Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]


The old bag in question even tried to tell me that my pronouncation of 'am' was wrong.

Definitely one of those 'errm...look out of the window...try not to laugh in her face...' moments. It transpired that she didn't even realise that American and British accents are significantly different.

Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]


Yup, or even better, the old bag in one of the groups who complained about not being able to understand my accent, complained about not being corrected enough (she's bad enough to the point where demanding complete correctness would take all week!) and complained about everything else. The temptation to tell her to simply shut up and accept that she'll never speak as good as me is..well...overwhelming at times :P

It's very telling that in our most advanced (nearly at the end of stage 10) group - the older ones are very bad at using the language and almost never ask questions, while the younger (20's/30's) ones are forever enquiring and probing into the use of the language.

Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]


To be fair, the problem lies both with the method and the individual in this respect. It is a rather nice way of teaching new vocabulary, especially as a good school will allow teachers to really explain the words in depth, using whatever means are available. Combine this with adventurous teachers who will promote discussion and a good, inquisitive class and it can work.

But as I said - people can reach stage 10 and still be unable to use the language. In my opinion, it would make much more sense for schools to weed these people out after the 6th stage and make it clear that they have to start putting in the work at home - and not being afraid to remove people from the class/school if they refuse to.

It's clearly obvious in the later stages just who puts the effort in outside the class and who expects miracles from their 4 hours a week.

'Pure' Callan is nothing short of dreadful, though. He's got some rather hilarious rules written in the books that are so obviously nonsense - and any school abiding by them really are just after people's money.


This is the entire problem with Callan. People with a sense of adventure will use the language to make a point, and will use whatever words they can to answer even the most ridiculous questions. But equally so, the dull people will simply want to be parrots - and this is where it fails.

My favourite trick at the moment is to ask some daft questions in among the serious questions - asking someone 'is this a chair?'...getting 'yes, it's a chair' in response...then looking at them with a serious face and asking why. I've had some amusing responses to this, and it makes life far more fun.

Having said this, I'm becoming rapidly of the opinion that Callan is for young people. I've seen so many older people struggle with it that it's obvious that while the structure appeals, the actual 'method' is simply too flawed for people to benefit from it. Younger people however will appreciate deviating from the norm and have much less expectations of what it'll do for them - and these are the people it works for.

Life / Price of beer in Poland [90]


The problem with Polish beer is not that it's hard to drink, but if you forget to drink water before bed, you end up feeling terribly hungover in the morning. This happened to me yesterday...after a litre of Tyskie :(

Anyway, beer prices are quite fine in Poznań. 7zl is the most you'll pay in any ordinary place or cafe for the usual Lech/Tyskie/Warka. Many places will be cheaper - as low as 4zl on certain nights. But usually 5.5zl is the going rate in an ordinary pub.

Travel / Tatry Mountains Poland / First Snow [29]

It was just on at the local 'art' cinema here. I was dragged along, expecting to hate it...but was utterly shocked at how good it was.

Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]


To be honest, I just don't like teaching it. Callan's explanations are truly dreadful and outdated, and it seems a fair bet to say that barely anyone could understand it from the grammar questions 'in the book' alone anyway. And I still haven't found a textbook that actually makes it interesting. Until I do, I'm refusing to teach it ;)

I do like revising grammar with people though - it can be good fun to show them different ways in which the rules can be broken in speech, as well as showing them how I'd use the language as opposed to what the rules say. But Callan grammar?...no words can express my loathing for that.

I actually think Callan realised after writing two of the books that he needed to start introducing grammar, but it's clearly obvious that he didn't understand what he was writing about. The 5th stage is so badly written, even for his times.


I'd be inclined to say that any less than 5 is a nightmare, to be honest. I've found that with larger groups (though again, one of my agreed conditions is not to teach book 1 classes!), they're more willing to make comments about the language. But this does depend on the group dynamics - there's a group in my school who have nearly finished the 10th stage, yet you can see the way that Callan just teaches people to be parrots rather than actual speakers. But then again, there's a stage 3 class who are constantly using their knowledge in various ways and it's great fun - so I think it's a personality thing.


