Teaching English in Prague: 3 Things I Learned About Myself Abroad

Living and teaching abroad can reveal things about you that you never fully noticed before. This personal story explores what teaching English in Prague taught one teacher about confidence, friendship, and finding the right teaching style.

From classroom challenges to life in a new city, this reflection shows how teaching English in Prague can be both demanding and deeply rewarding in unexpected ways.

I have learned so many things, from how to pack a suitcase properly so all your worldly possessions can fit to how to live off basically nothing; having spent all my savings within the first two months on both rent, deposits and social activities. Word to the wise-You’ve never really saved “enough” when you move to a new country and it may take a while for your first pay check to come through.

Since the 2^nd of August 2017 I’ve been living in Prague in the Czech Republic, teaching English to both adults and children. It’s been a challenge and there have been ups and downs but it has been a really positive experience when it comes to learning things about myself.

Let me tell you about three of those things:

1. I massively prefer teaching children to adults

Now this, I did not expect and it has really been an eye opener into my teaching style and what motivates me as a teacher. During my TEFL course I taught adults and I really did not enjoy it. The planning of lessons including picking a skill and theme I did enjoy but I often found that I leaned towards more childish themes such as food, games etc. This was probably the first sign that teaching adults was not for me – I mean the last thing a fifty-year-old Czech business man, learning a new language wants to talk about is his favourite chocolate bar…

Adults can also be far less patient when you make a mistake. Children don’t seem to notice it because they are just so happy that they’re learning, but I found that when I made errors during my time teaching adults, I really made errors. I learned that my confidence was really knocked by this and it resulted in those adult lessons becoming weaker and weaker to a point that I dreaded them. It was just not for me. Luckily, teaching children has raised my confidence again. Their enjoyment of English lessons and their desire to learn and be there is really inspiring. So, no offence adults, but sometimes the children really are just more fun to teach!

2. I actually make friends easier than I thought I would

Now, I do remember a few days before my TEFL course was due to start I panic texted a few friends from home “I don’t think I’m gonna make any friends”. Now of course, they all tried to reassure me, but it wasn’t until I actually had my first day and spoke to my new TEFL course friends that I realised I could make friends fairly easily.

I knew some of my flaws when it came to making friends, I talk too much and don’t listen enough; I have a few too many beers and become the drunk mess of the group; I talk about my opinions a little too soon and it annoys people. Coming to Prague I really tried to take a step back and listen more to people before inputting on the conversation. This has actually made me realise that I love listening to people.

Making friends as an adult is so much easier than as a child too. As long as you’re willing to listen, respond and bond over shared experiences then you can’t go wrong. The TEFL course was a great place to meet new friends, you spend so much time with the same like-minded people for a month, that you basically can’t not become friends. I also learned I can spend a prolonged period of time with the same people and not want to explode. I met some really great people during my TEFL course and ended up getting an apartment with three of them. We all managed to stay friends as a group too!

3. You find your teaching style eventually, but it is not found on the path of least resistance

Picture this, you arrive at a pre-school to teach your first day, only to discover that the children are all at various levels in their language ability but most can actually speak both some English and some of the native language (Czech). Some of the kids have never been away from their parents for longer than a few days (if that). Finally, some of the kids know the rules of the school perfectly but of course, they see a brand-new teacher who probably looks pretty worried and decide they want to have some fun.

The first two weeks of my pre-school job were so hard. There were two-year-olds crying literally all day, there were four-year-olds who lacked rules at home and decided to kick and scream if they were told what to do. Not to say there weren’t good children, most of them were fine the majority of the time.

I learned that my teaching style actually came from seeing others with their classes. A friend I worked with didn’t raise her voice at the children but instead was very firm and used the system of ‘time out’ to install the rules. Another teacher did raise her voice at the children, she also spoke predominantly Czech to the children. Something I did find strange considering the children were meant to be learning English. Meanwhile, another teacher was often almost aggressive towards the children-She found the job stressful to say the least. She would shout but also speak to the children like they were personally being horrible to her. Her approach was a bit too much I think, and not how you should manage your class. They’re kids after all, they just want to test your boundaries.

Eventually, after those few rocky weeks I was able to install the rules into the children I taught. I wouldn’t shout because I didn’t like raising my voice but I would question the children about their actions. I would also put them on time outs but I wouldn’t abuse this as I learned that children really do respond better to positive reinforcement. That is my teaching style and if you want to teach as a career, I’ve learned that you have to get the practical experience in order to find how you teach and if teaching is a good fit for you.

So...

Now I’ve told you three things that I learned about myself since living and teaching abroad. I have many more things I could share but I think I picked the most important to me. I don’t have any regrets, and the experience has taught me so much about myself and about teaching.

Lucy Marks 

Lucy has lived in Prague, Czech Republic. She teaches English to children in the city.

To see the TEFL Heaven program Lucy chose to start her adventure, see the Teach English in Czech Republic Program

Teaching English in Prague can teach you just as much about yourself as it does about life in the classroom abroad.

This reflection shows how living and teaching in the Czech Republic can build confidence, self-awareness, and a clearer sense of the kind of teacher you want to become.