Job Discussion Forums

[chromium]

So, all of you who have had associations with Bell in Gdynia, Gdansk:
Will I be, in your opinion, making a mistake if I take a job with them? I've been offered a senior teacher position for 3500 net (without accommodation) + saturdays + new teacher observations + input sessions 2 a month at regular pay. That is about 1500 more per month than the regular teacher contract, from what I've read.

I've read conflicting info about them. I seem to have a good relationship with Jo, but we've only talked on the phone and exchanged some emails.

BTW: What's Gdynia like? I only hear about Gdansk.

I've been in Poland for 3 years now and know pretty much what I need to live the way I've been living.

Also, any advice on what a 53 square meter place will run? I read someone was paying 600 in central Gdansk. That seems way low, unless they share it. I'm thinking about a 1000 for a single flat with one large room and a kitchen close to town. Is that reasonable?

[nocturnalme]

Chromium - Bell are okay, IMHO. My only issue was with Maryla, the DOS in Gdansk. Otherwise, I found them more than fine.
The pay seems good. A regular teacher gets 2400 a month plus about 150 for a 3-hour Saturday morning.
I was paying 500 a month for a pretty good flat right in the centre, sharing. 1 large bedroom, 1 smaller (but big enough) bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. So, rent is not too bad.
Gdansk and Sopot are cool though I've yet to go to Gdynia.
Everyone's got their opinions but I'd say go for it!

[Master Shake]

Things are getting more expensive in Gdansk!

I've been looking for a flat the last few days and its hard to find anything in Gdansk or Sopot for less than 750zl/mo + utilities now, and that's what I would pay sharing with another teacher. Living on your own, I would expect to pay at LEAST 1100zl/mo + utilities for the kind of place chromium describes.

nocturnalme, they raised the rent on the Szeroka flat from 1200 to 2000zl/mo. I guess us teachers were getting some kind of break. You know though, its almost worth that much to live so close to Bell and the bars.

[chromium]

So, I think I can afford to live on my own. The person at the school said
1100 - 1300 for a single. I'm not getting too ripped off, then? This would be in Gdynia.

[woodstock]

Hey Chromium,

I just read that you will be working for Bell as a senior teacher. Is that in Gdynia or Gdansk? Gdansk has a new DOS this year so things should hopefully be different. If it is in Gdynia, you will certainly enjoy the school as the staff is quite good and your DOS is cool.
But are you sure about the pay. I don't mean that to be shitty in any way, it's just surprising to hear as Bell has been cutting back on everything for the last few years and I was stunned hear they're paying so much!! It was the reason most of the staff left a few years ago. How did you manage it?
As for expenses in Gdynia, finding a flat is not too difficult, but since you are already in Poland, I would suggest asking to see all the options before agreeing to the flat, as the person responsible for finding flats for native speakers tends to go for the most expensive ones, without much thought for monthy bills. Good luck,I"m sure you will love Gdynia.

[scottie1113]

I just finished my CELTA at Bell in Warsaw yesterday (Friday). I was impressed by the school, the facilities, and most of all by my tutors. If Bell in Gdansk is anything like this one I'd love to work there. I met Jo during the course and will see her on Monday to discuss a position in the tri cities. They're advertising vacancies on another web site. I'll share my experience after the interview.

I visited Gdynia briefly last summer and lked it although I prefer Gdansk and Sopot. In any event I'll be in the tri cities in the next few weeks, either with a job in hand or a fistful of resumes.

[Master Shake]

Bell Gdansk has more teaching books, resource packs and protective plastic sleeves than you could use in a lifetime of teaching. Cant say the same about Sopot - the 'teachers room' is basically a few square meters crammed between the photocopier and the receptionist's desk. There are definitely some hard feelings between people at Bell Sopot as well - Gdynia too.

But you might want to come to Gdansk a little sooner, Scottie. I've been visiting schools looking for some part time work and a lot of schools start, or at least need teachers for training and testing, by the middle of Sept.

[Johnny_C_NYC]

[scottie1113]

A resurrected thread like this one deserves an update. I'm working at Bell in Gdansk since I completed my CELTA at Bell in Warsaw last summer. I think it's a great school with excellent resources and a new DOS who's really good. Master Shake and I became good friends and he introduced me to Absinthe. What a place! He moved to Thailand in January but just returned for a three week vacation and stayed at my flat last night. As I write this he's on a night train to Krakow. Details not included.

Vlad and I are close and spend a lot of time together. I haven't seen chromium for about three hours-we were in Absinthe- but we may end up sharing a flat either this summer or next fall since he'll be moving from Sopot to Gdansk.

Jo left Bell this month to move on a different position with another company in the UK. Good on her, I say. She (and Bell) have gotten some bad reviews on this site but my experience with her made me believe that she is a consumate professional and I really enjoyed working with her. Same with Ludka. Folks, she's running a business. I don't know what type of experience all the previous posters have in this area, but I'm impressed by her.

I've left out a lot. It's raining in Gdansk-so what's new?-and it's time to get some sleep. I hope to read some resonses to this but I won't hold my breath.

[nocturnalme]

Good to hear all's well in Gdansk. My only problem with Bell was Marila, the ex-DOS. Shame I didn't wait til this year, the new DOS seems cool and A West Ham fan to boot! I'll be over for some pool with Vlad soon enough!

[Harry from NWE]

[marni]

Poland is better off without JO and would be better without Ludka too. My experience with Bell was ok, till they all became pennie pichers, not only liars, but they stole the money and food off the teachers back. As for people that say they are so pleased to be working there, should maybe ask why 2 different teachers in 2 of their billiant locations got fired? 1 for downloading child-porn and then was found to have been arrested for child abuse and the other was convicted. Strange that such a good school employs people like that. maybe instead of looking at the great resources people should look at the teachers that they work with. Does ELS-BELL Rock?

[scottie1113]

I thought the number quoted was 2400. Whatever. BTW, Bell quotes all salaries as nett after 20% tax, so 2400/month is 3k. That's what first year teachers with no experience make. Teach three hours on Saturday and it's 625/month gross, or 500 nett, on top of your salary.

Full time teachers at Bell get paid for holidays, semester breaks, and Christmas and Easter breaks. Schools which pay by the hour don't do that, so it's more or less a wash.

I wasn't here 12 years ago so I don't know. I do know about the 10% salary cut a few years ago and I've heard the explanation from teachers who were here then. They told me they understood and accepted it. Reduced enrollment but rising costs, etc. It happened in the US; it happened here. Nobody was happy in either place. Some moved on and some stayed. That's business, man.

It wasn't my intention to get into a pi$$ing contest with you, Harry. You've been here for a long time and I've gotten a lot of good information from your posts. I don't know what your personal experience with Jo was, but in my many dealings with her she always treated me honestly and with respect. Thus my opinion of her. We can agree to disagree but let's not waste time arguing about it. Besides, it's a moot point as she's gone now.

[marni]

[scottie1113]

marni, what do you mean by "demography"?

I said it was a 10% cut because teachers who were here then all gave me that figure so I accecpted it as gospel. Were you at Bell then? If so, how much was it? It doesn't really matter since it's ancient history but I'm curious. And I'm curious about your personal experience with Bell. Did you work there? If so, when?

One last comment. If you think that the minimal decrease in salaries enabled Ludka to purchase another school then you obviously don't understand economics or business. Not a flame; just do the math.

BTW, I have one class at Bell Sopot on Friday evenings. It's a small facility with nice classrooms and I always wonder why anyone would want to have a school there? Go figure.