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Teach English in Prague

Packed with opportunities and Bohemian culture, Prague is a delightful choice for any TEFL teacher.

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Did you know Prague has both the biggest club and castle in Europe? Czechia’s capital city is one of Europe's cultural, economic, and political nerve centres. The historical capital of Bohemia is one of the continent’s most beautiful cities, with stunning architecture, the oldest university in central Europe, and a cosmopolitan feel. It’s no wonder so many people visit Prague - or that so many choose to stay!

Prague is an open door for TEFL teachers ready to make a mark in one of Europe’s most famous cities. Like the rest of the Czech Republic, Prague has strong English proficiency, so if you have the right qualifications and plenty of teaching experience, you should be well-placed to start teaching English in the country's capital.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about English teaching in Prague, from qualifications and salaries, to where and how to find the best teaching roles

Teaching in Prague: an overview

Prague is so famously beautiful that its city centre is a UNESCO Heritage Site. An extremely popular tourist destination that welcomes millions of tourists annually, Prague is picturesque, has loads to see and do, and plenty of teaching jobs.

Czechia has high levels of English proficiency, though the highest levels are in Brno, not Prague. English is taught in Prague’s schools, and there are also plenty of adult classes, due mainly to the massive tourism industry.

Jobs in Prague

The best way to find teaching opportunities in Prague’s public school system is to go through the Academic Information Agency (AIA). You’ll also need to have your teaching qualifications and supporting documents checked by the AIA, which acts as a go-between for English teaching applicants and public schools. 

Universities and international schools are worth trying, too. Several universities teach courses in English, and many younger students want to improve their English so they can study and work abroad. 

There are also several private language schools in Prague. Typically, you'll teach Business English to adults who go to these language schools, so a TEFL certificate in Business English is a good idea if you want to find a teaching job.

Requirements for English teaching in Prague

Here’s what you need to find rewarding teaching jobs in Prague:

TEFL certification

If you want to move to Prague to teach English, you'll need a TEFL certificate – a 120-hour TEFL course is the industry standard for English teachers abroad. Make sure you’ve got your TEFL certificate from a recognised and accredited provider.

Completing an advanced TEFL course is always a great idea, especially in Prague. Many learners you’ll come across are university students or adult professionals looking to boost their career options. A TEFL certificate in Business English or English for Academic Purposes will fit the bill. Similarly, an advanced TEFL certificate in Teaching Young Learners will help set you apart if you want to find a role teaching children. 

Teaching without a degree

To teach English in Prague, you’ll usually need a degree. If you get a visa, you can land a private tutoring gig without a degree, but most teaching jobs at all levels will ask for one. So, technically, you can teach English without a degree in Prague, but the job options are limited.

Teaching with no experience

Finding teaching jobs in Prague without experience can be tricky, but there are opportunities. For example, language schools hire newer English teachers, but fee-paying schools and universities usually look for more experience.

Visas for teaching jobs

To teach English in Prague, you will need one of the two following visa options:

Živnostenský List

The živnostenský list ('živno' for short) is ideal for English teachers looking to work as tutors or in private language schools. A self-employment licence, the živno, allows English teachers to work freelance. Teachers must pair their živno with a long-term residence visa

Employee Card

The Employee Card is another pathway to teaching English in the Czech Republic, whether in Prague or smaller towns and cities. You'll need:

  • A completed application form
  • A job contract
  • Information about the job
  • Accommodation arrangements in the Czech Republic
  • Passport-size photographs
  • Travel documents
  • Criminal record/police certificate

Salary and cost of living in Prague

How much can you earn teaching English, and how does that compare to the cost of living in the Czech Republic? Let's take a look.

Salary

The average salary for teachers in Prague is about 40,093 - 44,170 Czech Koruna(£1,337 - £1,472 / $1,719 - $1,896). Wages can rise depending on qualifications (a degree helps) and the kind of school you work in.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in Czech Republic 40,093 CZK
£1,337 GBP
$1,719 USD
Preferred September Preferred None

Other benefits

Some employers in Prague will offer additional benefits. Benefits for foreign language teachers can include:

  • Help with work visas
  • Meal vouchers
  • Funds for cultural and sporting activities
  • Accommodation
  • Supplementary health insurance
  • Professional development training. 

Generally, TEFL jobs in private and international schools offer teachers extra incentives, while teaching in a state school offers teachers benefits like sickness insurance, holidays, and pension contributions.

Cost of living

Though Prague is far from the most expensive city in Europe, it can be at times. Rental prices in central Prague usually average out at about £854 / $1,155 per month for a one-bedroom apartment (If you live on the outskirts, you can expect to pay around £640 / $865 per month). 

Monthly utilities can be expensive, too: typically, bills cost around £228 / $308 per month. Luckily, internet access is relatively cheap, at about £15 / $21, which is affordable if you want to try teaching English online.

Prague’s transit system is one of the most affordable in Europe. A 30-day travel pass costs about 550 CZK, equivalent to just £18 / $25. If you're making a quick journey and only need to travel for half an hour or less, don't expect to pay more than £1 / $2.

