In addition to the traditional course format in which students attend school in a particular city for a few weeks or months (known as ONSITE courses), ONLINE courses have recently surged in popularity.

But what are the pros and cons of ONLINE Courses?

ONLINE Courses (also known as 'Distance Learning Courses') allow you to work through the course on your own time and at your own pace. They are the most flexible format available, and are typically less expensive than other types of courses.

However, some Online Courses do not provide all of the same learning opportunities as Onsite Courses. In particular, some Online Courses do not offer an observed teaching component. If you are considering enrolling in an Online Course, make sure that it provides some element of observed teaching practice, and that you will be teaching actual non-English speaking students (and not just role-playing with other trainees).

In recent years, the Czech Republic has been one of the most popular destinations for aspiring English teachers. Since the end of Communism in 1989 and the country's accession to the EU in 2004, Czechs have had plenty of incentives to learn English. The result has been a large amount of English teaching positions for native speakers.

Recently, the job market has become increasingly competitive, but with a respected TESOL certificate, finding work should still be relatively easy.

The vast majority of foreign job seekers (and tourists) head to Prague - the cultural and economic heart of the country. Stunning architecture, museums, live music festivals, and lots and lots of great beer all make Prague a fabulous city!

Prague is generally inexpensive for westerners. Food, public transport, cinemas, cigarettes, and beer are all comparatively cheap, while clothes and accommodation are more in line with prices in Western Europe.

Below is a list of items that you should make sure to pack as you prepare for your teaching abroad experience...

- Your official Passport, and a photocopy of your passport* (which you should store in separate locations)

- Copy of your Health Insurance Information*

- Copy of your birth certificate* (this will help you obtain a new passport if yours is lost or stolen)

- Notarized copy of your University Diploma* (this might be necessary for a school’s hiring process)

(*A note regarding important documents – in case of an emergency, you should also leave a copy of each of the above with a trusted friend or family member,)

- Bring nice, somewhat conservative clothes for teaching, interviews, and daily life. Different cultures have different expectations about dress, and very flashy, risqué, or worn-out clothing may be considered inappropriate or offensive. In addition, overly fancy dress might bring you the unwanted attention of pickpockets.

- Bring at least some multi-seasonal clothing. Even though a region might be known for its sunshine and beaches, chances are it also sometimes experiences bad weather, for which you also need to be prepared.

-Finally, you probably DO NOT need to bring large amounts of teaching books or supplies. Pack a few key materials and plan to obtain anything else you need when you arrive. You might also want to throw in some English-language books or magazines for personal reading.

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