You’re going to Prague for 4 weeks (and possibly staying longer on a job placement with the help of Greenheart Travel) and you’re excited to see the sights! You’ve figured out where you’re staying, gotten all your course books and materials and have paid all the fees. What’s left?
Navigating the culinary culture of course!
With your days full of TEFL training, the last thing you want to think about is what you’re going to go eat and where to get it. Prague is known for its distinct neighborhoods, all filled to the brim with bars and restaurants and to help, we’ve compiled a list of the most common dishes that you should try while living abroad!
Goulash
This traditional dish is for the meat lovers out there! The Czech style of this dish is a thick, stew like dish served with dumplings. This will easily be on any menu you encounter and will fill you up!
Grilled Sausages
Grilled Sausages or grilovane klobasy is just what you’d expect, a grilled sausage on a bread roll. This fast dish can be found in food stalls and restaurants alike. Think of it as the on-the-go food! Be sure to try all the sauces available too!
Dumplings
Dumplings can be found in a number of Czech dishes (please refer back to goulash). It’s the carb of the dish and is perfect for any dipping necessities! You can also find sweet dumplings paired with jams in some eateries! Either way, anything it’s paired with is delicious.
Trdelnik
No meal is complete without dessert and for that, look no further than trdelnik! You can find these fried dough cakes served with ice cream and other various toppings in restaurants or in food stalls on the street.
So now you know, in those off hours when you’re not earning your TEFL certification, you can wander down the street and indulge just like the locals do!
A simple question that a lot of people are afraid to ask is, “What is TEFL?”. This acronym shows up over and over again when researching how to teach abroad for an extensive amount of time, and it can be a process to figure out what it is, if it’s really needed, and how different ones compare to each other.
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and refers to a course that you can take, either online or in-country, to learn how to teach English to those who want to learn.
What’s the difference between TEFL, TESOL and CELTA?
The biggest difference is that they are simply different acronyms that refer to the same basic thing: a certification to teach English to those who want to learn.
Here’s what each one stands for:
TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
CELTA = Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
One main difference between the three is that a CELTA certification is specifically designed for teaching adults, while a TESOL or TEFL curriculum will cater to teaching both kids and adults. So, unless you’re only interested in teaching adults, you should look more at TEFL and TESOL courses.
Why are some courses really expensive and others are cheap?
The short answer is because you get what you pay for.
The medium answer is because different courses offer various types of curriculum. Some courses are self-directed and online-only, some are intensive and in-person only, and some are structured online with student teaching, etc. Doing extensive research to make sure you pick a course that is right for what you want is important. If you’re just looking for a piece of paper that gives you the credentials to be hired, then an inexpensive online course is what you should get. If you want to gain concrete teaching skills so you’ll know what to do when you start working, you should look at courses that offer student teaching with real ESL students.
Accreditation refers to the rigorous process that a TEFL school or course goes through to ensure that it is offering quality instruction to its students and it is very important!
During accreditation process, an independent third party looks at the curriculum and examines it according to a rubric. On top of verifying the validity of the materials, content, and instructors leading the course, the international standards for accreditation dictate that a TEFL course must have:
At least 100 hours of academics*
6-20 hours of live practice teaching (called a practicum)
A practicum that targets ESL students, not class peers
*Many potential employers require at least 120 hours of academics and at least 10 hours of practicum. All of Greenheart Travel’s TEFL programs meet international accreditation standards and are taught by university professors with Master’s Degrees and/or PhD’s.
There is no one single organization that is universally regarded as the official accrediting body for TEFL or TESOL certifications. However, reputable accrediting bodies, language institutes, ministries of education and recognized bodies within the field require that accredited TEFL certifications meet certain standards.
TEFL class in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Do I need a TEFL to teach abroad?
Yes and no, depending on what you want to get out of your teaching abroad experience. There are plenty of schools that will hire you without one just because you’re a native English speaker, but keep in mind that in most instances you are going to be hired as a full-time English instructor, and the sole responsibility for your classes and the lesson planning. Teaching is not an easy job and going into it without any training is doing a disservice to your students because they will have an unprepared and stressed out teacher instead of an organized, enthusiastic and useful teacher who can actually help them improve their English skills.
Do you have any other questions about TEFL? Comment below!
So you dream of a life teaching English in Europe. You imagine sitting at a sidewalk cafe in Paris after teaching a class, or walking past the Colosseum on your way to work, or meeting friends at a tapas bar in downtown Madrid to kick off your weekend.
