Hi all, thanks for dropping by. To make things easier, I've decided to merge some of my blogs, which, including this one, can now be found at ELT World. I've been getting off my backsides and writing recently, so come over to the new URL and leave lots of lovely comments.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Classic Articles: When is it too Late to Get out of TEFL?
In celebration of the upcoming release of the fifth edition of Horizons Journal, I've decided to revisit some of the classic articles from the first four issues. In this article, I when is it too late to get out of this profession with the help of members of the ELT World forums:
Changing careers after a number of years is no easy feat and takes a lot of courage. Is it any easier or more difficult for TEFLers than those in other jobs though? A poll ran on the blog and on the forum discussing this issue.
The first obvious theme in the responses given by forum members focused on the concept of time. Obviously, any substantial length of time spent in one line of work makes it more difficult to leave and start something new. Gaijinalways notes, ' any post held for a longer period of time will possibly make it more difficult to change gears and careers. Returning to your home country after many years abroad can cause an additional strain. So I really think there is no limit, only what limits you place on yourself.' MELEE reiterates this theme, 'like others have said, at this point I'm not interested in getting out of TEFL. But like others have said I also think a long time in any field makes it hard to change to something else.'
While this concept of being established after a number of years seems obvious, it appears that, generally, maybe it isn't something that is necessarily only connected to TEFL. Markle suggests that, 'I think you could apply it to any career path, I mean when is it too late to get out of the military, IT, insurance, banking, prostitution? Any reasonably specialised job is going to leave you less equipped to enter into another line of work.'
Another factor mentioned regarding having done a job for a number of years is that you might well have financial reasons for sticking with it. Sheikh Inal Ovar describes:
'for me, it became too late to get out when I started a well paid job... but now I'm stuck in TEFL until I've filled my boots with enough cash to be (semi) financially independent ... Why? Because I don't think I could guarantee the same sort of savings if I were to try my arm at something else... so I'm in the absurd position that I cannot afford to quit TEFLing ... at least not for the next few years.'
Another theme that became evident, clearly related to spending years going in one direction, is that of developing a skill set specific to your profession. Are you equipped to move into a different career? Chimp Guevara states, 'I don't think it's possible for it to be "too late" to get out of ELT, but don't expect the career switch to be massive - ELT to Investment Banking is a bit of a stretch for someone with a French Lit degree and a DELTA, for example.' So, if you want to change careers, where can you go? Chimp Guevara continues, 'education administration or even retraining within the education profession is clearly a possibility. The most important thing is the qualifications you hold and the transferable skills you have.'
Having noted that many of the factors TEFLers would become faced with are also faced by anyone trying to change careers after a number of years, some comments indicated that there may be additional factors affecting English teachers. For example, Sherri asks, 'I think a question that many ask is when is: When is it too late to start over in a new country/ home country?' In addition to starting over in terms of work, many involved in TEFL would also have to start over in a new country. Sherri further develops this notion, 'for me at least, my standards have changed since I was in my 20s. Then I would be happy with one bag and sharing a room. Now I would never dream of sharing and I have a family to think of. If you stay too long in one place, you can get "stuck" and like it or not, you have to stay because your options become limited. This is especially true if you have not upgraded your qualifications or you have not broadened your skill set.' Jerry takes a somewhat different stance, suggesting other motivations for remaining in TEFL, 'It's never too late to do anything in your life..... if you genuinely think something will be better, go for it. However, if you are kicking the arse out of something (like many TEFLers) you will have few choices in anything you want to do in life, and TEFL offers an easy life for a limited period of time for the shyster.' 31 notes the long-term effects, indicating why it may become more difficult to leave TEFL than certain other professions, 'TEFL makes you bitter, alcoholic, unemployable and a joke back home.'
It's not all doom and gloom, however. che1959 hints at why one or two respondents possibly indicated that one year might be too late:
'I don't think you can ever really get out of it. TEFL changes you. As much as I hate to admit it, there is adventure in TEFL. Some of us are literally living the lives that many people dream about, think about it for a second.'
Many people considered this to be quite a negative poll to run on a website related to TEFL. My intention when asking this question, however, was for people to consider whether or not they could leave TEFL if they wanted to. I'm pleased that so many of you seem to agree with the sentiments of che1959.
