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Pooledogg
Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 1:39 pm Post subject: Work in Warsaw |
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I recently qualified with a Celta and need a job in Warsaw. I have been asked to go for 4 interviews but they want me to go to Poland and I am broke. No-one seems to interview over skype. Help! |
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simon_porter00
Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 505 Location: Warsaw, Poland
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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I don't want to appear uncaring, but what exactly do you need help with?
Money? - ask the bank
A job? - borrow some money.
Given that your first pay packet will be paid at the end of the month or even a month in arrears (rare but could happen) and you'll need rent money, food money, money to live, to pay for transport etc etc you'll have to get some money from somewhere.
There'll be plenty of job interviews at the later stages of August and at the beginning of September, so don't worry that you're missing your only chance. |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, I think this is standard for the region. Schools are not going to pay for your flight or accomodate you when you arrive. You'll be responsible for up-front costs of travel and at least the first month's rent/food/etc until your first paycheck comes (at the end of the month worked, normally).
You need to save up in advance. |
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Pooledogg
Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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It just seems strange that everywhere else interviews in the UK or over Skype but Poland doesn't. Why? |
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Master Shake
Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Some Polish schools do interview over the phone, particularly the bigger chains. But Warsaw has a lot of foreigners living here already, so if you say you can't personally come in for an interview, the school may just move on to the next CV in the pile.
Check the tefl.com job database. |
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Pooledogg
Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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OK. Thanks for your help/advice. I'll see about a trip over to visit places. |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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It just seems strange that everywhere else interviews in the UK or over Skype but Poland doesn't. Why?
Most (reputable) European employers don't. |
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hrvatski
Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:59 am Post subject: |
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I used to interview over Skype, nabbed some great candidates that way. |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Sure, it's possible - I've done it too - but it's not that common in the region - especially not in today's tight job market, where there are lots of teachers on the ground in most of the more desirable locations. Who needs to take a chance on someone sight-unseen? Mostly only dodgy schools that local teachers know to give a miss. |
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Pooledogg
Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Any places to avoid? |
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hrvatski
Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 270
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:11 am Post subject: |
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spiral78 wrote: |
Who needs to take a chance on someone sight-unseen? Mostly only dodgy schools that local teachers know to give a miss. |
I'd argue that it's tough to find good quality teachers on site in Poland, and that if a school wants to employ 7 or so great native speakers, it's gotta be looking abroad as well. |
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PierogiMonster
Joined: 17 Jun 2010 Posts: 148
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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I agree. Me and another native are just leaving Poland for a year elsewhere and the very good school we work(ed) at is really struggling to find good replacements: native speakers currently living in town. They're having to take a gamble on a couple of newbies to Poland.
I reckon most established teachers find a good school and hunker down. I know I'll try to get back to the same school if and when I come back to town. |
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spiral78

Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash
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Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting. I'll temper my advice accordingly in future  |
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sharter
Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place
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Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:19 am Post subject: erm |
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Poland is expensive, so do not come if you are broke as you will not get paid for 5 or 6 weeks. Think American prices then add 50 to 100% for a lot of things.
The native speaker issue is as old as EFL in Poland because most teachers who go there have FA experience. It always has been a place to cut your teeth. Many who stay are there for the girls and boozy lifestyle, which is fine, but teaching development is not high on their agendas.
Personally, I think you need 5 years before you really know what you are doing. Increasingly the Polish teachers are getting better and better and quite often a native speaker is only really there to give the school that status.
Many of the experienced teachers I know left long ago, usually after getting married, in search of a living wage. Like me, they go back several times a year to see family and friends.
I hope it works out for you but heads up hey!
As far as I am concerned, given the cost of living in Poland, a job there can only be a working holiday and nothing else. |
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TwinCentre
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 273 Location: Mokotow
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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I think Sharter is about right BUT if you are entrepreurial then Warsaw is a great place to be. There are a number of gaps in the English Learning market to be exploited. I am not complaining, but if I worked for a school.....then yes, I probably would. |
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