Hello Academies: TEFL Course & Teach in Prague

Name: Hello Academies: TEFL Course & Teach in Prague
Brand: Smaller Earth
SKU: 34026
Rating: 4.96 (55 reviews)

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4.96 Rating

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Location

Czech Republic
- Prague

Length

120 hours

Training Type

Classroom

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Program Details

Teaching Practicum

Job Placement

Pricing

Starting Price

1000

Last Updated: Dec 03, 2018

Last Reviewed: Dec 15, 2017

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6 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Get TEFL Certified in Prague - Getting TEFL certified abroad gives students an advantage as you receive more hands-on teaching practice and are also able to look for jobs during the course in order to find full-time employment by the time the course is over. The Teaching English as a Foreign Language (also known as TESOL) certification qualifies you to find a paid teaching job overseas. A 4-week course prepares you for teaching grammar, speech and other necessary skills that are required when working at international schools.

Hello Academies in Prague is operated by Smaller Earth. It is a unique experience where Smaller Earth participants can learn to teach English, but at the same time, our participants from the Czech Republic also study English at the academy before they head out on their international adventures!

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from Smaller Earth.

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Program Reviews

4.96 Rating

based on 55 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Teach TEFL

5 rating 96.36%
4 rating 3.64%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Benefits 5
Support 5
Fun 4.25
Facilities 4.65
Safety 4.8

Instruction 4.9
Support 5
Value 4.95
Academic Rigor 4.05
Job Assistance 4.75

Showing 25 - 32 of 55 reviews

Great course! Getting my TEFL certificate through Hello Academies was one of the best decisions that I have made. The amazing teachers, students and roommate made everything a million times better. Definitely a life-changing, busy, stressful, and rewarding month. The staff and friends that I made persuaded me to stay in Prague! There was a lot of help with applying for a visa, finding housing, and getting a job. I would definitely recommend to anyone considering taking a TEFL course!

Getting my TEFL Certificate through Hello Academies was an amazing experience! They helped me with every step of the process from picking me up at the airport to job assistance after finishing my TEFL certification. The TEFL instructor is extremely talented and the rest of the staff members are helpful as well. I finished the course in August '15, am still living in Prague, and have no plans of leaving!

When I got my bachelor's degree in January, I was sure I still need to work on myself to get a well paid job. However, I knew I did not want to continue my education at university. For this reason I decided to take TEFL course here in Prague instead and I gotta say I will never ever regret this decision.

TEFL course gave me exactly what I expected - a lot of useful theoretical information concerning teaching and work with various levels of students, as well as many hours of practice. By the end of the course I had finished 13 lesson of English teaching - where else can you get this in just 4 weeks? :) :) :)

I also had a chance to become friends with many English teachers who work here in Prague. It means that anytime I need a piece of advice, or just want to hang out with people who have similar interests, there is always someone ask.

What would you improve about this program?

If there was one thing I could change it would be the spectrum of students we worked with during our teaching practice. Most of our students were intermediate - and they attended even lessons that were aimed at pre-intermediate students. This means we didn't really have a chance to teach various levels.

The main reason I decided come to Prague complete to my TEFL certificate was because I wanted to experience studying in another European country and meet like minded people.

Many people had told me before I started the course about how intense it was. This was definitely a good thing as this meant I could prepare myself -in the end I didn't actually find it too intense!! Yes, we were in class every week day from 9.30 until 6pm but there was quite a long break in the middle of the day. We had every weekend free to explore the city and meet past participants of the course.

Before I came to Prague I hadn't yet decided if I wanted to stay on for longer. After just 1 week I knew I wanted to stay for the summer! Prague is a beautiful city with so much happening during the week and at the weekend.

Hello Academies has a fantastic TEFL course, but its really the people who make the course so enjoyable. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The alumni group is probably one of the best things about doing the course at hello academies. Before coming to Prague I did not know anyone.
There are so many events organised at the weekends which are fantastic opportunities for meeting past students of the course. I have made so many new friends from around the world, and hope to make even more this Summer.

The accommodation we stayed at during the course was satisfactory. It was in a safe environment however it was a little far from the city centre. The Wifi was free but not very good; instead I just got a Czech sim card with data for internet.

This course has been an absolutely amazing experience. I would definitely recommend to all my friends, and especially to anyone who loves meeting new people and travelling.

Read my full story

Overall, I had a really great experience doing my TEFL course with Smaller Earth. The instructor (Barbora) was excellent and very knowledgeable about the topics we needed to know. After this course, I feel prepared to teach anywhere in the world. The lessons were very helpful and teaching 2-3 times a week definitely boosted my confidence.

Prague itself is an amazing city, and if you are thinking about doing a TEFL certification I would definitely recommend doing it here with Smaller Earth.

What would you improve about this program?

