Job Discussion Forums

[smuvkat25]

Hello all,

I am a 33 year old male from the U.S. with a degree in history from a U.S. university. I am currently completing my M.Ed. in TESOL from a university in the States.

I was hoping I could find some advice regarding what I would need to come to Poland to start my new career as an ESL teacher. I have seen conflicting reports on this forum regarding regulations.

Can anyone help clear up some of this "gray area" for me?

As for me, I have zero experience teaching English. However, I do have 6 years sales training experience, as well as IT experience. I was in IT/outside sales for a combination of ten years. I know that typically won't hold water (relative to my sales training experience), but I should add that I will be a graduate assistant this fall for my university. I'll be substitute teaching for the Intensive English Language Program. Basically, I'll have some exposure to the classroom and ESL students at the graduate level.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


Nick from Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.

[misskaty]

As a native speaker, I got plenty of work in Poland. In fact, I had individuals approaching me just because they had heard there was an English person around. I had to turn work down.


I think you technically need an EU passport to work in Poland though.

[smuvkat25]

Technically, I understand that you don't need an EU passport to work in Poland. You can get sponsored by the company for a work visa. If I am wrong, I stand corrected - but I understand that you do not need an EU passport depending on the company/institution.

[Richfilth]

[smuvkat25]

. . . advice. Thanks for the "heads-up." I'll take that advice into consideration and use it as a means to do my homework before wandering throught the streets with my *ick in my hand.

smuvkat25

[scottie1113]

You don't need an EU passport to work in Poland, and as an English teacher you won't need a work permit. However, as an American you will need a residency card. You can come to Poland on a 90 day tourist visa and you must have 45 days left on it to apply for a card.

To get it, you'll need to have a job and a place to live, a copy of your birth certificate, university degree, and CELTA or other qualification. I had those with me. They'll also ask you for a police report and a statement that you don't owe any US taxes. I didn't know this before I arrived and I didn't have those documents so I simply signed a statement to the efffect that I was OK, even though I was an axe murderer in my past life. Joke.

My school helped me get the card last year and it was an easy though lengthy process. Time is of the essence here as now since Poland is a member of the Schengen zone you can't just make a border run to get more time on your visa, so I advise contacting schools while you're still in the US to ask about job availability before you leave.

Most schools begin in late September or early October so once you have your credentials, plan accordingly in your job search. Do you know what part of Poland you want to be in? When do you plan to arrive? Why do you want to teach English? And why Poland? That may be the most important question.

I'm an American living and teaching in Gdansk and I love it here but several of the teachers I worked with became disgruntled with the place and left, some after a year and some during the middle of it. None were from the US, if that makes any difference.

Hope this helps a little, and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have.

[dynow]

all excellent advice, smuv.

regarding regs, see "working on a contract", it's a thread that was started by redsoxfan. i highly recommend you check that out before coming here.

take their word for it, getting a school to sponsor you on a work permit is very rare these days. also, if you plan on doing more than the 9 month honeymoon in poland, it's worth the effort to get the residency card and arrange your own business, it's simply a better arrangement.

[smuvkat25]

Thanks for all of your help guys! I really appreciate your advice.

Scottie - To answer your questions, I am going to be finishing up my masters in the spring of 09'. Hopefully, I'll have a solid job prospect lined up within the next 6-months or so. I have been diligently researching many markets in this industry and have settled on Poland or Germany. Why? I speak broken German (4-years in high school and 1-year in college) and like its central location. I can say the same thing about Poland, but I don't speak a lick.

Why do I want to teach English? Good question. My good friend is an English teacher here in Cleveland, Ohio and I observed him one day in his class. I just fell in love with it and knew that was my calling. People often wonder why I wouldn't want to teach history, and I tell them because most of the watered-down history we learn in school isn't anything more than a fanciful tale "spun by the victors." You see, English is such a refreshing, straight-forward subject to teach because it doesn't discriminate in the classroom. It's the lingua franca of the business world and in high demand - so, why not help others learn the language effectively and teach them how to communicate accordingly? What a great job, in theory!

