Frequently Asked Questions

What makes INTESOL Prague different from all the others?

INTESOL is an internationally recognized name in TEFL teaching. Since 1993, the company has been turning out successful ESOL teachers, giving them the qualifications they need to impress employers all over the world. In addition to providing the highest standards of teacher-training we are very interested in your experience here. While getting a quality education, we make sure you have everything you need including special social events such as a welcome dinner and a day trip out of Prague to make the experience more memorable. We are also a language school, and for outstanding graduates from the program we guarantee a job once you finish. AND we have experts on hand to help you get your working papers for the Czech Republic. Whether you choose to work for us or for another language school, we are here to help you untangle the red tape and get settled into your teaching life here.

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Our minimum requirements for applicants are that you be:

  • at least 18 years old
  • Native English speaker, or non-Naitve speaker with high level of proficiency in English
  • holder of high school diploma or equivalent (A-levels)
  • able to meet the demands of a 4-week intensive course
  • able to travel to Prague on your own

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Can you explain the difference between TEFL/TESL/TESOL?

These terms are used interchangably to talk about teaching English to people whose first language is not English. More specifically:

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (this is when you are teaching English in a country where the native language is not English)

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language (this is when you are teaching English in a country where English is the native language, and the students' first language is not English.)

TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. (a newer term which covers the range of ESL/EFL teaching)

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Do I need a TEFL certificate to get a job teaching English?

The short answer is no, but it gives you a huge advantage and greater choice in employers and locations. There are some countries where the minimum requirements are to be a Native English speaker with a university degree. Those jobs are fewer and fewer these days, as the need for quality language teachers increases. For those who want to see doors all over the world open and none closed, having an internationally recognized TEFL certificate like the INTESOL certTESOL is an invaluable resource.

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Will INTESOL help me find a job?

Absolutely. We provide full job placement assistance for life to graduates. Wherever you are, wherever you want to go, we will help you get there. Our extensive network of schools and teachers allows us to gather information on who's hiring, where, and when. Also, graduates can always use us as a reference to their prospective employer. For outstanding graduates from the program, we guarantee them a job with our language school, English Just for You. For more info on the language school, visit the website www.wojfy.cz

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What are the visa requirements for the Czech Republic?

Most nationalities can enter the Czech Republic for up to 90 days on a tourist visa, issued upon arrival. EU citizens can enter and exit at any time. Czech law requires you to have health insurance, so if you don't have international coverage, make sure you buy traveller's insurance before you come. For more info on visas and work permits for the Czech Republic, follow this link.

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Where can I teach with the INTESOL certificate?

Our certificate is internationally recognized. This means that language schools all over the world actively seek out our graduates. So the question is, "Where do you want to go?".

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How do I apply for INTESOL Prague?

Fill out the application form found at this link: Apply for a TEFL course, then click the send button at the bottom and it will be electronically submitted. Remember to include in the comments box whether you're applying for the Onsite course, Flexible course, or Online certificate. If you have problems sending the form electronically, fill out the application and save it on your computer, then e-mail the comleted form to walker@intesol-prague.com. You can also fax your application to us at +420-226-004-131. We will reply promptly to notify you if we'd like to bring you to the second round phone interview.

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Do I need to have prior teaching experience to take the course?

No. Our mission is to teach you how to be a confident, successful teacher and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to teach abroad. You will get a chance to experience teaching and discover your strengths and weaknesses through our practice teaching sessions. In these sessions you will prepare a lesson to teach to real students under the supervision and guidance of your trainer. Afterwards, you will be given feedback on how the lesson went, and how you can improve. Teachers and non-teachers alike have benefitted from the training and are glad to have made the choice to study with INTESOL Prague.

Does everyone who takes the course get a certificate?

No. While some courses are just there to take your money and present you with a fancy certificate, INTESOL Prague is a serious training course with high standards, which means that most, but not everyone, will pass. We screen every applicant through the application and interviews first, then monitor the progress of each trainee very closely during the course to be sure that each candidate we graduate meets the standards which have made our reputation worldwide.

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What will I learn in the course?

For a list of course topics, follow this link.

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What can I expect in the interview?

After your application has been reviewed, we will contact you to set up an interview date and time. If you are in Prague, we can meet face-to-face, otherwise we will be conducting interviews over the phone or on Skype. The interview should last about 15-30 minutes,and during this time we want to get to know you; why you want to take the course, what your future plans are, what your experiences have been so far in your career and/or education. You will also be asked to correct some simple grammar mistakes to see how well you understand English (this is for Native and non-Native speakers). Don't worry, it won't be anything too technical, we just want to make sure you can use the language properly before you learn how to teach it. We encourage any questions you have about the course, the materials being taught, our staff, our location: ask us anything.

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How intensive is the course?

The course runs over 4 weeks and consists of at least 120 contact hours. This includes your minimum 6 hours teaching practice, your input and feedback sessions, and guided lesson planning. Outside of class time, you may be working on written assignments, or taking extra time to make your lesson plans. Overall, you'll be very busy, but we schedule in a welcome dinner, tour of Prague, and a day trip out of Prague on a weekend to make sure you have time to relax and get to know each other and your surroundings.

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Is there any orientation / adjustment period?

If you opt for our accommodation, you may move in one day before the start of your course. On the first and second days of the course there is only morning input sessions, no teaching practice or observation. Instead, we will hold a welcome dinner at a fine Czech restaurant, and on the second day you will accompany one of our senior trainers on a walking tour through the main attactions of Prague. You are also encouraged to join our day trip out of Prague, which will be held on the second weekend of the course. We hope that these events will help you adjust to life here, and make your experience more enjoyable. Of course, we are here for whatever you may need, just ask!

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What else is there in the TEFL field besides teaching?

Many of those who have lived the ESOL teacher life for a few years decide to go on to further certifications to become teacher-trainers, program developers, director of studies, writers, or maybe entrepreneurs in the ever-expanding TEFL field.

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