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Work in Warsaw
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Pooledogg



Joined: 04 Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Location: England

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 1:39 pm    Post subject: Work in Warsaw Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 4:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 4:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any places to avoid?
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hrvatski



Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 270

PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting. I'll temper my advice accordingly in future Very Happy
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sharter



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

PostPosted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:19 am    Post subject: erm Reply with quote

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

PostPosted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 2:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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