Prague Guide

Some language schools in Europe just don't recognise qualifications or give you much credit for them. The degree and TEFL certificate is becoming just too common and Language schools are treating a lot of teachers like expendable items, and not even people who want the career of teaching. Why is that? Partly because of financial crisis and partly because of a saturation of teachers in Prague. These factors are played up really well by language schools, as it really is a money-making profit-maximizing business for them. As for teachers, the wage has become really low in the recent years, while schools are increasing their profits.

James Cook Languages (JCL) are a typical example of this. They are based in Prague. They treat teachers as expendable items, who must follow a flawed system of extensive bureacracy. James Cook only benefit for themselves, their own internal staff and senior teachers - and never the regular teachers who are treated like expendable and worthless things. It is a private members club for their internal staff, and the teachers are always exploited, degraded and left to feel like shi*t. They use false advertising to recruit new teachers. The major problem with James Cook, is that their principle in Teaching English are far too clinical and ‘scientific’. They treat the subject with excessive force and brutality. They don’t actually treat the subject of English language as an ‘art’ form, which is what is really is. They only consider their 'own' approach, and not other proven techniques. Also, they are heavily clouded in an extensive bureaucracy and so much unnecessary administration.

Language schools like James Cook are focussing all their energy on making money for themselves but never offering the teachers a real job with real career benefits. Internal staff are unapproachable and rude, often barking like dogs when you need their help, especially librarian and course administration staff. Senior teachers are also pathetic at James Cook and over-rated. Again, there is false advertising about them. Not only do they never support you, but they are highly cynical and scrutinizing about teachers - especially Tina Nottle, Laura Gilbert, John Thorburn. James Cook like to use a mentoring system with Senior Teachers, but the support is pathetic with their cynical and unhelpful attitude. They spend a lot of money on their useless senior teachers - paying them inflated salaries, while they sit back and give you a useless support. HR staff have no or little idea of how teachers are really feeling. They do not communicate in a professional manner and always give a lack of support. Teachers never have a voice or identity to express concerns. HR staff at James Cook do not realise the importance of teachers for their company. They only react to the concerns of their clients and discard teachers as insignificant and expendable items. The HR manager, Zuzanna Gogova, is a racist woman with this stupid mentality at James Cook, just being a total inconsiderate waste.

James Cook like to employ a racist and communist outlook on their recruitment. Larger agencies like James Cook are focussing purely on themselves instead of the teachers who actually work for them and make the business 'happen'. Teachers never have a voice or identity to express concerns. Why is that..? It is because James Cook believe they have the greatest perfect model that works for them to make money.....but sadly not for teachers to enjoy teaching.

This is a good guide though I'd add that these salaries seem at the low end.

I know teachers who charge around 1000CZK/90 minutes (with invoice), and schools like the British Council charge 4000/90 minutes! So there are clients out there who will pay for what they believe will be a better quality service.

Re: 'private lessons' - well, yeah some teachers will charge 250-300 CZK for cash in hand teaching, but this is what is driving down our industry.