Photo taken in Riegrovy Sady Park
The First Class
I woke up bright and early to prepare for my morning class. I made sure to dress in my usual style, allowing my personality and self-expression to shine through.
It’s true what they say — presenting yourself authentically eases the anxiety that comes with doing something intimidating. So I indulged in small stylistic choices that gave me the confidence I needed for what was ahead.
On that particular day, I wouldn’t be sitting quietly among a group of peers as I usually did when preparing for a lesson. Instead, I’d be at the front of the room — not as a student, but as a teacher, leading my very first class.
So when I arrived at the building where it was scheduled, I was a bundle of nerves. The thought of directing a classroom terrified me.
I stood there, overwhelmed by anticipation and self-doubt. To make matters worse, two other teacher trainees were scheduled before me — which, in my anxious state, only meant prolonging the agony.
Waiting is always the hardest part. Then came the inevitable moment that all stressful situations demand — doing what must be done and hoping for the best.
Honestly, most of what followed is a blur. I still can’t remember what I taught.
All I recall is a rush of emotion and action blending into one vivid experience. Because in that brief window of time, I walked up, taught my first lesson, and — to my surprise — received warm feedback from the Czech students in the class.
It felt like an out-of-body moment of vulnerability. Nothing prepares you like simply diving in.
On some deep level, I tapped into a truth many of us recognize when trying something scary for the first time. Sooner or later, “I think this is right” turns into “This seems to be working,” and eventually becomes, “Whoa, I’m actually doing this.”
Introduction to TEFL
The TEFL school was just a ten-minute walk from the villa — a large, old-fashioned building where I and the other students stayed during the month-long course. Each morning, we walked together, chatting about random things before class.
Once the program began, with its introductions and warm greetings, I glanced around the room and noticed a mix of nationalities. There were people from England, Australia, the U.S., and Scotland — all drawn by the same interest in teaching English abroad.
As with any true community, there’s no faster way to bond than by discovering a unique common ground. I was fascinated that each person had experienced some personal awakening, packed up their lives, and chosen to teach English in Central Europe.
We clicked immediately and never ran out of things to talk about. Through our conversations, I realized our post-certification plans varied widely.
Some planned to teach in Prague for only a year or two. Others wanted to teach in multiple countries — China, Vietnam, South Korea, and more. It’s common for TEFL graduates to use their certificate to live, teach, and travel around the world.
Many students also hoped to stay in Prague indefinitely. With the ongoing demand for English teachers in the Czech Republic, this wasn’t surprising.
The local TEFL market offers jobs in many settings — companies, schools, or the homes and offices of private clients wanting to improve their English. With so many options ahead, I was excited to see where it could all lead.
But first, I had four intense weeks of training to get through.
The Art of Teaching
Before the course began, I’d been warned it would be intense — and it was. Our days were packed with lessons on how to teach English and all the practical elements that go along with it.
From lesson planning to grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, we were immediately immersed in the craft of teaching. On top of lectures, we were thrown into practice sessions just days in.
The course was a constant switch between student and teacher roles — an exhausting but energizing rhythm that increased as the weeks went on. At first, I was terrified of leading a class, trying to hide my nerves and steady my voice.
But soon, I began transforming that anxiety into something useful. Over the following weeks, I settled into the pace of the program and began trusting the expertise of our incredibly skilled instructors.
Their own stories showed me that TEFL could unlock a world of opportunity. They’d taught across Asia, Europe, South America — and more. Their lives reassured me that taking the course was worth it.
By then, I found myself genuinely enjoying what they taught. I was excited to learn how to bring creativity into the classroom with music, games, and improvisation. I was learning how to teach — and to my surprise, I loved every bit of it.
New Career Abroad
Two weeks after graduation, many of us found teaching jobs. On my first day, I had a minor disaster — a nosebleed in the middle of class. My skills were mediocre at best, and it was deeply embarrassing.
But little by little, I improved. With each lesson, my ease and precision grew. Eventually, I had a full teaching schedule every week.
Soon I could balance work with travel and cultural exploration. Along with other TEFL grads, I began making memories in a new country, sharing the adventure of starting careers and building lives far from home.
Surprising Ourselves
Looking back, I feel nothing but gratitude for my TEFL chapter in Prague. Even now, I struggle to describe the joy and excitement of that time — words seem to fall short.
That chapter gave me the chance to teach anywhere in the world, travel more than I ever dreamed, and find a job I truly cherished.
I still remember the little moments when I’d catch myself, astonished — in disbelief that any past version of me could have predicted where life would take me so early on.
Maybe these are the rare times that we can look back on and know beyond a trace of doubt that we successfully surprised ourselves; the times that get us smiling inside and out, stirring us with enough audacity to say all but a single phrase:
“What is life?”
