{"id":12515,"date":"2021-02-02T06:45:58","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T13:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/?p=12515"},"modified":"2025-12-19T08:07:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T15:07:10","slug":"brandon-from-us-teaching-english-prague","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bridge.edu\/tefl\/blog\/brandon-from-us-teaching-english-prague\/","title":{"rendered":"Brandon, From the U.S., Teaching English in Prague"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Bridge grad Brandon Callahan\u2019s workplace in New York went out of business due to the pandemic, he saw a chance to make his plan of teaching English abroad happen and seized an <\/em>EFL teaching opportunity in Prague, Czech Republic<\/a>. He tells us how he shifted from the retail sector to the TEFL field and discusses his cultural experience working as an English teacher in his new city.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hi, Brandon! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?<\/h2>\n

I\u2019m from Rochester, New York, which is home to Kodak, the Garbage Plate, and Susan B. Anthony. In college, I studied psychology and Spanish language, literature, and civilization. Before shifting to teaching English, I worked in retail management.<\/p>\n

How did you transition to English teaching?<\/h2>\n

I began my teaching journey when the coronavirus had just shut everything down in New York for the first time. My workplace shut down indefinitely and I was stuck at home with everything else being closed as well. I had been thinking of teaching for a while as a means of having more control over my work-life balance and not being tied down to my hometown forever. So, when the pandemic hit and I was inevitably told that my store would be closed for a while, I thought, \u201cThis is it. If I don\u2019t make a move now, I won\u2019t ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where have you taught English?<\/h2>\n

I tutored in the past through volunteer programs but never professionally until after I obtained my TEFL\/TESOL certification<\/a> in June. I began teaching in the fall of 2020 in Prague.<\/p>\n

Learn how you can gain experience before getting an English teaching job.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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The Vltava River in Prague<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

How did you choose the Czech Republic as a place to teach English?<\/h2>\n

I visited a friend for two weeks over the summer the year prior and absolutely loved it. It\u2019s a country with so much culture and history.<\/p>\n

What is Prague like?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a beautiful, mid-sized city where you can explore the same spot a dozen times and feel like each time is a different experience. Pet\u0159\u00edn and Vitkov Hill are my favorite spots to visit because you get stunning views of Prague. The public transportation system is efficient and easy to navigate, so that helped me with adjusting to life abroad.<\/p>\n

\"The

The National Monument on top of V\u00edtkov Hill in Prague<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

How is the EFL market and demand for English teachers in the Czech Republic?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s strong. There are constantly new advertisements for native English teachers needed in both traditional schools and in language schools.<\/p>\n

How did you land your teaching job in Prague?<\/h2>\n

I went through the website Expats.cz<\/a> and other platforms for open positions and found Elvis Language School to be in need of English teachers. I reached out to the coordinator at the school soon after and had an interview and went through a brief assessment. I was offered a contract within the next few days.<\/p>\n

What’s the best thing about teaching in Prague?<\/h2>\n

Students are so motivated to learn here and curious about other cultures. It\u2019s refreshing to teach people as passionate about learning as you are about teaching.<\/p>\n

\"Prague

Prague at Christmas time<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Can you tell us more about your teaching job?<\/h2>\n

Jazykov\u00e1 \u0161kola Elvis (Elvis Language School) provides classes to individuals and businesses at the school and also onsite at companies. My students consist of teens and adults taught in one-on-one lessons and in small groups, both in-person and online.<\/p>\n

What are your favorite teaching strategies or activities for teaching Business English?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s probably “company rundown,” wherein I have students use brochures and other company materials to explain to me what their company does and how it accomplishes its goals.<\/p>\n

Build expertise in teaching ESL to professionals by earning<\/em>\u00a0a Specialized Certificate in Teaching Business English.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

What do you like to do when you\u2019re not working?<\/h2>\n

The COVID-19 crisis has made this clich\u00e9, but I picked up baking in my free time. I also like to go trail running. And there\u2019s a beautiful nature reserve, \u0160\u00e1rka, inside the city, which is great for a Sunday run or stroll, depending on how I\u2019m feeling.<\/p>\n

How has the COVID-19 crisis affected you as an English teacher?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s been difficult at times because you have clients that don\u2019t want to take online classes when the situation is too severe to have in-person classes. However, there have also been more people who want to take online classes. So, it balances out more or less. It\u2019s made me become more comfortable with teaching online and, if anything, it\u2019s made me more flexible.<\/p>\n

How do you make your online English classes more engaging?<\/h2>\n