Use and distribution of this article is permitted subject to no changes being made to the content and appropriate hyperlinks/URL references in place.
Changing careers after a number of years is no easy feat and takes a lot of courage. Is it any easier or more difficult for TEFLers than those in other jobs though? A poll ran on the blog and on the forum discussing this issue.
The first obvious theme in the responses given by forum members focused on the concept of time. Obviously, any substantial length of time spent in one line of work makes it more difficult to leave and start something new. Gaijinalways notes, ' any post held for a longer period of time will possibly make it more difficult to change gears and careers. Returning to your home country after many years abroad can cause an additional strain. So I really think there is no limit, only what limits you place on yourself.' MELEE reiterates this theme, 'like others have said, at this point I'm not interested in getting out of TEFL. But like others have said I also think a long time in any field makes it hard to change to something else.'
While this concept of being established after a number of years seems obvious, it appears that, generally, maybe it isn't something that is necessarily only connected to TEFL. Markle suggests that, 'I think you could apply it to any career path, I mean when is it too late to get out of the military, IT, insurance, banking, prostitution? Any reasonably specialised job is going to leave you less equipped to enter into another line of work.'
Another factor mentioned regarding having done a job for a number of years is that you might well have financial reasons for sticking with it. Sheikh Inal Ovar describes:
'for me, it became too late to get out when I started a well paid job... but now I'm stuck in TEFL until I've filled my boots with enough cash to be (semi) financially independent ... Why? Because I don't think I could guarantee the same sort of savings if I were to try my arm at something else... so I'm in the absurd position that I cannot afford to quit TEFLing ... at least not for the next few years.'
Another theme that became evident, clearly related to spending years going in one direction, is that of developing a skill set specific to your profession. Are you equipped to move into a different career? Chimp Guevara states, 'I don't think it's possible for it to be "too late" to get out of ELT, but don't expect the career switch to be massive - ELT to Investment Banking is a bit of a stretch for someone with a French Lit degree and a DELTA, for example.' So, if you want to change careers, where can you go? Chimp Guevara continues, 'education administration or even retraining within the education profession is clearly a possibility. The most important thing is the qualifications you hold and the transferable skills you have.'
Having noted that many of the factors TEFLers would become faced with are also faced by anyone trying to change careers after a number of years, some comments indicated that there may be additional factors affecting English teachers. For example, Sherri asks, 'I think a question that many ask is when is: When is it too late to start over in a new country/ home country?' In addition to starting over in terms of work, many involved in TEFL would also have to start over in a new country. Sherri further develops this notion, 'for me at least, my standards have changed since I was in my 20s. Then I would be happy with one bag and sharing a room. Now I would never dream of sharing and I have a family to think of. If you stay too long in one place, you can get "stuck" and like it or not, you have to stay because your options become limited. This is especially true if you have not upgraded your qualifications or you have not broadened your skill set.' Jerry takes a somewhat different stance, suggesting other motivations for remaining in TEFL, 'It's never too late to do anything in your life..... if you genuinely think something will be better, go for it. However, if you are kicking the arse out of something (like many TEFLers) you will have few choices in anything you want to do in life, and TEFL offers an easy life for a limited period of time for the shyster.' 31 notes the long-term effects, indicating why it may become more difficult to leave TEFL than certain other professions, 'TEFL makes you bitter, alcoholic, unemployable and a joke back home.'
It's not all doom and gloom, however. che1959 hints at why one or two respondents possibly indicated that one year might be too late:
'I don't think you can ever really get out of it. TEFL changes you. As much as I hate to admit it, there is adventure in TEFL. Some of us are literally living the lives that many people dream about, think about it for a second.'
Many people considered this to be quite a negative poll to run on a website related to TEFL. My intention when asking this question, however, was for people to consider whether or not they could leave TEFL if they wanted to. I'm pleased that so many of you seem to agree with the sentiments of che1959.
Use and distribution of this article is permitted subject to no changes being made to the content and appropriate hyperlinks/URL references in place.
Monday, June 23, 2008
ESL Jobs: FAQ
An article by Josef Essberger
Are there really any ESL jobs for me?