Unfortunately, if you are an American or Canadian citizen, it’s not that easy. Most ESL markets demand large numbers of native English speakers from all over the world, but Western Europe is a special case.
With EU labor laws allowing the free flow of workers among the European countries, employers can hire English-speaking teachers from places like Ireland or Scandinavia (where most people speak English fluently) without the hassle and expense of sponsoring a visa, for now at least. This means that there’s not many incentives for a school in continental Europe to hire an American or Canadian teacher.
So how do you, as a North American, get to that sidewalk cafe? Here are your next steps!
1. Let go of your notions of making a lot of money.
High-paying ESL jobs are just not readily available for you in Europe. The businesses that pay the big bucks are almost always going to hire someone who doesn’t need a visa.
2. Expand your definition of teaching English.
In Asia or South America, you’d likely be in a school, teaching your own class; in Europe, teaching might instead take the form of conversation practice at the dining room table with your host family.
In some countries there are government-sponsored programs which place North Americans in public schools. These programs, however, have limited placements, are competitive, and require a full school year commitment.
People also work under the table across Europe. This means no visa, so if you stay for more than 90 days, you are illegally in the EU and you run the risk of being fined (or, in rare cases, banned from reentry) for overstaying your tourist visa. These jobs usually take the form of private tutoring or part-time work for private language academies. People who do this successfully are outgoing, hard-working, self-starters; it’s not easy to piece together a living on freelance teaching, especially if you don’t speak the local language. The business is mostly referral-based, so you have to work hard to network and get your name out there.
3. Consider investing in an organized program
As you’ve seen, moving to Europe to teach English just isn’t simple. The government programs are very limited. The freelance, go-it-alone method is highly risky–you won’t be able to line up any work until after you’ve already arrived in Europe, and you’ll probably spend several weeks living in a hostel, while you try to patch together enough private classes to pay for an apartment.
Ultimately, this is a very expensive and stressful way to kick off your life abroad, and even if you get your business off the ground, you’re living illegally in a foreign country, always running the risk of getting caught. Going through an organized program, while requiring an initial investment and program fee, eliminates that stress and uncertainty and sets you up for a positive, productive experience.
4. Do your research on your program options!
Greenheart Travel has many organized program options for teaching English in Europe. Our programs usually always include things like airport pick-up, insurance coverage for the duration of your program, pre-departure orientation & cultural training before you leave, and most important – an experienced program manager to guide you through the process and answer any and every question you might have. Here are your options for teaching in Europe with Greenheart Travel.
TEFL Certification Courses
Earn your TEFL certificate in the Czech Republic. Getting TEFL certified in Prague, Czech Republic gives you the option to find paid jobs in private and public schools with a legal EU work visa, allowing for long-term contracts in a European country! This is an intensive 4-week course with job placement assistance for graduates to find paid teaching jobs within Prague after successful completion of the course, as well as aid in acquiring a legal work visa.
If you’re interested in making a career of teaching English but not interested in Prague in particular, you could complete your TEFL certification online and use the job placement assistance to help you find work anywhere in Europe. Job placement assistance is included in the program fee!
Prague!
Teach English in Italy or France
Really want some classroom experience? Teaching English in Italy or France is the way to go. You’ll spend 3 months living with a host family and working as a volunteer teaching assistant (15-18 hours/week) at a local school. Again, your lodging and meals are covered, and the job is only part-time, so you’ll have plenty of time to travel, study the language, and immerse yourself in Italian or French culture.
Teach English in Italy alum, Mercedes!
Teach English in a Homestay
More interested in cultural exchange? Teaching English in a Homestay is a great option if you really want to immerse yourself. You’ll live for 1 to 3 months with a local family in country destinations like Italy, France, or Spain. You’ll spend 15 hours a week tutoring the family in English–the rest of the time you’re free to explore! Your program fee covers your lodging and your meals, so no worrying about rent or groceries.
Dawn exploring Madrid during her homestay program.
While the program fee for your chosen program may seem high at first glance, think about what it would cost you to backpack Europe for 3 months, or to pay for a hostel for weeks while you get that tutoring business going. Western Europe is expensive. You’d go through that money in a month (having run out of money and lived on stale baguettes in the last week of a backpacking trip, I’m speaking from experience).
