|
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Important Q&A from the creators and trainers of the program:
Q.Why should I choose The Language House?
A. While there are plenty of good TEFL courses in the city and abroad, there are a few factors that make The Language House unique. To start, not only are we an actual language school as well as a teacher training center, but the course itself is a teacher led program. That means that everyone who works on the course is a teacher. The course is owned, managed and operated by English teachers. We are also a member of variety of ESL organizations including the College of Teachers, IATEFL and Pitman City and Guilds. Secondly, we have smaller courses than most other centers in the city and abroad. Thirdly, we offer almost twice the amount of observed teaching practice than most TEFL courses do. Lastly, we offer great housing, and a multitude of other complimentary extras that other courses do not provide. For a complete list of why The Language House is right for you, please click here.
Q.What is the differences between a TEFL, TESOL, TESL, and TEAL?
A. TEFL, TESOL, TESL, are virtually the same, just variations on wordings.
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Second or Other Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are standard terms for English language teaching in non-English speaking countries.
TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEAL (Teaching English as an Additional Language) are normally related to English teaching among immigrant and refugee communities in English-speaking countries.
TEFL and TESL are more frequently used in Europe as acronyms while TESOL and TEAL are more commonly used in North America.
What are some important universal things to look for when choosing a TEFL program?
Even if you have decided on a different school it's good to have some advice on picking a good program. Please click here for a full list.
How much will the total cost be for everything - including housing?
Please click here for dates and prices.
Pre-Course Arrangements
What is the application procedure?
Click here for details.
The whole idea of moving abroad kind of scares me. What advice can you give me?
This is completely normal. Most of our graduates experienced some anxiety with the idea of moving abroad and beginning a new career. Understand that there have been hundreds of students that have gone through the same procedure that you are doing right now. For most of them, teaching was a recent idea and not something they had planned their whole life. Our advice is to contact as many past graduates from our course as possible and listen to what they have to say. You can find a list of graduates under our testimonial section.
Why do I need to have university schooling or work experience?
Simply because the course is demanding. Applicants with a good work ethic and/or experience with studying long hours shouldn't have a problem. People without work or college experience may find the program too stressful or difficult and are more unlikely to successfully finish it. Also, without a degree, it will be a lot harder to find consistent work. This is the same in any field and it simply has to be the risk you are willing to take. If you feel you can handle the course, contact us for an evaluation.
I'm too old, too young, afraid of public speaking. I don't know grammar very well. I have never done anything like this before. I've never been abroad. Should I still take the course?
Yes. We are here to help you. We do not expect you to be perfect. The course is designed to help you overcome whatever difficulties you may have. If you have special circumstances that would inhibit your ability in the classroom, please contact us first.
What should I bring with me?
Clothes for warm and cold weather is a must. During the course, students are expected to look and conduct themselves in a professional manner, and it is actually a part of their grade. So bring a set of clothes for work. Other important information on what to bring can be emailed if requested. All students who apply for the course receive extensive arrival information about 4 weeks before their course begins. This will detail more about what to bring and how to prepare for the course.
How early should I apply?
Depending on the month, courses can become occupied pretty quickly. It is wise to apply early. If you need to change your date later on, that is not a problem at all.
I don't have any teaching experience. Is this a problem?
Not at all. As long as you have the interest and motivation to become a good teacher, you will not have a problem during the course or in your teaching career. We will send you a list of recommended readings and other useful information upon receiving your application.
I have a lot of teaching experience. Will the course be worth it?
Yes it will. Having experience is not the same as being properly trained. Many of our students have been teaching for years and they have all found the course to be worth it. Being trained will make teaching much more enjoyable for you and your future students. Also, having a TEFL will open up many doors in terms of jobs and further teaching education.
How will I get around the city? Will I need a car?
Absolutely not. Due to the city's excellent public transportation, which consists of buses, subways, and street trams, it is extremely easy to get around the city. The cost of a month pass to use all forms of transportation is around $27.
How much money do I need?
It is highly recommended to have the equivalent of at least $3500 in savings to cover extra expenses for a period of six months to a year. You may never need this money, but it's nice to be able to travel, eat out, go to concerts and really enjoy the city. The biggest complaint that many people have is that they wished they had brought more money with them so they could see and do more things. Also remember that it will cost money to get your own flat after the course as well living expenses during the course.
Do I have to stay in The Language House housing?
Not if you do not want to. If you compare our housing price with most real estate companies and other TEFL courses in the city, it is probably the best deal around. In fact, we actually pay more money per month than what we charge you. Still, having a permanent place set up before you arrive is always nice. If this is something that you are interested in, check out www.expats.cz , www.happyhouserentals.com or www.foxapartmentsprague.com for more information.
Do I need a visa for Prague?
