedness), but being a native-speaker is not enough in these days of tight economies and an over-supply of teachers—the competition among teachers for good jobs has resulted in teachers with some formal TESL training being more marketable, and for obvious reasons.
Many schools, and not just the market, also require their teachers to have some formal training. And teachers are now expected (required) to have their working papers in order. In any case, it is to your benefit to have both formal training and working papers—without one or the other you risk being paid a lower hourly or monthly rate than what other more qualified teachers might be earning. And without working papers you open yourself up to deportation, a humiliating end to your stay in the country, and a Czech policy that is not just a threat.
For citizens of non-EU countries, you are still in demand in the Czech Republic, as the Czechs realize they would like to learn English not only from the Irish and British. But be sure that you have contacted an employer before entering the country, and have done your homework and footwork with the consulate for obtaining the papers for staying in the country and working legally. Your future employer will without a doubt be able to advise you on this matter and perhaps assist you. Just don’t forget that you cannot go to the Czech Republic on a tourist visa and teach.
In the nearly two decades that Prague has been at the epicenter of the English teaching world in the Czech Republic, the number of teachers in the city has grown to saturation. Prague is still “the place to be” for those who seek ex-pat outposts and a desire to be part of a “teaching community” of sorts. But for those willing to strike out on their own, be encouraged knowing that many teachers have in recent years found they can just as well teach in the many other cities and regions of the country. While the money they make is less than what they could make in Prague, the cost of living is also much less. Nearly 90% of the population of the country lives outside of Prague, so without a doubt there must be opportunities outside of the capital.
Language Schools abound in the country—they are everywhere. Because of their sheer numbers and the flexible schedules they offer their clients (students), language schools are the most likely places for you to find employment. Some will pay your health insurance and even assist you in handling your paperwork for teaching and living in the country. Depending on the school, some will also pay for your airfare upon completion of your contract. But universities and public schools, which also want their students to learn English, are good destinations as well. Being entities of the state, they will more likely than not assist you in matters concerning your working papers and pay for your health insurance, and may offer lost-cost or free accommodation (a saving for you). So, for a qualified teacher, finding work should not be a problem if you are patient and determined. Just look on online job boards, and you will see that the number of job offerings for the Czech Republic is still pretty good.
Money-wise, you probably will not get rich teaching in the Czech Republic. Housing is not cheap relative to the pay, and the pay is not terribly high. Still, it is enough to survive on and enjoy yourself. You will likely be able to save a little money if you are sharing your housing with another teacher or with a Czech person who has an extra room and wants to learn English. Count on earning something in the range of $15 to $20 per hour (gross) if you are in Prague and less if you teach outside of Prague, $10 to $15/hour (and even lower, depending on whether you are teaching on your own or working for a school or university). The taxes on this are in the range of 15% to 25%. Private tutoring is an option open to you as a teacher, as is opening a language school (for which you will need to file paperwork and get permission to operate as a business, of course—this also involves paying taxes and health insurance etc.)
The opportunities are there if you have the means and will to make things happen, are willing to brave the Czech bureaucracy, and have a knack for doing a bit of “marketing.” Be ready to sign a contract if you teach for a private language school or a university or public school. Work contracts are not very common in the United States, but go to Europe and you will find things a bit different. A work contract does not put a ball and chain - rather, it sets down the working conditions so there is no misunderstanding, and adds a degree of seriousness to the employee/employer relationship that might otherwise be missing. A contract can be negotiated, and it can be terminated before its term. Be willing to negotiate. And above all, be professional.
There is a tendency—albeit not a pervasive one, but one that exist nonetheless—to think that because the Czech Republic was under communist rule for a number of years, they have some “catching up” to do with the world. Nothing can be further from the truth. The Czechs should not be underestimated. During the 20th century they were a progressive and developed people, and are no less so today. As a people they are very well-educated. This has nothing to do with a free-market economy and democracy, but everything to do with their culture and traditions—the Czechs put high value on education, and nearly all Czechs have a general level of education that matches any other country in Europe. They have very well-known universities and their level of culture and technology is quickly catching up to other countries of Western Europe. Remember this as you plan you lessons, so that they will be fun, efficient, interesting, and intellectually challenging.
If you land a position teaching adults, you will discover very quickly that is it quite difficult for them to take time from their busy work schedules to meet with you during the day. It is not unheard of for lessons to occur early in the morning (before 8:00) and after 5:00 pm. so evening classes will be a very normal part of your teaching regime, as will weekend classes. Furthermore, be ready to spend some time preparing your lessons, whether you are teaching children, teens or adults. The Czechs are very sharp students and will see right away if their teacher has not prepared or doesn’t know what he is doing. If they are paying good money for their English classes, an unprepared teacher will not amuse them. Do not ever try to “wing” a lesson unless you have been teaching for ten years or more and can explain and teach the present perfect tense like the back of your hand. The Czechs want their money’s worth in their English lessons. One way to keep your students coming back (or keep them requesting you as their teacher) is to give them rich, worthwhile, efficient lessons plus a little more than seems enough. Like a “baker’s dozen,” a few extra minutes or an extra assignment is good business practice.
Keep in mind during your time in the Czech Republic that the Czechs are well aware of the large numbers of native speakers of English in their country and that this poses a potential risk to a group of people they wish to protect: Czech teachers of English. Not only will you find a variety of groups of people who want to learn English—university students, public school students, business and technology professionals, and adults who simply see the benefit of knowing the language, whether it has any direct impact on their profession or not—but you will also find a well-trained and eager group of English language learners in Czech English teachers. For you as a teacher, they represent a challenging and highly-motivated type of student. They will challenge your teaching skills like no other group, a good thing that will only make you a better and more knowledgeable teacher. Finally, Czech English teachers may be the most interesting people you meet in the country, provided you consistently show them the respect they deserve and provided you are serious about teaching. (In some public schools or university classes you may find yourself teaching side-by-side with a Czech English teacher, an experience that can be of huge mutual benefit to you both.)
If I were planning at this time to go to another country to live I might strongly consider the Czech Republic for the simple fact that I am so fond of the people. I have heard stories from people who have had varying experiences with the Czechs. In the end, your experience in the Czech Republic will have nothing to do with the behavior and attitude of the Czechs themselves (remember that no one country has a monopoly on all good or all bad people), so your experience teaching the Czechs and learning to appreciate their country and culture depends entirely on your attitude and willingness to love what you will about the people and their country. And don’t forget to learn some Czech language! There is no better way to get to know a Czech person than to teach him and allow him to teach you. Finally, don’t forget that just to the southeast of the Czech Republic lies another country of equal charm and fascination: Slovakia. |
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