Job Discussion Forums

Tracer · Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 65 Location: Warszawa, PL

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

had a quick question about how you're all spending your afternoons these days?

I've been teaching English in Warsaw for a little over four months.

I'm an American and I like teaching adults conversational and business English. I'm not into teaching teenagers and kids (they're great, but I just can't stand them). Cool

The problem for me is that I can't find any adults to teach business English or Conversational English to between 10 - 16.00. They're all busy during these times.

I've heard some of you other folks talking about freelance writing and "proofreading." Honestly there are a kagillion possibilities for dealing with the gap, but I was just wondering what you guys are doing about it?

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

if i'm being honest, i'm doing nothing work related to fill in gaps.

ever since the "kryzys" started to hit the private school sector, i've been getting a little less work, but instead of looking for more work, I've been using the time to study more Polish. i've been here over 2 years and still can't have a comfortable conversation in Polish, and it's starting to get really old. when i would normally have classes during a busy period, I study instead. i work 4 days a week and still make ends meet during this low time, so call it lazy, call it whatever, but my Polish has improved and some things are worth more than money.

i have little patience for privates unless it's paying me a lot of money, so i haven't been looking for private work either.

rcmroz · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: Re: Filling in the Gaps

Jack Walker · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Posts: 412

maniak · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 194

Tracer · Joined: 22 Oct 2008 Posts: 65 Location: Warszawa, PL

Thanks for the ideas guys. I was mostly asking about filling in the gaps with revenue generating activities, but I guess I was hinting at social possibilities as well.

Quite frankly, I'm finding breaking in socially here to be difficult. I haven't made very many Polish friends (can't relate), and a lot of my fellow Native Anglos tend to be flakes in my opinion. (Sorry, but it's true.) Most of the ones that aren't, have their own busy lives, friends and wives/girlfriends, and are too busy to make room for someone new. (Understandable.)

I'm trying to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol and loose women. No, I'm no saint, but, well, you know. . . . That stuff may give you little sugar highs and charges now and then, but it doesn't tend to take you anywhere worth being long term.

I try to fill in the gaps with exercise, learning and productive activities whenever possible. Of course, I get lazy sometimes, too.

JPM · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Posts: 69 Location: Krakow

Well, getting to and from the flat to walk the dog takes up part of the deadzone.

I too have Polish classes and try to study a little every day (I plan to become a Polish to English translator in the near future, heaven help me).

The comments about proofreading are so true. I had a great gig for a couple of years as a regular freelancer: lots of easy money and quite regular too, once you've proved your worth. Trouble is, I took a ten-week holiday last summer and the client (a large company) had to replace me. Now I can hardly get a look-in again.

Now you must excuse me, but I need to take my lunchtime nap after getting up at 6am for that horribly early - but very, very welcome - early morning well-paying private this morning!