Ready to kick off your European adventure? Learn more here:
Oh, my goodness, everything they say about this TEFL certification course in Prague eventually comes true – kinda. They say it’ll get easier after the first week … the last week was definitely the easiest! They say the days will be long but the month will be short … I can attest to this feeling! They say it’ll be extremely rewarding … this is an understatement! The amount of happiness and pride I have knowing that I have this certification is unexplainable.
It was DEFINITELY a rough start. I won’t lie, at one point I questioned whether I had wasted money by taking this course. Now that it’s over, I have no question, in my mind, that it was worth it.
Even though it seems crazy that the less than 10 hours of teaching we did during the month of the course is enough to receive certification, I know that within the next few years of working, I’ll continue to learn. I’ll start to make more friends within this career-field who I can learn from, too. Not to mention, all of the resources I now know about, that will help guide me in the right direction.
Taking in the views of Prague, and seeing the big picture after my TEFL course.
Prepared to Start My International Teaching Adventures
This TEFL certification course gives you a lot of information in a short amount of time, but gives you a good place to start your career. You teach a variety of lessons from grammar to skills, such as reading and listening, but observe other types of lessons, too.
It is impossible to become an expert at teaching English in a month – it’s impossible to become an expert in anything in a month! But, the class leaves you with a variety of guides, skills, books and advice to look back on and be able to use for your future lessons.
When I received my physical certificate on Friday, it seemed surreal. In just a month, I had completed the requirements necessary for a new professional qualification. I had just opened so many doors for myself and my future! I knew I wanted to teach English overseas starting next school year (around August 2018) but figured I would keep waitressing and working retail jobs until then. That is SO not the case now.
Exploring with my fellow TEFL classmates.
Next Steps in Finding Work as an English Teacher
I plan to look for tutoring jobs and possibly part time work specifically with teaching English in the U.S. The town I live in is very international due to a large company that has its headquarters there, so I think I should be able to find work pretty quickly! I feel much more prepared to market myself as an ESL/EFL teacher. Not to mention, the new confidence I have in helping my students progress in their language learning process.
Officially TEFL certified!
When you get your TEFL certificate, you can either:
“pass” the course
receive “merit”
receive the highest level of “distinction”
Everything you do in the course is graded in this manner. If you receive a pass on an assignment it is 1 point, a merit is 2 and a distinction is 3. Lessons are worth more, so a pass is 3, a merit is 6 and a distinction is 9.
At the end of the course, everything is added up and then in which ever set of grades yours falls in, you receive. I learned that earning a distinction can get you an automatic interview for certain schools, but that a pass isn’t looked down upon.
The day that our TEFL instructors got us ice cream from McDonalds!
When applying to jobs as an English teacher, most times you will send your CV and cover letter. The school may ask for more information through a separate form. During the interview, you will be asked to do a 15 to 20-minute demo lesson. Some schools will give you a variety of topics to pick from, while others will allow you to prepare a topic of choice.
A few business-English schools from Prague came to talk to us on our last day of the course and I learned a lot about what is offered in terms of jobs and contracts in Prague specifically, but now I have an idea of what to look for in other countries when I’m looking for jobs.
As I previously mentioned, I plan on looking for and applying for overseas teaching positions once I get home. I don’t want to move overseas until I have a little more time to save some money and finish paying off my student loans. But, once I move, I don’t think I’ll be back, living in the States, for at least 5 years.
There are so many places I want to explore and now that I have this certification, I am almost guaranteed to find a job in any non-English speaking country. Obviously, you have to do your research before moving, but I have a lot more options now than I did before! I personally enjoy learning about new cultures and learning the history of places, and I believe that diving into a new place and taking it in 100% is the best way to do this.
The first place on my radar is Spain. I speak Spanish and have always wanted to visit Spain, so why not just move there! I’ve already applied to a program that would place me in Spain, but I’m waiting to hear back from them.
If Spain works out, after a year there, I want to teach English in Thailand. If Spain doesn’t work out, I’ll be in Thailand sooner! To get to Thailand, I’ll go through Greenheart Travel. They’ve been more than helpful and supportive in preparing me to go to Prague and throughout the course as well!
After Thailand, I’m not sure, but I’ll probably look at other Spanish-speaking countries again to continue practicing and using Spanish.
Eventually, I plan on getting a Master’s degree in second language acquisition, because I’m curious about language learning and the processes that take place when students learn a second language. I’m hoping that my next few years of travel will help me find a place I can call home because everywhere I’ve gone so far, has been better than the last!
