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FAQs
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Before
the course ...
 What
do you mean exactly when you say your course is
accredited?
Why
INTESOL PRAGUE and not one of the other numerous
TEFL / TESOL certification courses?
What’s
the difference between the onsite and the hybrid
TEFL / TESOL course? Is one better than the other?
TESOL?
TEFL? TESL? TEAL? ELT? TESL? What’s the
difference?
Can
I get a job without a TEFL / TESOL certificate?
Does
INTESOL PRAGUE provide trainees with an internationally
recognized qualification upon successful completion
of the course?
If
I decide to bring my family, can you help with
accommodation?
Do
you have a maximum number of students per course?
When
do I need to arrive for my course?
Is
accommodation included in the course fee?
Do I need to…?
have
a university degree?
know
the language of the country planning to teach
in?
be a native English
speaker to take the course?
have
previous teaching experience?
have
a visa or work permit?
During the course …
How
much is the cost of living in Prague?
How
much work is involved with the course?
What
is the age range of the students on the course?
Is
attendance compulsory? Can I miss any of the
classes?
Who
are the practice students?
Who
are the trainers?
How
will I be assessed?
What
pass rate do you have?
After the course …
What
will I receive after the course?
How much will
I earn if I stay and work in Prague
after the course?
When
do schools hire?
Will
I get a job?
How
do I apply?
Can
you provide assistance with accommodation, visas
etc in the country I end up working in?
When
will I receive my TEFL / TESOL certificate?
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Before
the course ...
What do you mean exactly when you say your course
is accredited?
For TESOL and TEFL courses
to have international recognition they need to
be validated and accredited by an external official
body. In a statement regarding recognition, the
British Council wrote "Currently we consider reputable
validating bodies to include UCLES, Trinity College,
any UK university and the College of Teachers".
Your success in finding a job can be hindered
if your qualification is not accredited by one
of these, especially if you aspire to teach in
reputable schools where often the minimum requirements
are a TEFL/TESOL accredited certificate. INTESOL
is a Centre of the College of Teachers that provides
accredited courses and abides by its Code of Practice.
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Why
INTESOL PRAGUE and not one of the other numerous
TEFL / TESOL certification courses?
If you want to teach
English overseas, this is the program to choose.
INTESOL offers a recognised TEFL / TESOL certification
upon successful completion of the course. The
certificate awarded on successful completion of
the course is recognized by The British Council,
the largest TEFL organization in the world, as
a valid teaching qualification. INTESOL PRAGUE's
family of trainers holds high qualifications in
TEFL / TESOL training and years of experience.
The course provides candidates with plenty of
practical teaching hours teaching real students.
The course is competitively priced and each student
receives personalized attention.
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What’s
the difference between the onsite and the combined
TEFL / TESOL course? Is one better than the other?
They are essentially
the same. It depends on your own personal circumstances.
The 4-week onsite course is very intensive but
many argue that there is no substitution for face-to-face
learning. Others, however, prefer the flexibility
offered by the combined distance learning with
two-week practical side course where they can
absorb the methodology at their own pace and in
their own time. The qualifications earned are
exactly the same for either course. You need to
decide which one is more suited to your situation,
learning preferences and goals.
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TESOL?
TEFL? TESL? TEAL? ELT? TESL? What’s the
difference?
They are essentially
all the same thing. They are terms used to describe
the teaching of the English Language by native
or proficient English speakers to those that do
not speak the language. The main difference is
the country where the teaching takes place. TESOL
(Teaching English to Speakers of Second or Other
Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign
Language) are standard terms for English language
teaching in non-English speaking countries. TESL
(Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEAL
(Teaching English as an Additional Language) are
normally related to English teaching among immigrant
and refugee communities in English-speaking countries.
TEFL and TESL are more frequently used in Europe
as acronyms while TESOL and TEAL are more commonly
used in North America.
Therefore a certificate in TEFL and a certificate
in TESOL are exactly the same thing and employers
from all over the world will accept either as
a suitable qualification for a teaching position
where English is taught as a second, foreign or
additional language. In recent years some well-known
EFL writers have expressed their concern with
the implications of the word ‘foreign’
in TEFL and advocate a shift in terminology to
TESOL on grounds that the English language has
become a truly international ‘lingua franca’
and no nation should be able to claim possession
on it.
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Can
I get a job without a TEFL / TESOL certificate?
It is possible in a few
countries to secure teaching jobs without a TEFL / TESOL
certificate, but this is becoming more and more
obsolete as more people want to teach and are
acquiring certification. The positions that one
may receive without the certificate are on average
paid less.
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to top
Does INTESOL PRAGUE
provide trainees with an internationally recognized
qualification upon successful completion
of the course?
INTESOL is a Centre
of the College of Teachers that provides accredited
courses and abides by its Code of Practice.
If
I decide to bring my family, can you help with
accommodation?
