Review of Language House Prague
The Language House TEFL is one of the oldest TEFL training centers in Prague. We have been successfully administering TEFL certificate courses since 2004 and have graduated close to 1000 students from the program. The goal of TLH TEFL is to create a friendly, supportive and non-corporate TEFL course that offers expert training as well as a personal relationship with our students that larger chain courses cannot provide. What makes us different is simple. We offer more training, more teaching practice, more hands on support and more post course support than most other courses do worldwide.
What really makes us stand out though is our sense of community and this is the true reason for our success over the years. We keep in touch with almost all of our graduates and it’s common once the course is over for everyone to remain friends with each other and to get to know other past graduates in the city and worldwide. We actually make it a tradition for past courses to take out the new course during the first week of training. This ensures that by the end of course, you already know dozens of people in the city.
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30 Customer Reviews of Language House Prague
Review by Alexandra Ashley, September 2, 2010
I attended the Language House’s TEFL program nearly three years ago and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and welcoming and the school becomes your international family. I felt entirely prepared to walk into a classroom by the end of the course because I was extremely confident in my English grammar and lesson planning abilities. The course was organized, well thought out and practical. Not only did I come out a strong TEFL instructor, but I had a great time in the process. After spending nearly two years abroad teaching I have returned to the states to get my masters in International Education, something I would not have thought about doing had I not attended the Language House. I recommend this school to anyone considering teaching abroad with no hesitation.
Review by Gordieh, September 3, 2010
Took the course in February and had the most wonderful experience, definitely challenging…but all great things are!
Review by Diane, September 3, 2010
I attended The Language House TEFL course in January 2008 and was extremely pleased with the result. More than many other courses, The Language House course focuses on teaching practice and mastering the fundamentals of teaching. This course consistantly produces qualified, engaging teachers who are able to adapt to many different teaching styles and situations.
Further, as someone who has gone on to recruit and hire teachers, I have found graduates of The Language House to be better prepared than most to the rigors of teaching. From grammar to lesson planning to classroom management, The Language House delivers the full package.
On a more personal level, the school does a great job of giving new teachers a sense of community and connection with Prague and the TEFL world. The network of Language House graduates spans the globe and can be a great source of information and experience.
I whole heartedly endorse The Language House and encourage anyone who is considering a TEFL career to seek it out.
Review by Jamie States, September 4, 2010
I took the TEFL course at The Language House in August 2007. I learned many useful teaching techniques that I used in the following three years teaching overseas, and that I still use in my teaching career in Canada. The fact that The Language House is in one of the most beautiful cities in the world doesn’t hurt either.
I highly recommend this course to anyone.
Jamie States
Review by John Shoup, September 5, 2010
I took the TEFL course at The Language House in July of 2008 and it turned out to be a great choice. The teachers at the school were great at re-educating the English Language to native speakers in a simple manner. This was important because the simplicity of their lessons also gave us future teachers an idea of what a lesson should be like. The biggest advantage for me personally was the fact that we were teaching actual Czech students which helped me get over my fear of speaking and made it more than obvious what was not working in my lessons.
Also Amy Livingston, one of the observers when I was there, really helped and provided great feedback and teaching for me when I struggling to get my lessons across to the students.
I could not have chosen a better school to learn TEFL.
Review by Kate Doehring, September 5, 2010
I took the course in June 06 and was hired at a university in the Czech Republic before I even finished. I feel the TEFL course at the Language house not only prepared me to teach and helped me find a job, but the instructors went out of their way to ensure as much as possible that every student got the most out of their experience. Since taking the course the instructors have continued to provide help whenever asked for advice or letters of rec, even over 3 years after graduating from the course. I would highly recommend the course to anyone thinking of teaching English in the future.
Review by Cato Cook, September 9, 2010
I attended the Language House TEFL course in August of 2007. I found the program and instructors to be excellent. Since then I have been teaching English in Taiwan, and I know this course helped me get a job at one of the best schools in the city.
