Job Discussion Forums

[moonsongs2007]

Morning all. Perhaps you can help me with a question. I am moving to Poland in November and planning to live in either Gdansk, Poznan, Wroclaw, Krakow or Torun.

The aim is to make enough through private lessons and part-time language school work to live.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of job hunting at this time of year. I know it'd be better to move in September, but I can't because of other commitments.

Experience-wise, I have a CELTA (which I finished recently, it was in the form of a 5-month part-time course), a BA degree in philosophy, I'm a native speaker and I currently teach a few students one-to-one.

I'm 23-years-old and this would be my first real teaching job. I really love Poland and have visited several of the aforementioned towns/cities before, but I don't speak any Polish yet.

Can anyone offer me some words of wisdom?

Many thanks,

Matt

[Sgt Bilko]

Don't give up hope. Write to as many of the reputable schools as you can explaining the situation and telling them that, if for any reason they do need someone (resignations - it does happen as people find they're in the wrong place/profession; extra contracts - suddenly a business enquires whether a school can teach twenty hours a week and they need someone now) you will be available at a moment's notice. Ask if you can come in for an interview anyway when you arrive. Anyone organised will keep your details on file just in case.

There are schools every year who are desperate for someone and have to wait a month or so to recruit them. It's not impossible.

The reason I said reputable schools is that there are also a lot of places which people leave because they are dodgy - read around and you'll find out about a few. They may have vacancies but do you want to fill them?

[Renata]

I come from Gdansk and have been giving private lessons there for 3 years. i must say that November is a very good month for gathering private students. Some of them started learning English at schools and are struggling with tests, adults have got over holidays and are willing to learn.
When it comes to schools, some schools are hiring teachers throughout the whole year, some not - when you decide which city you are going to work in, send a letter to some of them and check.

[moonsongs2007]

Great, thanks for the advice

[simon_porter00]

Good Luck, it can be difficult to find work mid semester. Just be prepared to sell yourself to schools and advertise yourself when you get to the town of your choice. Arm yourself with a Polish SIM card asap and get leaflets everywhere.

Word of mouth is the best way of getting private students, so don't be shy in telling the people you meet that you're an English teacher. Failing that, book shops, advertising posters around the universities/places of education and a fair amount of money in case you have a slow start are essential.

[nocturnalme]

Novemeber's not such a bad time. Remember, there are a lot of flakey people out there who, once the Polish winter bites, decide they've had enough and disappear. Also, they may not be up to the job and quit/get sacked. I've worked in Gdansk and Bydgoszcz and November has often been a good time to drop in lucky!
Send a CV, explain your sitaution, ask to be put on reserve list, etc. You never know.

[Khrystene]

At that time of the year, it'd be better to go for a really large town, not Torun. I know though that Wroclaw has a pretty limited market.

[moonsongs2007]

Hey Khrystene

Wroclaw was in fact my Plan A.

I don't fancy Warsaw and I assumed Krakow would be heaving with expats. Do you think Gdansk or Poznan would be a better bet?

[Renata]

Gdansk isn't so popular among FT's, so maybe it is a good idea to try there? Sopot, which is situated next to Gdansk, is perfect for partying and meeting new people, there are clean beaches in Gdansk and Gdynia...
and the city has a lot of private schools, not all of them are good and reputable, but...I have worked there for 3 years (now I am moving to China)and I can't complain.

[moonsongs2007]

Cool, I've visited Tri-City before and may try there as well/instead of Wroclaw. Maybe it'll be a little warmer there, too

[Renata]

It won't be warmer than in Wroclaw, but...you can try