Job Discussion Forums

jackx · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 3

I have just married my polish wife. We applied for a permit to enter the UK (she has been excersizing her treaty rights there for a year) but were denied. So the only place left for us to live is poland. We could move to the US, but I don't particularly want to, and my wife doesn't either, she has a 7 year old daughter and doesn't want to change her surroundings too much (but moving back to poland is different).

This is what we have to do: I am on my way to szczecin, where she has friends where I can stay. She will move back to london for the time it takes for us to find/earn the money (the wedding has broken our finances) for her to pack her things and get them over here (I guess by driven car).

I don't speak polish, I guess my time until she comes will be spent learning. This is what I would like any of your help with: I will need to find a way to make money. I have taught english before for a year, in China, but I don't have any certifications. Will this be a problem?

Is there other work for foreigners besides teaching? Any english language newspapers? I found the warsaw business journal but the 'careers' section doesn't work for me. I have writing samples. Or any other job ideas would be helpful. I don't speak polish as I said before, but my wife does.

I would be looking in szczecin mainly.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

Get in touch with translation agencincies and put up notices in the Uni offering proof reading services.

Get a CELTA with IH in Poland and you'll be away.

Good luck...you're not in a good place to be in the current climate.

jackx · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for the reply

I guess I should've made it clear I will be arriving pretty well broke. This wedding is costing a bundle... no cheap way to do it really. So taking the CELTA would be difficult unless a school paid for me to do so on the condition I would work for them. I don't think they would do this unless they knew me from previous work.

So do all schools require certification then?

And translation would be difficult as I don't speak polish. I guess me and my wife could team up when she can make the money to join me in Poland.

How much can one make proof-reading?

What is the current climate in terms of english-speaking work in Poland, then?

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

hrvatski · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270

Sounds rough but workable. If you know your teaching methodology and are a reliable and outgoing type, then you may be able to land work in a school, but prepare to do a blazing interview.

Wear a suit, hand in your CV in person to schools with a nice photo (might seem politically incorrect but it's the done thing here), repeat every two weeks if nothing happens.

In the meantime prepare an offer for businesses (prices, outline of your approach and levels you can teach) and canvas largeish companies in the area. Offer level placement and a demonstration free of charge to convice them. If you make friends with a large company you could do well for yourself.

jackx · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 3

OK, nice, thanks for the advice.

Want to know the real kicker? I have a tattoo on my face, an unavoidable one. It's quite tasteful really, looks beautiful, but you know. I have a nose piercing and dreadlocks, which can be dealt with, but there's no way around the tattoo.

You reckon that's a deal-killer? Well I guess it places me at the bottom of the food chain.

lundjstuart · Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Warsaw, Poland

Suggestion:

Put some peanut butter on your hair, close up the piercing and dress for success!!

A tattoo won't take you out of the market, it might make a good talking point during the interview and with your students!

Where on your face? A tear in the eye or what?

hrvatski · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270

I wouldn't say it would make you unemployable, but it might complicate matters in quite a few schools.

So I'd target private lessons with university students if I were you. Draw up a deal, prices for 1, 2, 3 people and what you can offer then hit up every conceivable place where a student might appear with flyers. Make yourself a website if you know how.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

I'd start applying for bar work or start growing 'erb.

Like any profession, you need to look the part. Tats will kill 'in-company' teaching.

Many schools and unis require certification.

That said, JDJ used to hire anyone.

Maybe proof reading is the best option. Another thing I used to do was recording work for documentaries, ads and magazines.....so you could look up some recording studios. Writing is another option. You could also advertise conversation classes on the local British Council/University notice boards.

The above markets are already full of dreadfully poor EFL teachers though.

I really wish you luck.

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

Oh man, you've got a tough but not impossible row to hoe. All of the above advice is good. You can teach private lessons or at a school that doesn't require any credentials and you should be OK. A CELTA, whether from IH or Bell, will open up more doors for you but I've got friends here who don't have one and they're doing fine. In fact, several of them make more than I do, but I work for one of the lowest paying schools in Gdansk. Still, it's got a very good reputation and I love it.

Poland is pretty conservative I don't know how well dreadlocks and a piercing will go over with potential employers especially businesses. I see some of those among students and my friends, but mainstream Poland hasn't really taken to them yet. Well, you can always lose them if you find them to be a hindrance. I've got teacher friends with tatoos but none have them on their faces. I haven't seen yours yet so I can't comment on it.

I don't want to rain on your parade. To use a very timeworn cliche, where there's a will there's a way. By the way, you're arriving in Poland with a whole more than I did 18 months ago, and it's been just fine. I love this city.

Best of luck.

Zarny · Joined: 03 Sep 2005 Posts: 14

Jackx, There is a school called Top English on ulica grodzka just behind the shop netto, try them they pretty much hire anyone. They have another school as well just 10 mins out of Szczecin forget the name though. It's the Callan method though but its a job at least. There are a few schools there but you would be better serviced with some type of certification. Easy to get privates as most are willing to pay to sit in a cafe to just chat. If you want to meet some natives go to the Rocker club as most frequent that club/bar, this is where you can also meet potential privates as i did.
Need more info just ask.

the new guy · Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 127

hi there.... a local Szczecinite czecking in. I can tell you first hand that the workload this schoolyear is less than the last 2.

Not as many students and more teachers. I have friends that work for the forementioned school and some other schools in Szz, and they are lucky to have 15 hours a week.

What is your nationality? Do you have a company registered in the EU? without it, you are gonna have a tough go getting a job, as just about every school has you working as a contractor.

Most schools here want to see some certificate.

Rocker club is a smoke pit. Hate it.

Privates in Szz are unreliable. they are all talk, no action. They cancel at the last minute or don't show up.

If you can get work teaching privates at a company, they will require you to have a business so you can be trapped in the whole world of invoices!!

Just a thought... they take appearances here pretty seriously. It might be a hinderance. Do what you gotta do!! Goodluck.