Yes, there are. Rightly or wrongly, the whole world wants to learn English. People everywhere, especially young people, are convinced that speaking good English is their passport to a successful career. What is more, they are being encouraged in this by many governments. Worldwide, there are many more ESL jobs than there are native-speaking EFL teachers to fill them (though it should not be forgotten that English is also taught by perfectly competent non-native teachers). EMT (English mother tongue) teachers are in high demand in virtually all parts of the world. However, EMT teachers may find it more difficult to break into other English-speaking countries. And in general, schools in Western Europe express a preference for teachers with an EU passport as working papers are then automatic.
So where are all these ESL jobs?
Everywhere. Though you must realize that economic conditions in individual countries do impose restrictions on supply and demand. Virtually all parts of the world--Latin America, Asia, Eastern/Central Europe, Western Europe-- welcome native-speaking teachers. Africa has some demand, but less so. There is, of course, also demand in English-speaking countries such as the UK, USA and Australia.
Which countries pay best?
If making money is your chief preoccupation you'd be better off becoming a lawyer and going into politics. There are no really rich pickings in teaching, though there are other compensations. However, in comparative terms the highest paying jobs are in Western Europe; the oil-producing countries of the Arabian Gulf; and in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Some jobs within the English-speaking countries may also be reasonably well paid.
Must I have a university degree to teach English?
A degree is often not required to teach EFL/ESL. The more important qualification is some kind of TEFL certificate. Experience can also count highly. The snag is that in many countries, especially in Asia and the Middle East, a working permit will not be granted without a degree. So a degree is more to satisfy the country's authorities than the language institute's real requirements. With a TEFL certificate, it is certainly possible to find work without a degree, but you should check the country's legal requirements in advance--or be prepared to work illegally, which is not unheard of.
Can my partner go with me?
You can usually take your wife or husband with you if you have been offered a legal job with visa and working permit. However, she or he may not be allowed to work and you may find it difficult to support a dependant on a teacher's income. If, however, your partner is also an EFL teacher, you could probably both find work in the same school or town.
What about taking children abroad?
With a legal job you can usually obtain a resident's visa for your children, though again you may have difficulty in supported them on a teacher's income. There would also be the question of their education, which in some cases would prove exorbitantly expensive.
Should I find a job before going abroad?
Very much up to you and the country in question. If you like adventure, and have a good TEFL certificate--and perhaps a degree for working permit purposes--you might jet off with the reasonable confidence of finding work when you land. If you are a little more staid, or nervous, or cash-strapped, you might do better to fix it all up before leaving. This is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. Employers in some countries actually prefer to see the whites of your eyes and are not interested in talk of video-conferencing or Internet interviews. Other employers may have agents in your own country and prefer to recruit in that way.
How do I arrange a job from home?
First of all, watch the job advertisements in newspapers and online, and contact possible employers. Check out sites such as TEFL Net ESL Jobs. You can also post your resume online to let employers know that you are available for work.
How do I know that a foreign employer is reputable?
If you are employed by an international organization such as the British Council or International House you have probably already some knowledge of that organization's status and reputation, or can easily verify it. For less well known institutions, try looking on Internet forums for more information or ask the employer to put you in contact with existing or past employees.
Is there a specific time when most jobs start?
Generally speaking, teaching EFL is a year-round business with no particular calendar or holidays. Even if schools employ teachers at the start of their "academic year", teachers leave or additional clients arrive unexpectedly so job opportunities arise during the course of the year. It is true, however, that in Europe there is a particular demand for teachers to start in September or October.
How long a commitment will I have to make?
Most good employers will expect you to sign a contract for at least one year, especially for a job arranged in advance with airfare and accommodation. However, if you are in the country itself, you can often work on a monthly basis if it suits you better. For a few government-sponsored programs--eg, the Peace Corps or JET--a minimum two-year contract is obligatory.
Do I have to get a work permit and residence visa?
To work legally in a foreign country you need a work permit, with which you can then get a resident's visa. You should be aware that working in a foreign country without a work permit is usually a criminal offence in that country and you render yourself liable to imprisonment, fines and/or deportation. Having said that, many EFL teachers do work illegally in many parts of the world.
So how do I get this work permit?
You won't get any work permit without a job, or at least a firm job offer. Once you have that, your employer will normally sponsor you and take care of the necessary paperwork.
