education MBA programs in Prague include those previously mentioned—AAU, UNYP, and Prague College, offering an MSc—as well the CMC Graduate School of Business, Institute for Industrial and Financial Management, and University of Economics Prague. Online MBAs are an option for those who have the self-discipline required for distance learning. The London School of Business and Finance and American Public University have been praised on our message boards. • teFl ceRtiFicAtion Over the past twenty years Prague has been a Mecca for those who desire a good standard of living in exchange for giving a few lessons in their native language. A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification certainly isn’t required to achieve this but it certainly can’t hurt—and most language schools nowadays require them, not to mention diplomas and certifications are usually required to secure a work permit in the Czech Republic. TEFL certification is received following 100-plus contact hours with at least six hours of assessed teaching practice. Well-known TEFL-course “brands” include the CELTA (AKCENT awards this certificate) and the Trinity certificate (awarded in Prague by Oxford TEFL), but there are many other TEFL courses in Prague that are also internationally recognized and accredited. There are plenty of unprofessional, unscrupulous schools out there, too. A few caveats as you investigate the school or company offering that TEFL course: Be advised that it’s entirely possible to find a job on your own with certification and a little initiative—though your school may guarantee employment, and that’s fine, it’s probably not worth paying extra for. Before choosing a course, do plenty of online research and speak to alumni. Our message boards are a good place to find user reviews of TEFL courses and our directory lists a number of TEFL certifying schools. • ARt/photoGRAphy clASSeS The artiste abroad will feel very welcome in Prague. Though not a city known for its astounding collections à la Paris or Madrid, Prague’s Cubist legacy is still felt today and the Czech passion for modern design is evident citywide in visual ad campaigns, fashion and the numerous galleries and shops selling the oddball wares of up-andcoming artists. Should you like to join their ranks, the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (VŠUP) now awards an MA in visual arts that encompasses everything from book to boot design as well as the more traditional artistic pursuits such as glass-making and sculpture. Photography enthusiasts will find no better place to hone their craft than photogenic Prague. The Academy of Performing Art’s film faculty, FAMU, has recently instituted a program of study in English. Degrees include BA- and MA-level work; short-term study is also an option. Also offered is a new course in photography restoration. On the non-degree side of things, Studio PvM is a commercial studio that specializes in photography courses. Small classes are offered for all levels of skill and hands-on instruction given in portraiture, night photography, and landscape. Ceramic Studio Prague is another art space with regular classes. Muddum’s adult workshops focus on paper-making, bookbinding, handcrafting tea pots and other folk-artsy projects. Figure-drawing classes also take place throughout the year. • Film/ActinG SchoolS The Czech Republic has long been associated with the performing arts and numerous graduates of its Academy of Performing Arts have gone on to great acclaim. The academy has three faculties; the Film and TV School, Music Faculty and Theater Faculty. Beginning in 2011, the theater faculty (DAMU) has begun an MA program in English with acting, directing, and stage-design courses. The Prague Summer Theater School—a survey in puppetry, non-verbal comedy, and other alternative forms—is also organized by DAMU. The film school, FAMU, operates a summer program for foreign students, though the regular film school only gives lectures in Czech. Those with Czech-language proficiency are welcome to apply. The Prague Film School’s programs are all run in English and cover filmmaking, animation, documentary film, and acting for film. Students can opt for year-long semester and summer courses. The Prague Playhouse, dedicated to promoting English-language theater arts in Prague, conducts a variety of workshops in association with its Acting Studio. cookinG clASSeS Occasional and serious gourmets will find a number of options for boning up in the kitchen. The Pražský kulinářský institut has classes for both amateurs and professionals and aims to revive the culinary traditions of the First Republic. Atelier Culinari not only teaches cooking basics, but also gives instruction in food styling for a variety of media, and recipe translation. Instruction is given in a number of languages and classes are small; chef Vladislav Stuparic will travel. The Prague Culinary Academy, endorsed by Le Cordon Bleu, runs professional-track workshops in Czech and English and organizes culinary tours of Paris and other tasty locales. Plans for master classes are in the works. Prague’s critically-acclaimed restaurants are another place to go for gourmet learning. The Radisson Blu (SAS) Alcron Hotel takes students behind-the-scenes at its award-winning restaurant La Rotonde to learn how to cook three-course meals with its head chef. Classes include wine-tasting and dinner. The Zinc Master Class at the Hilton Prague Old Town focuses on Thai cuisine with sous chef, Chaiyasith Lam Srichom and executive chef, Ari Munandar. SaSaZu courses by chef Shahaf Shabtay let students in on the secrets of Southeast Asian cuisine. Chefparade and Ola Kala do culinary team-building and private parties for corporate clients in their respective studio kitchens or at the client’s choice of location. kiddie clASSeS Swimming classes are a big hit with both Czech and expat parents. English-speaking instructors staff the Riverside Sharks Swimming Club, which swims at Strahov Pool. Modrý Tygřík is another expatfamily pick and has courses for babies. Sport Academy runs summer swimming classes at Hotel Pyramida—the academy also offers all sorts of classes from judo to gymnastics—as does Swimming Andrea School of Sports for Kids. “Mommy & Me” classes in English are held at RC Andílek. Yoga Mom and Buddha Baby classes at Prague Yoga Studio are in English. The Muddum art space runs year-round artsand-crafts workshops for children, including pottery-themed birthday parties. Located on a beautiful complex near Beroun, the Velkostatek Tetín Equestrian Center trains budding jockeys. Closer to Prague and more suitable for small ones is Poni Škola in Stromovka park. The International School of Music and Fine Arts nurtures your little novice to maestro, with classes and group lessons for kids aged three to six. The Little Gym’s gymnastics classes enroll babies as young as four months. An organization devoted to bilingual families, Class Acts plans classes and social activities with Czech-English-speaking families in mind. Recent events include storytelling, a Bollywood dance class, and family yoga. dAnce clASSeS The First International Ballet School in Prague is the oldest and bestknown ballet school for children (and adults) in Prague. Only serious 104 | expats.cz survival guide www.expats.cz
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