Job Discussion Forums

ChiTownPole · Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

I know most EFL teachers are single guys in their mid 20s, but I'm interested if anyone lurking around this neck of the cyberwoods actually has a family to support in Poland. If so, are you doing it on a teacher's salary? Is your spouse working too? Do you own your own apartment or house? Are your kids on your health insurance?

- Curious former ESL'er husband and father who'll be making a Polska plunge this fall

slodziak · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 143 Location: Tokyo

ChiTownPole,

This thread was on a very similar topic to the one you have just started:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=34976&sid=4d4482d6121076580cb18ef39030e5f9

Maybe you'll find some of your answers there but basically the answr is 'Yes'.

Stephen

Kymro · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 244

ChiTownPole · Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Thank you for the replies. I did check out the previous thread, Stephen, and some of the issues addressed were applicable to my situation. I will try to be as specific as I can.

I used to teach ESL here in the States in the 90's. I have a bachelor's in English and several TESOL courses under my belt, but no CELTA ot TESL cert. I have been doing database development work for the past several years, but that well is beginning to dry out for me and I feel much more @ home teaching. I am married and have 3 kids. My wife is Polish. but speaks perfect English and has been a marketer for several years. We are moving back to Poland to be close to our rapidly-aging and ill parents.

It seems like most of you pack up your bags annually or every couple of years and move on to a new teaching locale. I would like to settle down in a specific town, buy a house and find long-term employment. Is this feasible? Can I sign a long-term contract with a school? Again, I am not interested in learning about the culture or the language ( I already know them both), nor am I hoping to hop on a train to Prague every so often. I want to settle down in Poland and be able to (together with my wife) support a family.

It seems like there's actually a dirth of info. about how to move w/ a family to Poland. Any suggestions or personal stories would be greatly appreciated.

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Kymro · Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 244

ChiTownPole · Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Thanks, Kymro (Walter, is it?) I guess I'm worried about a few specific things:

1) Do I need to bother w/ a CELTA? It's not the $ that's a concern for me, but being away from the wife & kids for a month at a critical time for us before the big move.

2) Will I get health insurance? If so, will it cover our whole brood?

3) Again, I don't want to be uprooting the family every couple of years. Can I expect to be employed in the same town for an umpteen # of years? Btw, the familia is in Bydgoszcz, but Torun is just a stone's throw away, too.

philobedo · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Krakow

I'd advise you get the CELTA. You'll have much more choice in the job market, but it's not always essential. If you really don't want to, get in touch with some schools direct and see what they require. Some will take you without one, but on the whole those schools will be of a lower standard. As with all things there are exceptions though.

Doubt you'll get health insurance paid. Such contracts here are rare in our profession, though its not totally imposs either. Swings and roundabouts cos pay with such a contract is usually much reduced anyhow. However, you can pay it yourself, and then your family will be covered too. Only one person has to be covered by it, then the whole family automatically is.

No reason to keep moving. If you can teach, the school won't want to lose you. Staying teachers give the school stability and the fact that other teachers move on actually makes your position stronger. More likely is that they'll offer you a pay rise to stay.

PS Of the two, I cant stress far enough how much you want to be moving to Torun and NOT Bydgoszcz. Having said that I am of course now waiting for dissenting voices...

CROGO · Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Krakow

ChiMan,
As an ethnic Pole returning to Poland you will be well received by the locals.

1. If you don�t have a CELTA it shouldn�t be much of a problem, particularly if you have previous ESL teaching experience and other TESOL certs you should be fine.
The CELTA is not only expensive but it is MASSIVELY time consuming. So you must pay for the training, and it is another month you will not be working. Also, the CELTA is not about teaching international English. The CELTA is about teaching a very British English dialect. The CELTA is frequently taught by at least one person who is not a native English speaker. So do you really want to pay good money to listen to an instructor who speaks with a French accent and doesn�t know the proper way to ask to be excused to go to the restroom?

It is true that a CELTA is preferred here in Poland, but is usually not a hard requirement. Native English speakers are in demand here. I know many who are teaching at large schools without a CELTA. If you can speak Polish, that will also work very much in you favor. Many poles want a teacher who can also speak Polish. (Frankly, I find that many hang on to using Polish too long and it becomes a crutch, but that is another topic�.) The point is if you don�t need a CELTA, save your money. You could always get one latter if you think it is important.

2. Regarding health insurance: If you want it, your will probably need to set up your own company or register as an entrepreneur. Most schools don�t want to pay the ZUS tax required to get the health care. If you they do pay it, they will cut your pay accordingly. The reality is that you will be working as an independent contractor. A common ploy is for the schools to sign you to an employment contract with terms favorable to the school, but then pay you as an independent contractor, i.e., not pay the ZUS. The result is that none of their favorable terms are now enforceable against you. Things you will learn! Wink

3. Regarding stability: I do know people who have been at the same school for several years. I would be more concerned about finding a job with a reputable school to start. There are many sleazy operations running here. Once you get established, you will do fine.

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

If you're moving to Torun, I could recommend somewhere.

If you're coming back this year, you need to start applying at schools NOW! That includes the University.

Let me know if you want any suggestions.

I had to start my own business, and it's the case for most of my friends who work here. It's a pain, but it's do-able.

Best of luck.

ChiTownPole · Joined: 15 Mar 2006 Posts: 8

Khrystene,

Some reputable school suggestions in Torun would be greatly appreciated. Given a choice, I would rather settle down in Torun, as it's a nicer town, has a uni, and heck, I'd be living under the watchful eye of Fr. Rydzyk Wink

What should my approach be? Send out a bunch of resumes and wait for responses?

Btw, I am seriously considering buying up a property for cash on the outskirts of town, where it's a little cheaper, before the $ totally tanks again the zlotowka and the real estate bubble pops back here in the States. I think it's a race against time for me at this point. Good idea?