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gicor
Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 11:26 am Post subject: A Million Questions |
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I know you have probably answered all of these before, so I will try and keep it brief.
I am looking to move to Poland some time in the next six to eight months and hopefully get work teaching English in the autumn of 2007. I need to qualify first and the best place to do this looks like the IH centres. I am interested in the courses at Krakow and Wroclaw. Does anyone have any experience of them?
How hard is it to actually get a job once qualified? I already know exactly where I want to live and am therefore limited in the number of schools which would suit me. If a vacancy appears, how much competition is there?
How vital is a first degree? I left university after two years due to unmanagable debts and have no degree.
Is it easy to find private students? Would it be reasonable to expect to do around six hours a week of private lessons? Would it be reasonable to expect a school to pay 35zl per hour and provide 20+ hours per week? How much would be taken in tax?
I have some savings, and with teaching plus my savings I would expect to have an income of around 6000zl per month with no mortgage or rent to pay. What kind of lifestyle would this allow considering I have a wife and two children under four? Would we struggle, be comfortable or be comparatively well off?
Some example prices would be useful. Utilities, entertainment, petrol, internet access, running a car.
What is Poland like as a place to live? What are the services like? Health, Education, Crime? Is it easy to get English TV, especially football?
Finally, for those of you who, like me, had either a very limited amount of Polish or none at all, how easy is it to learn the language? Are there many schools which offer Polish lessons?
This will be a permanent move for my family, so as much information as possible would be appreciated. Apologies for such a long post. |
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slodziak
Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 143
Location: Tokyo
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:26 am Post subject: |
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Hi Gicor - I hope this post can answer some of your questions,
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| I need to qualify first and the best place to do this looks like the IH centres. I am interested in the courses at Krakow and Wroclaw. Does anyone have any experience of them? |
I don't have any firsthand experience of them but by all accounts the courses offered by IH in Wroclaw and and Krakow are as good a quality as you will find anywhere. IH still has a strong reputation in Poland (although in cities like Katowice it's taking a bit of a knocking). I know several colleagues who would vouch for the programmes at these schools.
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| How hard is it to actually get a job once qualified? I already know exactly where I want to live and am therefore limited in the number of schools which would suit me. If a vacancy appears, how much competition is there? |
It very much depends on the time of year you wish to work. In cities like Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk and Lodz you should always be able to find something all year round but most vacancies become available in September. As a newly qualified teacher you may find the search a bit tougher but I would be very surprised if you couldn't find anything in one of the major cities.
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| How vital is a first degree? I left university after two years due to unmanageable debts and have no degree. |
A degree looks good but not having one shouldn't pose any kind of problem for you (unless you want to work in a University). The CELTA is worth more than a degree if you want to teach English in Poland.
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| Is it easy to find private students? Would it be reasonable to expect to do around six hours a week of private lessons? Would it be reasonable to expect a school to pay 35zl per hour and provide 20+ hours per week? |
There are many threads on this page providing excellent information and advice on what you can expect where. It seems that anything less than 50PLN an hour (before tax) in Warsaw would be bad. Outside of Warsaw I guess you are being realistic at starting at 35PLN an hour although that sounds a bit low to me. Again it depends on the area - maybe someone else will be able to give you better advice on that. In Katowice a starting hourly wage is around 40PLN.
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| How much would be taken in tax? |
Tax rates are stiflingly high in Poland. As you will be among the higher earners in the country you should expect a higher rate in tax (it includes something like 8% for National Health Insurance). There are however many ingenious and legal ways to reduce your tax rate; see what your school manager suggests - if they aren't so helpful then you can try registering your own company (threads exist on how you can do that). I think you should be able to keep your tax rate down to about 27% (some may be able to claim lower).
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| Some example prices would be useful. Utilities, entertainment, petrol, internet access, running a car. |
You can get this kind of information from http://www.tefl.com
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| I have some savings, and with teaching plus my savings I would expect to have an income of around 6000zl per month with no mortgage or rent to pay. What kind of lifestyle would this allow considering I have a wife and two children under four? Would we struggle, be comfortable or be comparatively well off? |
Life wouldn't be a struggle. 6000PLN with no rent to pay would be a dream for most young families in Poland. You would be comparatively well off to most Poles but saving and trips back home will take quite a dent out of the 6000PLN.
