UK, Ireland / 90,000 Scottish Immigrants in Poland! [67]

The Scots had large numbers in Poland a long time ago, being largely settled in and around the Poznan area. We also fought alongside the Poles. I don't think immagration really exists, immigration for sure

History / Poland-Russia: never-ending story? [1341]

It was direct imposition Paczka, liberation actually frees u from sth, not strips u of it

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

youtube.com/watch?v=sxcR-K1LWFg I found this hilarious

UK, Ireland / Poles working in the UK should be getting more money from your employer! [62]

I think the problem is that many Poles haven't registered yet and are unaware of their entitlements. We hear many stories about undercutting and cheap labour, it wouldn't surprise me if many Poles were working for under 5 quid. The average wage for a Pole is 7.30 pounds. Given that quite a few work as doctors and dentists, this is a little low. There are many menial jobs in Britain, the Job Centre is just a cesspit of undesirables but many Poles are willing to work with such corrupt employers. What I am surprised about is the growing number of construction workers. In Poland, this is one of the better paid trades. In the UK, I wouldn't describe it as well paid although there are some good projects out there.

News / Have the European media lost interest in Poland? [17]

Exactly Osioł. The main news at the moment regarding Poland is arguably this shield but the European media isn't commenting so widely on it at all. Why? Because it's a political hot potato which could get the writing party embroiled in heated debate with Russia. I think more could have been written about the transitional phase between Kaczyński and Tusk but clearly it didn't arouse much interest.

Language / Genitive case ("nie ma nic" vs "nie ma niczego") [71]

I had the same with nie ma nikt and nie ma nikogo. It's like od Sean and od Seana. Od Seana is grammatically correct but the former is also acceptable. Cases come through instinct quite often. I don't know them inside out, that's 4 sure. Mistakes galore.

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

Another basic point, it's stupid to think in KANTOR terms. I was told early days in my stay in Poland to bash out that kind of thinking. As I've written elsewhere, think of it in terms of the minimum wage. 5.5 pounds in the UK and, let's say, the same in Poland (5.5PLN). 1 pound is 4.8PLN so let's say a 1:5 ratio. Now this doesn't mean that Poland is 5 times cheaper, a basic grasp of economics would tell u otherwise, but I really feel that my money goes much further here. I buy a lot of veggies which are EXCELLENT and cheap here. Getting over 5,000PLN after tax is really good here, esp without kids and a car

Life / Polish hooliganism in sport [141]

Down to grass roots, football is kicking a ball of air around a pitch, BUT boy it's good!! Like most reasonably minded people, I don't defend hooliganism, esp the big fights in forests.

UK, Ireland / Poles working in the UK should be getting more money from your employer! [62]

Wasn't Buckfast made by Benedictine Monks? U know, meditative and then thoughtful. After drinking a bottle of it, u could swear that they got the labels mixed up. I've had it once and it actually tasted OK, I kinda thought it'd be vile.

Language / Genitive case ("nie ma nic" vs "nie ma niczego") [71]

Grammatically correct is nie ma niczego as niczego is the genitive case of nic. But nie ma nic is used more in everyday language

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

55PLN for 45 mins in hand is the going rate for a good school here in Gliwice. It depends on ur other contract. I have 2 contracts so the set up is a little different.

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

That's in hand?

Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

Combining 2 jobs is good if u can do it. That's the way 2 rise above 5,000PLN after tax. 5,500PLN is normal enough then

Australia / Famous Australians [97]

Steve Irwin

Work / The qualifications for teachers in Poland? [101]

cactustefl.com/get_started/interviews/tefl_jeremy_page.php, thought this might help

Life / Polish Train Travel - Scary? [101]

It depends what part of Poland u r in. Generally, it's a safe option during the day. Sometimes, it's the strange critters u meet at the stations that pose more of a threat but Poland has many harmless drunks. Scotland, arguably, has more weirdos lingering around. Theft is more of a problem than assault.

