Job Discussion Forums

cota · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Santiago,CL

Hi all!
Just wondering how difficult it is for a non-native to get a job. I want to go to Poland, but I'm so overwhelmed with all the info out there!!!
Any tips?
TY!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Just to clarify, do you mean 'non-native English speaker?' Or non-native' in terms of not being Polish by birth?

cota · Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Santiago,CL

...non-native English speaker... Rolling Eyes

Renata · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Poland

As a native Polish speaker Very Happy

, I'd say it depends what kind of degree you have (if any...) and teaching experience. It's not difficult to get a job as a teacher in Poland if you are a foreigner, sometimes it is enough if you make a good impression. And, another important question, it depends whether you want to work in top English schools in Poland, or it is enough for you to work in a small private school in a small town somewhere in Poland.

Kymro · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 244

If you speak near perfect English, why tell anyone you are not a native speaker.

If your English is not near perfect, what's the point of them hiring a foreigner?

Renata · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Poland

The point is that, in many private schools in Poland, it is enough that you come from a different country than Poland and they can call you "native". I worked with a man from somewhere in Africa (cant remember the exact contry) and his English was not perfect, but my ex-boss decided to hire him and show him to her clients as a native Rolling Eyes

On the other hand, I worked with two Romanian girls who were the best teachers in the school where I worked, people loved them. So, everything depends on you and the school you chose.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

curious..........

you're not Polish, you're not a native English speaker..........why Poland?

jestert79 · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 44

Well, last year at IH Bydgoszcz there were a few non-native speakers - A German, a Romanian, and a Costa Rican...maybe more. They didn't have any problems that I knew of, but their English was really good.

That said, the year before that we had a teacher from Germany with a fairly thick accent. The students complained and the DoS had to let him go.

hwojtek · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Poznan, PL

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

'impersonating'

It wouldn't be possible to hide your citizenship from your employer. So, if you're not a native speaker but you're traveling on a passport, from, say, Canada, you might be in a position of being able to hide the fact that you're not a native speaker.

But if your passport says you're from some country where English isn't the native language, you can't really hide that from any reputable employer who's going to assist you with legal working documents which will require documentation of your origins.

hwojtek · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Poznan, PL

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Actually, I hadn't realized Very Happy

I think it's a mistake some native speakers might make (though hopefully not too many English teachers), especially if typing rapidly. I might even, if I'm typing in a rush.
I just corrected it to clarify your meaning - I thought it was a pretty useful point to make.

chromium · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Dalian, China

I think it would be pretty difficult to get a job not being Polish and not being a native English speaker. Your level of English would have to so good that no one would realize English was not your first language. It very well may be, I've obviously never talked to you, but students want native English speakers, that's what they pay for and demand.

I wish you luck, and I"m not saying it's impossible, but surely you'll need at least the CELTA, and the DELTA would make it even more possible.

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

It is true that there are some non-natives/non-Poles teaching in Poland, but not many. But if they can get jobs in Bydgoszcz, why not in a smaller town which has trouble attracting teachers? Most of these towns have little contact with foreigners so the students love having a teacher from abroad. Also, their level of English tends to be lower than in the bigger cities...they don't really need a NS to teach them the basics. The teachers in such towns tend to be much less qualified than in the large cities. My first job in Poland was in a small town just outside of Poznan, and the Polish teachers did not speak English well. Lots of older teachers as well...Once you get your feet wet in a less-travelled location it would be much easier to find work elsewhere.

But why not teach Spanish? Poles can now work in Spain, and learning Spanish is quite popular in Poland. I used to live with a guy from Buenos Aires in Poznan...he just opened a Spanish school actually. After English, German and maybe Russian, Spanish is probably the most popular language for Poles to learn.

Finally, one point to consider is that it is a real pain for schools in Poland to hire non-EU citizens. Look at the job postings on tefl.com--the schools in Poland all say they prefer EU passport holders. So if a school won't hire an American, Canadian, South African, Aussie or Kiwi...they surely won't hire you.

I say check out the more out-of-the-way places, or teach Spanish. You'd probably make more money as a native speaker of Spanish than as a non-native speaker of English.

simon_porter00 · Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 505 Location: Warsaw, Poland

Now that i've intergrated myself just a teeny tiny bit into society in Warsaw, if you're a native british speaker you can walk into any school and get a job. It's amazing 1) how many opportunities there are (if you fit the above criteria - slightly less lucrative IMHO if you're an American native) and 2) how lucrative this market can be if you're willing to jump in.