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| What is Poland like as a place to live? What are the services like? Health, Education, Crime? Is it easy to get English TV, especially football? |
Again a lot depends on where you live. Poland is still a long way behind the standards you may be used to. The doctors are good but their working conditions are sometimes poor. Education levels are high but you may want to check out the local schools before sending your kids because the style of education tends to be much less dynamic than what you may have experienced at home, much more traditional teacher stands at blackboard pupils take notes kind of thing. International schools are popping up here and there however. With regards to the football - if you have the money (and satellite/cable provider) then Canal + shows a lot of Premiership games. TVP 1 and TVP 2 (terrestrial TV) have all the Champions League and World Cup.
I hope this is of some use.
Stephen
Last edited by slodziak on Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Finally, for those of you who, like me, had either a very limited amount of Polish or none at all, how easy is it to learn the language? Are there many schools which offer Polish lessons? |
That depends on how well you can deal with intense moments of frustation. 
But maybe this will help.
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=32294
Last edited by gregoryfromcali on Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I have some savings, and with teaching plus my savings I would expect to have an income of around 6000zl per month with no mortgage or rent to pay. What kind of lifestyle would this allow considering I have a wife and two children under four? Would we struggle, be comfortable or be comparatively well off? |
With the exception of the British Council, I don't know of anyone teaching outside of Warsaw making this kind of money. How are you going to make that much, if you don't already have a job?
Stephen gave you good advice.
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| A degree looks good but not having one shouldn't pose any kind of problem for you (unless you want to work in a University). The CELTA is worth more than a degree if you want to teach English in Poland. |
But this may be more of an obstacle than you'd want it to be. You may want to try to think of some ways around this. For example being a student.
On the other hand, some schools will pretty much hire anyone, but they're not usually the best schools.
Good times. |
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gicor
Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi Gicor - I hope this post can answer some of your questions, |
It has certainly helped. Thanks for taking the time. A very useful link with the prices, although some of them are hard to believe (less than �3 per kilo for fillet steak, less than �4 for a three course meal in a restaurant).
I tried the link, but it is all in Polish  . I have been married to a Pole for 8 years now and have barely made any progress beyond "Dzien dobry" and "Piwo, prosze". It is intended as a permanent move, so once we get out there I will need lessons for sure. When my wife has time perhaps she can go through it with me later in the week.
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| With the exception of the British Council, I don't know of anyone teaching outside of Warsaw making this kind of money. |
I certainly wouldn't expect to make that kind of money solely from teaching. However, once we have sold up and bought a place in Poland we should have enough capital to give us around 3000-4000 zl. monthly. If I can earn 3000 teaching then I figure it should be enough to give us a comfortable lifestyle. I would like to be certain, and my wife has been in the UK since 1996 so things have changed a great deal since she was living there. To hear it from people who are actually living there is a great help.
A huge thank you to all of you for taking the time to reply, although we have already taken the decision to relocate it is still a big step and any advice is always gratefully received.
Gino. |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:29 am Post subject: |
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With 3000 you'll do well even for two people.
Of course this is assuming that you're willing to eat at home most of the time and you know how to handle your money.
My point about the 6000 is that 6000 is a lot of money here and if you're spending that much even for two people living together I'd say you're spending too much.
I was able to support my fiance and I on 3000 a month. |
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Pollux
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Posts: 224
Location: PL
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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I have been married to a Pole for 8 years now and have barely made any progress beyond "Dzien dobry" and "Piwo, prosze". It is intended as a permanent move, so once we get out there I will need lessons for sure. When my wife has time perhaps she can go through it with me later in the week. |
Polish women are not only beautiful, but smart as well. I have a feeling that her English has gottten better while you can only order a beer in Polish. Don't worry, it's a common mistake. Those busy girls....or lazy guys. You'll have no problems paying for Polish lessons, but I think you'd be better of asking your better half to teach you. Please don't get offended. |
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gicor
Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:37 am Post subject: |
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Polish women are not only beautiful, but smart as well. I have a feeling that her English has gottten better while you can only order a beer in Polish. Don't worry, it's a common mistake. Those busy girls....or lazy guys. You'll have no problems paying for Polish lessons, but I think you'd be better of asking your better half to teach you. Please don't get offended.
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Beautiful and smart is right. When she came here she couldn't speak a word, now she is fluent. My problem is I am too lazy to do something unless I need to. As her English got better and better learning Polish became less and less important.
