Job Discussion Forums

[simon_porter00]

A quote from another thread.

This is often said about EFL in Poland, this thread however, is for the answers to not make it a shambles.

Is it as easy as going it alone i.e. being a freelancer? Finding that school or another option?

What would you do?

THREAD RULES**
Purposeful solutions/suggestions only.
Avoidance of the same tired old 'Poland thread' arguments is mandatory.

If the following two rules are not abided by I shall personally go to Poznan and dispatch drunk old ESL teachers ala Jack the Ripper.

[ecocks]

I know, and know of, people having a comfortable time teaching English in Poland. None are PhD's. None are wealthy from previous employment, etc. One or two work for schools, a couple of others work independent.

I'm choosing independent contractor route plus hoping for some part-time contract work with one or two decent schools if i can be in the right place ar rhe right time, maybe some camp work or intensive classes this summer.

[simon_porter00]

I think from the get-go, a year or two getting a 'grounding' at a normal school and then freelancing (obviously having made the contacts at the previous school) is the way to go forward.

What I really want to explore here is:
what would make the best business model for an individual who is teaching EFL in Poland.

I think some assumptions would be needed:
This person is ambitious
This person is prepared to work hard
This person is not averse to hiring people but that doesn't necessarily mean a 'school'

Or, the other way of looking at this is why the efl situation is in such a mess - is it as simple as the schools are money grabbing badly run organisations? If so, surely one well run, well paying school would clean up?

[delphian-domine]

[sparks]

[Infinite]

I must agree, this industry is in total shambles, but not just in Poland. There are many things one can do in order to help it out. I think Delphian pretty much covered all the bases. I'd just like to add, that the best way to change things, is to lead by example. Hiring teachers or simply helping each other out by not just networking but sharing knowledge, information and contacts.

[Master Shake]

I agree with Delph's suggestions.

I know I'll catch some flack for this, but it needs to be said as I believe it is the reason the industry is 'in shambles' (tho that's going a bit far):

Ambitious, driven, hard-working, business-minded, alcohol-abstaining types are not exactly flocking to Poland. The reasons: 1) Initial salaries are quite low 2) The market is already flooded with so many (albeit often dodgy) language schools 3) the Polish language is difficult and requires a large time investment just to get by 4) Poland enjoys/suffers from a reputation of being a land of cheap booze and babes.

In Asia, the salaries are relatively higher, the weather's better and the market is more open. Western Europe means higher salaries and a higher standard of living.

I know Simon, Delph, myself and others have managed to do well in Poland and that's great, but I wouldn't advise the type of person described above to come to Poland. Too many greener pastures elsewhere.

Of course, if someone had a good job lined up ahead of time, was absolutely dead-set on living here, or just wanted to give Eastern Europe a try, well, then carry on and move to PL.

[Infinite]