After the TEFL course

When I finished my TEFL course, I already had jobs lined up. It was a smooth, easy transition to start working. It was also great that my TEFL program operated under a language school. Because of that, I found open teaching positions before I finished the course. I’m grateful I was hired right away! The TEFL course is almost like a long interview. If you do well, the staff will find a position for you. Guaranteed.

In addition to teaching English, I have a professional background in marketing and advertising. When my TEFL supervisors found out, the owner of the language school asked if I’d like to do freelance work. This was the perfect opportunity for me transition comfortably into teaching. I was able to work part time as a marketing consultant for the school, and also teach classes. This is just one way Language & Training goes beyond what they promise. They’ll prepare you to teach, but will ultimately find you opportunities that best use your skills. Sometimes it goes beyond teaching classes!

Throughout my TEFL course, the staff guided us on lesson planning, helped us brainstorm ideas, and ultimately prepared us for life after TEFL. Job guidance included a resume critique, interview tips, and even a contact list of top employers in Prague. I left my TEFL course not only confident and well-equipped, but with jobs already lined up.

Since TEFL, I have taught a range of ages and proficiency levels. This includes young learners, teens, parents, mid-career businessmen, and managers at international companies. There has been quite a variety of course content, which keeps things interesting. Over time, my confidence grew as my teaching ability improved. There’s a big learning curve when you first start teaching, but it only took a few lessons for me to feel comfortable. Every class is different, you just have to adapt.

The structure of a TEFL course provided me with instant friendships. To this day, I’m still in contact with some of my classmates. There’s also a large network of English teachers in Prague, which many bars and restaurants cater to. There are weekly (English) pub trivia nights, networking dinners, expat meet-ups, etc. Prague is a big city; the opportunities to meet people are endless.

One of the biggest perks of living in Prague is the geographic location. The Czech Republic is in the center of Europe, which makes it a great home base when you want to travel. Since I moved in January, I’ve been to eight new countries, and countless cities outside of Prague. Traveling in or outside of the Czech Republic is convenient, safe and cheap! Weekend trips are perfect when you’re teaching full time.