Job Discussion Forums

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

OK I'll just stick to what I said originally. 2100 a month is dire. I would never accept a job that paid so badly. Even without my son, I couldn't live on it. I'd go mad being that poor.

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

[quote="dragonpiwo"]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Simon worked for the BC, possibly the best paid school job in Poland. The jury's still out on Ecocks pending his visa status and he's done the kids thing etc. Delph is so contradictory I don't know what to make of his posts sometimes. Shake seems fairly balanced, but I'd hazard a guess that he has no kids in Poland, like Delph.

Whatever the bickering on this site, Poland isn't cheap for many things and the schools pay shite. Some people like that uncertain life of the private student route...personally, I don't and never did. It's a fact that most of the teachers I know, most of whom have been here years and speak Polish, do other jobs and are involved in the hustle; they live hand to mouth. Some have mortgages, few have cars and for some it will be a real struggle to pay for the wedding without family help. Most arrived as twenty-something single men.

I haven't chimed on on this running argument/discussion for a long time, mainly because my situation is very different than that of everyone else here. I arrived in Poland six years ago at the tender age of 65 and have been working at the same school in Gdansk for those six years. Through private lessons, which I thoroughly enjoy and have never advertised for and renting out the spare room in my flat-almost always to a fellow teacher or friends, I net about 5000zl a month.

I live five minutes from school, don't have a car-don't want one and don't need one-and don't live a lavish lifestyle, something I didn't do even when I lived in California and made a whole lot more money than I do in Poland, especially when I was married.

My kids are grown, married and now I have seven grandchildren.

In two months I'll receive my pension from the US and my net will increase to about 11-12k per month, depending on currency fluctuations. They happen.

The first year I was here I netted about 3k a month and had no private lessons. I had my own flat and obviously didn't live high on the hog but I enjoyed the year nonetheless. Things have changed a little since then and they're going to change again soon.

My only point is that we all come here for different reasons and different expectations.

How much or how little anyone earns is their business, and I'll never criticize their decisions nor give kudos. It is what it is. If someone comes here for a year his expectations and experiences are his and his alone. I'm here for the long run, however long that is. I came to Poland because I've been interested in Polish history since I was nine years old and because I wanted to experience living in a European country. I didn't come because I was dissatisfied or disillusioned with life in the US, nor was I looking for a woman. I'm very happy here, regardless of how much I made, make now, or will make in the future.

Make of that what you will.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

salamiandbacon · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 41

scottie wrote
[/quote]
How much or how little anyone earns is their business, and I'll never criticize their decisions nor give kudos. It is what it is. If someone comes here for a year his expectations and experiences are his and his alone. I'm here for the long run, however long that is. I came to Poland because I've been interested in Polish history since I was nine years old and because I wanted to experience living in a European country. I didn't come because I was dissatisfied or disillusioned with life in the US, nor was I looking for a woman. I'm very happy here, regardless of how much I made, make now, or will make in the future.

Make of that what you will.

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

I gotta say scottie1113, you've always been an interesting one. 65 years old and you drop your life and move to RP. You not only left your children in the USA but all your children's children. "Well kids, maybe you'll see grandpa one day, he lives in Poland now." I mean hell.....you're what.....71 now? TEFL'er in RP?

Oops. I was 59 when I came here. I'm 65 now. I hope to be still teaching when I'm 71.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Well done...you've got it made and good luck to you. I was in the tri-city over the summer and it's cheaper than Poznan, which amazed me as it's much better up north.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

stonethecrow · Joined: 04 Jun 2013 Posts: 43

From what I've read, it does seem that it's on the low side. I completely agree with whoever mentioned working to finance someone else's business (or fortune, which is what they must make, in this case, from their 3 schools).

Just to clear one thing up (not that my finances are of great interest) I did say that I would have an extra £100 coming from the UK. So I'd have about 2600zl per month at my disposal.

However, without having the contacts to move and start teaching private lessons, there isn't much that's better out there. I've seen a couple that are 2500-3000zl. Does this mean that the more generously paid jobs have been taken or do they not exist?

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

I hope you've got savings/mum and dad to fall back on. Try and get some privates asap.

Gumtree is excellent as a source for private work. Go to any search engine type: Gumtree Gdansk (or any town) praca nauczyciele angielskiego
You should get a whole list of jobs in your town. You'll need a Pole to help you though.

Infinite · Joined: 05 Jan 2013 Posts: 235

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Infinite...and your point is?