Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is known as the “Birthplace of Bohemia”, which is a historical region that was originally ruled by the Bohemian Kings. It encompasses most of western Czech Republic but can also refer to the entire Czech territory. In addition to its nickname, the Czech Republic is also associated with its motto, “Truth Prevails”. This is the country’s motto that was instituted in 1918 and has held strong for more than a century, as this nation has gone through various occupations and political changes. A Little History Formally known as Czechoslovakia, Czechs and Slovaks were able to celebrate their independence after the 1989 Velvet Revolution which was a nonviolent revolution to overthrow the Soviet communist regime. Czechs still celebrate this transition back to democracy every November and December. The Czech Republic then became an independent country in 1993 upon the peaceful split with Slovakia known as the Velvet Divorce. In 2016, the government of the Czech Republic agreed to make Czechia the official short name of the nation. while “Czechia” is now the standard international short-form name, many locals and older expats still fondly use “the Czech Republic.. Climate & Landscape In terms of climate, the Czech Republic is pretty typical of most locations in Europe with warm, dry summers and cold, possibly snowy winters. It is a landlocked country that has some bordering low mountain ranges. If you plan to teach in the Czech Republic and live here year-round, yo…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in the Czech Republic. Education The majority of positions in the Czech Republic require a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university. Citizenship While it is not a requirement to obtain a visa to teach in the Czech Republic, many employers require that you must be a citizen of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. English Fluency If you are not a citizen of one of the above countries, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. Contact a reputable Czech Visa Agency (such as Move to Prague , Visa Guru or Visa Force — see more in the Applying for the Visa section) before moving forward to ensure that you will be able to process a visa. Background Check You must provide a clean criminal record check in order to apply for a visa in the Czech Republic. Minor offenses can sometimes be looked past on a case-by-case basis. For US Citizens : While a notarized affidavit from the US Embassy in Prague has historically been accepted under…

The demand for English teachers in the Czech Republic is quite high and spans all age groups. English teachers can find employment teaching children as young as preschoolers to adults who may no longer be in the workforce, or a mixture of the two. There are also opportunities to teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP) such as Business English. You can easily find a position that fits the age group that you are hoping to work with. Your classroom and school culture will vary a bit depending on whether you teach adults or children, and what type of school setting you choose to work for. Since Prague is such a sought after market, you can typically find plenty of teaching opportunities in smaller cities and be awarded with a higher salary since the cost of living is lower. Not to mention there will be fewer expats and other ESL teachers in your area which gives you a better opportunity to practice Czech and befriend locals. Although the Czech Republic is considered progressive and tolerant of the LGBTQ+ community, this may be less true in smaller communities or towns outside of Prague. Therefore, being openly out as LGBTQA+ at school may prove to be difficult. You may want to be circumspect with being out publicly in Czech Republic, both on social media and at work. Keep in mind that if students and/or parents find you on social media, they may contact your school with any information they perceive as negative. Here are some articles on Expats CZ that may provide some furthe…

Now it’s time to begin the application process! You do not have to choose between applying to private language schools, businesses, public schools, after school programs, or preschools. You are welcome to focus your applications towards a specific school type or you can apply to all of the options in the previous section if you are open to where you’ll be teaching or want to compare multiple opportunities. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Czech Republic Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to daily living? Do you want to live in the capital city …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in the Czech Republic, and you’ve followed our previous advice you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this determination, follow the recommendations below. Whether you have one offer, or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, medical insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in the Czech Republic is 30,000 – 40,000 CZK per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in the Czech Republic can be a part-time or full-time gig depending on how many hours your school requires and if you choose to work for more than one school (which is common in the Czech Republic). Most teachers work between 20 and 35 hours per week. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week to …

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in the Czech Republic, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Czech embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Take it from ITA’s former staff member Britton S. who taught in Prague, “ This all may sound difficult, but it isn’t so bad, and it’s nice to be 100% legal unlike the visa situation for Americans in many other parts of Europe .” Let’s get started! Visa Types Zivnostensky List What is it? Nicknamed the “Zivno”, this is a freelance trade license that pairs with a long-term business visa. It is the most common path for teachers, allowing you to work legally at any school or employer in the Czech Republic without being sponsored by or tied to a single company. How do you get one? It is possible to apply for and obtain this visa on your own. However, for peace of mind, assistance with red tape, and overall ease, it is highly encouraged to work with an approved visa agency. More details below. How long is it valid? One year with the possibility to renew. Work Visa thro…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in the Czech Republic, health insurance will be available to purchase but at the cost of the teacher and not covered by your employer. Check out the “Accepting the Right Offer” section to learn more! It is also a good idea to purchase travel insurance which is separate from health insurance. This typically covers any major expenses if you are severely injured or sick in another country. ITA recommends World Nomads . Savings & Banking In the Czech Republic, it may take up to six to eight weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordin…

You have finally made it to the end of the Czech Republic section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for the Czech Republic. This timeline is not only for planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to the Czech Republic to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Please keep in mind that the main hiring seasons for the Czech Republic are September and January. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Read through ITA’s resources, attend Student Affairs webinar ___ Network with ITA alumni , read alumni stories ,and ITA alumni , etc. ___ Read about Czech culture, etc. ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in the Czech Republic ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 70,000 – 110,000 CZK saved by the time you arrive. 3 months before departure: Begin application process and prepare visa documents ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Obtain your bank letter showing an activ…

Prague is a beautiful city; I still find myself amazed that I live here! The city is very active; no matter what time or day of the week it is, you always see people out and about enjoying the weather and scenery. Prague has many beautiful parks and beer gardens. Each beer garden has its own feel; some are very busy and rowdy, and others are much more laid back. Lauren M. Prague, Czech Republic I decided to teach English in the Czech Republic in the city of Prague for a few reasons. First, I knew someone from here. Second, the demand is high for English teachers. I had a job with a school and five private lesson students in my first week. Third, the location and the beauty of the Czech Republic is undeniable. Lastly, the cost of living is amazing. You can save money and you can travel easily. Cassondra L. Prague, Czech Republic The culture of the Czech Republic is very interesting. When you are more central in Prague, the younger population dominates and everyone is very friendly. The older generation likes to keep to themselves and usually remain pretty quiet but they are all still very nice people! The food is delicious, but there are no vegetables as far as the eye can see. The city is a beautiful place full of history and there are always fun little festivals popping up everywhere! Katie M. Czech Republic