Alumni Interview with Karel Klic

What inspired you to go abroad?

I was born in the Czech Republic and have lived in Australia most of my life, but I wanted to experience life and work in the country where I was born.

Why did you choose TEFL Pro Prague?

TEFL Pro Prague is centrally located and they offer a competitively priced course with small class sizes and real life teaching practice, which is unique to this program.

What was your favorite part about Prague?

Prague is one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe with first world amenities at relatively low prices compared to surrounding capital cities, such as Vienna and Berlin. Prague has a pub, club, or restaurant on every corner. The historic centre is beautiful, safe, very compact, and it is easy to get around using the fantastic integrated public transport network. Long distance trains/buses to see the whole country are also frequent and cheap.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The Czech Republic is unique in that it gave me the opportunity to teach English, my native tongue, while at the same time speak Czech, which is my second language. Prague is unique in that it is the only capital city in Europe to have a castle; it has the largest castle complex in the world.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

Petra and her staff were always available in person or on the phone to answer any questions I had. They have contacts around Prague, which include other students and teachers who are always happy to show you around. You will never feel lost or alone.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I would have stayed longer than 12 months.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

A typical day included four to six hours of teaching and grammar theory followed by real life teaching practice, which included students coming to class or us visiting various companies in Prague to teach groups of three to five  students. The sessions were fun and easy going, and then your teacher assesses you and provides feedback.

By the end of the program you will feel comfortable teaching English to students at all levels.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Exploring the many pubs, clubs, and restaurants around Prague will keep you occupied for a long time. Maybe see a show at the National Theatre, take a walk across Charles Bridge to the castle precinct, or take the funicular railway to Petrin Hill. On the weekend, take the train to the beautiful UNESCO listed Cesky Krumlov for a night or two, or maybe to Plzen, home of the first pilsner where you can do a tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery. Brno is the second biggest city in the Czech Republic and is a comfortable two and half hour train trip away. If you are feeling adventurous, the same train will take you to Vienna or Budapest.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I stayed a studio unfurnished apartment in Nove Mesto, which was a five minute walk from the centrally located IP Pavlova metro station. The apartment cost me $425 per month, including all utilities and internet. There was a small grocery store and a nice restaurant outside my front door. The apartment was secure, clean, and well heated. Furnished apartments start from $550 per month in a central location, which is very cheap when compared to other European cities, but you must rent the apartment as a tenant rather than short term. There are shared accommodation options which are cheaper too.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

If you are a native speaker of English, you naturally use most of the theory taught to you in the TEFL course, but you probably can't explain why you are forming certain grammatical structures. For example, what is the function of the the word "have" in the sentence "I have eaten the whole pizza"? The purpose of the program is to help you understand English grammar and give you the ability to deliver the knowledge to students using a suitable teaching method. The program also teaches you to assess a student's needs and English level.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

My time teaching in the Czech Republic exposed me to people from all walks of life who have had many life experiences. My understanding of the Czech language and culture gave me the ability to understand the differences in the languages and explain these to students in a unique way. This allowed me to form closer relationships with students than I would otherwise be able to. I have also formed lasting friendships with fellow foreign TEFL students, some of whom have made Prague their permanent home.

Would you recommend TEFL Pro Prague to others? Why?

The program exceeded my expectations, especially the dedication of Petra and her staff who are genuinely passionate about teaching English and passing on the skill to others. I would recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a TEFL course. The personalized attention, small class sizes, real life teaching practice, and outstanding staff knowledge will guarantee success to anyone who is prepared to make an effort.