Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

Michael Swan is also a good author, he wrote the seminal book, 'Modern English Usage'. I agree with Mr Bubbles in that you could learn the ropes with enthusiasm and commitment. However, it's just getting your foot in the door. Good luck!

Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

And if your student isn't switched on, you have to labour a bit to spark their interest. Trust me, it's like pulling teeth sometimes. If the objectives of the class are clear, it's usually plain sailing, yes. Still, there are different variables. Have you ever taught multinational classes, Mr Bubbles?

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

I don't think teaching is a moronically simple process, no. However, I also don't over analyse it as the likes of Harmer and MANY others do. It is relatively simple compared to how some Poles treat it.

I've watched some Polish teachers teach and I was bored to tears. There is little real and meaningful connection with the students. I will pit myself against most of them anyday.

Another major factor is adjustment to your students. I can change myself to suit different audiences, I can't say the same for the Poles that I have watched.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

Miranda, please look at post no 10 above. I was just saying that the process of teaching is deeper than Mr Bubbles painted. Read Jeremy Harmer and you will see.

There are various qualifications, Mr Bubbles.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

A rather simplified version of teaching there by Mr Bubbles. He's probably full of beer bubbles. Just kidding, he has a point in that confidence is key. When you are fresh and on your game, the rest takes care of itself.

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

Wrocław is right, a wise head on, um, good shoulders ;)

This is not terrorism where, sometimes, you have to take the fight to the enemy. Use your options, you know what they are.

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

An utterance of love isn't a sign? What other signs can you get, given that you live apart?

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

You had the best of intentions, lad. You didn't dash his hopes completely. You can repair things but it takes time.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

Good advice from ukpolska. Still, there are those schools, which I won't name, that continue to let such native speakers in. When I tell Polish teachers that I have extensive experience and a CELTA, they feel better. They work really hard to get themselves qualified and get paid much less. When I have dipped into the coffers, they see that it is not wholly unjust.

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

My fiancee sent something similar to me once. When she came back from work an hour later, she was shouting at me ;)

Nah, just kidding ;) Seriously, don't rely too much on words with women. They can turn very quickly. When you finally get the chance to build something with her, work at it. That's REAL life, not hiding behind texts. Establish compatibility and you are off to a winning start.

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

Well, you are pursuing it for better or for worse. Dude, sometimes you never know unless you get the chance to test it out over a longer period. Sms's are only that, they are often things you regret.

Love / Whose Life is it? Polish girlfriend under family "house arrest" [224]

What a control freak he sounds. I wonder how he provides for her. That's their business but a woman doesn't respond well to an inept man with no drive and vision (what's my fiancee doing with me? LOL).

Keep up the pressure, lad. Keep him on his toes.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

You will manage. I recommend trying a school that is not under the patronage of the curatorium. You can slip under the radar sometimes, being unqualified, but it's a risky business.

Work / New English 'teacher' in Poland (I have no qualifications). [119]

Everyone has to start somewhere. You may get a chance to shine in a couple of demo lessons. If you impress, the door may well open.

I can tell you for a fact that quite a lot of teachers don't have a CELTA. Still, it gives you the edge for sure. It shows that you are prepared to invest your time and effort in the industry.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

UK, Ireland / More Polish workers leaving the Isles [28]

I was talking about this the other day to a fellow teacher. Many still want to join other family members across there.

However, many already miss products you can only buy in Poland. This may not be enough of a lure. More Poles were expected to return given the boom in Poland a couple of years back. The crisis has taken hold here and they also have 5000PLN from a 1000 pounds job, rather than 4000PLN, that makes a difference.

Law / Trying to do business with Polish businessmen... but it's not easy. [41]

There will always be questions of sincerity, wherever you go. There are plenty businessmen in Education now, syphoning off the profits.

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

Another obvious reason was resistance. How much longer could people accept the long queues, the lack of freedom of movement and the lies?

Poland had to catch up with the West. Intellectual freedom, a free market economy and the chance to enter international organisations were all pivotal and crucial.

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

Communism was just one great control mechanism which was FAR off giving people the kind of life which they can now enjoy.

It is a system for weirdos.

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

So there is something bad in an ideology if it is irrational and exclusionist.

There is no 'ideal' ideology, LOL

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

Rise of living standards for who? In practice I mean, not in theory.

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

Do you really think that communists are adept at doing that?? Even a more capitalist Poland struggled to do that and sustain it.

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

Define results, results in what?

History / Why communism failed in Poland? [275]

I have to agree with Seanny here, Sasha. Don't you have the term 'flawed ideology' in Russian?

Genealogy / Surname Smolen and Swierk [3]

There is an Agnieszka Smolen here, she was one of my students a long time ago. She might be on nasza-klasa.pl, I don't know

Love / Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, Especially In Another Language! [46]

'Movin on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard'. This from Megadeth in the song Tout Les Monde.

You played your cards well, CARDno85

Food / favorite polish recipes? [65]

I thought Americans went in for corn, no? The Poles do load it up with ketchup, yes.

Geez, it does my nut in how much is added.

Food / favorite polish recipes? [65]

Yeah, what's with that? Go figure. Would you like some pizza with your ketchup, Sir?

Food / favorite polish recipes? [65]

Pizza is not Polish, deary!! Google 'Italy' and feast your eyes ;)

Language / Two questions for people who learn polish [57]

That's the key, pitching it at a level that they will understand. Better to go lower than higher with difficulty levels.

I don't teach writing that often. Private schools entrust native speakers with more speaking-based tasks. I don't feel like speaking much today though, I'm ill.

Language / Two questions for people who learn polish [57]

I also agree. Elementary isn't so elementary sometimes. Sometimes grassroots materials can catch you out and even show you up.

I would also add 'go with what is necessary'. Too many people try to cram things into their brains without sorting out what they need and what they don't. Learn how you think in your own language, not linguistically I mean, more which words you use. For example, there is not point in giving a dentist language which bakers use. Think how you express yourself in your own language and try saying the same in English.

Conceptualise too when learning prepositions. Your own language should always come naturally to you so don't worry about losing accuracy in your own L1. Try to think of an imagine for, say, ON the tv (rather than IN the tv in Polish). I would recommend practice with the preposition AT. This is probably the most misused one.