Why did you decide to become a Czech language teacher, and how did you end up on that career path?
I first came into contact with teaching Czech to foreigners whilst I was at university, through an optional module. I then started working at the Centre for Foreigners in the South Moravian Region, where I taught courses ranging from level A1 to B2.
Do you have any experience of living abroad?
Yes, a year after my A-levels, I worked abroad – in Norway, England and Poland. After finishing university, I went on a graduate placement to Daruvar in Croatia, where, amongst other things, I was able to teach at a Czech primary school.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I enjoy art and culture — I go to the theatre, the cinema and art galleries, and I enjoy reading. I like meeting up with friends and often go on trips into the countryside and on mountain hikes.
What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?
I enjoy the fact that working in education generally has a very strong and tangible impact on people’s lives. It always gives me a sense of fulfilment to know that I can genuinely help someone. This is doubly evident when teaching Czech to foreigners — students often need to integrate into society quickly, and the language can be a crucial aid in this.
What’s been your best experience as a teacher?
I don’t have one particular highlight, but rather a whole host of wonderful moments. Many of my former students are brilliant people, and we didn’t just see each other on the courses – we often went for a beer or to the theatre together, for example.
Which teacher has inspired you the most in your life, and how?
The person who influenced me the most was my form teacher at secondary school. He always treated us fairly and honestly; I felt that he cared about us, and he was more of a mate than an authoritarian teacher. He grew up in a children’s home and had been through hell in his life, yet he was brimming with enthusiasm and optimism. To this day, he remains an inspiration to me, both professionally and personally.