I am on the hunt for a fantastic apartment in Prague! Thanks to expats.cz, I have a few viewings lined up this week. This is good because as of Saturday I will be kicked out of the Villa....
Pictures to come of the winning abode!
31 August 2010
29 August 2010
GOT THE JOB!
I am happy to say that as of Monday, September 6th I will be a full-time employee at IJV!
They are a fantastic language school right off of Wenceslas Square in downtown Prague. It wasn't my initial plan to stay in Prague for the year, but France is being a big pain in the rear when it comes to getting a work visa so this is my best option right now. I am so relieved to have found a job that starts right away... now I just need a place to live :)
They are a fantastic language school right off of Wenceslas Square in downtown Prague. It wasn't my initial plan to stay in Prague for the year, but France is being a big pain in the rear when it comes to getting a work visa so this is my best option right now. I am so relieved to have found a job that starts right away... now I just need a place to live :)
27 August 2010
Interview!
I had my first real teacher interview this morning!
Yes, I missed class to go, but it was totally worth it. The school is called IJV (Institut jazykového vzdělávání, to be exact) and would be an excellent opportunity to teach both in a classroom and business setting.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome :)
Yes, I missed class to go, but it was totally worth it. The school is called IJV (Institut jazykového vzdělávání, to be exact) and would be an excellent opportunity to teach both in a classroom and business setting.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome :)
An observation
Middle aged women in Prague love wearing really fancy strappy heels with casual outfits.
Sequins, rhinestones, 3 inch heels.
They wear them to class, around the metro, and shopping at Billa (the grocery store).
Sequins, rhinestones, 3 inch heels.
They wear them to class, around the metro, and shopping at Billa (the grocery store).
22 August 2010
quote.
"You dropped me in communist suburbia- let me use your freaking internet."
-Melissa, TEFL student and Villa roommate
-Melissa, TEFL student and Villa roommate
on Cloud 9
Thanks to my roommate Erin, a group of us spent a much needed relaxing evening at the top of the Hilton hotel in Prague at the sky lounge bar appropriately called Cloud 9. We had a reserved couch, buffet of grilled meats and veggies, and a gorgeous view of Prague's skyline. It was the end to a surprisingly productive day at the beach (it is August, I need to be near anything that reminds me of Lake Minnetonka). 21 August 2010
oooh we're halfway there
I cannot believe that I am already halfway done with the TEFL class! Although I feel like I have been in Prague for 3 years, it has only been about 15 days.
A majority of my time is spent at school either in class, prepping for lessons, or using the internet. On top of our bi-weekly lessons we have to plan, we also have a one-on-one tutoring project (15 page paper due next Monday?!), a grammar presentation to plan, continuous job searching and housing to worry about. It is extremely busy but very rewarding.
I am in the process of looking and applying for jobs in France as well as in Prague. It is going to be difficult to find a job in France because they prefer EU citizens (which means no work visa paperwork to complete for the employer) but I am still trying. There are numerous jobs available in Prague, and most of my new friends are going to stick around here for the next year.
We will see what happens! I am using every contact and resource possible so keep sending good vibes my way :)
A majority of my time is spent at school either in class, prepping for lessons, or using the internet. On top of our bi-weekly lessons we have to plan, we also have a one-on-one tutoring project (15 page paper due next Monday?!), a grammar presentation to plan, continuous job searching and housing to worry about. It is extremely busy but very rewarding.
I am in the process of looking and applying for jobs in France as well as in Prague. It is going to be difficult to find a job in France because they prefer EU citizens (which means no work visa paperwork to complete for the employer) but I am still trying. There are numerous jobs available in Prague, and most of my new friends are going to stick around here for the next year.
We will see what happens! I am using every contact and resource possible so keep sending good vibes my way :)
15 August 2010
TEFL group pub crawl
Feedback session ended at 6:30.
After making a few copies, getting back to the Villa, and gathering the roommates we were at the beer garden by 8 pm.
There was already a group of about 20 people there- all classmates, former TEFL students, and one TEFL employee. Conveniently located directly behind school, the beer garden was the first stop on our organized pub crawl after a very busy first week of classes. Renee led us towards Old Town for a couple more stops and lots of much needed fun.Modal verbs
Good news- I passed my first observed lesson!
Dan, one of the instructers at TEFL, observed my small group's first solo lessons on Friday afternoon. Lucky for us, we had a group feedback session right after and it went really well. The 4 of us decided that no matter what we will give honest and useful feedback to one another (how else will we learn?) after each lesson presentation (twice a week from now on). With Dan sitting in we had a very productive session and learned a lot.