Getting TEFL Certified is Your Ticket to International Experiences
If you are on the edge of taking a TEFL course, I urge you to do it! You’ll be surprised at all you can do with this certification. At the very least, it’s a way to experience a new country and meet some cool people. The TEFL community is a special group of people with a lot of the same interests. They’re looking for a change of pace; they love to travel; they are willing to take risks; and they like people. Not to mention, they are probably in the same boat as you are when it comes to trying to get visas, finding a place to live and getting a job.
Just hanging out in the rose gardens with new TEFL friends Josie (a fellow Greenheart Traveler) and Gina.
While you are taking a TEFL course, my best piece of advice is to keep an open mind. Remember that even if you get through the course and realize teaching isn’t for you, you now have a wide variety of skills that you can use in other parts of your life.
The best part about this, is that you can use your TEFL certificate for as short or as long as you please. Some people only plan on using it for a year or two, as a stepping stone to higher career option. Some are using it to learn a new language. Some plan on using it for as long as they can imagine! It’s one of the most personable certifications I think you can get because you can use it in any sense that works best for you.
If you have any further questions, want to know more about my specific experience, or just want to talk about travelling and living abroad – feel free to email me at jehlal8@gmail.com.
Want to take the first step in getting paid to travel and teach English?
You did it! You’re done with 11 weeks of TEFL certification coursework and you have logged over 20 hours of student teaching. Over the last few weeks of the course, you’ve caught yourself daydreaming more and more about where you could teach, who your students will be and how much your life is going to change once you get on that first plane. But first, you need to send out some applications – where do you start?
Step #1. Get Familiar with Your Job Search Guidance Manual!
The lifetime job placement assistance is a great place to start for alumni of the Greenheart Travel Online TEFL Certification Course. You receive your job search guidance manual after you’ve started the course and it’s a good idea to read through some of the important information like: how to format your resume and cover letter for ESL jobs, how to contact prospective employers, and what to expect for an interview. But, by far the most useful section of the manual is the country by country job profile.
The job profile separates the global teaching market into four section overviews:
Europe
Latin America
The Caribbean
Asia, The Middle East and Northern Africa
Each one of those sections offers an array of information about each individual country’s teaching market. From general information about the country and what you can expect to make, to advice on obtaining a visa and a list of preferred programs and job websites – these country profiles are ideal whether you’re unsure about where you want to teach or if you’ve already settled on where you want to go.
Step #2. Talk to your advisor.
Graduating TESOL class in Hua Hin, Thailand.
The job search manual can be a bit overwhelming with all the information it offers, and sometimes it’s easier to have someone walk you through your questions. Your advisor has taught or lived abroad themselves, and is available to talk over the phone, Skype or email to help you decide which country will be the best fit for what you want to accomplish abroad.
Or, if you know where’d you’d like to end up, your advisor is a great resource to talk through the little details; the pros and cons of public and private school positions, salary versus cost of living, as well as the culture and what challenges you can expect to run into as you adjust to life in that country.
Step #3. Join all the Facebook groups.
All Greenheart Travel TEFL alumni are able (and encouraged) to join as many country-specific Facebook groups as they’d like. Each Facebook group is filled with hundreds of alumni who are currently teaching English and are more than willing to offer advice about living and working abroad, or let prospective teachers like you know about job openings at their schools. Once you’ve accepted a job, the Facebook group will be a great way to connect with teachers before you arrive and arrange some meet-ups!
Some of Greenheart Travel’s most popular Facebook groups are as follows:
You’ve finished your resume, talked to your advisor, narrowed down your job search to one or two countries, joined the necessary Facebook groups, and had a few private message conversations with alumni who are already teaching where you’d like to be. You have a strong grasp on the job markets of these countries, and you have a solid idea of how much you should expect to get paid. So, now you can start filling out those applications!
Depending on whether you apply for jobs directly or with a structured program, the application process could take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months. But, with some persistence and some patience, you’ll soon have multiple opportunities to chose from.
Step #5. Figure out the logistics.
Packing a suitcase for a Greenheart Travel program.
Depending on where you’re going, your arrival logistics and housing may already be set up for you. But, if they’re not, you’ll need to plan for your arrival.
