Job Discussion Forums

[stonethecrow]

I'd like to a share a bit about my first year teaching here. I'll try not to go on forever and include only the stuff that I would like to have known before I got here.

Firstly, about my job. I have taught adults (4 hours per week), teenagers (10 hours), business classes (6 hours) and individual lessons (5 hours).
Most of my classes went well, I got on with the students and they occasionally put up with my infrequent mistakes in grammar with good grace. They obviously didn't expect perfection. One class of teenagers was a nightmare but I think that's par for the course. As my boss said, the reason he started a language school was so that he didn't have to teach teenagers anymore.

The business classes have been a mixed bag. Sometimes they are eager, other times apathetic and irritating. Sometimes they have 5 weeks in a row with no cancellations, then they cancel 4 lessons in a row.

My boss has been fair. I've always been paid on time and never pressured into taking more classes than I wanted. The DoS has had trouble communicating in a tactful way with staff but she's not the demon headmaster. (McGregor Language Schools, if you're interested)

Secondly, the money/living situation. I've worked in Myslenice, a small town of around 40000 people, for nearly 9 months and get around 2300zl per month (after tax) for 25 hours, which includes an apartment. I share with 2 other people and it's furnished to a basic standard. We have all the stuff we need provided - microwave, oven, kettle, internet router, internet contract too, etc. I only pay bills which are miniscule in the summer (70zl) and only 30-40zl more per month in the winter.

This salary is easily enough money to live and travel on.

I have travelled to the mountains (Tatras, Bieszczady and Beskidy) countless times. Really, it's more than 10 times but less than 20, I can't remember. Also, to Israel/Jordan in winter break, to Wroclaw and recently to Lwow for a few days.
It's even enough to save (don't delude yourself into thinking you'll be able to save a lot in your first job in Poland). I've got about 8000zl in the bank, which I'm happy with.

On a day to day basis I've bought food from the more expensive supermarkets and eaten out at least once a week. Recently, I've been eating out 2/3 times a week because I can't be arsed to cook anymore!

Krakow is 40 minutes away on the bus. I personally wouldn't live any further from a big city as I'd get bored. Next year I'm hoping to live within 10/20 mins of either Krakow or Moscow.

I hope that was kind of useful. Any questions, just ask.

[dragonpiwo]

I'm not being facetious but how the hell do you live on 80Zl a day and travel and save 8,000Zl? You teach 100 hours a month for what is basically 24Zl an hour plus a 33% share in a flat rental.

OK no kids is a given. I'm assuming you don't drink, smoke, run a car, eat in restaurants (I don't include kebabs, milk bars and the like), need to buy clothes, electrical goods, stay in hotels, pay czynsz or blow dosh in Starbucks.

Seriously, that's 14 quid or 23 bucks a day in Europe. Horrifying.

[delphian-domine]

Stonethecrow, is it your first year in TEFL in general?

[Post Mortem]

Good to see things worked out for you, STC; thanks for sharing.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the same first-year experience.

Question: do you feel that being in small city/town was a factor?

[sparks]

And the insecure egomaniacs begin to ruin another thread which really has nothing to do with them...

[ecocks]

Well done, Stone!

Sounds like you had a pretty normal first year in.

From your last comments you are weighing going to Russia or staying in Poland so I am curious what sort of factors are on your mind in reaching a decision?

Do you feel you developed (in any of several different ways) as a result of your experience?

[ecocks]

[dragonpiwo]

I don't know if that comment was aimed at me. I just wonder how you can live on that? Small towns are cheaper sure but not that cheap. I was wondering if this was a subtle advert.

[ecocks]