Job Discussion Forums

[icesk8r]

Hi!

I've been in Japan for 2 years, but my contract ends in a few months and I am considering a move to Europe, possibly Poland. I've been teaching children here and would like to continue doing so - can anyone recommend a good children's English school in Poland?

One thing that may limit me somewhat as to where I can move it that I'm a figure skater (hence my username) and will not move anywhere that I cannot skate year-round (or nearly year-round). I've been lucky here in Japan in that the rink I go to has lots of time set aside specifically for figure skaters; it's not crowded; and I have a wonderful coach. I'm wondering, are there many ice rinks in Poland? I know there are at least a couple in Warsaw and I *think* there is a year-round rink in Katowice, too, but I haven't read too many good things about either city on these boards. What about other cities - Wroclaw, Lodz, Poznan, Krakow...anywhere?

Other random questions:

When do most jobs in Poland start?

How do most EFL teachers in Poland get around? By bicycle? Car? Public transport?

I know it varies by company, but in general, are apartments decent? Are there pictures of typical apartments anywhere on the 'Net, like there are of Japanese apartments?

Thanks!

[Alex Shulgin]

You're right about the rinks in Warsaw. There is also certainly a year round rink in Gdansk and one in Krakow. Other cities I don't know about.

Other random advice:

The vast majority of teaching jobs in Poland start in the first week of October. There are a few jobs in january and some in the first week of March. But the peak is certainly the start of October. Summer is almost dead with very little work.

Most teachers travel on public transport. It's cheap and effective. A few have cars but not many, I don't use mine to travel between cities, the train connections are excellent. It's too cold here in winter to use a bike.

Never get apartments tied to schools. If you have a boss who is also your landlord you have to always remember that if you leave your job, you'll have to find a new job and a new place to live at the same time. That really sucks! Size? How much do you want to pay? Your salary will enable you to afford anything from 26 square metres to 45 square metres in pretty good neighbourhoods.

[icesk8r]

Thanks, I'll keep checking on the rinks.

Are most contracts in Poland for 9 months (through June or July) or for a full calender year, October through September?

[Michael Gaylord]

I've only been here for a few months, but I did not have any trouble finding a contract for 9 months only (Sept-June), although I noticed that a few of the schools that I interviewed with definitely wanted a teacher to sign a full-year (Sept-Sept) contract.
Also, I realize that most jobs start in early October; however, it might be worth noting a few exceptions (ones that I have already experienced in my short time here) to this standard: I started my first teaching job in Poland in June, which was working at a summer language camp for 2 months. I started my second position, the one in which I am currently in, in early September (not October like many schools); as far as a January start goes, I think it's quite possible to find one, but certainly much more unlikely than Sept/Oct. I was offered a position to start last Jan (/04), which was right after I finished my teaching training, at one of the first schools that I applied to, but the school wanted me to arrive in Poland (from Toronto) immediately after offering me the job, and at my own expense, without giving me too much info. about the working conditions, etc. Hence I declined, but then had to spend the next 2-3 months (last winter) applying for late-spring/early summer positions...in other words, I mildly regretted declining the one January offer that I had, because no other offers came after that until April.

Also, a few other points that I've discovered about Poland which you may find useful:
Yes, train travel is generally very good for inter-city travel, but if you live in small city off of the "main-line" it can be surprisingly time consuming: for ex., takes me over 2 hrs to go from Kalisz, where I live, to Poznan, a distance of only 100km, because Kalisz does not have a direct connection with Poznan.
As far as bikes go, I did a lot of cycling in Toronto and was hoping to use it as a form of public transit within my city here in Poland, but after having lived here for a few weeks am very discouraged by this possibility: CARS definitely RULE the streets here! I notice people here in Kalisz riding their bikes on the sidewalks only, which can be very slow, of course. I'm feeling a bit intimidated by the aggressiveness of the drivers when it comes to rollerblading/cycling on the streets even though I'm used to having done it in Toronto (not known for its friendly drivers)! However, I could see that cycling might be fun in quiet, rural areas , AND Poznan, I noticed has some bike paths (don't know about the other large cities).

Good luck.
Mike