Although my grammar lesson content wasn't fantastic-i hate modal verbs now-I felt quite comfortable standing in front of the classroom directing the lesson. This was surprising to me, considering I have never done this before in my life. I have a deeper respect for the teachers I know in my life, it's not as easy as it looks!
Dan, one of the instructers at TEFL, observed my small group's first solo lessons on Friday afternoon. Lucky for us, we had a group feedback session right after and it went really well. The 4 of us decided that no matter what we will give honest and useful feedback to one another (how else will we learn?) after each lesson presentation (twice a week from now on). With Dan sitting in we had a very productive session and learned a lot.
Although my grammar lesson content wasn't fantastic-i hate modal verbs now-I felt quite comfortable standing in front of the classroom directing the lesson. This was surprising to me, considering I have never done this before in my life. I have a deeper respect for the teachers I know in my life, it's not as easy as it looks!
10 August 2010
School is back in session
It's the end of day 2 at school and I've already taught a course on English to a group of elementary-level Czech students. My mind is blown.
Day one was filled with classes on TEFL in general, how to teach a "reading lesson", and a class in all Czech. Then we were put in our small groups of 4, given a new reading, and told to write a lesson for the next day's class. After everyone had a small panic attack, we gathered our thoughts and notes and pulled together a lesson plan.
So here I am, after teaching a class of 6 Czech natives ranging from early 20-late 50 years old with my fellow group members and have mixed emotions. It was definitely a "first day lesson" considering I opened the lesson to find their level of English was much lower than anticipated. With a little bit of improv, some encouragement from my group members, and not awknowledging the TEFL founder and teacher sitting in the back of the room I managed to finish my section without major complications and have moved on.
Now planning a writing lesson for tomorrow's more advanced group.
Day one was filled with classes on TEFL in general, how to teach a "reading lesson", and a class in all Czech. Then we were put in our small groups of 4, given a new reading, and told to write a lesson for the next day's class. After everyone had a small panic attack, we gathered our thoughts and notes and pulled together a lesson plan.
So here I am, after teaching a class of 6 Czech natives ranging from early 20-late 50 years old with my fellow group members and have mixed emotions. It was definitely a "first day lesson" considering I opened the lesson to find their level of English was much lower than anticipated. With a little bit of improv, some encouragement from my group members, and not awknowledging the TEFL founder and teacher sitting in the back of the room I managed to finish my section without major complications and have moved on.
Now planning a writing lesson for tomorrow's more advanced group.
City tour
Thank you, Dad, for ordering such good weather for our group walking tour of Prague!! Luckily we didn't have to walk to whole way- we did take the tram up to Prague castle which would've taken eons. Or at least over an hour. There are 32 of us in the course, which means a lot of people to walk around the most touristy places in Prague on a beautiful weekend. After seeing the sights the group dissolved and some of us went for a Praha specialty.. beer. We also found the Anthony Bourdain-approved restaurant which specialized in another one of Prague's specialties, meat. Lauren and I opted for the chicken, but the boys inhaled sausages and other pork products piled high on their plates.
Prague is truly a lovely city, here are some pics to prove it:
07 August 2010
A rainy Old Town
After finally getting some sleep (10 hours!!) some other TEFLers and I took the metro to Old Town Prague, the city center, to explore. Despite the constant rain we had a great time seeing some beautiful architecture, a jazz band, and the Charles bridge. I caved in a bought an umbrella, the only one that didn't flip inside out because of the wind. (Lauren just got a dessert delivered to her from a local at the cafe, the Czech boys love her!)
06 August 2010
The trek
3 bags. 2 arms.
3 layovers. 26 hours of no sleep.
0 language comprehension.
Yet somehow, I'm in Prague.
I didn't miss a flight, immigration let me through without a return flight, and i have keys to an apartment. These are all good things that have led me to an indoor shopping mall (Galerie Fenix) in NE Prague that is central to my new neighborhood, and has free wifi (as well as a gym called "I'm Fit!")
Due to the rain/my overall exhaustion there are no pictures to post yet. However, Sunday we will be going on a group walking tour of the city so i will snap some goodies then!
3 layovers. 26 hours of no sleep.
0 language comprehension.
Yet somehow, I'm in Prague.
I didn't miss a flight, immigration let me through without a return flight, and i have keys to an apartment. These are all good things that have led me to an indoor shopping mall (Galerie Fenix) in NE Prague that is central to my new neighborhood, and has free wifi (as well as a gym called "I'm Fit!")
Due to the rain/my overall exhaustion there are no pictures to post yet. However, Sunday we will be going on a group walking tour of the city so i will snap some goodies then!
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