In this section, we'll answer some basic questions about the TEFL certification course, and life as an English Teacher in Prague.
Q: Do I need a TEFL or TESOL certification to get a job?
A: Most language schools require a certification, yes.
Q: How long does it take to get TEFL certified?
A: A typical, in-person course is 4 weeks long. You can also take online courses that can be done at your own speed, but if you're going to take an online course, we recommend a course that incorporates actual real-world teaching hous (not only theory).
Q: How much do TEFL certification courses cost?
A: Anywhere from several hundred US dollars for online courses to a couple thousand US dollars for an in person class. You really get what you pay for when it comes to a good TEFL education. I know some people who took an online course, only to feel that they learned nothing and then ended up taking an in-person class before they truly feel qualified to teach.
Q: How do I know a good TEFL school from a bad one?
A: Reading course reviews can be helpful, but a truly transparent school will offer you the chance to talk to their alumni to get the real scoop.
Q: Do I need a college degree to take a TEFL course?
A: No. But, a college degree will be helpful when trying to get a job teaching at a public school, a university, or for certain online schools, but it's not required or many language schools or for private teaching.
Q: How many hours of work does a TEFL certification course require?
A: Again, this depends on the rigor of your particular course, but a good course will meet daily for several hours of interactive lessons, offer several hours of guided lesson planning preparation, and offer a dozen or more actual teaching hours over the course of the month. It requires a full time effort, and it is not recommended to do it while doing other work or studies.
Q: Should I take a TEFL course in Prague, or do one before I move there?
A: We recommend taking a course in Prague (and have loads of information in the next lesson about our top pick). Why? Well, your TEFL classmates, and teachers for that matter, end up forming your family away from home. In one month, you will create a network of friends and colleagues that will be there for you throughout your duration in Prague—to be a roommate, to help you get a job referral, to help you navigate life in a new city, or just to grab a beer with when you feel like you need a friend. Plus, if you plan to teach in Prague, the expert trainers have years of experience working with Czech students in particular, and are happy to pass those insights on to you.
Q: Will a TEFL course offer job assistance?
A: A good course will offer job assistance, which is another reason to take a TEFL course in a city you plan to live, at least for the first year.
Q: What kind of jobs can you get with a TEFL certificate?
A: TEFL graduates we know have worked in high schools, grammar schools, universities, corporations (like Volkswagen, Czech Airlines, Microsoft) government offices & private language schools. They have also become nanny's, pre-school teachers, translators, proof-readers and copywriters. In the past several years, several TEFL grads in Prague have worked entirely online, teaching classrooms in China, or bankers in Switzerland. The list goes on and on.
Q: How much does an English teacher in Prague make?
A: The starting salary can be around $10 per hour and go up to $25 per hour, depending on the school. When you start negotiating as a private teacher with individuals or companies, you can make even above $30 per hour.
Q: What TEFL school in Prague do you recommend?
A: So glad you asked! Onward to the next lesson...