Who will I be teaching?
This depends to some extent on the school, but in general all kinds of people are learning English. You may be asked to teach students of all ages, of all levels, in groups or one-to-one, general English, business English, exam preparation and so on. The more flexible you are in this respect the more hours you will probably get. Schools are usually quite sensitive to their teachers' capabilities and will try to match you to the most appropriate students.
What are typical working hours?
Schools in most countries will expect you to work five days a week, with 20 to 25 contact hours (plus preparation time). Depending on your contract--full-time or hourly--you may have something like 6 or 8 weeks of paid holidays (if you're paid by the hour you may get no paid holidays, just a higher hourly rate). In some of the better paid Asian countries such as Korea or Japan you may be required to teach much longer hours and receive less time for holidays. You should be aware that though it may not seem much, 25 contact hours a week is actually more than enough for most human beings, and anything over that--especially on a long-term basis--can be quite strenuous.
How much will I be paid?
Not enough! :-( Don't enter TEFL for money's sake. It's difficult to quantify earnings as they vary so much from country to country and are in any event relative. In most places, with a reputable employer, you will earn enough to get by comfortably in local terms. However, very few countries or jobs will allow you to live well and save money. In general, you need to consider the cost of living of the country you are in. For example, a miserable pittance in Eastern Europe may in fact allow you to live better than a relatively high monthly salary in Japan.
What currency will I be paid in?
Almost always you will be paid in the local currency.
Will I earn enough to send money home?
Unlikely, unless you are particularly frugal. In the Middle East and some Asian countries, you may be able to save worthwhile amounts of money to send home. Elsewhere, you are unlikely to be able to save much, if anything, and may in any case find that exchange controls make it impossible to repatriate your savings.
What happens with taxes?
If you are legally employed you will usually be taxed at source and pay taxes and other relevant charges to the local government.
What about accommodation?
You are more likely to have accommodation arranged and perhaps paid for or subsidized if you secure a job in advance with a contract of one year or more, especially for jobs in Asia or the Middle East. You may find, however, that you are expected to share such accommodation with other teachers.
And travel? Will the school pay for it?
Again, for contracts arranged overseas in advance, travel is often paid for. It is much more difficult to get travel subsidies for jobs that you sign up for on the spot.
Will I have health insurance?
Many countries outside Europe and North America have little or no national health service and you will need to check with the school whether they provide private cover, or be prepared to pay a little extra to sign up for a local healthcare programme.
What about private lessons?
In general, employment contracts exclude the possibility of taking on private students without prior permission from your employer. However, if your regular teaching is going well, many employers will not prevent you from taking on private students (as long as you find them yourself and do not take them from the employer).
What if I really don't fit with the job or the country?
Most employers know that an unhappy teacher is a bad teacher. If you are genuinely unhappy with your position, they will often allow you to quit as soon as they can find a replacement. If, however, they have incurred costs such as travel or visa arrangements, you may be required to repay some or all of those costs. In general, you should thoroughly research the job and country you are going to in advance to avoid such a situation.
About the Author
Josef Essberger formerly taught English as a foreign language in Asia and Europe. He is founder of http://EnglishClub.com, a site for ESL learners and teachers, and http://TEFL.net, a site dedicated to ESL teachers. Looking for an ESL teaching job? Learn more at http://www.tefl.net/esl-jobs/.
Are there really any ESL jobs for me?
Yes, there are. Rightly or wrongly, the whole world wants to learn English. People everywhere, especially young people, are convinced that speaking good English is their passport to a successful career. What is more, they are being encouraged in this by many governments. Worldwide, there are many more ESL jobs than there are native-speaking EFL teachers to fill them (though it should not be forgotten that English is also taught by perfectly competent non-native teachers). EMT (English mother tongue) teachers are in high demand in virtually all parts of the world. However, EMT teachers may find it more difficult to break into other English-speaking countries. And in general, schools in Western Europe express a preference for teachers with an EU passport as working papers are then automatic.
So where are all these ESL jobs?
Everywhere. Though you must realize that economic conditions in individual countries do impose restrictions on supply and demand. Virtually all parts of the world--Latin America, Asia, Eastern/Central Europe, Western Europe-- welcome native-speaking teachers. Africa has some demand, but less so. There is, of course, also demand in English-speaking countries such as the UK, USA and Australia.