As for her teaching me, I taught her to drive and I don't want to go through those rows again!  |
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gicor
Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: |
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| But this may be more of an obstacle than you'd want it to be. You may want to try to think of some ways around this. For example being a student. |
I am quite worried about this, (not having a degree). I did two years of Economics in the 80's but had to drop out because I couldn't handle the debts building up. Since we are aiming to be in Poland around August or September but I don't plan on working until autumn 2007 I have considered an Open University degree. I will need to take some time to do the CELTA but I don't think I am being too unrealistic. At worst, I may have to take a longer break than I anticipate, although I am not too keen on this.
Anyone out there with any thoughts on this or alternative possibilities?
Gino. |
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gregoryfromcali
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Posts: 1207
Location: People's Republic of Shanghai
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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You'll find work.
Some schools are pretty informal about their hiring practices and basically hire you before they even see you.
But in Cracow and Warsaw it may be a little harder due to the high number of FTs.
I just wouldn't bring it up or I'd think of another way of not saying, "I don't have a degree." |
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cheeseandegg
Joined: 26 Aug 2004
Posts: 58
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| Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject: |
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I did my CELTA with IH, Wroclaw two years ago and have remained in Poland ever since. The school was excellent and the DOS very supportive, friendly and easy-going. I'd choose the course in Wroclaw because the city is imo nicer although it may not have all the charm of Krakow. Expect to pay 5000zl for a one month course with an extra 800zl for your flat.
If you're expecting to earn 6,000zl p/m in Poland then I think you'll find it very difficult especially outside of Warsaw or Szczecin. Most teachers working an average 25 hours per week will rake in around 3,500zl to 4,500zl per month and pay for their flat on top. One thing to look for would be schools which can provide you with health insurance as private healthcare in Poland is of a very high standard. |
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gicor
Joined: 09 Feb 2006
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks cheeseand egg,
Everything I've heard about IH Wroclaw makes it sound like the best place for me, plus it's quite close to Zielona Gora which is where I want to be.
I have never been to Wroclaw but if it is indeed nicer than Krakow then it must be fantastic. I love Krakow and if I can't get work in Zielona Gora then I will almost certainly be heading there.
As for 6000zl, this is not what I expect to earn but what I expect my total income to be. We will be selling up everything here in the UK and I expect to get around 3000 from investing the proceeds and about 3000 from teaching. From all that has been written so far it seems quite possible to live well on that. |
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Bialonoz
Joined: 27 Sep 2005
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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| gicor wrote: |
Everything I've heard about IH Wroclaw makes it sound like the best place for me, plus it's quite close to Zielona Gora which is where I want to be.
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IH Wroclaw is well thought of. You'll make more than 3000 (though IH aren't usually generous payers) and Wrocław isn't an expensive city. It is however beautiful. Due to the dearth of native speakers there, you should pick up some privates quite quickly. |
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Khrystene
Joined: 17 Apr 2004
Posts: 271
Location: WAW, PL/SYD, AU
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:27 pm Post subject: Re: A Million Questions |
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| gicor wrote: |
I
Is it easy to find private students? Would it be reasonable to expect to do around six hours a week of private lessons? Would it be reasonable to expect a school to pay 35zl per hour and provide 20+ hours per week? How much would be taken in tax?
I have some savings, and with teaching plus my savings I would expect to have an income of around 6000zl per month with no mortgage or rent to pay. What kind of lifestyle would this allow considering I have a wife and two children under four? Would we struggle, be comfortable or be comparatively well off?
Some example prices would be useful. Utilities, entertainment, petrol, internet access, running a car.
What is Poland like as a place to live? What are the services like? Health, Education, Crime? Is it easy to get English TV, especially football?
Finally, for those of you who, like me, had either a very limited amount of Polish or none at all, how easy is it to learn the language? Are there many schools which offer Polish lessons?
This will be a permanent move for my family, so as much information as possible would be appreciated. Apologies for such a long post. |
6000zl per month! Wow! I wish!
If you are claiming that much throught the tax office you will fall into the higher tax bracket. So you will have to pay more than 18% which is what everyone else pays.
Depends entirely on where you live and what kind of lifestyle you would like. You might find you expect one thing and then you have to change that once you are here and the reality of the situation hits home. It can be both good an bad.
Learning Polish is a tad difficult. The trick is, as with any language, to speak as much as you can.
All the best.
K |
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