Americans and Canadians do not, but some countries do. If you are not sure, please check with your Embassy or Consulate of your country. The Language House recommends:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/directory.htm
During the Course
How many hours a day is class?
School is from Monday to Friday and is approximately six to eight hours a day.
How many students will be in the class?
We limit the number of students per course to 14. Most of the time there will be 7-10 other students in the class with you.
What materials should I bring?
All teaching materials are provided for you except for things like pens and notebooks. These are easy to buy here but you can bring your own if you like. It's also a good idea to bring English materials e.g. newspapers, magazines, music ... etc. The use of authentic resources, as you will learn, is often more effective than using a textbook.
Where and with whom will I be living?
All flats are centrally located in the city with two to three trainees sharing a flat. They are of good quality with each person getting their own room. You will live with other students from the course for the first month. For more informatin on housing and pictures, please click here.
What if I have some problems or there is an emergency and cannot attend the course?
Our school is very understanding to the problems that can occur while living abroad. If there is a serious problem, efforts will be made to resolve it as fairly as possible. What is nice about The Language House is that you can always forward your deposit one time to a later or earlier month without any kind of fee. If you are sick on the course, you will have to make the work up.
What if the course is too hard and I don't pass?
Yes, the course is difficult, but our staff is more than willing to help students individually with whatever areas of the course they are having troubles. Motivation and the willingness to improve demonstrate a lot and are looked upon highly. If there is a problem with your ability, you will be asked to spend another week reviewing material or practice teaching. Most of the time, this extra work will be free of charge or at the least very reasonable.
Has anyone ever failed the course?
Yes. We are in no way a TEFL mill and an automatic pass is one thing that we do not offer. While we will do everything possible to give you the best training and attention, there have been students who have not passed. Most of the time, this is due to a lack of professionalism on the part of the student. We demand a lot from you and it is unethical for us to pass a student who does not care about teaching or conducts themselves in a negative way. Not attending class, showing up late, being disrespectful, and showing disregard for the course is a sure way to fail. If you are not interested in working hard during this month, it would be better to take another course with a different provider.
I am more interested in working in another country. Do I have to work in Prague?
Of course not. Many graduates are interested in other countries and only take the course in Prague as a starting point.
Will I get a job after I graduate?
Yes with exceptions. A job search for each student is initiated about 4 weeks before the start of his or her application and deposit is received. You will receive an email from our job coordinator about 4 weeks before the start of the course and they will help you with your job search This insures that upon graduation students have a list of employing schools as well as some job interviews. Toward the end of the course, there is a seminar on how to be successful during interviews as well as the job searching process. We also conduct an open house where schools in the area meet you personally. Finally, if there are available positions at our school, we always hire our TEFL graduates. Please note that the above applies to native speakers. If you are not a native speaker, you will still find work, but it might take more time. Getting a job depends really on you and how much work you put into the process. We recommend to keep your options open and look for employment not only in Prague, but in other cities, countries and continents. For more information on job assistance, please click here.
Teaching Abroad
What is the Teacher Mentor Program?
The teacher mentor program was especially designed to help new teachers adjust to teaching a full schedule. It's completely optional and is not a part of the TEFL course. Click here for more details.
Will I earn enough money?
If you work a standard 20-25 hours a week you will have enough money to live on, but you probably won't be able to save anything. However, this statement depends on a lot of things. If you find private students outside of a school you can make more money. You can also work more. It's better to save up before you come than it is to try to save here. This allows you to have more fun, and fully enjoy your experience abroad.
What if I don't speak the language or know anyone in the Czech Republic?
Most people are in the same boat. A lot of the people you remain friends with are people you meet during the TEFL course, or your students and other teachers where you work. Luckily, we provide free Czech lessons to give you a little communicative ability. Many people speak some English anyway, so it shouldn't be something to worry about.
What about a work permit?
Your employer will help you to get a permit when you start working. It can be a bit of a task, but it's extremely rare for someone to be denied a permit. Once accepted on course, you will be sent a brochure that gives you a list of items needed to obtain a long-term visa. Getting a visa if you wish to stay in Prague is important now. You will will have to work a fair amount and stay on top of things if you wish to work in Prague after the course.
Is there a dress code?
It's better to look professional. Period. Some clients will be business-related and it's always a plus. This doesn't mean you need to wear a suit, but a collared shirt, slacks, and a tie for men, and equally nice presentation for women. This dress code applies during the TEFL program as well. In Asian countries, dressing formally is a must. During the course, you can dress casually, but we recommend bring for presentable clothes as well.
Where will I stay after the course?
After the course, you will have to find your own place. During the second week of the course we give you tips on how to this is done. To be honest, finding a flat in Prague is quite easy, and as long as you do not wait until the last minute, you will not have a problem at all.
How long will it take to find employment?
Our graduates have great success finding jobs. Most graduates of the course find work within 1-3 weeks after graduating.
|