As far as places to live in Poland, Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk would all be wonderful cities to live in. I was in Warsaw about twenty years ago - but I was too young to enjoy the opportunity. I remember the people to be very warm and friendly. Essentially, it would be nice to be relatively close to the water, so Gdansk would be nice. How has your experience been in the city? What type of students do you teach - and in what kind of institution? How is the cost of living relative to an ESL salary in Gdansk? What could I expect to spend/save in Gdansk on a first-year salary with my credentials? I am quite frugal with my money, seeing as I don't drink excessively or shop. I am more of a coffee guy/museum guy who loves to just mull around, talk to the locals and immerse myself in the culture. I'm not coming to Europe to vacation. I'm coming to blend in, settle down and eventually start a family.

Any other pointers would be wonderful. Again, thanks for taking the time out for me. I really appreciate it.

Regards,



Nick from Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.

[scottie1113]

It may be easier to find work in Poland than in Germany because of the requirements for residency, but you'd have to peruse the Germany forum for any answers about that. I just don't know.

I spent almost six weeks in Warsaw last summer before coming to Gdansk. There are undoubtedly more job opportunities in Warsaw and the money is better, but it's more expensive than Gdansk, and it's Warsaw. Some people love it but it was too big and too fast for me, and there's no salt water there. I haven't visited Krakow yet but I'm told it's beautiful.

Gdansk is beautiful and I feel at home here. It's in the trojmiasto close to Sopot and Gdynia and I wouldn't live anywhere else. But that's just me and it's your call to make. If you feel the need to be around other Americans you'll find more in Warsaw. There are only a handful of us here in Gdansk. I know of only four others besides me. Don't know about Krakow but I suspect there are very few Americans there.

I work for Bell, a private school, and although it's been dissed repeatedly on this forum I really like the school. It's true there are other schools which pay a little more but I like everything about the school as do the other teachers there, some of whom have worked for the other supposedly more lucrative schools.

As a first year teacher I was able to afford a flat and eat well. Not high on the hog but it was fine for me. I saved a little less than I wanted to for reasons I won't go into here, but even with almost no work in August and September I have enough to live reasonably well at the same standard until my contract begins again on 22 September.

I taught pre intermediate to advanced students ranging in age from 15 to 60. I also taught business and legal English. Occupations varied from students to managers, lawyers and doctors. My classes were both at Bell and in companies. My work load was 22 to 25 hours a week not including preparation and travel time bit included Saturday mornings. I loved it.

My background is a degree in French language and literature, 12 years as a Marine officer, and 25 years in sales and sales management. I came to Poland when I was 59 and with the intention of staying for a very long time, possibly until I die. Nothing here has given me any reason to change my mind.

Except possibly Polish! It's not an easy language to learn but I'm making decent progress in it. I studied a little Italian in college and learned some Japanese when I lived there during high school, so in time I figure I'll be able to speak at least passable Polish.

Again, I hope this helps a little.

[smuvkat25]

Scottie,

Thanks again for the advice and information. Yeah, I think Poland would be a wonderful place to work/live. Gdansk does sound really nice. As far as having a small expat community, that's ok. It would actually force me to use the native language a little more - which is what I'm after. Wherever I hang my hat, I'll be definitely immersing myself in the language/culture.

As far as Gdansk goes, how is the public transportation? I'm sure they have a pretty decent system, eh?

Interesting. You were an officer in the Corps? I actually almost pulled the trigger on OCS. I took the ASTB and scored pretty well. I trained all last year and was going to sign up for the Navy to be an intelligence offer (granted, after OCS . . . getting a commission and all), but in the end I fell into this career. It's good to know that I'm dealing with a straight-shooter, so to speak. Again, I cannot thank you (and dynow) for all of your advice.

