The ITW is a small teaching event with a big impact. Each edition welcomes 8–12 guest teachers, who teach approximately 500 students in total, mainly home students but also international students. Every participating teacher is guaranteed at least 8 teaching hours, usually delivered in four teaching units for groups of up to 25 students.
The ITW takes place twice a year – in November during the autumn semester and in April during the spring semester. The language of instruction is English.
More than teaching
The ITW is not just about standing in front of a classroom. Guest teachers are welcome to attend their colleagues’ sessions, meet Czech academics working in the same or related fields, exchange ideas and discuss potential research or project collaborations.
And there is plenty to experience beyond the university, too. During your stay, you can visit our modern BALUO Application Centre, enjoy a welcome dinner in a traditional Czech pub and discover the historic city of Olomouc.
Internationalisation at home
The ITW was created as a tool for internationalisation at home and as a way of bringing real international experience into our students’ everyday learning. Once each semester, Bachelor’s and Master’s students replace their regular English class with a lecture, seminar, workshop or practical session led by an international English-speaking teacher.
These sessions form the core of the ITW, but guest teachers can also contribute to other courses related to their field of expertise, depending on the teaching topics they offer.
Erasmus+ teaching mobility
The ITW is primarily supported by the Erasmus+ programme. Teachers interested in participating are encouraged to check with their home institution whether they can receive an Erasmus+ grant for teaching mobility. To use Erasmus+ teaching mobility, your home institution needs to have an Erasmus+ Bilateral Agreement with Palacký University Olomouc.
We also welcome colleagues joining the ITW as part of Erasmus+ staff training. The friendly and supportive ITW environment is particularly suitable for young academics looking to gain their first experience of teaching abroad. Staff training participants can prepare one teaching topic and deliver it several times to different student groups. An Erasmus+ Bilateral Agreement is not required for staff training.
Who can teach at the ITW?
A good command of English (at least B2 according to CEFR) is essential for all ITW teachers who are non-native English speakers.
Interested in joining us or want to find out more? Get in touch with Bc. Viktorie Machalová (viktorie.machalova@upol.cz).
Please note that photographic and audio-visual recordings may be made during the ITW for reporting purposes of Palacký University Olomouc and may subsequently be published. Anyone taking photographs or recording video on behalf of Palacký University Olomouc will be clearly identified. You may ask them not to include you in the recording or inform them of your preference at any later time.
We look forward to welcoming you to Olomouc – and to experiencing your teaching!
