Job Discussion Forums

[nickc88]

Hi all, I'm a long-time reader, first time poster. I have a few questions which I tried to find specifically by reading other threads but couldn't get a good grip on.

First, some background: I'm 27, male, teacher with BA, MFA and CELTA certification. I've taught ESL in NYC & Montreal. I'm also a published novelist. My resume is pretty strong I think, with good experience and qualifications for my age. *I know that Poland is not the highest playing place and I don't particularly care. I want to go for the culture and experience, not for the money. I make enough money with my gigs in NYC.*

I want to go to Warsaw for a semester here, a semester there type of approach. From what I've read, the main problems will be: that rather than getting one single contract with a school, I'll have to do gigs for different appointments through different schools. I want to try and avoid this and find one single 20-30 hour contract. How likely is this with prior experience? Or do you necessarily *have* to build up a schedule through different appointments? What would you say is the ratio of teachers who have a contract with one school compared to people traveling to appointments in different areas each day? Which is more common?

Now, financially, I've read that you can make about 4000pln a month if you find a contract. How much does this vary? Also, I read in some of the other threads about how little this is, blah blah, and how you can't live in a European city in 15-20USD per day - nonsense. I plan on finding a room in the center (I'm used to living with roommates) which a friend told me runs about 1500pln per month, so as long as the salary is around 4000pln per month, or thereabouts it seems okay. I completely understand that if I wanted to make and save a lot more money I should go to the Middle East or Asia. I'm not interested in doing that right now so I don't want that to be a part of the discussion. I'm more interested in learning about the payscale as it relates to the cost of living there.

My last question is about getting a visa sponsorship. If you don't find a full time contract, how does it work regarding each school to sponsor you for work for their clients? Do you have to only get one visa, or do you have to get a visa with each school that gets you private appointments?

Okay wait one more question - I also read that the semester starts in September and January. So if you're looking for work, you should realistically plan on coming over either in August or December, correct? Or could you come in January and still find work for that semester?

Thanks for your replies!!

[spiral78]

[mitsui]

If you can get a visa, then it is OK.

[ManOfTwoLands]

Frankly I don't see that the qualifications matter much. There are people teaching in Poland with zero qualifications earning 3,000 - 4,000 Zloty. I don't think the TEFL market needs people with impressive resumes. And maybe some of the more experienced members of this sub-forum can correct me if I'm wrong on this but I think Polish schools generally prefer candidates with an EU passport.

[spiral78]

The EU passport means that visas are unnecessary, so definitely preferred. That said, there are numerous non-EU member citizens working in the region; it's legally feasible so long as they and their employers don't mind jumping through the legal hoops- unlike in most of Western Europe.

[dragonpiwo]

ManofTwo has it right. Qualifications never meant Jack in Poland unless you wanted to be an underpaid DOS.

[sparks]

Agree with all of the above. Getting Americans legal in Warsaw is a particular hassle right now because the immigration office is incredibly backed up. it takes at least around 6 months to even think of getting your residency card. I really don't see why a school would hire you for only a semester. Your best bet would be to just come and do privates, overstay your visa and leave, you might get a small fine or something at the airport. Working legally on a semester to semester basis as an American is basically a no-go unless you just do a runner.

[spiral78]