How will you get from the airport into town? Can you find an apartment ahead of time, or will you need to book a hostel first and then hunt for apartments in person? Is there an orientation to help you get acclimated to the country, or do you start working right away? Google can only get you so far, so don’t forget to reach out to your advisor and the Facebook groups again for more tips and advice.
Step #6. Get on that plane!
Buy a ticket, throw yourself a going-away party, and pack your bags because you’re only a plane ride away from your new life as an English teacher abroad! There may be some bumps in the road when you first arrive, but once you get the hang of your school and your new job, you’ll find that this was one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
Oh, wait. You still need your TEFL certification? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered!
Before arriving in Prague for my TEFL certification course, I had my fair share of my expectations. While the reality hasn’t always matched up with what I had planned for, this has been such a useful learning experience for me and hopefully, these expectations versus realities of this TEFL course will help you prepare for your time in Prague.
First expectation: I thought this course would be “easy.”
I put “easy” in quotes because I knew it was going to be intensive. I knew I was going to have a lot to do in 4 short weeks, but I thought it would be more busy work and sitting through lessons. The most time-consuming part of this course are the lesson plans. I would assume I spend anywhere from 2-6 hours planning each individual 1-hour lesson.
The lesson plans are extremely detailed – someone who has never taught before, such as a substitute, should be able to use your lesson plan and teach the course. Every little word is in the lesson plan! Often my lesson plans are about 6 pages printed landscape because of the format we use.
Second expectation: There will be a lot of free time.
There is little… VERY little, free time. When I first looked at the class schedule I thought, “Oh, I’m done by 7:45pm every night, I can definitely find little cafes and sit to get my stuff done.” That’s not reality at all! Most cafes close around 8pm and after I’m done with all of the in-classroom stuff for the day, I’m exhausted and really only have two things on my mind – getting food and getting home.
Let me also say that week 2 of my TEFL course in Prague is WAY better than week 1. Having our instructors present the entire time and following the same schedule made a huge difference. Settling in this week my schedule looks like this:
Be at class every day by 10:30am
Quick break from 12-12:15 which is enough time to run and grab some coffee and a snack from a corner store or café
Lunch starts at 2pm, then it’s “free time”/lesson planning until about 4:30pm when we clean up and prepare for the students to arrive
Student arrive to class around 5pm
Classes are done at 7:05pm and we discuss how the lessons went
At about 7:45pm you head home, eat and then get ready for the next day
From Monday through Thursday, you will teach two nights, observe class one night and then have one night off. For example, during week 2, I observed Monday, taught Tuesday, taught Wednesday and had Thursday evening off. I had REALLY big plans for myself on Thursday to get EVERYTHING done before I left for Paris for the weekend, but when I got to the café that I planned on sitting at all afternoon, I couldn’t concentrate. I assumed it was due to the amount of work I’d been doing and the lack of sleep I’d been getting.
I decided to go for a walk around Prague and then met up with another girl from class who had the same evening off and we got dinner together. It was the perfect mental break I needed. We didn’t talk about our classes at all during dinner. We talked about our lives back home, why we decided to take a TEFL course and what our future plans were.
I’ve also taken full advantage of being in Europe and traveling, so I haven’t been home on a weekend yet, which I’m sure that also attributes to my lack of free time. I don’t feel like I know Prague as well as I should since I’ve been living here for a little over 2 weeks at this point.
Third expectation: We would need formal clothes to teach in.
The whole environment is a lot less formal than I expected it to be. I specifically packed two pairs of business-type pants and multiple business-style tops, along with 3-4 dresses. I barely packed any casual clothes – for example, 2-3 shirts and a pair of regular jeans and black jeans. I wish I had more casual clothes that are comfortable so I could mix and match more.
It is completely acceptable to teach in jeans and a casual top. Some people have taught in hoodies and t-shirts, although I wouldn’t recommend it. Honestly, if you plan on staying in Prague after the course, I suggest bringing one business formal outfit for interviews. If you aren’t staying in Prague, like me, you could get by on casual clothes.
The days you don’t teach, I would recommend whatever is comfortable to you. Today, I wore leggings, a zip up sweatshirt and a beanie! If you aren’t teaching, it’s up to you!
Fourth expectation: I will make new friends.
My classmates in Prague.
This one has held true! I’m so thankful that I get along with everyone in this course so well. It’s nice because we’re all in the same boat and we all understand how much stress we’re under. Everyone is inviting and if someone is headed to grab food from the Chinese restaurant or run to the little corner-store, they always ask if anyone wants to go with or needs anything.
