Job Discussion Forums

[Mr T]

Hello teaching people,

I'm hoping that someone could help me out and provide me with a little information. There is a strong possibility that I will get a job at the Studium Jezykow Obcych Project in Gorzow Wielkopolski, in Western Poland. I have had correspondence with the school and it seems to be a nice place to work at, and the conditions of work do seem to be spot on.

Does anyone know something about this town or school first-hand that they could tell me before I commit myself to them for 9 months?

And also, does anyone have any advice for someone who has had one job offer that seems to be excellent, but feels that it might be a little foolish to rush straight into the first job they are offered?

Any helpful advice gratefully received,
Thanks
Mr T

[ellie]

I dont know anything about this school but in the past month I have applied for 8 jobs in Poland and have been offered 6 of them so far. I have one years experience and it appears that getting a job in Poland is not a problem. I think it might be a good plan to see what else you can get and, um, 'compare and contrast'. From what I've seen there are a lot of good jobs in Poland, but a lot of very very bad ones too.

[Will.]

Hi T
This place the SJO is the languages department of your local faculty of education.
Your pay will therefore be at an official rate and set hours. You receive a proper contract and will be working with experienced and qualified teachers of English, that is to say they will all have received at least a Magister ( 4years) in order to be teaching their subject. Be prepared to be questioned on the finer points of linguistics in your daily conversations. The staff will need to use you as a sounding board for their lack of local knowledge.
I worked in one for 2 years. Enjoyed every minute of it and thoroughly recommend it.
PM me for more details.
Will.

[dtomchek]

Hey man:

Well, I have been to the town a couple of times. They hold the Model UN there every year in March or April. It is a really nice town. There is a Teacher Trainer College we had one person at and another at the high school where the UN Conference was held.

Good size town with a Pizza Hut etc. It has a cinema that shows up to date movies. Good connections to Poznan and Warsaw. A bar there is owned by an English speaking guy so that is a neat place to hang out. Overall, you could do worse...even has an internet cafe above the train station...

Keep in mind it has been a couple of years since I have been there but I personally knew 2 people that did and they loved it there. One even extended beyone his original 2 year contract. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Dave

[Mr T]

Great!
Thank you all for your responses.

I ended up accepting the job after the weekend. It offered everything that you would need, free accomodation, decent pay and good support from the school. So I thought that it was worth taking the chance on it. From what you have said, it sounds like it was the right decision. The town sounds like it might be pretty good. Not too big, not too small, even a Pizza Hut! Just like home.

You wouldn't happen to know the name of that bar you mentioned Dave? Sounds like it might be a good place to start when I get over there.

Cheers for your help.
Rob

[dtomchek]

Hey,

No problemo mano. It has been 4 years since I have been there so I cannot name the bar. The guy who owns it graduated from the Teacher Trainers College there (guess he decided that owning a bar was more lucrative than teaching). If I recall, if you are walking from the center of town towards the cinema, it is on the right off the road a little about half way toward the Kino. Just ask around about the bar where all the teachers hang during the Model UN and the owner who speaks fluent English and someone there should be able to help. Congarts man!!!

[dtomchek]

Hey,

No problemo mano. It has been 4 years since I have been there so I cannot name the bar. The guy who owns it graduated from the Teacher Trainers College there (guess he decided that owning a bar was more lucrative than teaching). If I recall, if you are walking from the center of town towards the cinema, it is on the right off the road a little about half way toward the Kino. Just ask around about the bar where all the teachers hang during the Model UN and the owner who speaks fluent English and someone there should be able to help. Congarts man!!!

[Kevin Fletcher]

Interesting