Job Discussion Forums

kevinpcullen · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

A big name school in Krakow. 35 zl/45 minutes GROSS.

Am I right in thinking this is a bit outrageous?

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

In the current climate for schools, not really. Most of the big names are struggling - I spotted that Profi Lingua have started offering second language classes for free to entice people, for instance.

kevinpcullen · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

Well, you quickly divined which school I'm speaking of. After reviewing the contract and all the strange stipulations in it, I'm very, very hesitant to accept it. I'm in Poland not to get rich, but to work on some personal projects. Just wanted to do some teaching on the side to get out of the house and have a bit of a normal social life. However, if that basically means signing my soul away for a meager pittance, I'm not sure it's worth it.

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

kevinpcullen · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

The best they said they could probably do is 38 zl for 45. However, after ZUS and taxes, it nets out to be around 24 zl per 45 (as they're only offering me 12 hours a week).

I'd be better off just doing privates.

Janek · Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Posts: 79 Location: Krakow, Poland

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

kevinpcullen · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

What I don't understand is, though, for the abundance of teachers here, why is this school practically begging me in every way to work for them (aside from actually offering a reasonable rate)?

If I were some unqualified noob, this would probably be a typical offer. But I'm CELTA certified, hold an MA in English and have quite a few years of experience in Europe. When it comes to teaching, I consider myself a professional and would like to be treated as such. I let them know as much during the contract offer which is when they were kind enough to bump to 35 zl gross up to 38 zl gross.

Crazy market it is here. Luckily I can afford to dally along until someone offers a reasonable rate.

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

salamiandbacon · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 41

Money is not only a practical necessity, but also an indication of the esteem in which the employer holds you. If they pay peanuts, they're looking for monkeys. Do you want to be a monkey?
I wouldn't even pick up my bargepole to not touch that offer with.

kevinpcullen · Joined: 07 Feb 2010 Posts: 10

My sentiments exactly. Don't demand qualified teachers if you're only offering backpacker pay.

amisexy · Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 78

[quote="salamiandbacon"]Money is not only a practical necessity, but also an indication of the esteem in which the employer holds you. If they pay peanuts, they're looking for monkeys. Do you want to be a monkey?
I wouldn't even pick up my bargepole to not touch that offer with.[/quote]

Indeed.
Pay peanuts, get monkeys!

I would be holding out for an absolute minimum of 1zl a minute. Krakow is not a cheap city (by Polish standards), and it would difficult to live on such a low salary. However, what everyone has said above is true. Krakow is flooded with backpacker types, and those desperate to live in Krakow.

I happen to know that certain big chain schools are offering over 1zl per minute in some 'less desirable cities'. That requires you to move somewhere else of course.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Yet, what will you say/do when one of those hungry CELTA grads with 2 years experience and "desperate to live in Krakow" takes the job?

Supply and demand will determine the wages and offers.

Tell them your expectation and how to get in touch with you, then move on to the next opportunity.

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

I've just spent the last 3 weeks in Poland and ALL of my English mates (the ones I met) seem to be struggling. Poland is awash with foreigners these days and most of them seem to be teaching English.

I worked for PL once and they bumped my timetable up to 38 hours a week after my first observation, taking classes from other native speakers to do so. Then we were on the 1zl a minute rate. I quit after the first term as I was headhunted to do something else and PL threatened to sue me and all sorts.

The one thing I remember about the place was that there were some truly excellent Polish teachers, 3 of whom I first thought were native speakers!

TEFL Poland is like walking down a road that gets narrower and narrower and eventually, you'll run out of options once your life circumstances change. Of course, a few have 'made it' but these are the exception and not the rule.

salamiandbacon · Joined: 13 Apr 2012 Posts: 41

What do you think, dragonpiwo?
Can we get to the bit when we say that you can earn well north of a dollar a minute tax free, plus free accommodation, utilities, flights and huge holidays if you're willing to put in some time in the sandpit?

Anyone dismayed by Polish salaries can change their reality by looking at the job boards and getting on a plane to Saudi. Poland is still there in the holidays.