Language / Common mistakes made by foreigners in Polish [90]

Good point by plg, we often forget about the ł/w difference. I love the marks in Polish, e.g łóżku, 3 marks in a short word. It takes me forever to write in Polish

UK, Ireland / Why so many British can't spell ? [83]

There seems to be some truth to the lack of spelling ability amongst children in Britain. Like others have said, it's due to the many irregularities in spelling in the language. Teaching phonetics is not always so straightforward. My Dad has to constantly correct his students spelling. It's hardly a national crisis but it needs to be addressed more

Travel / Good unpopular nightlife/cultural destinations in Poland [5]

Where would u fly from? U can fly to Katowice or Krakow, they are the nearest two airports. Wrocław also may be possible.

Travel / Good unpopular nightlife/cultural destinations in Poland [5]

Gliwice is a good option, that's where I live. It has one of the most famous universities in Poland, it is renowned for being a uni city (well, a polytechnic but who's looking at technical differences here?). Cultural attractions, well, it has the Radiostation Tower where WWII started. The market square is beautiful too. The nightlife is pretty decent. The studenty bars can be found around Pszczynska street but the hub of the action is on the market square. Any more info, please ask

Travel / Ticket controllers in public transportation vehicles in Poland [24]

What if you simply forget to pay ur tax? I recommend taking a taxi, then u will definitely not 'simply forget' to pay the fare

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

I've heard that too but I've also heard that it's a sign of weakness in reverse, now that's worrying!!

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]

U'd assume so. I was just making the point that sb from the Third World makes almost double of what a Pole makes, talking in averages of course. That'd get a few people in a flap, considering that the Poles are supposed to produce some of the best doctors in the world. Being part of the EU makes their movement easier, just look at Van Binsbergen for example.

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

Good posting by jones101. This standing in front of lifts is rude. I'm quite a big guy so I just barge them out of the way. And the door thing. People look shocked when I hold doors open for them, they seem not to be used to it, it's natural for me. When I know they are not gonna say thank u, I gaze intensely at them and they cower a little. What a bad man I am, hehehe

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]

Temp work is a trap, sth 4 skivvies. Scotland had many such jobs when I was there. I chose 2 c 4 myself just how ludicrous the position was. Many contracts are only for 3 months. 6 months renewable contracts would suit Poles down to the ground. There is some potential for skills acquisition.

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]

Poland is richer in the EU. As most countries seem to value GDP and wealth, Poland seems to have made a sensibly motivated decision. It was staggering to see that Poles make not much over half what a Ugandan makes in the UK. No offence intended, but a UGANDAN? It just goes to show that Poles are prepared to accept these jobs on the lowest rungs. The average is not much above minimum wage according to Puzzler's report. However, they do save money on housing by living together in large numbers and live cheaply

Food / Pierogi (polish Dumpling) Lovers Here???? [76]

I like the tuna melt idea, that's go down a treat. I had dumplings with meat today, very tasty from one of the best bars in this region but still, more diversity would always be welcome. The gorgonzola one was a good idea too.

Work / The qualifications for teachers in Poland? [101]

It depends!! In Speed, I had the opportunity to do interesting conversations on all manner of things. The variety of themes and things that I teach now keeps the interest factor reasonably high. I think u'd be amazed at just how the TEFL industry has changed Michał. I get to teach Business English and teach CPE to certain groups. I also have a conversation group where we discuss the articles of the day. So, in conclusion, the diversity is very much in evidence. My job in Japan was more numbing given that we only worked from a handful of books and had little choice what lesson to do given the fact that the students had done them b4. There was VOICE there tho (convo room). If u want any further clarification as to how I c the TEFL world, please don't hesitate to ask.

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

My friend was asked to pay 8,000zls when he moved out of his place. This was due to a build up of mould on the walls. My friend assured his landlord that he kept the windows open and minimised the risk of an outbreak. His landlord was clearly trying to fleece him and take his chances. Thankfully, he stood up to him and told him to stick it where the sun don't shine. I don't know if they had an 'umowa o najmu' which would have regulated the dispute. I have one with my landlord now so we have agreed on many things. U need one to get registered here (zameldowania). I know of other foreigners who have had run ins with their landlords

Work / The qualifications for teachers in Poland? [101]

Good posting by Harry. Explaining the duration form in Polish is an exercise in futility. I explained it concisely to an intermediate student IN ENGLISH and she picked it up really quickly. I saw her translations and they were as close as possible to expressing it, only because we really worked on it. U can express continuous time in Polish, e.g robiłem, I was doing as opposed to zrobiłem, I did. However, they only have 3 main tenses.