Job Discussion Forums

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

Anybody know anything about Profi-Lingua in Gdansk? I am interested in this job, Gdansk was my second choice city to work in, but I read some negative things about their Lodz branch on this forum.

Also, the YES school in Rzeszow. Any info regarding this school would be great, including any info about Rzeszow. They sent me an offer for summer work, but also for a job starting the 2007 school year in September.
I thought that was a little strange, so far in advance, no?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, it is a seemingly great offer, pay rate seems very good as well, it just caught me a little off guard to receive an offer for September.

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

I asked a few teachers here in Gdansk about Profi-Lingua, but no one knows much about it aside from where it is.

I hear it is pretty easy to find work in Poland in Sept-Oct. You may want to hold off till then to accept an offer. Chances are good you will find something better.

Gdansk is a cool city tho, even if the bars can be kind of dead on the weeknights. Been here 3 weeks and likeing it so far.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

for me, waiting till september is not an option.

my lease is up next month on my apt., i've saved money, not to mention resigned from my job, i'll be unemployed in two weeks, and i'm ready to go. i've had a few responses from schools already including summer work, so i will pick the best one and go around the first week of february. i do look forward to September though so i can maybe have some more options on where I will work.

any other details you might have about your first impression of Gdansk would be great, Gdansk was my second choice of cities to live in.

inez · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Gdansk, Poland

profi lingua is not the best choice. I don't know much about the atmosphere there but you'll get the lowest possible money, comparing to other schools in Gdańsk. I'll ask my friends tomorrow and let you know.

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

Uncle Bob · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 23 Location: wherever

gdansk is a great place to live but can be a little grim this time of year... as with many palces... and suprise suprise there are also nice parts and not so nice parts of the city... as with all cities...

... nightlife is quiet on the weekend becasue everyone goes to sopot... which is just a 25 min train ride down the road and an affordable taxi - or first train - ride home...

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

My first impression of Gdansk was that it was the most beautiful, picturesque city I had ever seen - I live right next to the city center and all the old historical buildings. I had never been to Europe before I came to Gdansk.

I've been here a month now and my thoughts have changed a little bit. It gets dark really this time of year (3:30pm), which is kind of depressing. Plus, I haven't found a whole lot to do with my time off yet, aside from walking around looking at stuff, reading, and drinking at bars. I've been to Sopot once and it is nice and much more posh than Gdansk, tho Gdansk is not a slum by any means.

Berlitz is still here, tho they have their own controversial teaching methodology so be aware.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

3:30, wow. that's early. like strange early.

this will be my first time going to Europe as well. to be honest, everything you said about Gdansk is kind of what I expected. not sure why, but I figured as a newbie going to Poland to teach, things will appear a bit slow and glum at times. i guess that's part of the beauty of ESL, you can move from city to city each year, always getting new scenery if things get stale at your current residence.

so if Profi-Lingua pays poorly, I am wondering if that is really all that is wrong with the job? if I were to work for a school that treated me well and my living arrangements were good, I would be willing to take a low paying job just to get me out there, I can always look for a new school for more money come September. if anybody has any other information regarding experience with Profi-Lingua in Gdansk, I would be really interested to hear about it.

so what are your classes like Mastershake? has your work load been managable?

you said you've been hitting the bars, what has that been like? any english speakers there?

inez · Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Gdansk, Poland

try other schools in Gdańsk such as Stanley's, Bell. Berlitz is definitely too expensive for most of the students so they don't hire new staff too often. My friend used to teach Italian in Profi Lingua and he said sth like 30zloty/hour which is ridiculous. The school I work for pays more but we don't provide accommodation for native speakers so those who work here have to manage everything by themselves. There's a lot of work for teachers so you shouldn't worry about that.

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

richard_1-1 · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Hey Dynow, I've worked at the YES school in Rzeszow for about 1 month now. I enjoy working here, the school is great and set in an 18th century mansion very near the city center. Rzesow is a small city (about 180,000 pop) but there is lots to do. There are many bars restaurants and nightclubs. The city is clean and has a relaxed feel about it. The center of the town is pedestrianised and safe at night.
I think they have sent you an offer for September because I'm leaving in June / July to work in the UK, so they are looking for a replacement.

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

About the school in Rzeszow, they did in fact offer me work for September. I am currently still in the states, looking to be in Poland working in February, so I just couldn't commit to any job in September till I have a better grasp of things and I'm in Poland working. I must say though, the contract they had sent me was quite attractive, much better pay than other schools. I had assumed the higher pay was because of the far eastern location of Rzeszow, and that it was possibly an undesirable location to be at in Poland. You seem to really like it there, though. I discussed my situation with YES, and they seemed to be very understanding and said they would keep my information for later in the year if I was interested in work. They offered me work in the summer as well, which sounded pretty interesting. The pictures of the landscapes out there look beautiful.

So how is the YES school? Is this your first year teaching?

Uncle Bob · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 23 Location: wherever

[quote="redsoxfan"]

richard_1-1 · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Hey redsoxfan you assume far too much, when did I ever say I worked for Top English School? I was going to but got a far better offer from my current employer. Why is it weird to describe a city center as pedestrianised? It is, and very pleasant too. When you try to give advice on this forum it just seems some people (ie redsoxfan) with nothing better to do try to pick holes in everything you say. Very sad and unprofessional in my opinion.

Anyway, Dynow the job here at YES is very good and I'm happy here in Rzeszow.