We will do our best to find something suited to
your situation. You need to know, however, that
in some European countries schools require parents
to have a visa or residential permit before accepting
children. You are advised to look into visa requirements
before you make any decision and move your family.
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Do
you have a maximum number of students per course?
Yes. We don’t have
groups bigger than fifteen. Occasionally due to
high demand there can be two groups on one course
and these run as if there were two courses running
at the same time. So, you will never find yourself
in a group which is too big for you to get all
due attention. Please be aware that courses can
fill up quickly especially in the summer months;
so, we highly recommend you pay your deposit as
soon as you are accepted on the course and secure
a place.
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When
do I need to arrive for my course?
We recommend you arrive
in the city at least two days prior to the start
of the course. You need to have settled in your
new home, recovered from jetlag if it is the case
and got to know a little bit of what’s where
in the city so you can focus entirely on the course.
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Is accommodation included
in the course fee?
No. This is paid separately
and directly to the landlord on arrival in Prague.
Intesol's role is merely that of mediator - we
do not obtain any financial benefits from this.
Do I
need to…?
have
a university degree?
It is not required,
but it is recommended to teach English overseas.
You
should, however, hold qualifications for entry
to higher education (tertiary level) in your
home
country. The course will accurately prepare you
for teaching English overseas, but due to the
competitive nature of the business, a bachelor’s
degree is looked upon favorably. If you don’t
have the aforementioned qualifications you
will
have to demonstrate your suitability for the
course through the questionnaire in the application
form.
This will usually be followed up by a telephone
call in order to ascertain that you meet the
course
requirements.
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know
the language of the country planning to teach
in?
No. The INTESOL program
trains teachers with the universally accepted
Communicative Approach. Within this approach,
English is spoken while taught in the classroom
at all levels. By the end of the course you will
be able to teach English in a wide range of environments.
Back to top be a native English
speaker to take the course?
No. Those applicants
for whom English is a second language or
foreign language must demonstrate
competence in all skills in order to attend
the course. There are some schools that
prefer native
English speakers, but not all.
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have
previous teaching experience?
No. INTESOL PRAGUE provides
each trainee with multiple chances to teach in
front of real students and gain experience throughout
the training, which will adequately prepare for
teaching English abroad.
have knowledge of grammar?
The course does cater to those that lack knowledge
of grammar. There are grammar books that are
recommended
reading as well as a pre-course task. During
the course we offer a high number of grammar
input
sessions.
Back to top have a visa or work
permit?
INTESOL PRAGUE encourages
those that plan to teach English abroad to
check with
the
Embassy or Consulate
of the country they wish to work in. The
following website is recommended: www.embassyworld.com.
However, as part of our services we give
personalized
advice as to what is required.
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During
the course …
How
much is the cost of living in Prague?
First of all, the cost
of living in Prague after the course will drop
down as you will be able to sign a long term contract
in a shared apartment. The amount of money you
will probably spend will be about 200-300 €
per month for sharing an apartment with two or
three people and about 350-450 € ($420-540)
for a studio or one bedroom apartment. The prices
vary according to location, apartment standard
and the number of people who share it.
Other costs depend pretty
much on your way of life – eating at home
and using the public transport will cut down the
cost heavily. Food and drink in supermarkets are
cheap compared to western standards. If you eat
in you will be spending a rough estimate of 100-150
€ ($120-180) on food and drink.
Here are some of the prices in a supermarket:
250 grams of butter –
approx. 0.8 € ($0.97)
1 loaf of bread – approx. 0.7 € ($0.84)
1 kilo of apples – approx. 0.6 € ($0.72)
1 bottle of beer – approx. 0.3 € ($0.36)
1.5 liter of water – approx. 0.3 €
($ 0.36)
1 kg of chicken – approx. 2.5 € ($3.00)
100 grams of cheese – approx. 0.5 €
($ 0.60)
0.7 liter of good wine – approx. 2.5 €
($ 3.00)
Living in Prague, it would
seem a pity not to immerse in the city’s
cultural life. Here are some of the prices for
various events.
Ticket for a multiplex
cinema – 5 € ($ 6.00)
Ticket for a local cinema with one screen –
2 € ($ 2.40)
Ticket for the opera – approx. 16 €
($19.20)
Ticket for a concert – between 1.5 and 15
€ ($ 1.80-18.00) depending on how popular
the club is
Use the currency
converter for an accurate conversion.
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How much work
is involved with the course?
The 4-week residential
course is very intensive and requires a strong
commitment by the student. One can expect to be
in class for about eight hours a day along with
a few hours of work at home. INTESOL recommends
that trainees have no other personal or professional
commitments outside the course during those four
weeks of training. The combined course due to
its flexibility is usually felt to be less intensive
and you can take things in your stride. However
it is still a challenging course and you will
need to put in hours of study.
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What
is the age range of the students on the course?