The only thing I would change about this program would be the housing.It was a bit far out from the city center, and having long days plus commuting was a bit of an annoyance sometimes.There are night trams though.

Overall, I really enjoyed the TEFL Course in Prague. It was an amazing experience meeting people from different parts of the world. I will say this, once you are part of the program you automatically join such a tight knit family. I abosulelty loved our TEFL instructor...so full of energy and knowledge. And for that reason I would recommend the program to any future students.

What would you improve about this program?

I would probably change the location of the housing to be a bit closer to the school. The course itself was very straight forward and allowed for further english development.

My experience here got off to a rocky start but with the support of the staff, things got easier. The course is very intensive and for a native English speaker, it was also a great refresher on English grammar. I would say if you want to a chance to travel and meet new people and have fun while doing it, this course is a great course to do. The instructors are great, natural, warm and friendly and they help you as much as you can if you have issues like I did. A bonus is that Prague is a beautiful city and the cost of living here is very reasonable.

I know this may be getting repetative now after looking at previous reviews but I could honestly not recommend this program enough. It is a great way to meet new people from around the world, get a little refresher on the English language (which after a while you realize you may not know as well as you thought), and gain some practical experience with Czech students that will prepare you for working in the field.

In preparation to come over to Prague I had so many questions and concerns. The staff here were extremely helpful and reassuring, answering anything I had to ask and providing the necessary resources to prepare for my trip (just make sure to educate youself about the visa process beforehand, specific to the country you are coming from). This one-month course was intensive, and if you have no prior experience teaching, like me, lesson planning can be a bit of a challenge at first but you do get the hang of it after a while - I promise!

Overall I think the course was a great experience with an awesome team to help you out along the way. You’ll meet so many new people and the experience of living is Prague is something I can’t even describe. If you’re on the fence about taking this program, all I can tell you is that you will not regret it!

Questions & Answers

How much extra money do you need for things not covered?

Hi, thanks for stopping by! There is no one right answer - budgets vary depending on your needs and expectations for your time abroad. We recommend contacting the program provider to learn more about what is customary. You can ask them a question at the bottom of this page: https://www.helloacademies.com/faq.

By Go Overseas on August 6, 2018

Is a bachelors degree required?

A bachelors degree is not always a requirement, but when you apply you will have a chat with the program coordinator who will talk you through those kind of details. Applying for a work permit here is pretty easy and only takes around a week!

By Becky Ferran on August 11, 2016

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Ella Haslett

Program

Hello Academies: TEFL Course & Teach in Prague

Originally from Dublin, Ella has lived in Brisbane, Australia for the past 3 years where she completed her high school education.
She decided to return to Europe this year and will study Human Biology at the University of Glasgow.

Ella had 9 months between finishing high school in Australia and starting university in September, so she decided to do the TEFL course at smaller earth in Prague. She is currently teaching English in Prague.

Why did you pick this program?

I chose to do the TEFL course at smaller earth Prague to meet like minded people who share a love for travelling and to experience studying/working in a foreign country.

I also thought having these 9 months between high school and university was a fantastic opportunity to travel and a perfect amount of time to have an insight on teaching English in a foreign country.

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

"From living in Australia for almost 3 years and Prague for 5 months I've had fantastic experiences learning about other cultures. If you really want to discover foreign cultures and traditions I have realised that you will definitely have the best experience by living and studying/working in the country, rather than visiting for just a few days.

I have become so much more independent from living not only away from home but also in a foreign country!

I believe the most important thing I have learned from living abroad is that I should spend money on travel rather than things, as they are all unforgettable experiences!"

View Entire Interview

What was the hardest part about going abroad?

I lived in Dublin until I was 15 and then moved to Brisbane, now Im in the Czech Republic! I love meeting new people and making friends, but it is always extremely difficult leaving everyone! After just 1 year in Australia I knew I had made lifelong friends, but I will always stay in contact via facebook and Skype!

What made this experience unique and special?

I began teaching English after just 1 week of completing the TEFL course. As an English teacher in Prague, all of my students are Czech. Teaching is a extremely rewarding career, especially when you can see your students improving! It has also allowed me to discover so much more about the Czech peoples' traditions, attitudes and culture. My students always love telling me about great places to visit in Prague. The main reason they want to learn English is not just for communication with english speakers in their country, but also for travelling. English is the common language throughout Europe! They are always interested in learning about cultures of English speaking countries.

Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.

"There are many TEFL courses in Europe. I considered doing a course at home in Dublin, however there aren't many people looking for English lessons there, compared to Prague! The staff at smaller earth were fantastic. They were always happy to help, with recommendations on the best restaurants and bars to help with finding a job or accommodation after the course. Because of this, I didn't want to leave Prague after finishing the course, and so I decided to stay for 5 months until university begins! I have made so many new friends through the TEFL alumni group, and they were always willing to show me around when I arrived."

