Job Discussion Forums

[abauer]

Hello fellow EFL community,

I'm really considering leaving my current place (Kiev, UA) for Poland (among other places). But first I'd like to know how the job situation is in Poland (particularly the big cities).

Are there any good schools that are hiring now?
What are the requirements for most schools?
What are the wages like? Do they meet or exceed average living expenses (unlike Kiev)?

As of now, that's all I can think of to start.

Thank You

[lundjstuart]

read through the other topics and then you can ask those questions!

[TwinCentre]

Hi Abauer

Well, I would like to give you a friendlier response..

Poland is one of the easier countries in Europe to get a teaching job, but like everywhere else there are the same pitfalls. There are lots of schools hiring in Warsaw at least, and possibily in other towns. The best school of course is The British Council, they usually require a DELTA but no-longer insist on British Citizenship (in Poland at least). Other schools I have heard are okay in Warsaw are Tower, Prof-lingua and Mike Mills, but everyone has different experiences and it is a minefield trying to sus out which to go for, just dive right in i'd say!


If you combine a teaching job with private students and possibly some proof-reading there is no reason why you cannot pull in 6000 PLN in Warsaw per month, and that will allow for a reasonable lifestyle. The British Council pay alot more but you get the full whack of tax. I think from around 10.500 pln I used to end up with 6.400 or something. The standard rate to charge for private lessons per 60 minutes seems to be 70 to 80 PLN if you hold DELTA or an MA, but I know some who charge 100 plus on the back of working at The Council, and they seem to get some students...

I have experienced both Poland and Ukraine, and I think you will find Poland easier and even more friendly, just watch out for the negativity you get from some expats, as everywhere else, but after living in 11 countries, I think Poland is bad on that front, almost as bad as Japan.

All the best and good luck with the job search, I'm sure you will land something you are happy with.
TC

[Toad]

I agree, Poland is fullof mixed blessings and one teachers dragon is another teachers saviour when it comes to schools. I read of horror stories but I always take them with a pinch of salt because you never really know the backgroud. I could have posted horror stories about my last school but, in all honestly, it could have been worse. The biggest problem was the terrible mood swings of the DOS who was, at best, downright nasty. Most teachers just stayed away from her. oh, and she has some serioius pronunciations issues...

I'm interested to hear your stories from UA, what's it like to work there? Can you earn enough to live on? Are you more likely to get robbed and murdered than given the time of day?

I found most people quite nice when I visited in January but some were well, just plain wierd! Like the guy who doesn't say 'excuse me' but simply pushes you out of the way to get past ont he street.

and as for the scaffolding around buildings made for wood and string.... no thanks...

[superturbo]

I'd also like to hear about working/teaching in UA compared to Poland. I've been to Ukraine twice and found it very nice and even friendly taxi drivers! But of course I wasn't there for very long!