Consult our table below to get a clear picture of the cost of living in Prague:

Restaurants
CZK
USD
GBP
Inexpensive restaurant meal
Domestic beer (0.5 litre)
Regular cappuccino
Water (0.33 litre)
Markets
CZK
USD
GBP
Regular milk (1 litre)
Loaf of white bread
Regular eggs (1 dozen)
Apples (1 kg)
Transportation
CZK
USD
GBP
One-way ticket (local transport)
Monthly pass (regular price)
Taxi start (normal tariff)
Gasoline (1 litre)
Utilities
CZK
USD
GBP
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage (for a regular apartment)
Regular prepaid monthly mobile tariff with 10GB+ data
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)
Clothing and shoes
CZK
USD
GBP
Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or something similar)
Summer dress in a chain store
Nike running shoes (mid-range)
Men's leather business shoes

Download our teaching English in Europe guide

Culture and customs in Prague: key facts

If you want European history and culture, Prague is everything you’re looking for. Here are some key facts about Prague’s culture and social expectations.

Be on time

Being late is frowned upon, especially if you’re a teacher. If you think you’ll be late for anything, phone ahead – this is particularly true in a teaching job, as it can set a bad example for your students. It might sound obvious, but punctuality is everything in Prague, and the Czech Republic more widely.

Shyness isn't rudeness

Czech people can be slightly reserved at first, even in major cities like Prague. Don’t get it wrong, though, they aren't being rude - they'll open up, especially if you have good manners. Greet people with “Dobrý den” (good day), and until someone tells you their first name, use their title.

Get the pints in!

Czech people drink an average of 160 litres of beer per person annually. To say there's a rich beer culture in Prague and beyond would be putting it mildly - cosy pubs (hospodas) are everywhere and act as key social hubs. You don't have to drink beer, of course, but understanding the importance of beer to Czech people will help you settle more easily. There are 0% alcohol options, too, so everyone can get involved!

House rules

In the Czech Republic, respecting other people's homes is crucial. Unless the host tells you otherwise, always remove your shoes at the door. It’s rude to come to someone’s house empty-handed as a guest, so always bring a gift for your hosts. Beer, wine or flowers will do! It might not sound like a big deal, but it goes a long way.

Teaching landscape in Prague

Prague has plenty for English teachers, with various job opportunities in different settings, a high standard of education, and several universities attracting students worldwide. 

Urban demand

Since Prague is such a significant European city, demand for English language instruction is high. It draws international businesses, tourists, and students, so there's a real need for English proficiency across sectors. 

Business English

Prague is the economic centre of the Czech Republic, and English is the language of business, so Czech professionals need English for international communication.

It's normal for companies to hire English tutors or work with private language schools to teach their employees the language. This is where qualifications in Business English come into play!

Private language schools

In Prague, private language schools are popular with students and TEFL teachers. These schools cater to children needing extra lessons, students hoping to study abroad, professionals, and retirees.

Tip: A high-quality TEFL certificate is usually enough to land a job in a private language school. The industry standard is 120 hours of TEFL training.

International schools

International schools are a particularly well-paid opportunity if you have a degree in education, a teaching certificate, experience, and TEFL certification. International schools have the best facilities, extensive benefits and excellent teaching salaries.

These aren't traditional TEFL jobs, and you'll need some Czech proficiency, but if you can work in an international school, you’ll earn an excellent salary and a range of great benefits.

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TEFL in Prague: Key takeaways

Prague is a city where history, culture, and opportunity meet, and where both new and experienced TEFL teachers can find fantastic job opportunities.

A European cultural powerhouse with so much to explore, the Czech capital has it all, from architecture and art, to sport, music, and literature. Here are some key takeaways:

Key takeaways:

  • Requirements: A 120-hour TEFL certificate is the minimum you’ll need to get started in Prague. Some jobs also ask for a degree, and having classroom experience definitely helps. If you’ve got a teaching license or extra training - like a Business English course  - even better!
  • New teachers: Business English and private language schools provide the most opportunities for new teachers.
  • Wages: TEFL salaries are typically around 40,093 - 44,170 Czech Koruna (£1,337 - £1,472 / $1,719 - $1,896). Private institutions, like international schools, pay the most.
  • Cost of living: Monthly bills and rent can be expensive, but public transport is highly affordable.
  • Tip: Suburban areas like Praha-západ and Praha-východ offer teaching roles with easy access to the city.

Prague is a perfect base if you've completed a high-quality TEFL course and dreamed about teaching in the Czech Republic!

More on teaching English in Prague

 

Teach English in the Czech Republic

Thinking about teaching English abroad in Europe? Here’s why the Czech Republic could be the perfect place to start.

 

English Teaching Jobs in the Czech Republic

Do you dream of teaching English in Czech Republic?

 

Teach English in Europe

With dozens of beautiful countries to choose from, great wages and the chance to live that quintessential European lifestyle, it's no wonder so many TEFL teachers choose to teach English in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

    For many TEFL teachers, teaching English in Prague is an absolute dream, which is why there are so many questions about it online. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions answered.

  • Q. What visa do I need to teach English in Prague?

    TEFL teachers must apply for a freelance visa (živnostenský list) or an Employee Card sponsored by a school or employer.

  • Q. What TEFL certificate do I need to teach English in Prague?

    A 120-hour TEFL qualification is the minimum requirement to teach English in the Czech Republic. Advanced courses like Business English, Teaching Young Learners, and English for Academic Purposes are also helpful for finding jobs.

  • Q. How do I find housing as a new teacher in Prague?

    Flatshares are popular among newer teachers, and local housing websites and Facebook are worth trying. In some cases, your employer will help you find accommodation.