Monday's TEFL Prague Quick Tip

Happy Monday! :-)

This Monday's TEFL Prague tip is career-related and regards email etiquette in the Czech Republic.

It is absolutely essential when emailing language school members of staff to begin your email with a polite salutation, such as: "Dear [name]" or "Hello[name]". Don't just go jumping straight into the email subject content without first providing a clear introduction to the email, otherwise you will probably come over as rude and disrespectful. It's also important to sign off your email with a "Thank you" or a "wishing you a lovely day", or something similar.

Why?
Well, firstly Czechs tend to be very formal when it comes to communication in the workplace and Czechs will almost always address their Managers or other members of higher ranking staff with title first and then surname. This also translates over with email communication.
Secondly, emails lack the face to face expression and intonation which a meeting in person will have so by being polite in an email and using salutations, you are making sure that the tone of your email comes over as professional. The salutation sets the tone for the email.

You don't have to be too polite and formal all the time in emails as with over time you will become more familiar with the person you are in contact with. But still, after the time for "Dear [name]" has expired, it is best still to continue with a polite "Hello [name]" for subsequent emails.

The two following emails illustrate what would be considered impolite (1) and polite (2) examples of informal email communication:

1.
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Hey, was wondering when my new class starts next week. Jim.
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2.

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Hello Dasha.

Hope you are well.

I was wondering when my new class starts next week.
Thanks.

Jim.
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Hope it helps!

Hezky den!/Lovely day!

Neville :-)
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