When I was in Paris, I was talking with the two classmates I went with about how people often make their travel plans with their family or significant other for these important, magical trips. However, I took off to one of the city’s that has always been on my bucket list with 2 people I had met just two weeks before. Not to mention, we planned it within the first week of meeting each other!
It just goes to show, that once you get here, you’re surrounded by people like you. People who love to travel, who are willing to take risks, who are open-minded and who are in a transitional part of their life. You become part of a community that is truly the only way I’m making it through this course. They’re the people I bounce ideas off of, I rant with when I’m upset, I go to when I have a creativity block or the people I laugh with over a beer after a long week.
I know I’ll stay friends with these people, even though our chances of seeing each other again are slim. We all have different plans and dreams to go to different corners of the world – but that’s the magic of this TEFL certification. You have the ability to go anywhere, yet be connected with people who are doing the same thing.
Fifth expectation: The TEFL course would fly by.
This has held true as well! I came home from class on Friday and realized I was halfway done…but I felt like I had just started. The feeling was surreal – both in a good and bad way.
This TEFL course is challenging, so I’m happy to be halfway through and that much closer to this professional certification. On the other hand, I’m not ready to leave Prague – or Europe in general. There is so much I still want to do and I’m completely comfortable here.
I FaceTime my mom about once a week but I don’t miss home. As time keeps going, I keep thinking more and more about staying. It’s extremely tempting, especially as I see other people in my class go about getting their lives together to stay in Czechia.
Sixth expectation: I would be drinking a lot of coffee and eating a lot of bread.
To be honest, this is pretty much all I do. The other day, during my 15 minute break, I went to the corner store to buy a bottle of water and I told myself I wasn’t going to buy any bread. But then, I walked past it and was suckered in. It’s so cheap (around 10kr and the exchange rate is 21.5kr = $1 USD), absolutely delicious and of course the day I said I wasn’t going to get any, I could smell that it was warm!
A lot of times for dinner I’ll eat bread with brie cheese and some cherry tomatoes. Not the healthiest, but it fills me up and is easy! Other times, I’ll make dinner but often I’m tired or starving so I’ll just eat whatever is right in front of me. There’s TONS of places to eat though and I’ve liked everything I’ve tried so far. Tomorrow a couple of us are going to try a Mexican restaurant that is right near the school – I’m excited!
Seventh expectation: I’ll need a way to stay organized during the course.
Notes of tasks to do on a weekly basis while taking the TEFL course.
A suggestion to pack with you for the course would be a binder/trapper keeper. We get multiple handouts every single day and having a way to organize them is EXTREMELY helpful. There are:
grammar how-to guides
teaching methodology handouts
lesson planning tips
demo lesson examples
other papers that you’ll get to help you during the course and afterwards
I brought a binder with 6 double-sided folder-type inserts and have found it extremely helpful. I also brought a notebook which I use, but have noticed other students don’t use one and are doing fine. I’m the type of person who learns more from doing something myself, so even though I know I’ll be getting a handout after the lesson/workshop, I take notes throughout the entire time and then I have two things to look back on when I need to. I also do my best when I’m organized, so I have highlighters in different colors to make notes on the handouts of what I believe is most important – or what I’m told I need to remember on certain handouts!
Despite all the expectations and realities I have learned during this course, the most important is to take it day by day. Make sure you’re ready for tomorrow, but don’t worry about the next day. As great as it sounds to get all your work done, you’ll get burned out. It’s better to sometimes take the afternoon and just go for a walk or sit in the park. Give yourself breaks so you can recharge and do your best work.
This course is extremely intensive, and both mentally and physically taxing, but take time for yourself! Eat right, drink lots of coffee and remember to enjoy yourself. You’ll get the most from this course by keeping yourself happy and focusing on the present situation – you’re living in Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
Ready to start your TEFL certification course and take the first step in teaching English abroad?
Wow, I cannot believe I’ve already been in Prague for over a week! The past 9 days have all had their shares of ups and downs – but mostly ups! I’ve gotten to explore the city, try a lot of food, learn Czech, take a trip, get acquainted with the school and observe some lessons – it’s been busy but I already told my mom I’m not sure if I’m going to come home.
In Search of the Beautiful Sites in Prague
First day of exploring! This is me, on the Charles Bridge.
