Job Discussion Forums

[celtite]

Hello everyone!

I have recently received CELTA certification and looking to work in Krakow or Katowice. Despite the lack of job postings for ESL teachers in Poland, I'm told they are needed there.

I have the base to get me there and support myself 'til i'm in - do I just go? I'm being influenced to do that but just seems so risky.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[dynow]

first and foremost, are you a native speaker? that will make things much easier. if in fact you are, going to Krakow makes you just a number. Krakow is flooded with native speakers and the ESL market is hurtin' these days.

what are your expecations? what kind of life do you inted to live? some people can squeeze by on 2,000/month, others need 5,000.

do you have money to start you off?

where are you from? if you're an EU citizen, paperwork is easier (and probably cheaper) than say for an Australian or American.

[celtite]

Thanks for the response,

Yes I am a Native speaker, from Canada actually. I would like to be in either Krakow or Katowice, but not exclusively. I am open to other options.

From what I've been told by the consulate, to get the Schengen visa from here, the crucial element is a financial base, which I do have. Enough to start me off there.

I'm not looking to be rich, but to make enough to get by and be able to pay off loans at the same time. If my interest was to make a ton of money I'm sure I could find work elsewhere with the CELTA. But my interest is being in Poland.

Again thanks for the response. Any further advice would be awesome!

[spiral78]

be able to pay off loans at the same time.

That's very possibly a deal-breaker. It's near-impossible to make extra money in this region.... above a subsistence living. As a newbie, without local reputation and connections, especially.

Can we ask roughly what kind of monthly payments you're facing?

[spiral78]

You automatically get 90 days in the zone on tourist status. It's not a Schengen visa you need to stay and work. It's Poland-specific documents. Nothing will get you a right to work in the entire zone.... (google Schengen zone for a list of member countries).

[celtite]

Thanks again for the responses.

Well, Poland is the ideal, but maybe I might have to try my luck elsewhere..for now.

I have minimum monthly student loan payments, like bare minimum. But if all I can look forward to in Poland is bread, butter, the occasional sausage, and still not make enough to pay bare minimum student loan payments....yeah thinking of following up on a few Asian connections.

Again I appreciate the response, although it is only one opinion. If any others can confirm or contest that a CELTA trained teacher will only make enough to barely survive in Poland...please do so.

Thanks again!

[maniak]

[dynow]

i simply see no reason for you to go to poland, based on what you're saying.

hell, 1 year in Korea, and you could probably put away enough money to pay off your student loan in its entirety.

if i was single and 5 years younger, i'd probably do a 1 year stint in korea, if anything for the food and the money.

[maniak]

[dynow]

maniak wrote:

[celtite]

Thank you all very much for your input and advice. Really appreciate that.

Cheers!

[Blasphemer]

[Master Shake]

[micchan]

I've got a friend from USA who's in Korea right now teaching at some kindergarten. She has paid return airfare, completion bonus, paid housing.

She seems to be enjoying herself there, and there are plenty of fellow Americans so she's not too lonely. Also helps that she speaks Korean too, I guess.

[naturegirl321]