Which countries pay best?
If making money is your chief preoccupation you'd be better off becoming a lawyer and going into politics. There are no really rich pickings in teaching, though there are other compensations. However, in comparative terms the highest paying jobs are in Western Europe; the oil-producing countries of the Arabian Gulf; and in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Some jobs within the English-speaking countries may also be reasonably well paid.
Must I have a university degree to teach English?
A degree is often not required to teach EFL/ESL. The more important qualification is some kind of TEFL certificate. Experience can also count highly. The snag is that in many countries, especially in Asia and the Middle East, a working permit will not be granted without a degree. So a degree is more to satisfy the country's authorities than the language institute's real requirements. With a TEFL certificate, it is certainly possible to find work without a degree, but you should check the country's legal requirements in advance--or be prepared to work illegally, which is not unheard of.
Can my partner go with me?
You can usually take your wife or husband with you if you have been offered a legal job with visa and working permit. However, she or he may not be allowed to work and you may find it difficult to support a dependant on a teacher's income. If, however, your partner is also an EFL teacher, you could probably both find work in the same school or town.
What about taking children abroad?
With a legal job you can usually obtain a resident's visa for your children, though again you may have difficulty in supported them on a teacher's income. There would also be the question of their education, which in some cases would prove exorbitantly expensive.
Should I find a job before going abroad?
Very much up to you and the country in question. If you like adventure, and have a good TEFL certificate--and perhaps a degree for working permit purposes--you might jet off with the reasonable confidence of finding work when you land. If you are a little more staid, or nervous, or cash-strapped, you might do better to fix it all up before leaving. This is six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. Employers in some countries actually prefer to see the whites of your eyes and are not interested in talk of video-conferencing or Internet interviews. Other employers may have agents in your own country and prefer to recruit in that way.
How do I arrange a job from home?
First of all, watch the job advertisements in newspapers and online, and contact possible employers. Check out sites such as TEFL Net ESL Jobs. You can also post your resume online to let employers know that you are available for work.
How do I know that a foreign employer is reputable?
If you are employed by an international organization such as the British Council or International House you have probably already some knowledge of that organization's status and reputation, or can easily verify it. For less well known institutions, try looking on Internet forums for more information or ask the employer to put you in contact with existing or past employees.
Is there a specific time when most jobs start?
Generally speaking, teaching EFL is a year-round business with no particular calendar or holidays. Even if schools employ teachers at the start of their "academic year", teachers leave or additional clients arrive unexpectedly so job opportunities arise during the course of the year. It is true, however, that in Europe there is a particular demand for teachers to start in September or October.
How long a commitment will I have to make?
Most good employers will expect you to sign a contract for at least one year, especially for a job arranged in advance with airfare and accommodation. However, if you are in the country itself, you can often work on a monthly basis if it suits you better. For a few government-sponsored programs--eg, the Peace Corps or JET--a minimum two-year contract is obligatory.
Do I have to get a work permit and residence visa?
To work legally in a foreign country you need a work permit, with which you can then get a resident's visa. You should be aware that working in a foreign country without a work permit is usually a criminal offence in that country and you render yourself liable to imprisonment, fines and/or deportation. Having said that, many EFL teachers do work illegally in many parts of the world.
So how do I get this work permit?
You won't get any work permit without a job, or at least a firm job offer. Once you have that, your employer will normally sponsor you and take care of the necessary paperwork.
Who will I be teaching?
This depends to some extent on the school, but in general all kinds of people are learning English. You may be asked to teach students of all ages, of all levels, in groups or one-to-one, general English, business English, exam preparation and so on. The more flexible you are in this respect the more hours you will probably get. Schools are usually quite sensitive to their teachers' capabilities and will try to match you to the most appropriate students.
What are typical working hours?
Schools in most countries will expect you to work five days a week, with 20 to 25 contact hours (plus preparation time). Depending on your contract--full-time or hourly--you may have something like 6 or 8 weeks of paid holidays (if you're paid by the hour you may get no paid holidays, just a higher hourly rate). In some of the better paid Asian countries such as Korea or Japan you may be required to teach much longer hours and receive less time for holidays. You should be aware that though it may not seem much, 25 contact hours a week is actually more than enough for most human beings, and anything over that--especially on a long-term basis--can be quite strenuous.