As far as a masters degree goes, is there any other benefit having that degree without an experience? I guess it would show employers that I mean business. This wasn't a distance-learning degree. Rather, I put the time and boat load of money into it. I hope that it pays off in the future, as I think it will. Like the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Just a tid-bit on Germany, there are many companies that will sponsor folks for a work visa. You were correct when you spoke that residency is harder to come by. Absolutely. Since it is part of the EU, it's very tough to come to Germany without a sponsorship of sorts. Our family has good friends in Augsburg that work for a major, global corporation and they are highly connected. They have been a great part of my network, but for whatever reason, I am still very interested in Poland. I will have made my final decision by xmas.

Well, it was a pleasure as always hearing what you have to say. Any other tid-bits are welcome.

Regards,


Nick from Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.

[sharter]

I've taught in Poland since 95 on and off,so here's my 2 bob's worth.

-What you really need is experience. Many MAs don't give you much classroom time if any. Polish students are generally very well educated and expect value for money. Be prepared for high expectations. This means that you must be well prepared.

-Polish students like creative teachers and modern teaching methods. Use Guided Discovery Techniques and Task Based Learning. Avoid ALM. Make use of mingling exercises and the like. Make your lessons personalised. And, have fun....and build a good rapport....then half the battle will have been won.

-Try and do a CELTA, it's very practical.

-Be prepared to be dicked around by admin.

-Be prepared for Krap service in bars and restaurants.

-Be prepared for the expense of modern Poland. It's the EU and prices have really gone up in the last 3 years.

-Anything you can get in the U.S. you can get in Poland.

Why Poland?

[smuvkat25]

Sharter,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sold on the CELTA, but I'm sure that it wouldn't hurt. Nothing like having another bullet in my belt. You're right - experience is key. I'm sure there will be a learning curve, of sorts.

Cheers,


smuvkat25

[scottie1113]

If nothing else, a CELTA will improve your chances of landing a job and I was asked for a copy of mine when I applied for my residency card.

What sharter said about the expectations of Polish students is right on.

I've got nothing but good things to say about the admin in my school, but that may be an exception according to what I've heard. Nonetheless, I'm very happy there.

Krap service in bars and restaurants? And not just there. Let's just say that customer service as we know it in the US is a foreign concept here, though of course there are exceptions.

Yes, prices have gone up but you can still afford to live here on a teacher's salary. Don't let that frighten you off.

And while you can get most things here, except for decent Mexican food, be prepared to pay exhorbitant prices for some things. I've worn Levi's all my live and when the last pair I had wore out after constant use during more than seven years, I found that an almost identical pair here was 300 zl. I had paid 25 bucks for mine. Bring a few extra pairs if you wear them, and who doesn't?

Finally, keep asking questions, either here or by email. I had to make the transition myself, and if I can help make it easier for you I will.

[Harry from NWE]

[sharter]

It's not just Mexican food, it's any spicy food-so bring your own Jalapenos...

Regarding the admin..I suppose it's where you've worked. Poznan Uni was great but Profi-lingua was a minefield and JDJ...let's just say it was a long time ago, I was a teacher trainer and I did a bunk after 3 weeks, when they started backtracking on the contractual obligations. My experiences with other smaller places and summer camps etc have been hit and miss. I once lost a week's salary cos I recommended someone who later got fired...go figure.

The CELTA is a really practical course if you're MA was largely theoretical. You'll never need to quote Krashen or Chomsky....but you will need to know how to make your lessons relevant, focused and interesting. A good idea would be to ask to observe more experienced teachers. Some schools also have development programs....so ask when you are applying. Also, I'd avoid teaching Young Learners as it may well pigeonhole you later on.

Get your work sorted then get the social side on track. If you do it the other way round, you might come unstuck. So many Brits and Americans come to Poland and spend their first few months drunk, chasing the local totty......and screw up their first postings. Temptation is great in the land of a thousand frowns.

You said you're into training etc...you won't have any problems there. Good gyms abound and the Poles are sports mad...including bar sports of course. Look around for deals in gyms. In winter, jogging gives you a headache...so you'll need to do something inside. Join a footy league (you can always play in goal, a position reserved for fat people and Americans:)...then your sports and drinking buddies are sorted.

There's alot I love about Poland, but there's also alot I don't- especially nowadays.

That said, I wish I could go there again for the first time...my first 2 years were simply stupendous.