It varies from course
to course. Most of our students tend to be in
their twenties and early thirties although more
often than not we get a good mix of different
age brackets and backgrounds, which in the past
has proven to be a nice balance resulting in very
cooperative groups.
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Is
attendance compulsory? Can I miss any of the classes?
Attendance to all classes
and teaching practice sessions is required in
order to be awarded your certificate. In case
of illness certified by a doctor you will need
to make up for any sessions you have missed. This
is usually arranged between the trainee and the
trainer or course director.
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Who
are the practice students?
The students are adult
non-native English speakers that attend these
free classes of English with complete awareness
that they will be taught by novice teachers. Therefore
these students tend to be empathetic towards your
situation. Very frequently trainees comment what
a pleasure it is to teach them. The class sizes
vary, but will never exceed 15.
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Who
are the trainers?
Your course director
will be supported by a team of 1 - 4 trainers.
They will be responsible for leading input sessions
and observing and supporting you through teaching
practice. Trainers are all qualified to at least
Diploma level and with experience in teaching
and teacher training.
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How
will I be assessed?
The theoretical side
of the TEFL / TESOL course is module-based, each
of which is graded and returned with comments.
The modules submitted are continually assessed;
there are no written examinations. Assessment
on teaching practice is also continuous. On completion
of the course, successful candidates are awarded
certificates graded as follows:
A1 - Distinction
A2 - Excellent
B1 - Very good
B2 - Good
C – Pass
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What
pass rate do you have?
Even though it is an
intensive and challenging TEFL / TESOL course the
vast majority of candidates (around 93%) pass
the course. Of these 78% are awarded a B1 grade,
16% a B2 pass, 5% a A2 pass and 1% a A1 pass.
At INTESOL we take pride on producing excellent
TEFL / TESOL teachers and we work hard alongside
our students to ensure they meet the highest of
standards.
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After
the course …
What
will I receive after the course?
After successful completion
of the course, each applicant will receive the
College of Teachers Certificate of Educational
Studies in TESOL. The candidate also earns the
INTESOL certificate in the Methodology and Practice
of English Language Teaching. On top of that,
a letter of recommendation is included with details
of the candidate’s performance and achievement
during the course.
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How much will I earn if I stay and work in Prague
after the course?
The average salary in the
Czech Republic is about 15 000 crowns - 460 €
($555). If you work for a private language school,
your starting salary will be between 15 000 and
20 000 crowns (about 460-615 €/$555-740).
That is for full-time job, which is 20-24 lessons
(a lesson – 45 minutes) a week. Finding
private students will be relatively easy (the
demand for native speakers is very high) or you
can work for more than one language school. So,
after a short time your monthly salary will increase
to 20 000-25 000 crowns a month (615-770 €/
$740-925). This will allow you to live comfortably
and have all the fun Prague offers.
Use the currency
converter for an accurate conversion.
Back to top When
do schools hire?
Language schools hire
teachers on an as-needed basis. This means that
many schools hire year round. There are certain
periods of time that many schools have vacancies
to fill such as just after Christmas and New Years
when some teachers do not return from holiday.
Countries that are below the equator do a lot
of hiring in February and March, which is when
their autumn begins. In the Northern Hemisphere,
September and March are the main times.
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Will
I get a job?
Yes. Although the job
search sometimes takes longer in Western Europe,
graduates are successful finding jobs there. There
are literally hundreds of language schools in
most major cities abroad, as well as schools located
in smaller towns, that are constantly looking
for TEFL / TESOL certificate qualified English teachers.
Within two to three weeks of conducting a serious
job search the majority of students secure work.
Our experience tells us that those trainees who
are perseverant in their job hunting will find
a job in a matter of weeks after the course, be
it in Prague or a different preferred location.
Prior to graduation we conduct job workshops to
prepare you for your job search. Job guidance
is a service we offer to our graduates for a lifetime.
So, when you are ready to move onto another teaching
position in another country, simply contact us
for assistance.
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How
do I apply?
Click
here to access
our application form
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Can
you provide assistance with accommodation, visas
etc in the country I end up working in?
We will provide you with
all the information we have. We can also put you
in touch with former trainees who have chosen
the same country as their destination so they
can provide you with details based on their own
experience as foreigners in that particular country.
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When will I receive
my TEFL / TESOL certificate?
On the last day of the
course (or last day of your teaching practice
block if you are doing the combined course) and
providing you have passed both the theoretical
and practical components of the course, you will
receive the INTESOL Certificate in the Methodology
and Practice of English Language Teaching. Together
with this you will receive a reference letter
outlining course contents, structure and your
personal performance in a number of different
areas. You will then be in a position to demonstrate
to any prospective employer that you have completed
a recognized TEFL / TESOL course and prepared
to teach English overseas. The College of Teachers
Certificate of Educational Studies (COES) will
be mailed to you a few weeks after the course
as these are sent from the UK.
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