How much will I be paid?
Not enough! :-( Don't enter TEFL for money's sake. It's difficult to quantify earnings as they vary so much from country to country and are in any event relative. In most places, with a reputable employer, you will earn enough to get by comfortably in local terms. However, very few countries or jobs will allow you to live well and save money. In general, you need to consider the cost of living of the country you are in. For example, a miserable pittance in Eastern Europe may in fact allow you to live better than a relatively high monthly salary in Japan.
What currency will I be paid in?
Almost always you will be paid in the local currency.
Will I earn enough to send money home?
Unlikely, unless you are particularly frugal. In the Middle East and some Asian countries, you may be able to save worthwhile amounts of money to send home. Elsewhere, you are unlikely to be able to save much, if anything, and may in any case find that exchange controls make it impossible to repatriate your savings.
What happens with taxes?
If you are legally employed you will usually be taxed at source and pay taxes and other relevant charges to the local government.
What about accommodation?
You are more likely to have accommodation arranged and perhaps paid for or subsidized if you secure a job in advance with a contract of one year or more, especially for jobs in Asia or the Middle East. You may find, however, that you are expected to share such accommodation with other teachers.
And travel? Will the school pay for it?
Again, for contracts arranged overseas in advance, travel is often paid for. It is much more difficult to get travel subsidies for jobs that you sign up for on the spot.
Will I have health insurance?
Many countries outside Europe and North America have little or no national health service and you will need to check with the school whether they provide private cover, or be prepared to pay a little extra to sign up for a local healthcare programme.
What about private lessons?
In general, employment contracts exclude the possibility of taking on private students without prior permission from your employer. However, if your regular teaching is going well, many employers will not prevent you from taking on private students (as long as you find them yourself and do not take them from the employer).
What if I really don't fit with the job or the country?
Most employers know that an unhappy teacher is a bad teacher. If you are genuinely unhappy with your position, they will often allow you to quit as soon as they can find a replacement. If, however, they have incurred costs such as travel or visa arrangements, you may be required to repay some or all of those costs. In general, you should thoroughly research the job and country you are going to in advance to avoid such a situation.
About the Author
Josef Essberger formerly taught English as a foreign language in Asia and Europe. He is founder of http://EnglishClub.com, a site for ESL learners and teachers, and http://TEFL.net, a site dedicated to ESL teachers. Looking for an ESL teaching job? Learn more at http://www.tefl.net/esl-jobs/.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
ENGLISH FOR LIFE: The Sixth International and Tenth National ATECR Conference
The 6th International / 10th National Conference will be held in České Budějovice from 12 to 14 September, 2008 and promises to be an absolute stormer of an event. It will be hosted by the Department of English of the Pedagogical Faculty of the University of South Bohemia. This highlight of the Czech conference season promises to offer a varied programme of talks, workshops, demonstrations, research-oriented presentations and poster sessions intended for teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary education.
The main aim of this conference is to provide a forum for sharing experiences and ideas, demonstrating teacher achievement and promoting networks of teachers. The ELT resources exhibition will be open to all for the length of the conference.
Registration Forms and Speaker Proposal Forms are available here.
Discuss this post and others on the ELT World forums.
Registration Forms and Speaker Proposal Forms are available here.
Discuss this post and others on the ELT World forums.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Essentials for the TEFL Classroom
Thought for the weekend:
It's all in the way you present information or never underestimate the worth of a highlighter pen!
It's all in the way you present information or never underestimate the worth of a highlighter pen!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Changes to Regulations in the Czech Republic
Mikey12 has started up an interesting thread over on the Czech Republic forum, noting how changes in employment law and visas might affect teachers of English in the future:
The Czech Republic will officially be a member of Europe’s burgeoning Schengen zone by the start of next year, a move that could potentially put dozens of foreigners working here illegally in a major bind. Over the past two decades, teaching English as a foreign language has become a booming business, funneling hundreds of eager, young travelers into the country each year. The profession is one of the easiest ways to earn cash for those without a visa or work permit. But that may be about to change in 2008.
