Job Discussion Forums

[biffinbridge]

Now I'm no longer even in Poland I think the time is right to explain the monster that is Profi-Lingua.
Pay-
The lies start as usual at the application/interview stage.You make a verbal agreement,then outline what you want to teach and this is put onto paper,you sign it they don't.When you've forked out loads on a move they then present you with a temporary agreement ,which becomes a long contract once they owe you about 6 weeks' wages....in effect you have to sign it or lose out.Let's get some facts straight.The salary is taxed at 20%.You will have to sign fraudulent documents every month saying that you receive payment from a translation agency,which you don't.This helps their tax position not yours.You receive 70zl minus tax per 60 minutes.
Lessons-
Many of the schools don't have enough native speakers so expect a ridiculous load and 6 day weeks.
Teacher Training-
Observations in Poz were not for developmental reasons...they were there to sack people once a student complained.The work shops were for non natives only.Everyone gets observed very frequently.
Sickness-
When you are sick you have to arrange your cover and pay the school for calls made to students to cancel a class.
Quitting-
You are not allowed to quit.If you do you have to compensate Profi-Lingua to the tune of the number of your students x hours x DOUBLE what they paid.In fact divulging this info could land me a 30,000zl law suit if they knew and could prove who I really was.
The Environment-
Local teachers are pist off as you get all the hours and the money.Bosses are aloof and often not from a teaching background.My ex-boss once stated, (in a teachers' meeting);'we dont care if you're good teachers,if your numbers go down in the second semester you will be judged accordingly.'...begging the question-why have observations?The locals live in fear of unemployment so say nothing.

This org is nothing more than a teaching factory...it has no regard for its staff or students.It simply puts other schools out of business by being aggressive on price in the market place and students get suckered in as it appears to be cheaper.In fact,the semesters are shorter,the lessons are shorter,the class sizes are big,the rooms were small and 2 of the 4 native speakers didn't even have any quals but were teaching Cambridge Proficiency.
I walked.....screw the law.

[paulmanser]

I have seen many many MANY job listings for profi lingua............now I know why.

Sorry to hear your experience. Best of luck for the future.

[mique]

Nice one....This should keep the competition for teaching positions to a minimum! Im was totally happy at PL. The facts are that they pay well, pay on time (I challenge anyone who claims otherwise), yes there are observations but that should only worry anyone with no confidence in their methods (or as you mentioned the people employed straight off the street).

Yes there probabaly is a tax dodge going on but the PL teachers dont pay MORE than they would anywhere else so is that really an issue?

I wouldnt call it a monster.....As Im sure you know, as I do, living in Poland you constantly meet people who are waiting for pay - even from the other big players like Berlitz and JDJ....

And what language school in Poland (or any country really) is not in it to earn money? Its market law mate and unfortunately teachers are not irreplaceable so if youre crap, usually you end up moving on...

There are two sides to a story. Its unfortunate it didnt work out for you and Im sure you have good reasons to say what you say....Hope your next move works out better.
Regards....

[biffinbridge]

Tax does effect your position if they are asking you to tax register in the UK as PL Poznan did having already taken my 20% despite the fact I didn't have a NIP number.When you have worked in the Middle East For ages that can have huge influence on what you owe the UK taxman as it makes you UK tax employed.
I don't get the CRAP teacher jibe either.I'm qualified,experienced,have been a teacher trainer and Cambridge examiner and I regard moving on as a sign of integrity.My students have had great success in Cambridge exams,IELTS,TOEFL and Pitman....internationally recognized exams- nuff said.
In the ME all companies pay on time and Pl did pay me late in December.
The person in Poz who observed the English teachers was a German teacher .
I was v. important to the school as I had many groups and was exremely well liked by the students .I refused to work the 2nd semester,they threatened to take me to court.I could have gone into class blind drunk ,(instant sacking)but I wouldn't do that to my students because I liked them.
I left a well paid job to relocate to Poland (again) and made the decision on what I was told by the then DOS,which turned out to be a pack of lies.
I used to love Poland but it's become a very mean place in which to make a living and the managers always seem to be control freaks.
I'm going back to oil company training depts-you earn a lot and don't have to put up with all the superficial bull that schools like PL and as you said JDJ impose upon their staff.
You may have been at a PL school that was OK.Poznan was a shambles.

[mique]

The crap teacher jibe was not at you mate...sorry! Was speaking in general. ME sounds good...Hope it works out.[/b]