Review by Chris, October 1, 2010
I took the course at the Language House in 2008 and was very satisfied with my experience. The teachers were very professional and highly competent, and just as importantly, they were very approachable. The instruction I received was excellent, and the feedback helped mold me into a fine teacher. However, as I see it, the excellent education is merely part of what the Language House offered me. It can be very frightening to be in a new country embarking on a new direction in life, and the staff at the Language House seemed to intuitively know about what I and my classmates were dealing with. From matters as mundane as finding a cell phone to issues as serious as hospital visits and finding a job, the staff at the Language House were always professional, solicitous, and caring. It’s no coincidence that alumni of the program are so friendly and helpful – we take inspiration from the experiences we had at the Language House – its truly is a family. The touchy-feely stuff aside, the program is professionally run and did a great job of preparing me for the international job market – I would highly recommend the school to anyone considering a future in TEFL.
Review by Dexter, April 16, 2011
I am going to first get this out of the way, the other reviews listed here are significantly older(and seem glossed over) The Language House has changed a lot. Due to legal issues, it isn’t even called that anymore, its called TLH and they have changed location within Prague. I am going to try to be thorough as possible so here we go
Course Content-You learn a lot in a month, it is intense and they tell you that. Think of the stresses of finals week and a graduate level program, this will be your month. Its a lot of workshops and student teaching, but there is this sense that sometimes the course could be laid out better. Once student teaching begins, that’s all that seems to matter, but yet your going to these classes and wondering “I could be lesson planning.” Overall the content is solid, you learn a lot of methodology and teaching techniques.
Student Teaching- You get about 12 hours student teaching and a lot of observed teaching. There are a lot of factors influencing this part of the experience, what levels you teach, how natural of a teacher you are, the actual students and so on.
Feedback- Here is where I take issue, something TLH won’t tell you, but any person who has been teaching for a while is that you never become a perfect teacher and there is no perfect lesson. You get better, but its going to take more than 12 classes. Its the problem with these crash courses in general. Lesson planning and teaching techniques are important for a good foundation, but whats most important is connecting with your classes. To be fair its something they can’t teach, and something that can’t always happen. Its just unfortunate when it reflects in your grade that a middle aged Czech woman just does not care for you, no matter how much you improve.
Lesson Planning Guidance- You will know how to lesson plan inside out.
Instructors- Skip and Sanyam know their stuff. Chris owns TLH, but he is not always there. He wasn’t when I took my course, so I can’t comment on him. They definitely care about the course, and teaching in general. They will take care of you.
Job Placement- This can be a debate. Depending on what time of the year you show up, jobs may be a lot easier to come by. Don’t show up in the middle of a semester or during the summer expecting to find a job easily, unless your an EU citizen. TLH does not do much for job assistance though, they can give you a recommendation, but thats it.
Facility- TLH is now in a new location, its better, but the the school itself leaves much to be desired. Its claustrophobic at times and seems to be a converted apartment. The Wifi was problematic and they have some books, but they have seen better days.
Overall- TLH is a decent school, its hard for me to say anything better especially at the prices you pay. I would weigh all your options, that includes checking out other schools in Prague or dare I say take an online class for a fraction of the price. Just make sure its accredited and is not a mill.
Review by Matthew Houtsma, June 19, 2011
CORRECTED VERSION:
I received my TEFL certification from TLH in February 2011. My experience taking this course was extremely worthwhile despite my initial concerns regarding my trainability. I am over 50 and had not been to school in decades. However, in a most professional way, TLH quickly identified my strengths and weaknesses and customized my class work to address these issues. Hands on teaching experience at TLH, begins the second week of an intensive, but fun four week program. During this time, my instructors continued to monitor and review my teaching technique to help me sharpen my skills. Together, we discussed my strengths and weaknesses and they made helpful suggestions to help me sharpen my teaching skills. By the time I graduated from the course, I had all the tools I needed to teach any level of English. I go out there everyday and use these tools confidently.
