Job Discussion Forums

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

hi i have also posted on the newbie forum but i thought i would be more specific here...

if i have an unrelated degree (IT)
and a cert...
but NO teaching experience bar what is in cert...
no EU passport either...

am i DREAMING?

im really interested in poland its just... im new to this

can anyone help me out?

patrykt · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 51

You should be okay. I'm a medical technologist with a TEFL certificate and didn't have any trouble finding work in Poznan six years ago. Granted, times change but I think you should still be able to find decent work. Also, Poles don't get hung up on non-EU passports, it's kind of nice.

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

thanks for your reply... glad to hear that someone else had been able to do it... i think poland would be the way to go if i dont go to asia... was it hard to settle in? did anyone else go here as a first ESL experience with no experience? are the people fun?

patrykt · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 51

It's me again. It's sounds like you're writing my biography. I went with no experience, but I did have a job before I got there. Do you know anything about working in Poland and the whole work visa ordeal? Can I assume that you are from North America? If so, you will need to have your work visa before reaching Poland. They'll let you in as a tourist if you don't have one, but to legally work you need one. This is very important.

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

im from australia... i havent really checked out the whole visa thing yet... i know a couple of EU countries have a under 30s work visa option available as they kind of swap with australia.. but yeh... i will have to find a job before i go... i dont think formy first go i could jump out there with out a little security... but thats heaps for your help... where did you find your job by the way?

patrykt · Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 51

My Polish professor in Seattle lined it up for me and I must admit that I've never liked a job as much as this one. I would certainly apply for jobs found here in Dave's, but you could also network a bit. For example, I could put you in touch with Program Bell in Poznan. I used to work there and the owners are three very nice ladies.

http://www.program-bell.edu.pl/menu/work.html

Check it out!

jillybabe · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

thanks for that! checking it out now...
although it is a while before ill be going... Sad

giddy82 · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 7

hey... many schools only require an undergrad degree (in anything) and a tesl certificate. you should get your visa beforehand, but if you don't... just don't get caught. it's very possible to teach without any experience as well. and at the school where i was working (which turned out to be a disaster), we were all promised visas but were never afforded them. thus, we worked illegally and so long as you're not found out by the government, it doesn't really seem to matter. just beware that if a school wants to hire you though you don't have experience, make sure they're not a totally dodgy school, like many in poland!

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553