Job Discussion Forums

coffeespoonman · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 512 Location: At my computer...

Sorry to repost, but my question was perhaps a bit too general and daunting to be answered. Here it is again, heavily modified.

I was all set to head over to Poland a couple years ago, but as an American, the visa problem stopped me in the end. Now that the visa situation seems to have become a bit more favorable, I'm thinking about heading back that way.

For the record, I'm an experienced uni teacher (3 years), and I have an MA in Literature. I'd love to teach Lit, but would be perfectly happy teaching prep (as I have been doing in Turkey).

So, can anyone suggest some good Polish universities to send my CV to? I'm pretty flexible when it comes to location. Big city, small town, not really a problem. Of course, Krakow would be excellent. Warsaw seems a bit grim. And those are the only two places I've seen (other than Elblag. Yeah, I interviewed at Regent), so I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance! If anyone wants any info about unis in Turkey, I'd be happy to share!

joshsweigart · Joined: 27 Feb 2005 Posts: 66

Try any of the WSHE (Wyższa Szkoły Humanistyczno-Ekonomicznej) schools. They're all around Poland and employ native speakers. They aren't what the public uni's are but they're easier to get into and I think the turnover rate is a bit higher. The public uni's that I know of tend to not have a very high turnover rate for native speakers but it you want to try just type the city name of your choice into google and you can probably go from there. You can make more money just teaching esl.

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

With an MA you are officially acceptable to teach in any university in PL. Send your resume's to all.

Well except mine, because the ***** boss will destroy the department if someone doesn't stop her. Evil or Very Mad

Jetset · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 74

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

zorro (3) · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 202

Sorry, but what are Umowa O Pracy and Umowa o Dzielo? And the figures that you quoted for pay in the Polish universities are per month? In euros?

Thanks.

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

Simply:
Umowa o Pracy is a full time contract with all benefits paid = ZUS and Tax, at Uni this includes paid holidays and a 13th Salary.
Umowa o Dzielo is a piece work contract. No benefits paid and generally is used for Art or, say, carpentry. Tax is paid, but at a lower rate.

There's also Umowa Zlecenie, which has healthcare and tax paid, but not social welfare or superannuation. [Correct me if I'm wrong.]

I wouldn't work on Umowa o Dzielo, as teaching always has hours outside the ones you're paid for; prep and checking students work, etc.

The amounts are in ZLOTY. PLN.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

In Euros ? Hahahahahahaha !

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

I taught at U.A.M. in Poznan for a couple of years.Had a good laugh but left under a bit of a cloud.It was very political in the staff room. Some of the Poles and more established native speakers really didn't like teachers who were popular with students....I guess they felt threatened.
The money is krap though.

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

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

In my case it was just a case of someone taking a dislike to me in the staff room.
Our Polish DOS took maternity leave and the one who replaced her just had it in for me.With the exception of one unqualified American teacher she really didn't seem to like men.Furthermore,the most popular residential courses were the ones on which I taught...that really niggled her.On top of that several students left her classes to join mine in the 2nd semester....that bothered her immensely.Then the feedback forms came in and mine were excellent......that was the proverbial straw.
From that point on I had to do all cover lessons,my records,(which were always upto date), were investigated daily and she even invented a complaint,(the student involved was a good friend of mine).She even popped up unannounced to observe a lesson.Having conceded that it was excellent she then had a go at me for taking time off work when my wife had my son.It just went on and on and eventually I told her to stick it.90 of my students signed a petition.
When the old DOS came back, the other got sacked the American left and I was re-instated,although I declined.
At the time I was working for the magazine 'Easy English' and was instrumental in the first 60 issues.1 hour in a recording studion paid me more that 24 hours at UAM...so go figure.I also published more than 200 articles for them.
Lots of teachers think they are popular with their students I agree;Poland is a place in which students really appreciate well prepared,innovative teachers and that's why I got on with them.
You are clearly having the same kind of political jealousy problems in your staffroom or you wouldn't be posting.
University staffrooms tend to be the domain of the middle-aged housewife.