Job Discussion Forums

[Gregor]

Again, listen to the people that sound reasonable.
On the "heavy schedule" side, we have Vanislander. We do NOT have sweetsee, unless you, OP, think he sounds reasonable and sympathetic and understanding. I doubt that you do, but if so, there you are.
I agree with Vanislander, BUT it's a matter of personal preference. I would NOT suggest jumping into the deep end, as I did in my first job (I just took the first thing that I was offered - I HAD TO WORK, and right then). If you, personally, are that kind of person, yes, it will help you grow.
But I'm more in the Justin/denise camp (always at the very least consider what denise says, even if you ultimately reject her advice - hers truely is the voice of reason). You will have that sacred first contract finished, and I'll go one further - it's FAR better to do the easy one, finish it on a positive note, have more confidence that you can do the job and so on, than to do the tough one (again, not for ME, but 30 hours a week is tough even for some veterans).
With the tough one, you might get so discouraged that you won't finish the contract and then you will still need to get a FIRST job again...if you even WANT to at that point. Sure, you may learn a lot and develop as a teacher...but you're new to this, right? You want to make a career of this, at least for a few years, right? You don't yet know how well you will adjust to the classroom, right?
All of those were true for me. I now love my job and I do quite well, I think, as a teacher. But I did not take to it naturally. It took me a long time to settle into it. I would have done a lot better if I could have gone a bit slower.
Take the easy one for your first gig, unless you KNOW that you will just go in there with guns a'blazin'.

[JonnytheMann]

Dear OP --

Thirty teaching hours is a lot. It's really quite a lot. Unless you know you're the kind of person that likes to work all the time (including Saturdays), I'd take the easier job in the small town. That job isn't going to be "easy". You going to be struggling with the Polish language, a new life in Europe, anti-Americanism, homesickness, etc. You also be learning how to teach ESL for the first time, plan language lessons for the first time, and manage an ESL classroom. Also, I don't know how old you are, but if you're around my age (23), you probably like to go out and have fun. Do you really want to give up your Friday nights?

As far as professional development, I think the job in the small town will give you plenty. I mean, experience is experience. Even if you're teaching less hours, you can spend time planning and exploring the world of pedagogy.

I say get into the shallow end instead of jumping in the deep end. Plus, if you really want more hours in the small town, I am sure you'll find people to give private lessons to, right?

Good luck either way, man!

[guty]

Be honest with yourself. There is more to living abroad than the job.
Is a year in a small town with few English speakers and probably very little to do in your free time what you want? If you want to learn the language maybe.
Working in the larger school and larger city you will have more distractions and more people to do them with. Learning how to balance work and play is also an important skill.
Listen to all the advice from all the posters here, but remember, living abroad is a package, it is 24/7, and even on a 30 hour week, that leaves a lot of time for other things.

[laugh2]

I have decided to go with the small school in the small town. Thank you all for your thoughtful and generous responses. They really helped me sort my priorities.

[Stosskraft]

Good for you !

I hope you enjoy your time in Poland and make sure to tell us what your first couple of months are like.