Job Discussion Forums

[kittenheels]

Hello

I'm looking to start my first teaching job this year and thus far have had an offer from the following school;

ILS International School
54-368 Opole, ul. Ozimska 63 A, Poland

I was hoping someone may be able to offer their opinion of this school, or Opole as a place to live, in general.

They've offered me 1850 Zloty and are paying for accomodation and bills, for 24 hours teaching a week. Does this sound reasonable?

Many thanks in advance, any comments greatly appreciated!

[lundjstuart]

Not at all! 24 hours a week at 60 zl net = 1440 a week and 5760 zl a month. Take about 1000 zl off for rent (I don't know the price for rent in that area, so just a guess). Looks to me that they are trying to rip you off!

[nickpellatt]

[lundjstuart]

I would be very interested to know how many EFL teachers working in language schools in Poland make 5760 zl a month? I would be even more interested in knowing how many of these jobs exist for teachers with no experience too!

For the OP - I have looked at lots of jobs in Poland over the last 6 months...I have yet to see one that pays a salary of 5760 a month, and I have been offered two jobs. One that paid a little more than your offer, one that paid a little less. From my research it would appear that you will be able to manage on that salary, although savings is unlikely to impossible.

However, I think as a first year teacher, the important things are not just salary. Support, professional development should also be important, and I would also use google, wiki, youtube etc to find something out about the city and see if its likely to be a good fit for you.

good luck![/quote]

I'm so happy that you sell yourself short because it helps with my salary....well, I don't have a set salary, I earn on what I do! When I was a first year teacher in Poland, I made well over 5600 zl a month net.

You may be asking yourself how I made that much.

1. I didn't work like a slave for a school.
2. I advertised myself and made more money other than at a language school.
3. I have a schedule and I sell different times higher than others. Early mornings and evenings are higher than mid-day classes. Weekends were also sold to clients at a higher rate.

Good luck with finding a school or what ever you do Kittens and Pellatt!!

[nickpellatt]

Sounds like you have a good little number going on there! It's good to hear that people can make a great living going with privates, but not everyone wants to do that, and as Kittens is indicating she is looking at jobs within schools I guess she doesnt want to work privates at this stage, and as a first year teacher.

So I would ask again, I would be very interested to know how many EFL teachers working in language schools in Poland make 5760 zl a month? I would be even more interested in knowing how many of these jobs exist for teachers with no experience too!

If teachers in language schools in Opole are making 6k a month, then of course its a bad deal for her...but if the only people making that sort of money are self employed, then it doesnt make the deal at the school a bad one...it just makes it a different one.

[lundjstuart]

[wojbrian]

I think a lot depends on the city you are in. I know where I lived it would be hard to make 60pln/hr. In the beginning its easier just to focus on the job at the school and get into a good groove.

I think for starting out that is fair money.

If I made what I did at my last school and added some privates it would look like this. This is not working like a dog either.

70hrs/mth * 45pln netto = $3150pln
20 paying privates/mth * 50pln = 1000pln
net income = 4150pln

On my netto from school I still had to pay my own rent. I think If they are making you work 24 hours a week it might be a touch underpaid. However, living expenses might be higher.

[Master Shake]

[Sgt Bilko]

Opole's a nice town. True, it's not Wroclaw or Krakow but it's not a small town either. There are a number of language schools (IH, Cosmopolitan and a few smaller ones) so there are a number of native speakers around. It's all very western with a 24 hour Tesco and a multi screen cinema with films in English as well as a huge out of town mall.

When I left IH a few years back, new teachers were getting about 2400 but had to pay rent and bills and most ended up with about 1200 - 700 rent, 500 bills. I guess you'll have to pay phone bills as otherwise the school could face huge bills - that could easily set you back 200-300zl a month. Better to use email/skype at school or get people to phone you. ILS has been going many years and pays on time without probelms - or always has.

As far as i know, ILS has tandem teaching - each class has a native speaker once a week and a Polish speaker once a week. It's not a perfect system but most schools seem to prefer it.

The good things about Opole: everywhere is within walking distance unless you're really unlucky with your flat. It's pretty, relaxed and has a large student population. English is fairly widely spoken although some people will presume that, as a foreigner, you understand German.

Unless you really need a big city, I'd go for it.

[TwinCentre]

[sharter]

You sound American. Would you live on $600/month in the USA? Europe is much more expensive. 60 Zl/day is awful.

[Master Shake]

[nickpellatt]

[hrvatski]

I love how we get these 1 post wonders in here who disappear and forget they ever came here, meanwhile the locals get all jacked up about prices and rant themselves into oblivion.

Allow me to join.

That's not much many for a potentially very heavy load. Remember - it's not how many hours you're teaching, it's how many different levels you have and hence lesson plans you're preparing! I could teach 50 hours of FCE a week quite happily if they were all at the same place in the book

I'd suggest you drown your sorrows with cheap beer and Polish women (assuming you're a man or lesbian...), but earning that kinda money, you're not gonna spend much time with either.

[wojbrian]

I found food to be cheaper then the US but material goods to be more.

Don't get me started on the price of jeans.