Tell me a little about yourself. What has been your career path so far?
My name is Tomáš Holý and I am the Lead Trainer of TEFL International courses in Prague. I plan and carry out the TEFL training. I am also one of the Directors of Studies at Threshold Training Associates which hosts the TEFL International Prague program.
I have a PhDr. in teaching of English and Education. I have been teaching English for more than 10 years in many different contexts. Teaching is a very special and rewarding profession. The more you do it, the more you love it.
What makes Prague a unique destination to obtain TEFL Certification?
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and quite possibly is also the capital of ELT in Central Europe. Many international companies are located in Prague and in-company language training is very popular. There are many language schools in Prague and in the Czech Republic that offer a wide variety of teaching opportunities (young learners, adults, general, business or ESP). It makes it a great place for starting teachers of English as a foreign language.
What are some extracurricular activities students participate in during this course? (Does your training centre offer any guided tours?)
Not only do the students get to see the beautiful architecture of Prague, but we also take the out to explore Prague’s nightlife along with the places which are very popular among expats.
We also organize weekend trips outside Prague. These activities give students a feeling for the culture and life not only in the Czech Republic, but in the whole of Central Europe. We prepare trainees for job interviews and provide them with job guidance to make it easier for them to get a teaching position.
Do students generally stay in Prague to teach after completing this course? (How does this course help students teach abroad? What are some other popular destinations?)
Yes, many of them do. Funnily enough, the majority of them don’t intend to stay before the course starts but change their minds after a couple of weeks of experiencing the course and life in Prague.
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering obtaining TEFL Certification in Prague?
The more preparation you do before the course, the easier and more beneficial the course will be for you. For example, instead of spending too much of your time in the course on asking questions about grammar, you could be asking about which teaching techniques would be good for teaching a certain grammar area.