Exactly the same method is used in my school. We all teach different things - I'm interested in getting people to use English creatively, so this is what I focus on. Others will concentrate on their knowledge of irregular verbs, others might concentrate on their actual hard grammar knowledge. It works - at least to a certain extent.

I've also started experimenting with different methods in the class - for instance, making people stand up when they have to read. Or making them turn the chairs round to face the wall when doing a dictation. Or even simply making them do part of the class in the corridor - and I'm thankful for having a boss that lets me experiment in such ways.

But the fundamental problem with Callan, at least in my eyes, is the fact that people can get to the 10th stage and still not be able to use the language at all.

Travel / Tatry Mountains Poland / First Snow [29]


It was snowing in Poznań last night! I went to the pub after going to see a film called Once (great Irish film!)...all was fine and well, then when we left, the snow started...and it kept going...and going...and going.

It's mostly melted now, but still, everywhere was white this morning :/

Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]


Yup, it will tell a lot if the teachers you observe don't change the material around. Even little things - like one question 'are you always willing to do things for other people?'. If someone says yes, then it can be fun to throw a pen/the book/whatever on the floor and ask them to pick it up.

Even sometimes, asking "why?" after a random question can get some interesting answers. If you find the school doesn't entertain this and sticks rigidly to the amount of revision/readings/writings/dictations, then it's not likely to be worth any amount of money.

One thing that stands out about Callan more than anything - some people will use the language and have fun with it, while others will repeat the 'expected' answer even when you'd expect them to be able to discuss something. The earlier ones will encourage you, the latter ones will make you want to throw yourself off the building.

As for negotiating conditions - sure, moneywise they might be fixed. But don't be afraid to negotiate on points such as teaching Grammar - I managed to get an agreement that I wouldn't teach anything 'new' to students when it came to grammar, for instance. I could, but I don't like it and don't particularly want to teach it.

Work / Interview at a Callan School [204]

It's worth asking to observe a couple of lessons before accepting the job if they offer you it - you'll soon see if the school encourages creativity or not. A Callan school that doesn't want their teachers to be individuals is likely to make you thoroughly miserable - so if you find that they're looking for a droid, keep well away.

Just use your instinct - and don't be afraid to negotiate your conditions.

Work / JOBS IN Hp AND GOOGLE IN WROCLAW [17]

How much are you looking for? You could probably earn up to 10zl an hour easily enough, but I wouldn't hold out for any more. There will be opportunities in big companies - but it's by no means a certainty, especially as Poland is churning out very high quality information scientists.

Life / English Books in Poznan [13]


It is hard going, but it is logical...probably best not for complete beginners though, as they won't be familiar at all with how the language sounds.

Life / Sat TV providers in Poland [18]


Is there any reasonably pain-free way of getting iPlayer and 4oD? The lack of 4oD has been driving me crazy here, particularly with the lack of Hollyoaks*.

(*yes, I know)

Life / English Books in Poznan [13]

To be honest, with the current exchange rate, it works out cheaper to buy them here. Amazon's delivery costs are pretty hefty, and you can find English books for around 35zl or so for your average paperback.

And there's nothing like buying books in the flesh ;)

Life / English Books in Poznan [13]

Aha, now you're talking about something that I don't know about.

I would recommend not taking a course to begin with - Polish is quite an easy language to pick up, and people are generally friendly enough to not be bothered by dreadful grammar. I picked up a book from Empik called 'Polish in 4 weeks' - and it gives you more than enough to actually be able to get by in Poland. I know the letters look dreadful, especially the ł and ż - but in speech, they're actually quite easy to work out.

I've never heard of the school in question, which isn't too good. I'll ask in my school if anyone has heard of it - but i don't think they have, otherwise it would've been mentioned to me by now.