Visit the the Czech Republic forum to read the full article. Please feel free to sign up and leave comments!
The Czech Republic will officially be a member of Europe’s burgeoning Schengen zone by the start of next year, a move that could potentially put dozens of foreigners working here illegally in a major bind. Over the past two decades, teaching English as a foreign language has become a booming business, funneling hundreds of eager, young travelers into the country each year. The profession is one of the easiest ways to earn cash for those without a visa or work permit. But that may be about to change in 2008.
Visit the the Czech Republic forum to read the full article. Please feel free to sign up and leave comments!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Czech Republic: Small town Czechs
This article by Greg Kerry can be found in full at the One Stop English online Magazine:
Most people considering teaching in the Czech Republic (or Czechia as some are trying to say these days) would start with a list of the largest towns and cities. However, nothing is very large in this small middle-European country – except perhaps its people’s thirst for good beer and tall tales. Prague would top the list obviously, then maybe Pilzen and perhaps the city that gave the World War II British army the Bren gun: Brno. Then what?
Then what is where I spent a very comfortable five years in all: a small town nestling among limestone hills, conveniently stuck midway between Prague and Pilzen, named Horovice (actually pronounced something like Horzhavitsa – the devil of the Czech language is the r with a little v above it, to be said like a combination of rolled r and zh; even Vaclav Havel had problems with it).
For various reasons I opted to take a risk working in a state school way out in the country rather than a private language institution – and never (well, hardly ever) regretted a moment of it. The biggest problem with such schools is their lack of funding. The salary pretty much matches what you would get anywhere in the country but the schools are also obligated to find you somewhere to live – which can be extremely difficult for them. I was housed in a kind of students’ hostel (much better than it sounds), in a large room round the back with minimal cooking facilities and my own entrance.
Once they reach 14 and finally finish primary school, Czech teenagers can choose from two types of secondary school. For weaker students, or those with a very specific interest, there are vocational institutions. For the academically stronger who have only a vague intention of going to university to study something, there are the gymnasiums.
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Learn more about teaching English around the World at David’s ELT World.
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Horovice had one of the latter and a couple of the former. I was first engaged to work in the Secondary Business and Engineering School. Business students turned out to be mostly girls who expected to be either secretaries or small-time accountants. Engineering students were almost entirely boys with no expectations at all. They were a good-humored lot though. The engineers were hard-drinking, heavy metal obsessed characters impressed with my knowledge of old rock music and motorcycles.
At the time, all Czech secondary schools worked to an American kind of grade system. Students were given regular tests, grades were averaged at the end of the year and too low a grade in more than one subject meant a whole year’s schooling had to be repeated.
After four years they were given a final exam. This was oral only and involved fifteen minutes speaking on each of their main subjects. Topics for the English exam were decided by me. The exam preparation was done solely by me. The testing was performed by... me, plus the next senior local English teacher who actually did her best to help struggling students get more than the minimal 4 needed to pass. It was a farce really. No one wanted the trouble of teaching bad students for an extra year. The Headmistress didn’t want bad exam records. No surprise then that graduation failures were all but unheard of. All but. Examples had to be made from time to time. Sorry Honza.
To start with, Horovice had two of us foreign English teachers, the other guy working in the gymnasium up the hill. After one year he left and, since no replacement could be found, the two schools decided to share me: a few lessons here, a few there. A varied time this. The gymnasium students were clearly different: better behaved, more hard-working, more culturally aware – yet sometimes not so rewarding to teach oddly. Still, a nice contrast.
One great part of my experience here was the fact that school was generally finished by mid-afternoon. After that I was free to take private students and make a little more money. More important was the contact this gave me with locals: a group of housewives, workers in a local factory, officers in an artillery regiment, and – the guy who would become my best friend here – the head of the local tax office.
Then there were things like school trips: spring camping, winter skiing etc. Travelling was convenient with the good, cheap train service: one fast hour to Prague one way, same time to Pilzen the other. Longer trips took me to such towns as Marianske Lazni – the spa town featured in the movie The Unbearable Lightness of Being – and Ceske Budojovice – where genuine Budweiser beer is still made.
