Teach English in Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has proved to be a very popular destination for those seeking to live and work in new countries opening doors for adventure and experiences. This eastern European country is steeped in history and is culturally rich. The capital of the Czech Republic is Prague which is a bustling and vibrant city with some stunning architecture and a cosmopolitan feel. The country offers a robust public transport network that is cheap to use, so you will easily be able to explore in your downtime. If you enjoy skiing or hiking, there are plenty of scenic spots in the mountain ranges. You will find the famous bohemian markets in the towns and cities, a riot of colour and experience. If you are looking to teach English abroad, the Czech Republic could be the perfect destination for you.

As an English teacher in the Czech Republic, you may find work in Prague as there are lots of different opportunities here. Because the country has so much to offer, you will find plenty of competition for each role. It may be for some people that the smaller towns and cities have a better match to your personal likes and dislikes, and there are lots of English teaching jobs in the Czech Republic in the smaller locations on offer.

The best-paid jobs will be afforded to those who have seasoned qualifications, but there are opportunities for the newly qualified TEFL English teacher in the Czech Republic. One specialist skill that is in high demand is the ability to teach business English, so this is worth looking into if you want to ensure the perfect role as an English teacher in the Czech Republic.

Job types

Jobs for English teachers in the Czech Republic can be found at various institutions, including private language academies, public schools, private tutors and English summer camps.

Public Schools

There are plenty of benefits for English teachers in the Czech Republic at public schools, but in order to be considered, you will need to register with the Academic Information Agency, which is an organisation affiliated with the government. You may still be considered for an interview if you do not have a degree, provided your TEFL certification is correctly regulated. A lot of public school vacancies can be found outside of the capital city of Prague.

Private Language Academies

Private language schools are found all over the world, and the one thing they tend to have in common is irregular hours. It is likely that most lessons will take place after school for younger pupils or even after work for adults seeking to improve their business language. There are plenty of opportunities working at private language academies, and generally, you will find your pupils are business adults. Getting a job at one of these institutions is easier than at public schools, but they do not pay as well. If you are a non-EU citizen and want to work at a private language academy, you will need a Czech business license which is part of the visa application process.

Private Tutor

There is always the option to work as a private tutor; however, in order to find your clients, you will probably need to be based in Prague. Again you will need your business license, otherwise known as a freelance visa, and it will take some time to establish a client list.

Summer Camps

If you are looking for a short-term gig during a gap year or perhaps a summer break, positions as English summer camp counsellors are perfect for English teachers in the Czech Republic who don’t wanna stay too long. The camps often run between June and July, and as well as your daily meals and accommodation, you will get a weekly pay of approximately $225-$340/£192-£290/€225-€340.

Finding a job

As mentioned above, to find a job in a public school teaching English in the Czech Republic, you must first register through the AIA. This organisation is the go-between for both secondary and primary public schools and their prospective teachers. Once they have your information and have confirmed your qualification status, they will pass on your information to the schools. If you are working at a public school, your salary will be the same as local Czech teachers, but you will have little say over where they place you. Private language schools use international job boards to post their websites, so you’ll be able to find details of these from home.

Qualifications

For those looking to teach English in the Czech Republic, it is important that you have a bachelor’s degree, but this can be in any subject area. It does not have to be education related. They prefer native speakers; however, if English is your second language and you can demonstrate fluency, you may still qualify. It is imperative that you have a TEFL certification, and it must come from a reputable school. They prefer teachers applying for vacancies to have previous teaching experience, but you can probably start at language schools without this.

Visa Requirements for English Teachers in the Czech Republic

Once you have found employment as an English teacher in the Czech Republic, you will need to secure your employee card, which is a permit for long-term residence. This must be done from your home country before you arrive. Depending on where you are coming from, there are different rules, and these will be more stringent for people who are coming from non-EU countries. As mentioned above, there is more than one kind of visa; some jobs require a business license. Be aware that the process is quite slow, and it can take 90 days for your long-term visa to be approved.

Need to know

The good news is that many positions come with low-cost or free accommodation arranged by the school. You will find this tends to be in an apartment, which is fairly basic. Although the wages may not be the highest, you can top up your income by teaching private students or teaching English online. The more qualifications and experience you can demonstrate, the better salary you are likely to be offered. The best time to look for work as an English teacher in the Czech Republic is in April. They quite like to focus on spoken and conversational English, but you will find your students take criticism badly, and correcting mistakes may well put them off and stop them from wanting to talk in lessons.

There are lots of different cities and towns for those looking to teach English in the Czech Republic; some of the most popular include Prague, Ostrava, Liberec, and Brno.

Prague

Being the capital city, Prague is a popular choice for many English teachers in the Czech Republic. As a result, there are more opportunities, but of course, this means there is fierce competition, so finding work can be tricky.

Brno

Not far from Prague, you will find the second largest city whose closest neighbour is Vienna. The cost of living is lower here, and the public transport links are fantastic. The work on offer as an English teacher in the Czech Republic in Brno tends to be private language school work.

Liberec

On the border of eastern Germany, nestled in the Jazeera mountains, is Liberec. This may be a smaller city, but it also hosts a university and many language schools, so there are more opportunities than you may initially think.

Culture and Living in the Czech Republic

Don’t be put off if locals seem to be quite reserved when they meet you. There is a general distrust of the unknown, partly from communist rule. The sense of humour you will soon pick up on is ironic in nature, but once you get to know them, you will find the locals warm and friendly.

Classroom & work culture

Classroom culture varies depending on the institution that you are working for. Some are more formal, whereas others adopt a more casual outlook. Generally, you should expect to adhere to a business casual dress code and greet your colleagues with a handshake.

Culture & etiquette tips

Most people will avoid confrontation, and they tend to be quite reserved and not particularly direct or forthright. However, once they realise you mean no threat, they will become warm and cheerful. They like extending hospitality to friends, so expect dinner invitations.