Am I out of luck....Prague.

[MichaelC]

Hi, everyone. I am new to the teaching world . I am a US citizen looking to get into TEFL. I am planning on attending TEFL class this summer, either online @ i-to-i or actually in Prague. I have earned a BA in Art History from Rutgers University.

My question is have I missed the boat on the opportunity to teach in Prague? Everything I seem to reads says you really should be an EU passport individual to teach in most EU nations. I really want to be in Prague or a surrounding area, but anywhere in Eastern Europe could be an option. Any ideas for me from more any TEFL vets????

If anyone has any insights, advice, tips or any info on this at all I would be very appreciative of any input.

Thanks!

[gfell]

As you outlined, teaching in Prague is not the easiest country to find teaching jobs in.

My best advice would to enrol in a classroom based TEFL course in Prague. Something along the lines of a few weeks. Usually the school will then assist you with finding jobs locallly in Prague upon completion. When choosing the course provider, ensure it has this career support.

Before deciding on the course, ask them as many questions about the chances of lining up a teaching job, what the success rate is, and do they have a list of schools to recommend.

ITC-Training in Prague is a good place to start at. They have been around for a while, and have a good reputation.

All the best!

[MichaelC]

Originally Posted by gfell

As you outlined, teaching in Prague is not the easiest country to find teaching jobs in.

My best advice would to enrol in a classroom based TEFL course in Prague. Something along the lines of a few weeks. Usually the school will then assist you with finding jobs locallly in Prague upon completion. When choosing the course provider, ensure it has this career support.

Before deciding on the course, ask them as many questions about the chances of lining up a teaching job, what the success rate is, and do they have a list of schools to recommend.

ITC-Training in Prague is a good place to start at. They have been around for a while, and have a good reputation.

All the best!

Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful for being in the situation I am in currently.....I was very excited to begin in this journey, but it seems everything I read & research is disheartening. I do not want to go to Central/S. America, although that would seem to be the simplest. I would consider Asian nations, but had my heart set on Europe, specifically Eastern Europe or Italy.

Does anyone know if it is possible to secure a passport from Luxembourg if you have relatives from the country?? I have seen where that is the case in Ireland or Greece, but I cant dig up anything on Lux. My grandmother was a war bride & was born & lived in Lux until she was 18. She goes back every year to this day & still has her whole family living in Luxembourg & Austria....I believe her cousin is some Count in Austra, which is pretty cool.

Thanks again for your help!

[gfell]

Bad news regarding the Luxembourg passport I'm afraid.

I just called the Luxembourg Consulate in Sydney, and they informed me that Luxembourg does not allow dual nationalities. If you did want to apply for the Luxembourg passport, then you would need to relinquish your current US passport.

Back to the drawing board I suppose...

[MichaelC]

Well thank you very much for your efforts. I guess in am competely out of luck on the EU passport option at this time.

Asia is looking more & more like a real possibility for me.....I guess on the bright side the $$$ of it seems be the stongest throughout most of Asia.

[gfell]

The officer at the Luxembourg Consulate did say however that they are looking at allowing dual nationalities, but as yet, there is no fixed date when this will come about. Be it within 12 months or 10 years, we don't know. So I would suggest to continually monitor this.

Good luck with Asia??

[MichaelC]

Originally Posted by gfell

The officer at the Luxembourg Consulate did say however that they are looking at allowing dual nationalities, but as yet, there is no fixed date when this will come about. Be it within 12 months or 10 years, we don't know. So I would suggest to continually monitor this.

Good luck with Asia??

Again, thank you for the information.....I wouldn't dare give up my US citizenship...would I????? That wouldnt seem to be the prudent thing to do.

Japan or Korea would seem to be the next decision for me

[gfell]

Yep, don't dare give up your US passport, UNLESS though you can reapply for a new one easily?? Hmm... now here's a thought for you.

If you don't like spicy food, then forget Korea. I suggest going to a Korean and Japanese restaurant first before making up your mind.

[MichaelC]

Originally Posted by gfell

Yep, don't dare give up your US passport, UNLESS though you can reapply for a new one easily?? Hmm... now here's a thought for you.

If you don't like spicy food, then forget Korea. I suggest going to a Korean and Japanese restaurant first before making up your mind.

I really enjoy both types of food. I could eat sushi every day 3x times a day! I am a vegatarian, but I do eat fish.

I would lean towards Japan, even with the higher cost of living & less opportunity to save, but at this point that is not a researched decision.

My grandparents did live in Japan many years ago for a few years & still have a few friends there, that could be a nice help.

As far as giving up my US passport, I dont see why I couldnt re-apply...after all my wife would not be giving up her citizenship. This is something I may have to look into...but then again Japan/Korea could render that mute.

[MichaelC]

Also I am 31 years old, so I would not be able to get a working holiday visa from Japan...not sure if I could in Korea.

I dont know if this would make it very difficult for me to find work in Japan.