When I made the final decision to take the TEFL course in Czechia (the Czech Republic has recently, officially, changed its name to Czechia), finding that view from the course description was one of my top priorities. This might be a little bit of a spoiler alert, but this view is EVERYWHERE! Nearly every building has intricate details and cute, little terraces. They’re brightly colored, sky high and give the feeling of an old, European city – which is EXACTLY the feeling I was searching for!
You cannot walk down any street without passing at least one little coffee shop and so far, I’ve noticed the Czechs must love their beer and wine. There are also “potraviny’s,” as they call them, which are basically little corner stores that have simple food, drinks and maybe travel size toiletries.
Settling into New Accommodations and Commutes
This street, Finska 8, is where the flat is located.
The accommodations we are provided during the TEFL course is in Prague 10, which is simply put, a section of the city. “Downtown” or the city center is Prague 1 and it kind of goes out from there.
To get downtown from our flat(European term for apartment) is about 20 minutes by tram. To get to where our class is, it takes about 15 minutes including the walk to the stop, the tram and then the walk to school. Our flat seems to be in a safe part of town – although the whole city seems safe. I have gone running past dark and only used one headphone just to be on aware of my surroundings and never felt unsafe.
View of the Charles Bridge in Prague while out on a stroll.
A Tour of our Flat
The flat itself has 4 rooms, each with 2 twin beds. There is a toilet and a separated shower room for all of us to share and we were provided one bath towel. I bought a washcloth at TESCO for less than $1 USD.
There is a small washer and each bedroom has a drying rack. In the common area, there is a dining room table with four chairs and a microwave. We had a “family style pasta night” our first Monday living together and used this area, but some people had to bring their computer desk chairs to all sit in the area together.
Insight on Transportation in the Area
Figuring out public transportation has been shockingly easy considering I have no experience with it. Basically, it is broken down into 3 sections:
the metro (underground)
the trams, and buses
Taxis, but I haven’t had to take one, nor do I plan on taking one because there is Uber here!
My first night here, a group of 4 of us were walking around and one of the girls wanted to go home. We were trying to figure out the late-night tram and decided to stop in a café, use their WiFi and order her an Uber. It felt like the safest option since we were all pretty new at using the public transportation, but after only a week of being in Prague, I feel pretty confident on the public transportation.
You learn the stops around your flat, where the school is and downtown – then you can kind of figure out where you are and where to go from there. Plus, if use Google Maps, there is a public transport option on the directions page!
A typical view of the streets in Prague.
We use trams most often. When looking at a tram stop schedule, the stop you are at is in bold. The names underneath that stop indicate the direction the tram is headed. So, for example, if you were at “Stop A” trying to get to “Stop 6”, and you see that “Stop 6” is three names above “Stop A”, you would want to get on the other side of the road and catch a tram going the opposite direction.
It’s much easier to look at the schedule and understand what I mean but the bus and metro schedules follow the same pattern.
Communicating and Staying Connected in Czechia
Planning Ahead for Using Your Phone in Prague
As far as phones go, I bought an international plan through Verizon before I left. It was $40/month and includes 100 outgoing texts, unlimited incoming texts, 100 minutes and 100MB of data. I usually go through nearly 5GB of data/month in the US so that worried me and I felt like 100MB would be useless. But, I’ve turned all my data off except for WhatsApp and Google Maps and have barely used any of my 100MB.
There is free WiFi at pretty much every café, restaurant, grocery store and even some trams, so I can always connect to those. Even if the password isn’t posted, simple ask and I’ve always been told how to access the internet.
Learning and Speaking the Language
Speaking of asking… before I came to Prague, I didn’t speak a lick of Czech. I’m not sure I had even heard the language before boarding the plane from Stockholm to Prague. It’s an EXTREMELY hard language! That being said, every place I’ve gone shopping in or ate at, I’ve been able to get menus in English and my server or the person helping me has been able to speak broken English.
Never assume the person doesn’t know English because the most unsuspecting people have had the most fluent English – including the little, old grandma that works in the bakery at TESCO (the main grocery store)!
My TEFL program provides Czech lessons throughout the month of the course. We had two lessons the first week. While they are initially intimidating because during the class the instructor only speaks Czech the entire time, they get easier and are very helpful.
