The Czech Republic: a country flush with beautiful architecture, delicious food and drink, endless cultural offerings, and a rich history. Many expats dream of living and working there; some imagine themselves enjoying a cozy café on a cool winter day, while others picture themselves on an outdoor patio with a mug of famous Czech beer, enjoying the afternoon with friends or family.
This (or something alike) may be your dream. And if so, no matter the finer details, living in the Czech Republic can offer a high quality of life at an affordable price, which many expats achieve by teaching English in various institutions. This article outlines how exploring Czech culture while teaching English can provide an excellent balance of adventure and work. Keep reading to learn more.
Adventures In Prague
The Czech Republic provides residents with endless options for adventure and enjoyment of leisure time. Prague, the capital and most populous city, offers an incredible variety of historical and cultural sights to get to know. Some famous spots include Wenceslaus Square with the astronomical clock, Charles Bridge (don’t forget to rub the statue of St. John of Nepomuk for good luck!), Prague Castle, and the Žižkov Television Tower.
Aside from cultural hotspots, residents also love casual outdoor activities like leisurely walks around the city or rides on the excellent public transportation to visit historic cemeteries or outdoor beer gardens (some with beautiful views of the city and the Vltava River). Residents also enjoy browsing at weekly farmers’ markets, visiting museums, and spending time in parks. They also frequent the city’s numerous bars, clubs, cafes, and restaurants for some food and beverage delights, like Czech beer (Pilsner Urquell and Budvar) and traditional dishes like goulash, dumplings, and kolaches.
As a resident, you might also want to experience some cultural offerings indoors. Go see a movie in the historic Art Nouveau theater Kino Lucera or attend an orchestra concert or ballet performance at the stunning Smetana Hall in the Municipal House venue.
Adventures Around The Czech Republic
While Prague (deservedly) gets a lot of attention for its cultural offerings, the Czech Republic also boasts multiple postcard-perfect cities and regions that are excellent candidates for residents to experience in their free time.
For those who love the outdoors, the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, located northwest of the capital, offers views of stunning rock formations. Visitors have options to hike and cycle, and can reach the park by car or public transportation.
Brno, the second-most populous city in the country, is home to a large student population, and many residents and visitors rave about its restaurant, club, and bar offerings, along with architectural highlights.
Close to the Austrian border, Český Krumlov’s Old Town is renowned for its architecture and is a UNESCO site.
Kutná Hora, on the eastern side of the country, is home to St. Barbara’s Church, a stunning example of Gothic architecture. For a very unique experience, Kutná Hora is also home to a bone church, the Sedlec Ossuary, which showcases thousands of human bones in various displays (including some chandeliers).
Beer lovers will want to take a trip to Pilsen, the home of the internationally famous beer Pilsner Urquell. Visitors enjoy stopping by the Pilsner Urquell factory to learn about the process of making the beer and sample the drink straight from its source.
Adventures Around Europe
Residents also have easy access to other countries around Europe. The border countries of Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia are a quick train or bus trip away. Prague’s airport also offers multiple short-haul flights to other parts of the continent, popular during residents’ vacation time.
Teaching English In The Czech Republic
Along with enjoying one’s free time, many teach English in the Czech Republic to support themselves and build meaningful relationships with locals.
What does teaching English in the Czech Republic entail?
English teachers in the Czech Republic work in various settings with students of all ages.
Private language academies are the most common place for teachers to be hired, but others work in public schools, international schools, or as private tutors.
Students in private academies range from very young students to adult learners (more common). Although this depends on the students, teachers will most likely give classes in the afternoon through the evening. Teachers working in private academies typically have a workload of around 30 hours of classes each week, but again, this will vary depending on the students.
If you teach in an international school or public school, your schedule will follow the students’ school day, beginning with classes in the morning and ending around mid-afternoon. Private tutors’ schedules will likely revolve around their clients’ availability.
How do I teach English in the Czech Republic?
To live and work legally in the Czech Republic, teachers will need both want a visa or legal authorization to work and qualifications showing their preparation and skill in teaching English.
European Union residents have legal authorization to move to and live in the country. Those from countries outside of the EU have other options, like securing a working holiday visa (if from Canada, Australia, or New Zealand) or the Czech freelance visa, which is an option for citizens from other countries.
Some may choose to pursue language assistant programs, either run by various companies in the Czech Republic or through organizations from their home country, to help with obtaining a visa and moving logistics.
If you are a certified teacher in your home country, you also have the option to pursue a position in an international school, which would assist with the process of obtaining a visa.
Regardless of the route you take, most employers will require certification of your skills as an English teacher. Obtaining a 120-hour TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is a common route many English teachers take in order to prepare themselves to teach English to non-native learners. Many language academies require teachers to have a valid TEFL certification in order to be hired.
Where can I teach in the Czech Republic?
Most of the English teaching jobs in the Czech Republic are located in Prague, where the competition is high, but many enjoy the culture, quality of living, and access to both national and international transportation. Others enjoy teaching in smaller cities and regions around the country, like Brno, where there is less competition for positions. The country offers options for multiple styles of living, from the urban bustle of Prague to quieter small towns in more rural regions.
Balancing Work and Adventure
Depending on your route to teaching English in the Czech Republic, living in the central European country will most likely offer you an excellent balance of both work and adventure. Easy access to the endless cultural options of the country and the endeavor of teaching English to non-native speakers will make your time in the Czech Republic as enjoyable and meaningful as possible.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
xoxo