Review by Leslie McDevitt Khan, September 16, 2011
Perhaps the most important course I’ve ever taken because not only did it give me all the tools I needed to teach English to all ages and levels, they placed me in a school in Prague where I started the greatest adventure of my life… that adventure took me on business trips to Viena and sailing in Croatia with my students, then 2 years teaching in Barcelona where I got married, on to Mallorca where I had my first child. All of it started with the month long TEFL course at the Language House.
It’s run by one of the greatest teacher’s I’ve ever had the privelege of learning from, and while it’s very rigorous, they drill grammar until you can explain it to any student, and give you hands on experience teaching in the classroom- more than any other course out there. Believe me, I’ve worked with many teachers who didn’t get any hands-on training and were not at all prepared to teach. By the time I finished the course, I had the skills and confidence to teach anywhere, to anyone. And knew how to make learning fun!
What’s more, they teach you Czech, provide you with excellent accomodations, and help you find a job anywhere in the world you want to go.
Start your adventure today. Sign up to learn TEFL at the Language House!!!
Review by Shannon lee, January 3, 2012
The language house was the best preparation I’ve had for teaching overseas. I am a certified teacher in Hawaii and the language house was on par with the teacher education training I received for my degree. They are knowledgeable, helpful, and so much fun to work with. I have used so many things from them with my students abroad and back home.
Review by Ian, January 4, 2012
If your interested in teaching abroad this is the perfect course for an aspiring teacher. The course is an intense four week course but the knowledge you learn from the in class practice lessons from awesome teachers is well worth it. The accommodations provided through the school are a great value and the location is very central for any site seeing you may want to do.
The feedback provided after your lessons with real Czech students really helps in learning the appropriate methods of teaching to use, and the students really enjoy this hands on interaction.
If anyone is interested in taking the TEFL at the Language house, feel free to email me with any questions…..!
Review by studentka, January 5, 2012
To be truthful I didn’t really know what to expect from a TEFL course, but The Language House managed to far exceed my non-expectations. The course was engaging and built up nicely from scratch, easing you into feeling comfortable at the front of the classroom right from the start, so that by the time we were teaching full lessons to actual students in the second week, it was already starting to feel like second nature. The teachers were amazingly friendly, helpful and also fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the lessons as well as learning everything I needed to know about teaching. Although it was sometimes exhausting, I felt like we had the support we needed at the same time as we were being pushed very hard. Everyone was always more than willing to help with teaching, practicalities of living abroad etc.
My complaint – because everyone has to have some pitfalls – is that I feel that the course did not put enough emphasis on how varied teaching is – it’s all very well to teach us ESA structure, and it makes a good base, but I find that I rarely stick to it in the real world, since almost every class or student wants something different. I also got no practice teaching from a textbook. I enjoyed creating all my own materials on the course – it taught me to be a creative teacher – but it didn’t prepare me very well for the reality of teaching. But a lot of that is personal; the course gave me everything I needed to start teaching, and there is certainly more to it than opening a textbook.
Also – and I think this is probably the norm in most schools – there was only one printer available, which was a nightmare with everyone clamouring to use it at once. But the location was good, and the course set us up with great connection to some of the biggest language schools in Prague – I got a job right out of the course.
If you’re going to do TEFL, I don’t think you could find a better place to do it. Highly recommended!
Review by Carrie M., January 20, 2012
This course goes above and beyond for their students. Any time you need help, they are more than willing to assist you. The teaching practice is amazing and I felt fully confident in having my own classes immediately after the course.
The work is hard, but for good reasons. If you work hard and do what is expected of you, in four weeks, they will mold you into an exceptional TEFL teacher.
The instructors are amazing, as are the resources.
I looked at numerous courses in Prague and I am so thankful that I chose this one. If you are going to take a TEFL course, this is the only course you should consider.