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions, future path?

I will definitely continue teaching English during my summer holidays at university. After such an amazing experience in Prague, I hope to teach English in other foreign countries around the world. If I hadn't done this course, I don't think I would consider living in a different country for an entire Summer!

Pedro Martins

2014 Alum

Mickey Flood

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your role with Smaller Earth in Prague

Smaller Earth: Martha

I am the new Course Director for the Hello Academies TEFL certificate in Prague. I have a degree in Czech and Russian and I also hold a Master’s in translation. I have been translating and teaching in Prague since 2010. In that time I’ve taught a range of people and levels from Kindergartners to business executives, from General English to English for a Special Purpose, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

In my spare time, I knit, alone and with my knitting group, and I also play bass guitar in a punk rock band. I’m originally from London but I’ve travelled around Australia, The US, Asia, and Europe, and I’ve lived in Scotland and Russia. My job is to train and assess the TEFL participants and run the course and I'm thrilled with it.

2. Describe a typical day at the Academy.

There’s a morning session on teaching methodology followed by a grammar session. The sessions are interactive and often make use of games. They’re very hands on and also serve as demos. After lunch, there’s a planning period and then our participants teach real classes a grammar point or skill such as reading. You then get feedback on your lesson – what to take forward and what to improve on.

This practical experience is invaluable and will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to be a competent and confident teacher post certification. On other days you may also be teaching a one-to-one lesson with an assigned learner, learning Czech or hanging out with staff, students and alumni of the Academy at social events such as dinner or a day trip. But don’t forget your homework; there are many assignments that need to be completed for certification too!

3. What makes Prague a unique destination to obtain TEFL certification?

Prague’s the beautiful ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ and home to Prague Castle and St Vitus’s Cathedral, not to mention Charles Bridge with stunning views of the Vltava River. Walking around its wonderfully preserved historic centre is like stepping into a mediaeval fairy tale.

It has great history, which is not surprising given its strategic location in the heart of Europe. Thus it provides an excellent base for anyone planning to explore the surrounding countries.

Since Czech is not widely spoken, Czechs value the importance of speaking a second language and are very enthusiastic about English. There is a great demand for English teachers, and participants who stay on in Prague tend to find work very quickly.

There is also a large expat community here, including our growing alumni, so you won’t be lonely. And of course, let’s not forget that the Czech Republic has some of the best beer in the world! But if that hasn’t convinced you, Prague has the only cubist lamppost in the world, so that’s something you won’t find anywhere else!

4. What is one piece of advice you would offer to someone considering obtaining a TEFL Certification in Prague?

Consider whom you’ll be teaching and what opportunities there are. Czech people value English as a precious commodity, taking great interest in English and relishing any opportunity to speak to native speakers.

This also means there are a lot of job opportunities here for TEFL certified teachers. Even if you’re not staying, you will get to practise on highly motivated students in a beautiful and fun city.

Also consider the cost of living and safety. Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe and cheaper than most with the pound and dollar taking you far. A teacher’s salary is usually more than enough for a spacious flat in a nice neighbourhood and several restaurant trips and nights out per week.

Transport costs are almost negligible and Prague is a very manageable size so you won’t have a very long commute. Lastly, learning the local language will definitely benefit you wherever you go but there are many expats who successfully live here never speaking Czech so you can be at ease about that.

5. What's the most memorable story you've heard from a past student?

I’ve heard many times from different people how they were only supposed to be in Prague for four weeks but they fell in love with the place, or a local, or both, and ended up staying longer-term.

It’s very easy to set yourself up here and enjoy a good quality of life with a great work-life balance. I myself first started with just nine hours of work a week but within a month I had filled up my schedule, found a gorgeous flat in the centre and a group of friends. Moving to Prague to teach was one on the best things I’ve ever done – and that’s something you’ll not only hear from me but from pretty much everyone who has done it.

Shannon Madl

About Smaller Earth

Ready to work abroad? If the thrill of earning a paycheck and traveling at the same time is enticing to you, then welcome to Smaller Earth. Smaller Earth has been sending individuals on work and travel programs since 1999. What started out as a one-man shop (aka the spare bedroom of our founder's parents' house) now sends over 6,000 people around...

Program Details

Pricing

Alumni Interviews

Ella Haslett

Why did you pick this program?

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

What was the hardest part about going abroad?

What made this experience unique and special?

Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions, future path?

Staff Interviews

Martha Supajirawatananon

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your role with Smaller Earth in Prague

2. Describe a typical day at the Academy.

3. What makes Prague a unique destination to obtain TEFL certification?

4. What is one piece of advice you would offer to someone considering obtaining a TEFL Certification in Prague?

5. What's the most memorable story you've heard from a past student?