Job Discussion Forums

[Albulbul]

I do not teach in Poland but travelled there extensively in the 1960's. One thing puzzled me then and continues to puzzle me. Why are Poles, generally, so bad at learning foreign languages ? This is a characteristic they seem to share with their neighbours to the East and South.

Why has Poland become so dependent on foreigners to teach English ? And how well is English taught in post-socialist Poland ?

[Mariana]

What do you mean bad at learning languages? When I worked there a couple of years ago, the standard of my students' English was excellent. Admittedly a lot of the older people in the streets didn't speak much English (at least, that was the case in Lukow, not so much the case in the touristy areas like Krakow and Gdansk etc) but that might have been more due to the fact that they had had less opportunity, or simply less inclination. I was thoroughly impressed by my students' fluency in English, and the speed at which they picked up new vocab and grammmatical structures.
Mariana.

[Agnes]

I find it outragous that you would make such a judgement considering that that last time you visited Poland was in the 1960's when back then the foreign language being taught was mostly Russian. Poles are hard working students and very motivated. Also they don't rely on foreigners to teach them English!!!! There are countless Poles with university degrees in English that teach the language but a teacher who was educated in Poland can teach grammar not conversation. Foreign teachers are an added bonus to Polish students who can hear the language being used by a native speaker.

Therefore I would suggest you visit Poland again you will definatly be suprised as to what you find there.

[bnix]

While I am not exactly outraged by your post,I would have to agree that if you have not been in Poland since the sixties...well,things obviously change.The Poles seemed to be doing fine when I was there in 1998-99,as far as learning English goes.And what makes you think they are more dependent than anyone else on learning English from foreigners?And what do you mean by their neighbors to the "South and East"?That is a bit ambiguous, to say the least.That covers a lot of territory.

Actually,I think most of your posts are right on the mark...but I think the one in question regarding Poland is a bit odd.But I would not go so far as to say it outrages me.After all, you are entitled to your opinion.

[Brooks]

well I teach in Japan, and I can say that Poles are certainly better at learning English than Japanese people.
Poland will join the EU soon so it makes sense for Polish people to learn English, especially if they want to travel or work in the EU.

[itslatedoors]

Poles are some the brightest,most motivated and nicest learners you'll ever encounter.I would also add that they are some of the prettiest.Sorry bnix ,I just could not resist.

[bnix]

I do agree with him that there are many beautiful Polish women(students amd nonstudents).Same for Czech...or any part of the world for that matter.Although,in my opinion(obviously some people agree and some don't)...it is better to just keep a professional attitude in the classroom .And take your social,etc. life outside the classroom.Why get involved with the students?

While obviously there is nothing wrong with simply admiring beauty,that is a far-cry from some of the sexist,disgusting remarks made in the original thread on this subject(i.e. a fine p---- of Polish a--)made by one of the posters in that thread(not "doors" statement...another poster.)

I doubt there are many people who would say there is anything wrong with just"looking"...although in some areas of the world,of course,they do not even want you looking at their faces......

[run-jp]

some of the sexist,disgusting remarks made in the original thread on this subject(i.e. a fine p---- of Polish a--)made by one of the posters in that thread(not "doors" statement...another poster.)

Bnix said. I know the feeling... makes you wonder why seemingly bveteran teachers start threads with inflamtory remarks. Of course Cent/East euro forums look thin and stale compared to Korea which is always hoppin' with
"and the 3 of us went into the school janitors closet on, turned over the mop bucket and..." its better than any reality show at imes...though i admit korean forum talks about culture, etc. too. Other sparse forums have been "updated' with not really up to date posts. Of course, whats new to say about Paris?... "bring your EU passport & work for peanuts" ...so i wonder about some prolific posters. Arethey insomniacs or have "agendas"? for a few months now i always check this forum, since I know there are some good vet T's at least lurking here. It has helped me figure out I ll get my next job in Poland (here and cos of some stories at www.rfi.fr recently) Here, i get the feeling that some say just what they have seen. saying what you see /believe can get you "kaput" !! as recently happened to a comrade in Warsaw whom I think of as
N a s z Star-i Com rad e since so many folks know him.
though he says warsaw is Safe He had a kinda brawl w/ ...an American, no less. It was AW-Ful!! his girl friend said it was EF-el !! (her accent I guess). My stary, stary comrade may just y retire from saying what he thinks...it appears... for now, as it seems these cases of "swallowed tongue" happen and are hard to rectify. I will miss Na-sz Comrade spouting off all the time . at least he can still mail folks. So everyone take care of your throat this spring so you dont succumb to this illness and become all too star zy star zy przyjaciele!!!

[XXX]

Hey, I look on my year in Poland as one of the better times of my life. True, I made more in Korea and I make more now here in the US, but there I saw unsoiled Europe. The people I taught and taught with were some of the finest I have ever met. Do yourself a favour and spend a pleasant year in Poland.

[Brooks]

yeah I had a good year in Poland too.
I don`t miss being paid late, but I had an enjoyable time.
Not all of my students were serious, but many were very hard working.
Some didn`t know what they wanted to do, but felt that if it would be helpful if they had a degree in English.
Now I am in Japan with a good salary, but Poland has something that Japan lacks. But soon I can go on vacation and visit Germany, Warsaw, and Krakow. I am lucky that I can get away from Japan three times a year. Soon I will be wandering around the old town in Krakow, and drinking Zywiec (or something) in Warsaw.