Job Discussion Forums

Bialonoz · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 57

Does anyone have any experience/knowledge of ELS-Bell in Gdansk? Their job offer is interesting, but I have a few doubts.

Any info greatly appreciated.

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject:

elblagskich · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 27

Check this link

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=11747&highlight=els+bell

Bialonoz · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 57

Thanks for the link. I heard one or two off-putting things about Bell from different people, and decided to stay in Warsaw.

Stepha

cheeseandegg · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

You probably made the right choice.

I worked for Bell for a year in Szczecin. It was a happy experience for the first part of the year until the company director (Ludka) started a campaign against teachers she thought were troublesome. Needless to say, a few teachers didn't have their contracts renewed and hence many other teachers including the DOS deciding to leave. The company have frozen/cut wages, still require staff to work on Saturdays, charge excessive rates for staff flats and provide no proof of bills, taxes and other fees taken from wages.

On a positive note I can say that the teachers and school (not head office) management and support staff were brilliant and very helpful. The students were great too.

nocturnalme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 73 Location: Gdansk, Poland

I work for Bell in Bydgoszcz and can only agree with the last post. On the whole, great, but the cutbacks they're imposing are ridiculous and morale is dropping. They basically want Polish teachers, who are willing to work for less, and are trying to phase out native speakers. The tax situation is a little dodgy and, yes, so is the flat/bills thing. However, work on a Saturday is optional and paid at a pretty good rate.
I think there must be worst schools out there.

Khrystene · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 271 Location: WAW, PL/SYD, AU

Are all the "Bell" schools affiliated... I notice there's an offer for a camp counselor in Poznan for this summer...

Thoughts?

cheeseandegg · Joined: 26 Aug 2004 Posts: 58

All of the Bell schools are part of the same organisation - Bell International. They often have different individual owners though - Szczecin, Bydgosz, Lodz, Warszawa, Gdansk and Gdynia are all ELS-Bell and owned by a woman called Ludka who's very good at cost-cutting and holding grudges.

Other Polish Brells include Gamma-Bell (maybe incorrect spelling) based in Krakow and maybe other cities.

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:35 am Post subject:

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

chromium · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 69 Location: Dalian, China

Things may have changed since 2006, I wasn't working for them then. But, I worked in Gdynia last year and was dealt with very professionally by everyone. I did not have one problem with anyone in the organization. They always paid us on time, didn't have strict rules on paper usage or any of the other stuff I've read about. If we needed something, within reason, we got it. They lined up good flats and took care of my Non-EU Visa. I think they're a good school to work for.