After only two classes, I’m able to say hello, how are you, thank you, goodbye and excuse me/sorry (mainly for when I bump into someone on the tram). It builds self-confidence but also puts you into the position as a foreign language student. It’s definitely a reality check being the student instead of the teacher!
My TEFL Course Curriculum in Prague
Why I Chose a TEFL Program in Prague
My major was elementary education and to complete the degree, you have to student teach for 16 weeks. Or, you can student teach in the US for 10 weeks and then teach overseas for 8 weeks. I chose the latter option, and through the preparation to go overseas, I was introduced to Greenheart Travel.
After my 8 weeks teaching in Ecuador, I knew earning my TEFL license was the next, logical step in my professional life. I originally planned on either taking the course in Colombia, Barcelona or Buenos Aires to be in a country that speaks Spanish since I speak Spanish, but I wanted to take the course as soon as possible and Prague seemed to be the right choice economically and perks-wise.
By perks, I mean finding accommodation, transportation and extra fees such as class materials – they were all included in the one flat fee and Greenheart Travel provides medical insurance, as well. However, there are some good points to know before arriving on this course.
What to Know About the Program and Partnerships
I’m not sure if I missed it somewhere in the orientation packet, but I was under the impression that this class was a Greenheart Travel organized program. By meeting some of the other students in my flat, I realized they hadn’t gone through Greenheart and thad simply googled “TEFL courses in Europe” or “ways to move to the Czech Republic”.
It’s important to understand the TEFL course is led by a partner in Prague, and Greenheart Travel provides support and information to help you enroll in the class and answer questions or handle any challenges while you are in the country. One other girl in the course also went through Greenheart. She is planning on teaching in South Korea after the course and using Greenheart to get there. I am still considering a few options, but definitely going through Greenheart because of their constant support so far.
I mentioned previously that I have a background in teaching and studied education for the past 4 years in college. When I taught in Ecuador as part of my student teaching, I had very little training on Teaching English as a Foreign Language so I planned my lessons as I had planned lessons for my students in the USA.
My lessons were effective and the elementary students I worked with in Ecuador passed the government-standard tests that were given to all public schools in Quito, Ecuador. The permanent teachers at the school asked for my lesson plans and some of my activities and resources to be able to use after I left.
That being said, this course isn’t what I expected. The structure of the lessons plans is pretty strict and it isn’t what I’m used to. Professionally, I like to push myself out of my comfort zone, but personally, I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing even though I have a lot of teaching experience.
This TEFL course is a great opportunity for those to learn about the in’s and out’s of teaching.
If you have had no teaching experience – or very little teaching experience – I think this course would be great! The overall layout of the course is a “how to be a teacher” workshop and a “learn the ins and outs of the English language” workshop.
There is a lunch break, then a planning time in the afternoon, and then 2 one-hour sessions of classes. That is the typical schedule of the last three weeks of the course. The first week is a little all over the place.
I’m kind of a planner/schedule freak and like to know what is going on, so there were a few times during the first week I was frustrated. I felt like I didn’t know what was going on and I didn’t have a clear vision of what my days were like. Our instructors also had their annual conference during our first week of classes so we had substitute teachers Wednesday-Friday of our first week which, personally, wasn’t ideal because we didn’t get to know them very well, nor did we have them to talk with about our first lessons.
Connecting with the Culture in Prague
Enjoying goulash with bread dumplings – traditional Czech food.
Another important part of this program is that you are teaching real people from Czechia that pay to come to this class. But, don’t let that scare you! When they sign up for the course, they are told that the classes are taught by people training to be English teachers and they pay a fraction of the price of other English classes in Prague.
All of this being said, I really am having an amazing time in Prague. The instructors are very warm and welcoming. I’m excited for the rest of the course and to see what else I learn!
I immediately clicked with my roommate as well as the rest of the people living in the flat. This past weekend I went with two of the girls to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and I also planned a trip next weekend to Paris! I budgeted for weekend trips while I was staying in Prague, but also knew I’d have to have excellent time management which is probably why I was frustrated with the lack of a set schedule.
My classmates in Prague.
My classmates come from Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, Massachusetts, Scotland and I’m from Michigan. We all have a few things in common – we love traveling, we want to see more of the world, and we’re willing to take risks. So far, four of my eight classmates want to stay in Czechia, one is looking at South Korea, one at Japan and I’m between Spain and Thailand currently.
The opportunities are endless through this course and my first week has been a rollercoaster but I’m sure it’ll only get easier from now!
