Although a good plan is the key to smooth travels, different trips require different kinds of preparation. Generally speaking, there are some tips that are suitable for any kind of journey:
- Have a good night’s sleep before setting off
- Make a plan for your breaks ahead (and stick to it!)
- Bring healthy drinks and snacks with you
- Monitor your posture (especially if driving)
- Keep your brain active (listen to audiobooks or upbeat music)
But if you are getting ready for a long-term trip, you need to pay special attention to packing.
An increasing number of people are attracted by a digitally nomadic life. Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) allows individuals to leave their stable jobs behind and work anywhere in the world. Whether you decide to teach English online or in-person, you’ll be able to travel abroad, explore fascinating countries, and experience local cultures.
Let’s have a look at what you should pack when TEFLing abroad.
Travelling essentials
- Documents, including passport, bank cards, original copies of your qualifications. Remember to save a digital copy of all your documents on a cloud-based storage platform.
- A guidebook to give you tips on where to go and what to see. We are used to having useful information at our fingertips. But the advantage of a guidebook is to have everything you need to know in one place, readily accessible, with or without internet connection.
- A phrasebook to avoid feeling like a fish out of water. For the same reasons as mentioned above, a compact phrasebook can help make your first contact with the locals a positive experience.
- Tech, like laptops and phones. It’s unlikely that you’ll forget those, but remember their chargers! It’s worth getting a plug adaptor in your country, to avoid higher prices abroad.
Teaching essentials
- Whiteboard markers are a must. Always carry a few markers of different colours with you – you never know when you might need them.
- Mini-whiteboards are extremely useful if you teach online. They’re also a great tool to promote group-work in a physical classroom.
- E-readers are not essential, as such, but they can be very useful – whether you are going to work in an environment with plenty of teaching resources or not. It might seem just an additional and frivolous expense, but it is a time-saving investment for peace of mind.
- Other stationery, like paper clips, post-it notes, and blue tac, can help you organise your materials and make your lessons fun and engaging.
Everyday essentials
- Suitable clothing depending on the weather and culture of your host country.
- Some cash in the form of local currency or dollars, especially where the local currency is difficult to get hold of.
- Pictures of your loved ones, or anything easy to carry that reminds you of home. Anyone can feel homesick once in a while. Having something from home will help you feel better.
- Favourite snacks can be survival essentials for some. Depending on where you’re going, you might not find your usual crisps or biscuits. Take some with you to your new country!
Road trip in the Czech Republic
One of the most suitable European countries for a road trip is Czechia, formerly known as the Czech Republic. From the historic centre of Cesky Krumlov to the baroque buildings of Marianske Lazne, from the picturesque Karlovy Vary to the hustle and bustle of the capital city, Prague, this small country is an endless source of entertainment whatever your interests.
What do you need to teach English in the Czech Republic?
Like in many countries, holding a university is an advantage, so is being a native speaker of English. However, with a 120-hour TEFL qualification from an accredited provider and a near-native command of the language, anyone could be suitable to teach in this country.
Most schools are willing to hire new TEFL teachers, but many offer more. You could qualify as a TEFL teacher at the very school that can hire you, upon successful completion of your course. In this way, you would avoid a stressful job hunt and you would have the opportunity to train in the same setting in which you would work.
Where can you teach in the Czech Republic?
The most popular employers in this country are private language schools, where you would be teaching small exam classes, as well as Business English. The latter are carried out in-company, and you would be required to travel to the clients’ offices. In this instance, most schools will pay your travel expenses and account for travelling time between lessons in your timetable.
Teaching young children is also a very popular option in this country. These lessons should be packed with games and short activities. Teaching young learners requires endless patience and energy. Be honest with yourself about which age groups to teach.
Note: The Czech countryside is stunning and its small villages are charming, but there are more teaching opportunities in larger cities like Brno, Plzen and in the capital, Prague. Find information about TEFL jobs in the location you like before committing to a specific school.
Conclusion
There are many aspects to be considered when you decide to go on a road trip. Planning in advance is crucial to avoid unexpected problems. Packing should always be part of your planning to avoid disappointment, especially when going abroad for longer periods of time.
