Job Discussion Forums

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

Just a small point : it does depend on having the right management, but I took on a lot of marketing duties in my old job that were there for the taking because no-one else was doing them.

Just changed career and moved into a job dealing with international marketing - it's in a medium sized Polish company, and I'm responsible for everything targeted towards foreign clients. It might not be in teaching, but teaching opened the doors. I still do a little bit of teaching for the management, but it's a handful of hours a week and the other 35 is spent on the main job.

ChuckMC fails to mention that he was working as a Callan teacher in the worst school in Bielsko-Biała, and then couldn't find anything worthwhile in Wrocław because he simply wasn't qualified. Perhaps he should look at himself as the failure and not Poland, because as most of us know - working hard *will* get you somewhere in Poland.

wojbrian · Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Posts: 178

I can imagine that a 250pl meal goes something like this. Smile

Appetizers = 50
Meal for 2 = 100
10-15 beers = 100

I am a non drinker so I do not have the expense of drinking.

I never ever spent that much going out but I didn't mind living on the cheap.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

With a wife and son it doesn't break down like that.

3 starters 60, 3 mains 150, 3 waters or cokes 18, 3 coffees 21 and if we have a bottle of wine (my son is old enough) add another 100 at least.

Single life is way cheaper obviously. However, the 5k a month if your lucky salary for a new guy (more likely 4) is nothing once you remove 1500 for rent.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

It's going on holiday as a family or visiting the UK which really hurts! Also once you get married, the endless name day, birthdays and other holidays. Also, most teachers really struggle from July to November since schools are closed from mid June to Mid October and as I found out last year, private business lessons also cancel for longish periods several times a year. It's really hard to make a living in Poznan and have a normal life ie car, house, dog, nice meal out once a week, a few beers now and again and SOME SAVINGS.

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

The SAVINGS issue is a big thing for the lifers, I believe. Unless you have something from back home or working somewhere else, your zloty savings ain't worth sh** considering that the 1100 you pay to ZUS every month will ensure you 800 zl a month in your old age, if by some magic it doesn't collapse in the meantime. Even putting away 2k zl. a month is only 500 dollars, not much.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

Dollars are the reserve currency and a good way to judge your earnings. I shudder to think where the zloty will be in 30 years time. Best to convert to dollars or pounds, currencies with a history of not being shite.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Where the zloty will be in 30 years is anyone's guess. Nothing too volatile predicted in the next 12 months at least. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/poland/currency/forecast

Aside from the Middle East, there aren't many countries where you can earn a good salary in terms of USD or GBP teaching EFL. Korea and Japan used to pay great, but those days are pretty much gone.

So I don't think Poland is significantly grimmer for TEFLers than any other country. If your aim is to save up money for retirement, you're best off avoiding TEFL altogether, or learning to live like the locals do (e.g. no 250zl dinners, cheap vacations to Greece or Eastern Europe, use public transportation, etc.).