Review by Thomas LeGros, March 6, 2012
I cannot recommend The Language House highly enough! I attended the TEFL training in January ’06. Having never really taught before, I was quickly and painlessly (the classes are very engaging) taught all the skills I needed to be confident and effective in the ESL classroom. The course offers lots of useful theory, grammar and plenty of practice teaching to make it come to life. That course has paid for itself over and over again. Over 6 years and 4 countries later (I taught in the Czech Republic, Japan, Honduras, and now the US), I am now the head of the ESL department at Capitol City Careers, a vocational college in Austin, Tx. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t channel Chris Westergaard and his tried and true teaching methodologies. Now that I am in the position to hire ESL teachers, I would not hesitate to hire a Language House graduate! Kudos! Four gold stars out of four! Bravo!
Review by Courtney, May 12, 2012
I took the TEFL course with TLH in July 2010 and was more than satisfied with the training and instruction I received. It was rigorous, demanding, and thorough. It was definitely stressful because they require a lot of work from you but the end result is that you know beyond any doubt that when you graduate, you are ready for almost anything that could be thrown at you.
Apart from the excellent preparation, the sense of community within the Language House was one of its best features. This program provided most of my overseas family for the whole year that I was living and teaching in Prague. Everyone I’ve talked to who’s taken the course has made comments similar to this. The community is great and supportive.
When I went through there wasn’t much information given on the visa situation, which would have been INCREDIBLY helpful, and they don’t offer job placement so to speak, they offer the information for places where you can look for a job but the leg work for finding a job is on you. If you put in the work, you’ll be able to find a job in Prague, but don’t expect to be set up with a job on completion of the course.
I would recommend this course to anyone. It was a great experience, and I would choose it all over again if given the opportunity.
Review by Mhhhhgrewe, July 1, 2012
The TEFL course at the Language House has been a fantastic experience. The whole team starting the Chris Westergaard down the receptionist who gives out the teaching books available to you, are very friendly and extremely good at what they do. The knowledge each of the team has in their field (and in many other fields too) is overwhelming at first and later on, greatly appreciated, as they try to pass on as much of it as possible onto all who are willing to put in the effort and lap it up. The support you receive from the moment you decide to go with them is great. It starts with accommodation and airport transfers, through help with lesson plans and learning grammar rules, to mock job interviews and job finding. There are also the beginnings of the Czech Language thrown in too. An all round very positive experience with a certificate in my hand and a very good chance of a job within a month!
Review by kd92, July 28, 2012
This was an extremely intense course, but totally worth all the work! Lots of awesome and helpful instructors. Not only were the instructors great, but I was able to be meet loads of awesome people on the course. I’m incredibly sad that my time in Prague and with The Language House is coming to an end, but I would recommend this experience to anyone!
Review by William Miller, August 27, 2012
After spending a month in the July course, I have to say that I am incredibly impressed by the quality of The Language House’s TEFL course. The instructors are great teachers as well as great human beings; they really care about your progress as a TEFL teacher. It is a somewhat demanding course (esp. if you have not taught before), yet also rewarding. On top of this, I have met some amazing people and made some great friends through this course. It was a wonderful experience.
Though I say this without personal experience, I have the feeling that many TEFL programs churn out teachers without investing in your growth outside of the program, or even in it. TLH is an exception to this rule. Even when you have finished the course, the instructors (and owners) of TLH take a vested interest in your future success, and continue to provide support. In particular, the network of TLH alum that still reside in Prague is invaluable. The course is pretty well-known in the city, and it is not too difficult to find a job teaching in the city (should you decide to do so).
I have very little to complain about regarding the course. I highly recommend The Language House if you are considering being a teacher, either in or outside of Prague.
Review by Trevor Crosby, September 21, 2012
I took the course back in March and I was not as impressed as the other reviewers. Did I get a certificate? Yes. I did. Am I working? Yes, I came into the course with a job offer and work more than I want to, and even regularly turn down work. Do I enjoy my work? I LOVE IT! I’m having a blast, making great money, and enjoying what I do. In addition to teaching I do resume preparation and interview coaching.