Anything else I can help with, feel free to ask :)

Life / English Books in Poznan [13]

There's two great places, located almost next door to each other.

The AMU British Library is on ul. Ratajczaka, next door to Piccolo and located about two minutes walk from Plac Wolnośći. 40zl for a year's membership, and has a decent amount of books. It's about a ten minute walk from the 'new' (Pasaz) part of Stary Browar. For 60zl/year, you can rent DVD's too.

Meanwhile, on Plac Wolnośći, there's an Empik which has a fairly decent English language section. They've also got English language newspapers and some magazines in English too.

There's other places scattered about, for instance, there's a kiosk in the PKP station that sells quite a decent range too. There's also a bookshop in Stary Rynek that sells English books - not in the horrific communist-era concrete block, but across from it.

Love / Looking for ideal place in Poznan to propose to my girlfriend. [14]


Stary Browar. Or failing that, Rondo Kaponiera.

Okay, I'll be serious. Poznan isn't really too great for such things - although it depends entirely on what you want. Nice restaurants are commonplace, but there's nowhere really completely romantic - all depends on the girl. But you probably can't go far wrong with some of the restaurants located around Plac Wolnośći, I think.

Just not Stary Browar, whatever you do.

Life / Where to buy bedding in Poznan? [5]

IKEA's a doddle to get to - there's a free bus, but I'm not certain on how it actually gets there. I *think* it might leave from Rondo Kapionera, but don't quote me on this.

Otherwise on MPK, there's quite a few ways from the centre to IKEA. It's near Centrum M1 in Rataje - so the easiest bet is to make your way to Rondo Rataje (three stops from Stary Browar) and hop on a bus from there. There's other ways, but this is the easiest.

If you give me your nearest bus/tram stop, I'll give you the best directions :)

Life / Healthcare In Poland For An EU Citizen [10]


Yep, there's something called the NFZ. It operates slightly differently to the NHS - many places will be both NFZ and private, so you have to ensure that you're being treated under the NFZ scheme and not privately.

But you won't qualify automatically...

The UK NHS won't be covering you anymore, as you will have lost residence in the UK.


It's cheap for me, but it depends on your age. medicover.pl is your friend in this respect for health care.

Public health care is funded via something that you'll grow to hate called ZUS - which is basically a horrifically high social tax that goes to pay pensions and health care. But be warned, the system is very awkward - residence alone doesn't give you NFZ cover (unlike the UK NHS), although there are apparently ways to get round the requirement to actually pay ZUS a penny.

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


I think it's simply explaining many of the corporate bullshit terms that are thrown around freely - stuff like 'let's knock this out of the park' and so on. At least, this is what I teach - I'm not going to insult their intelligence by teaching them *about* business when they evidently know much more than me.

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


Murphy is a fantastic book, I've lost count of the amount of times when it's proven to be invaluable, even for just testing purposes.

But I think that part of the problem in Poland is that many people seem to think that native speakers should be teaching grammar. There's a school of thought in my school that we (well, I) shouldn't be teaching them - so we've developed a system where the initial teaching is done by a Polish teacher, but I expand on it. It seems to work.

One thing I'd certainly suggest is learning a specialist English topic. Even if it's just about working in a bar - then you should be able to teach someone comprehensively about this, even about the more arcane differences (such as what a Vodka Martini is and why it'll differ in America to Europe). For instance, my personal expertise is Business English - but I teach them the nonsense they can expect from English speakers. They know it's nonsense, I know it's nonsense - and I usually get questions along the lines of 'Do people really speak like this?'.

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


Me, for one. But I have a good deal with my school - I'm responsible for their spoken English and the Polish teachers are more responsible for the grammar side of things. It works nicely - I don't have any desire to teach grammar, as the technical aspects of languages have always bored me. Certainly, I've found that many people are interested in the more bizzare uses of English, such as talking about how you can be in a pickle. But I have quite a nice deal really - and it suits me.

