Job Discussion Forums

[Mephisto]

Hello to all,

Do you find that there is any dicrimination against Polish-born English teachers in Poland? I lived in Poland until I was 10, then 14 years in Canada and 2 in China - I speak both languages fluently, and have no problem teaching English to native Canadians. While in China I met Asians born in the west who spoke Chinese worse than me, but who couldn't land a teaching job because they were obviously Asian (employers distrusted their language skills). How is Poland with this issue - would I be considered just another Polish-English teacher (who are getting, I'm assuming, lower rates than their native western counterparts), or are things a bit more merit-based than in Asia?

Pozdrawiam wszystkich,

Pawel

[simon_porter00]

The only discrimination that exists is in terms of pay. So if i were you, i'd call myself Canadian although admitting you have a Polish family and/or Polish passport, get a CELTA and then you'll get paid as a native speaker. Or, you can say you're Polish with extensive experience in English and get paid a lot less.

[Mephisto]

Thanks,

Just as I though, kinda the same as in Asia. I think I'll do as you suggest, and simply omit the fact that I was actually born in Poland - simply that my parents came from there (or maybe say that I emigrated when I was an infant, which would eliminate questions regarding my birthplace (Gdansk)). Any happening places anybody suggests which might be close to the German border? I'll probably have to move back and forth between Germany and Poland on a weekly basis (gf will study in Germany - I would get a job there, but apparently Canadian citizens have a hard time getting working permits, and Poles, as new EU members, still don't have full working privileges in Germany).

Cheers,
Pawel

[Mephisto]

What kind of accreditation, if any, are ESL employers (private schools) looking for? Someone mentioned CELTA - what about TESOL, TEFL, etc? I have a BBA from a good Canadian University + more than 4 years teaching experience both in the west and in Asia; will that be enough to apply to private language schools in Poland without other certificates? And if one does need these certificates, do the employers actually care where they're from - ie, I could blow $2000 on an 8 week course here in Toronto, or I could buy one off the internet for $300 (and not waste time going to class). Any help with this will be much appreciated,
Cheers,
Pawel

[Scawie]

Cambridge and Trinity Certificates and Diplomas are recognised, and I suppose a teaching and/or English related degree from a real university wouldn't do your chances any harm either.

[phantombedwetter]

Mephisto,
Two points:

1. Your background will actually be an advantage to employers and a good one will show no discrimination to you. Notice I said a good one.

2. Getting a CELTA will show two things, firstly, you are serious about teaching and have made a commitment and secondly you will know more about the job.

As an employer I have very rarely come accross a good, non CELTA trained teacher, that doesn't mean to say that all CELTA qualified teachers are good, but they are generally better.

Emailled CVs with bogus (Bought) certs are deleted and not responded to.

[Harry from NWE]

[phantombedwetter]

[quote="Harry from NWE"]