It was really the long-term aspect of being here that made the experience of living and working worthwhile: teaching kids for one or two years, getting integrated into town life, becoming part of several families. Working in a larger city in a private school none of this would have been likely or possible. I only moved on because I felt I was getting in a rut and life was passing me by. But then some ruts are better than others.
This article by Greg Kerry can be found in full at the One Stop English online Magazine
(http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?theme=mag&catid=58256&docid=154313)
Most people considering teaching in the Czech Republic (or Czechia as some are trying to say these days) would start with a list of the largest towns and cities. However, nothing is very large in this small middle-European country – except perhaps its people’s thirst for good beer and tall tales. Prague would top the list obviously, then maybe Pilzen and perhaps the city that gave the World War II British army the Bren gun: Brno. Then what?
Then what is where I spent a very comfortable five years in all: a small town nestling among limestone hills, conveniently stuck midway between Prague and Pilzen, named Horovice (actually pronounced something like Horzhavitsa – the devil of the Czech language is the r with a little v above it, to be said like a combination of rolled r and zh; even Vaclav Havel had problems with it).
For various reasons I opted to take a risk working in a state school way out in the country rather than a private language institution – and never (well, hardly ever) regretted a moment of it. The biggest problem with such schools is their lack of funding. The salary pretty much matches what you would get anywhere in the country but the schools are also obligated to find you somewhere to live – which can be extremely difficult for them. I was housed in a kind of students’ hostel (much better than it sounds), in a large room round the back with minimal cooking facilities and my own entrance.
Once they reach 14 and finally finish primary school, Czech teenagers can choose from two types of secondary school. For weaker students, or those with a very specific interest, there are vocational institutions. For the academically stronger who have only a vague intention of going to university to study something, there are the gymnasiums.
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Learn more about teaching English around the World at David’s ELT World.
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Horovice had one of the latter and a couple of the former. I was first engaged to work in the Secondary Business and Engineering School. Business students turned out to be mostly girls who expected to be either secretaries or small-time accountants. Engineering students were almost entirely boys with no expectations at all. They were a good-humored lot though. The engineers were hard-drinking, heavy metal obsessed characters impressed with my knowledge of old rock music and motorcycles.
At the time, all Czech secondary schools worked to an American kind of grade system. Students were given regular tests, grades were averaged at the end of the year and too low a grade in more than one subject meant a whole year’s schooling had to be repeated.
After four years they were given a final exam. This was oral only and involved fifteen minutes speaking on each of their main subjects. Topics for the English exam were decided by me. The exam preparation was done solely by me. The testing was performed by... me, plus the next senior local English teacher who actually did her best to help struggling students get more than the minimal 4 needed to pass. It was a farce really. No one wanted the trouble of teaching bad students for an extra year. The Headmistress didn’t want bad exam records. No surprise then that graduation failures were all but unheard of. All but. Examples had to be made from time to time. Sorry Honza.
To start with, Horovice had two of us foreign English teachers, the other guy working in the gymnasium up the hill. After one year he left and, since no replacement could be found, the two schools decided to share me: a few lessons here, a few there. A varied time this. The gymnasium students were clearly different: better behaved, more hard-working, more culturally aware – yet sometimes not so rewarding to teach oddly. Still, a nice contrast.
One great part of my experience here was the fact that school was generally finished by mid-afternoon. After that I was free to take private students and make a little more money. More important was the contact this gave me with locals: a group of housewives, workers in a local factory, officers in an artillery regiment, and – the guy who would become my best friend here – the head of the local tax office.
Then there were things like school trips: spring camping, winter skiing etc. Travelling was convenient with the good, cheap train service: one fast hour to Prague one way, same time to Pilzen the other. Longer trips took me to such towns as Marianske Lazni – the spa town featured in the movie The Unbearable Lightness of Being – and Ceske Budojovice – where genuine Budweiser beer is still made.
It was really the long-term aspect of being here that made the experience of living and working worthwhile: teaching kids for one or two years, getting integrated into town life, becoming part of several families. Working in a larger city in a private school none of this would have been likely or possible. I only moved on because I felt I was getting in a rut and life was passing me by. But then some ruts are better than others.
This article by Greg Kerry can be found in full at the One Stop English online Magazine
(http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?theme=mag&catid=58256&docid=154313)
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