Cheryl: I’ve been here for 5 years now and have recruited over 1000 people to Prague who have earned their TEFL Certificate and then gone on to teach in numerous countries. Many teachers have ended up staying in Prague to begin their teaching careers. I’ve talked to dozens of teachers about their experience here and many comment on how Prague is a good first step for teaching because of the demand for teachers and low cost of living.

Upon first meeting Czechs they can seem a little cold and distant, but once you get to know them a little they thaw and their warmth really starts to show through. They’ll often take you under their wing and make sure you are okay and have everything you need as well as introducing you to Czech culture. It is very common for teachers to be invited home for dinner, to summer cottages or on weekend trips with their students. Sometimes teachers hold their conversation classes in the local pubs over a cold frothy pivo (beer).

She commented on how the pace of life here is slower than in the West and that you are less likely to fall into a rut because there is always something new and exciting to do. As you begin to explore the green, rolling countryside you’ll stumble across castles and chateau on almost every corner. Spa towns, charming villages and vineyards are also liberally dotted around.

Not forgetting the mountains forming the border around most of this small country, which are great for skiing and hiking, and beautiful forests. So you always have a place to go for the weekend and holidays.

On a personal note, the teaching has only been half of my adventure; I’ve travelled and seen places I could only have dreamed of if I’d stayed in my office job back in England. I’ve now been swimming in rock pools in the mountains of Oman, learned to ski in the Alps and only last January I had the trip of a lifetime to go on safari in Kenya. 

These are just a few of my escapades and at home I have a shelf groaning under the weight of the photo albums showing all the other things I’ve done and places I’ve been to. I’m now firmly settled back in Prague, which is where my heart is and most of my friends.

Prague’s convenient location allows you to visit other major European cities in just a weekend. Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Munich, Warsaw, Budapest, and the German, Austrian and Italian Alps are all reachable in a weekend. It’s even possible to fly to London very cheaply these days. 

Prague itself is situated on the River Vltava and features a unique mixture of gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture. You can easily lose yourself on dark, winding cobblestone alleys that intertwine between the castle, cathedrals, galleries, museums, cafes and pubs. During your adventure be sure to try the world famous Pilsner Urquell beer (pivo) on your way to Charles Bridge.