As far as the course goes, I do not see the value in telling someone to plan a lesson with virtually no guidance or structure “do a lexus lesson, 7-10 words for upper intermediate” and offer no information about what an upper intermediate needs or knows already and then holds you accountable for the result without offering much in the way of guidance. Absolutely no time was spent on what grammar is taught at different levels. After 9 years of college! Ten years of teaching experience at the college level in a related field, and 15+ years of corporate trainings I felt clear guidelines were missing and that expectations were undefined and arbitrary. A few of the evaluators were judgemental in the extreme, and I have never been confronted by an observer in a classroom full of people when they felt that what was prepared missed the mark, especially since one would think their job was to ensure proper preparation within the guidelines. Two in particular often talked down to me or other people. While they were technically competent, their demeanor made them not fun to be around. My experience was that I felt like I had to be very careful not to trigger some outburst of judgement or dissaproval. At the end of the course I asked The Language House to explain how my grade was arrived at. I did not question the grade itself, I merely asked what it was based on, in other words, what percentages were from what components of the course. I was told it was a “subjective analysis of my performance.” Whatever that means. I think I know.
As far as support goes, anyone who needs support from most of the staff really isn’t setting their sights high enough. I will say the two nice ones were incredibly nice. One in particular didn’t respond to a request for information, which is too bad. I’m setting up a school where his family is from. So, if you’re attached to being in or working in Prague, you will get what you need. If you jump through the hoops. Best of luck to you.
Review by Kinsey W, September 25, 2012
It is a busy, hectic month course but by the time you graduate, you’re prepared to start teaching in the real world. The staff and teachers are amazing — thanks to their different backgrounds and experience you get a lot of opinions and advice for how to lesson plan, how to keep your class entertained, and what to do in Prague. The grammar part of the course is important and very valuable for a good TEFL course. Thanks the weeks of studying, I feel confident if a student or an employer asks for grammar clarification or help. The staff is very helpful once you graduate as well. They are always passing on information on schools hiring, advice on how to format your CV, and tips for ex-pat life in Prague. One of the nicest parts of the program is the help offered for getting your work visa. I highly recommend The Language House and hope this review helps!
Review by Laura, December 3, 2012
I took the Language House TEFL course in August of 2012. I would recommend this course to anyone considering teaching English abroad. It has been one of the best experiences of my life. The entire staff of the course was extremely helpful and there to answer any questions I might have during the course as well as after. The Language House also has many connections around the city to help with Visa applications, job placements and apartments. The four week course provided me the information, practice and confidence I needed to become an English teacher. After the course, I had no problem getting a job and still get job offers weekly. There is a very large community of TLH students still in Prague. I have met so may wonderful people through this group. I have absolutely no regrets coming here and taking this course. I know that my experiences here would not have been the same if I had picked any other course.
Review by Chastity, December 3, 2012
I took the course in August and found a job within a week of graduating. It was a lot of work, but I felt completely prepared to start teaching when it was over. From speaking with other teachers I have met since the course ended I am sure the Language House is the best choice. The staff not only prepares you for teaching English, but also completely guides you step by step through the transition process of moving to a foreign country. We had assistance with everything from finding a job to getting to know the city and meeting all the wonderful people in the TLH community. The staff continues to offer support after graduating and I remain close friends with a number of people I have met through the program. I would highly recommend this course and I am so happy with my decision to go with The Language House.
Review by Shannon Nichols, December 3, 2012
I took the course in August 2012, and I can say that I am 100% satisfied with my decision to do my TEFL certification with The Language House. Not only did I feel ready to teach in the real world, but I also gained a family within the TEFL community. The instructors were extremely knowledgable in the course content and in living in Prague (or abroad elsewhere). It is an intense month of lesson planning, teaching and learning, but after the four weeks are over you are very confident in your skills as an English teacher. The Language House staff are helpful not only during your course, but also after when you are a graduate. They constantly let students and graduates know about available jobs, will look over your CV and cover letter, help with your open card for public transit, and offer assistance for getting your visa.
