We English teachers are everywhere. It’s not uncommon to happen upon a group of fellow English-speaking expats in Prague and nearly anywhere in the world, and find that they, too, know the thrill of getting TEFL certified. I was put in touch with Retzel, a blog writer and 2015 TEFL Worldwide alum, to talk all things English-teaching and abroad- living.
Tell me a bit about yourself to start off!
I’m Retzel, she/her, writer – I joined the program back in October 2015. It’s funny, when I first joined, I thought that I would stay in Prague for two years max. But I loved it so much that I ended up living there for six years and for the rest of my twenties.
What are you up to these days?
These days, I’m focused on completing my MBA program, working, and writing in my spare time. I live in Finland now and have been here for over three years. While I no longer teach English, I’m grateful that I did TEFL all those years ago. The skills you learn from facilitating discussions, improvising on the spot, and active listening are ones that translate well into any industry you choose to work in. I’m also grateful that I made long-term connections and that I’ve kept in touch with a few of my Czech students from all those years.
How did your experience with TEFL Worldwide/ living in Prague shape your experiences overall?
TEFL Worldwide pushed me outside of my comfort zone to the max. At the age of 24, I had never even been to Europe, let alone moved to a whole new continent on my own. It was terrifying and exciting at the same time. I could not have taken the leap without the help of one of the alumni members whom the school connected me with (thanks again, Carly!). From public speaking to exploring cultural perspectives to planning lessons to managing my time and more, the entire experience gave me the opportunity to rise above any limiting self-beliefs holding me back. When you overcome something like this, even just once, it can give you the slightest sense of hope the next time you find yourself facing a bout of doubt in the middle of your new scary challenge.
Do you have any advice for future English teachers or to people interested in moving to Prague?
For future English teachers who are considering Prague as their prime location, I would absolutely tell them to go for it! Prague is a wonderful city and a great place to experience a new career as a teacher. I would encourage making the most of opportunities available from language schools and language enthusiasts seeking private lessons. And for those thinking about joining this program, which I highly recommend, I would suggest asking as many questions about any concerns you might have or resources you need to get an understanding of what it will look like to fully transition into working and living in the Czech Republic. I know that once I checked off everything on my mental list, I was a lot more confident in my decision in the end.
And one last thing- what was your favorite memory from your TEFL worldwide experience?
My favorite memory was when I got to spend one-on-one time with one of my very first students as part of the final project in the program. It was one of the first times I taught a conversational lesson, and the initial feeling that I was helping her improve her language skills felt so meaningful and rewarding. I was intrigued when she shared her love of opera music, so she took me to the State Opera House to watch a showing of Rigoletto. That experience was and still is so special to me – I will never forget it.
And finally, tell me a little about your blog. What kind of content do you primarily focus on?
Today, I’ve started my blog, Cherish & Jots, where I share a lot of these experiences, including TEFL, Prague, and personal stories about life in general. I also write about creativity, personal growth, culture, and well-being. So if you’re interested in any of these topics, come check out my blog. Hope to see you there!
Well, you heard it here first, folks. Getting TEFL certified with TEFL Worldwide Prague offers more than just an English teaching certificate. Alongside moving abroad and teaching, getting TEFL certified will prepare you for new life experiences in Prague and in the world!
Go Czech Out Retzel’s blog at https://cherishandjots.com/ to find articles on everything from travel tips and tricks to personal growth and well-being. She even has blogs detailing her experiences of living in Prague and completing TEFL:
- https://cherishandjots.com/how-tefl-changed-my-life-forever/
- https://cherishandjots.com/facing-unknown/
Join an upcoming TEFL course where in just 4 weeks you can be featured as our Alumni, just like Retzel!
TEFL Worldwide was awarded as the Top TEFL Certification Course of 2018 and 2019, the Best Teach Provider in 2020, a Finalist for Innovation in Alumni Engagement in 2024, and in 2025 – the Top Rated TEFL Course in the Czech Republic!
Courses offered monthly at teflworldwideprague.com
