18.06.2013 Views

p17tb85kpn4am1jcl1n5h13maat24.pdf

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

education<br />

MBA programs in Prague include those previously mentioned—AAU,<br />

UNYP, and Prague College, offering an MSc—as well the CMC<br />

Graduate School of Business, Institute for Industrial and Financial<br />

Management, and University of Economics Prague. Online MBAs are<br />

an option for those who have the self-discipline required for distance<br />

learning. The London School of Business and Finance and American<br />

Public University have been praised on our message boards.<br />

•<br />

teFl ceRtiFicAtion<br />

Over the past twenty years Prague has been a Mecca for those who<br />

desire a good standard of living in exchange for giving a few lessons<br />

in their native language. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign<br />

Language) certification certainly isn’t required to achieve this but it<br />

certainly can’t hurt—and most language schools nowadays require<br />

them, not to mention diplomas and certifications are usually required<br />

to secure a work permit in the Czech Republic. TEFL certification is<br />

received following 100-plus contact hours with at least six hours of<br />

assessed teaching practice.<br />

Well-known TEFL-course “brands” include the CELTA (AKCENT awards<br />

this certificate) and the Trinity certificate (awarded in Prague by<br />

Oxford TEFL), but there are many other TEFL courses in Prague that<br />

are also internationally recognized and accredited. There are plenty<br />

of unprofessional, unscrupulous schools out there, too. A few caveats<br />

as you investigate the school or company offering that TEFL course:<br />

Be advised that it’s entirely possible to find a job on your own with<br />

certification and a little initiative—though your school may guarantee<br />

employment, and that’s fine, it’s probably not worth paying extra for.<br />

Before choosing a course, do plenty of online research and speak to<br />

alumni. Our message boards are a good place to find user reviews<br />

of TEFL courses and our directory lists a number of TEFL certifying<br />

schools.<br />

•<br />

ARt/photoGRAphy clASSeS<br />

The artiste abroad will feel very welcome in Prague. Though not a<br />

city known for its astounding collections à la Paris or Madrid, Prague’s<br />

Cubist legacy is still felt today and the Czech passion for modern<br />

design is evident citywide in visual ad campaigns, fashion and the<br />

numerous galleries and shops selling the oddball wares of up-andcoming<br />

artists. Should you like to join their ranks, the Academy of<br />

Arts, Architecture and Design (VŠUP) now awards an MA in visual<br />

arts that encompasses everything from book to boot design as well<br />

as the more traditional artistic pursuits such as glass-making and<br />

sculpture. Photography enthusiasts will find no better place to hone<br />

their craft than photogenic Prague. The Academy of Performing<br />

Art’s film faculty, FAMU, has recently instituted a program of study<br />

in English. Degrees include BA- and MA-level work; short-term study<br />

is also an option. Also offered is a new course in photography<br />

restoration. On the non-degree side of things, Studio PvM is a<br />

commercial studio that specializes in photography courses. Small<br />

classes are offered for all levels of skill and hands-on instruction given<br />

in portraiture, night photography, and landscape. Ceramic Studio<br />

Prague is another art space with regular classes. Muddum’s adult<br />

workshops focus on paper-making, bookbinding, handcrafting tea<br />

pots and other folk-artsy projects. Figure-drawing classes also take<br />

place throughout the year.<br />

•<br />

Film/ActinG SchoolS<br />

The Czech Republic has long been associated with the performing<br />

arts and numerous graduates of its Academy of Performing Arts<br />

have gone on to great acclaim. The academy has three faculties; the<br />

Film and TV School, Music Faculty and Theater Faculty. Beginning<br />

in 2011, the theater faculty (DAMU) has begun an MA program in<br />

English with acting, directing, and stage-design courses. The Prague<br />

Summer Theater School—a survey in puppetry, non-verbal comedy,<br />

and other alternative forms—is also organized by DAMU. The film<br />

school, FAMU, operates a summer program for foreign students,<br />

though the regular film school only gives lectures in Czech. Those<br />

with Czech-language proficiency are welcome to apply. The Prague<br />

Film School’s programs are all run in English and cover filmmaking,<br />

animation, documentary film, and acting for film. Students can opt<br />

for year-long semester and summer courses. The Prague Playhouse,<br />

dedicated to promoting English-language theater arts in Prague,<br />

conducts a variety of workshops in association with its Acting Studio.<br />

cookinG clASSeS<br />

Occasional and serious gourmets will find a number of options for<br />

boning up in the kitchen. The Pražský kulinářský institut has classes<br />

for both amateurs and professionals and aims to revive the culinary<br />

traditions of the First Republic. Atelier Culinari not only teaches<br />

cooking basics, but also gives instruction in food styling for a variety<br />

of media, and recipe translation. Instruction is given in a number of<br />

languages and classes are small; chef Vladislav Stuparic will travel.<br />

The Prague Culinary Academy, endorsed by Le Cordon Bleu, runs<br />

professional-track workshops in Czech and English and organizes<br />

culinary tours of Paris and other tasty locales. Plans for master<br />

classes are in the works. Prague’s critically-acclaimed restaurants<br />

are another place to go for gourmet learning. The Radisson Blu (SAS)<br />

Alcron Hotel takes students behind-the-scenes at its award-winning<br />

restaurant La Rotonde to learn how to cook three-course meals with<br />

its head chef. Classes include wine-tasting and dinner. The Zinc<br />

Master Class at the Hilton Prague Old Town focuses on Thai cuisine<br />

with sous chef, Chaiyasith Lam Srichom and executive chef, Ari<br />

Munandar. SaSaZu courses by chef Shahaf Shabtay let students in on<br />

the secrets of Southeast Asian cuisine. Chefparade and Ola Kala do<br />

culinary team-building and private parties for corporate clients in their<br />

respective studio kitchens or at the client’s choice of location.<br />

kiddie clASSeS<br />

Swimming classes are a big hit with both Czech and expat parents.<br />

English-speaking instructors staff the Riverside Sharks Swimming<br />

Club, which swims at Strahov Pool. Modrý Tygřík is another expatfamily<br />

pick and has courses for babies. Sport Academy runs summer<br />

swimming classes at Hotel Pyramida—the academy also offers all<br />

sorts of classes from judo to gymnastics—as does Swimming Andrea<br />

School of Sports for Kids. “Mommy & Me” classes in English are held<br />

at RC Andílek. Yoga Mom and Buddha Baby classes at Prague Yoga<br />

Studio are in English. The Muddum art space runs year-round artsand-crafts<br />

workshops for children, including pottery-themed birthday<br />

parties. Located on a beautiful complex near Beroun, the Velkostatek<br />

Tetín Equestrian Center trains budding jockeys. Closer to Prague<br />

and more suitable for small ones is Poni Škola in Stromovka park.<br />

The International School of Music and Fine Arts nurtures your little<br />

novice to maestro, with classes and group lessons for kids aged three<br />

to six. The Little Gym’s gymnastics classes enroll babies as young<br />

as four months. An organization devoted to bilingual families, Class<br />

Acts plans classes and social activities with Czech-English-speaking<br />

families in mind. Recent events include storytelling, a Bollywood<br />

dance class, and family yoga.<br />

dAnce clASSeS<br />

The First International Ballet School in Prague is the oldest and bestknown<br />

ballet school for children (and adults) in Prague. Only serious<br />

104 | expats.cz survival guide www.expats.cz

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!