After a lot of research of TEFL programs throughout the world, I chose The Language House TEFL because of what it offered, good past reviews from previous graduates, and because of the dedication that Chris showed when I was interested in the course. I can honestly say that The Language House was everything I had hoped it would be, plus more. The experience I’ve had here in Prague following the course has been incredible, and it all started with TLH.
Review by Andrea, February 27, 2013
The Language House provided me with everything that I needed in order to successfully teach english abroad. While the course itself is challenging and intensive, it’s worth it because you learn so much about methodology and grammar and feel competent by the end to teach all different kinds of levels. I found a job within two weeks of graduating the course thanks to letters of recommendations and referrals that wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t taken the course. I also have made life-long friends through the program. I would strongly recommend anyone who is considering to teach english in Prague to go through TLH. You will have one of the greatest experiences of your life!
Review by Emily, March 10, 2013
I can hardly imagine how lost I would be in Prague and in teaching without TLH. First, and most importantly, I would not have learned the skills needed to be a TEFL. THL and its staff provided a comprehensive, intensive, interesting, and completely relevant program. Everything was taught in depth from grammar to methodology, resources to lesson planning. Second, there was (and continues to be) so much support and guidance on all things Prague: living here, finding apartments, finding jobs, getting your visa, getting your transportation card, etc. etc. Third, my classmates continue to be my base group of friends here in the Czech Republic. I am completely prepared to work and live and teach in Prague.
All in all, TLH is a really, really great program. Highly recommended.
Review by Josie, March 11, 2013
I highly recommend this school to anyyone who is interested in getting TEFL Certified. In this school you will learn how to engage students to learn and enjoy doing it in a creative way…etc. Everything you need to learn to become a competent TEFL teacher is right here. I would like to thank Chris and Skip for directing this complete course. I would also like to thank the teachers and observers who taught and supported us through out the course. Once you join this school you are part of The Language House Alumni Family.
Cheers!
Review by Mackenzie Moylan, March 20, 2013
Lat year I took the The Language Hourse TEFL certification course in July, and I was thoroughly satisfied with the quality of course and my experience with it. The instructors for the course are fantastic. Chris and Skipp were great at helping us adjust to a new life abroad and a new career, making what could have been an extremely stressful month very enjoyable. The content of the course is great, it taught me some very important skills and lessons about teaching English to non native speakers, and I believe teaching would have been a lot more difficult for me without it. There are 12 hours of teaching to actual students provided during the course, which really helped prepare me to become a good teacher. The course instructors provided excellent feedback, which helped me to keep on improving on a weekly basis. I came into the course with a fear of public speaking, and I was able to graduate a solid amount of confidence when speaking in public. This is one of the skills that I have found to be one of the most critical that a TEFL teacher should possess. I was able to make some really good friends during my course, and they still remain my best friends here to this day. I believe this is one of the biggest strengths of this course, building friendships and helping people establish a sense of community in their newly adopted home. There are highs and lows during your time abroad, and to be able to have a solid network of friends and people willing to help makes a huge difference. As for job placement, I was able to find employment shortly after my course due to the respected name that The Language House has. They can’t promise you work, but if they provide you with plenty of resources and as long as you actually make and effort to follow their resources you will be fine. Overall I had a lot of fun during the course, and was able to learn a lot as well, I have no regrets about taking this course whatsoever. If you have any doubts, you shouldn’t because you will be in really good hands at The Language House.
Review by Joey Gomez, March 29, 2013
I attended the September 2012 TEFL course in Prague at The Language House (TLH), and I would highly recommend this course to people that are interested in receiving their certificate. The course is organized and set up very professionally. Also, TLH helped a lot with visa assistance and job placement. One of the things I liked most about TLH is the community that comes along with the program. You have the chance to make a lot of friends who went through the same program in previous months. The course is tough, so be prepared to work. But they do like to have fun too.
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