TEFL Prague

TEFL in Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is an amazing place, well worth a visit, but as you'll find out from this interview with Shaun Wilden, you'll have to build in some extra time if you plan some sightseeing.

We interviewed Shaun when he was Teacher Training Course Director, and working on a course that is a longstanding favourite of Cactus TEFL - for consistent high quality that doesn't cost over the odds.

What is so special about taking the Cambridge CELTA course in Prague?

There are two parts to this. First the city, simply put you would be doing it in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Second the quality of the course here. We feel we offer a very high standard of training to potential teachers.

How does the CELTA course compare with TESOL, and the other certificates available in Prague? There seem to be so many providers of teacher training courses in Prague - what makes your course different?

It must seem confusing for a person when first trying to choose a course in Prague because there are so many on offer (at least 8 at the last count!). However only the Trinity TESOL can come close to the standards and quality of a CELTA course and CELTA has been established longer.

It's relatively easy in Czech Republic to set up a school and offer a 'TEFL" course regardless of teaching experience, qualifications and so on.

When doing CELTA in Prague you are guaranteed that your course is running to an approved syllabus, your trainers are all highly experienced AND have been trained to tutor you. All the courses here cost about the same price but only the CELTA can guarantee you are employable all around the world.

What is the typical nationality mix of your trainees?

It depends on the time of year but generally a course tends to have a mix of at least three or four nationalities, with the majority being either British or American. In the last we have also trained people from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Slovak Republic and New Zealand.

Doesn't it "dilute" the course if you have non-native speakers on the course?

Quite the opposite, I feel it adds to the dynamics of a course and creates a working atmosphere not too dissimilar from a real EFL staffroom environment. Different nationalities bring different perspectives and styles of English and it helps provide a trainee with a fuller picture of the complexity of teaching English.

What sort of people choose to do the course in Prague?

It's impossible to give a simple answer as our trainees are so diverse. We have trained people from the 18 year old having just finished school to the newly retired millionaire businessman.

Is the course really that intensive? Will there be any time for sightseeing whilst in Prague?

Yes it really is that intensive. We always tell applicants before they accept their place on the course that it is probably going to be the most intensive thing they have ever done. It's Monday to Friday all day plus all the assignments, homework, planning lessons and so on but everyone needs a break so some sightseeing is possible at the weekends. However if your main reason for coming to do the CELTA in Prague is to see the sights then think again.

Where do you find your guinea pig students for the practice lessons?

The guinea pig courses are incredibly popular and in fact there is usually a waiting list. They tend to be Czech people who like the variety that a CELTA class brings compared to the usual classes in the school. We always take care to make sure each student is at the right level and the students even pay a small fee to secure their place so we can guarantee that a trainee will have a ready, willing class awaiting them on the first day of a course.

How big is the school?

We are one of the biggest private language schools in the country. We have approx. 90 full-time English teachers both native and non-native. The school also offers courses in Czech, French, German and Spanish so all in all we have over 120 members of staff and approx. 2500 students. We are also the foremost teacher training school in the country and offer a range of courses for teachers - one of our goals is to open a teacher training college within the next few years.

What is the average number of students to be found in a practice lesson?

The maximum number in one class is 14 and on an average day I would say 12 of them turn up.

How far is the school from the centre of Prague?

The main school (we have 4 premises) where the course takes place in is Prague 4, which by metro is 10 minutes from the centre of the city. The metro station is 5 minutes from the school.

How far away is the accommodation?

Generally it is within 15 minutes travel of the school and the same for the centre of Prague

What is the accommodation like in Prague? It seems quite expensive.

The cost of accommodation in Prague is getting astronomical partially due to lack of apartments and also the imminent joining of the EU. We use an accommodation agency to provide us with flats and we have never had a complaint about them. Compared to housing in the UK and US, flats are generally much smaller but they have all the basic utilities and you get your own room.

What sort of help do you provide for trainees looking for work?

As much as they need. Being an International House school means that the graduates have access to the IH recruitment service. When not tutoring on CELTA, I deal with recruitment for schools in the Czech Republic so a graduate can get lots of helpful advice from me.
The tutors in general have taught in a number of countries and can point graduates in the right direction of schools etc. The course has a number of sessions on how to find work, writing CVs and so on along with individual careers advice to each graduate.

Is there a chance they could work in your school once they complete the course?

If we have a vacancy we actively try and employ graduates of the course.