To the original poster - don't sell yourself too low. I've seen adverts in Poznań from 'native speakers' who are charging as little as 30zl, yet virtually every Polish person I know wouldn't consider them on the grounds that they're probably doing little to no preparation for their classes. Even for a conversation class, you should be doing at least some preparation.

One thing I'm curious in - how on earth did the original poster get a job in a bar in Poland without Polish?

Travel / Going to visit Poland for long period of time - need passport? [25]

It's pretty simple.

If you're an EU citizen, you can come here and stay for as long as you like. You should get formally registered in the country, but in practice, no-one cares about EU citizens. You'll need either a passport or a national ID card.

If you're non-EU, then either you need a visa or you don't. Either way, a passport is obligatory. If you access Poland visa-free, then you'll only be allowed to stay for 90 days out of every 180. You can stay longer if you apply for a visa/etc - or you can just overstay. But there are quite tough penalties associated with that, so be careful.

Law / HOW DO I REGISTER MY BUSINESS NAME IN POLAND? [17]

To be honest though, if it is just closing the door to non-EU citizens getting in without a work permit, I'm not too fussed. Less competition and all that ;)

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

I've got one for you...

I saw a shop in Stary Browar in Poznan selling all sorts of 'world foods'. I went in to laugh at how much of a rip off they are. First thing I see is a box of Weetabix with "SPECIAL PRICE - 1 POUND 29" written on it. I checked the Złoty price - 25zł...how I laughed.

Law / HOW DO I REGISTER MY BUSINESS NAME IN POLAND? [17]

I'd be willing to bet that this is just them closing the loophole where non-EU citizens can register a company and end up legally staying on this basis more than anything else.

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]


I guess this is where he's going wrong then - he's trying to register at the provincial office without having the zameldowanie from the local council first. And of course, they'll tell him to piss off without having the zameldowanie as you have to be registered locally first.

And you can't get registered locally without the landlord's consent. What a mess.


I wouldn't be surprised if they were charging him the tax and then keeping it to themselves, seems to be a rather common scam in Poland towards naive foreigners. No ZUS as well, although the EHIC card is good enough even though you really shouldn't use it if you're not resident in the UK...

Law / HOW DO I REGISTER MY BUSINESS NAME IN POLAND? [17]

Foreigners as in non-EU, right?

UK, Ireland / Supermarkets in Poland: differences and similarities to the UK. [62]


Bloody snob :P

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned - Tesco is regarded by many people (at least in Poznań) as being a supermarket for poorer people. Certainly, the prices and the appearance of the shop look more like Lidl in the UK as opposed to Tesco.

I'd definitely argue that Tesco was a lower class of supermarket than in the UK.

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]


This is where I'm getting confused - in Poznań, you first register with the "Urzędu Miasta Poznania" (which is effectively the city administration) for the three months temporary residence permit, and then you go to the "Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki" (provincial administration) to obtain the 5 year residence permit given to EU citizens.

As far as I know, there's no way round this - you cannot jump straight to the 5 year permit, as the 'zameldowanie' is granted by the city administration. But you certainly don't need all the documentation listed by the British Embassy for local (temporary) registration to obtain the 'zameldowanie' to begin with.

This could be where you're going wrong - although Warsaw might be a special case in terms of registration of foreigners.


Apparently, you can get it when you first register for the three months. But you might not get it until you apply for the 5 year residence card - either way, you won't be getting it until you're registered in some way. The best bet is simply to ask at every stage of the way - and someone will give you it.

It's probably closest to our National Insurance numbers in the UK in terms of what it does.


Yup, basically. Usually the best way to find out their intentions is to tell them that the tax office wants to see your contract - if they tell you not to show them, then you know they're operating some sort of tax dodge.

UK, Ireland / Supermarkets in Poland: differences and similarities to the UK. [62]


It amazes me that in a country that has so much distrust towards strangers, they allow cigarettes to be sold by individual cashiers.