Job Discussion Forums

[kipper034]

Hi everyone,

I am an American who will be moving to Warsaw in August. Actually, I have been living in Wroclaw for 2 years because of a job at a Japanese company. But I decided to move on since I�ve been accepted to the Warsaw School of Economics for an MBA.

Here is the tricky situation. Since my firm has another branch 70 kms from Warsaw, I can only work part-time, 2 days a week to balance out the amount of school work and commute. Understandably, my income has taken a great hit. Hence, I would like to teach English (especially business English).

I do have some experience in teaching. When I was in college, I was a member of language exchange program and while in Wroclaw, I have had 3 private students. So, here are my questions:

1) I have no CELTA or any other teach qualification. However, since I have taught before, do you think that would be enough for me to land a job?
2) How would my candidacy as an MBA and my past experience of working with Polish people in an office, impact my employment potentials?
3) What would be the realistic salary?
4) Where do I start? I�ve been lurking here for a while and I understand that hiring is slow in summer. Should do I start emailing/calling these schools now? Or, when I move to Warsaw in early-late August, should I visit schools in person and hand out my resumes?
5) Luckily, I have no Visa problem thanks to my part-time job at my firm. However, do I still need a work permit if do get hired by a school? Am I even allowed to work for a firm and a school at the same time?

Sorry for the long post. If anyone can help, I really would appreciate it.

Thank you everyone,

[Richfilth]

I'm sorry to say that your situation doesn't look good. While there is a lot of Business English work out there for those who know what they're doing, a lack of relevant paperwork will prevent you from earning any decent money.

Without your own firm, you will not be able to invoice companies directly, and will therefore have to work through a school or settle for privates. Schools offer steady work, but at odd hours and for relatively low pay. Privates can pay better, but you need to find them AND keep them; they are not dependable, especially in summer months.

Without a CELTA you will not be competitive, and your experience isn't that great, so a school will not be willing to pay you more than 60PLN per hour (gross), if they have any work for you at all. Those without CELTA can find work, but usually through a network of contacts, which I presume you don't have since you're new in town.

It won't hurt to get in touch with as many schools as possible right now, to see where you stand and so that they can call you if need be, but if money is really tight then I would not count on your part time EFL income to help you much.

[sparks]

I would have say that in your situation you could fairly easily find work with a school. I have worked at a few schools where some of the teachers were American students at UW. They should be able to hire you without you paying much in taxes or social benefits. Like Richfilth says, don't expect anything that will make you want to quit your real job in the way of pay but I'm sure your business skills will help you. When you get here just wander from school to school wearing a decent shirt, pants and shoes handing out your C.V. and you should be able to find some hours starting from Sept. or Oct. at least.

[kipper034]

Thank you Richfilth and Sparks for your replies.

They are kind of contradicting though

As of now, my expectation is not high. I understand that I don't have adequate experience and I don't exactly know how to translate my private teaching experience to teaching a group of people. Actually, I didn't even know about the existence of business English courses until recently.

That's why I'm hoping that my candidacy as an MBA student and past business experiences in Poland will help. I mean, it's not like I'm completely foreign to teaching.

In terms of salary, I know I will not get alot. Thankfully part time job at my current firm will help out. If I can make about 2000-2500, I will be I think satisfied. Also, since I already have a visa (again, thanks to my current employer), hopefully there won't be much paperwork to fill out. I think this could be win-win situation for myself and the school (maybe not?).

[Richfilth]

[Pooledogg]

As a new teacher in Warsaw with no cert, you won't get much more than 60PLN per hour for a class,


I am celta qualified and earn about the same as do my colleagues. I asked for more at a recent interview and was turned down.

[Master Shake]