USA, Canada / Any Demand for TEFL teachers in US? [4]

thanks Chris

What always gets me is this 2 years experience lark ...

I have a honors degree, diploma in managment, tefl, and soon to be CELTA, but don't have any experience! I'm starting to become the professional student. Don't get me wrong I also have over 10 years working full time, but not within teaching. So how do I get 2 years experience if they are already looking for experienced teachers?

Sorry for sounding so exasperated .... maybe its a case of taking that 15 bucks an hour with no insurance job?

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


Isn't part of the problem that those sufficient enough to teach English, i.e English Native, aren't fluent in Polish and therefore will feel not qualified enough to teach in Poland??

I would possibly like to teach English in Poland, but feel that I wouldn't survive in Poland as my Polish is very limited ....

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


Good Point!
I've learned more about my native language in the last year than ...well ... I have for a long time, and the more I learn the MORE I WANT to learn. And learning doesn't stop with a qualification or certificate, or even the first time you clearly express yourself to someone and they understand your efforts.

I humbly accept I have lots more to learn about MY OWN LANGUAGE and hopefully this will see me through good times ....

Oh and I desperately need help with learning Polish - any takers??

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


I can see your point, and must confess absolute ignorance through a lack of experience.

I applaud anyone who makes a serious effect to learn another language, but I can't imagine anyone having the audacity to correct MY English or to snubb any help offered. That is just rude. Thats like me being fluent in Polish and then correcting a Polish native for their grammar use??? how does that work? I find it quite hard to imagine that a non native not living in UK/America would actually be that fluent!

Maybe your bellboy was just a jobsworth disgruntled at his rejection from Oxford (or Harvard!) Bless ....

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

Marek,

I get the impression you've spent alot of time in Europe! I love your German accent (it only took 3 times to read before I understood it!).

But isn't this English 'communication' just with a German accent?, or we could call it 'Germlish' ...

I must admit I wouldn't want to be too critical here. I can't speak Polish with a Polish accent or an English accent, I just can't speak Polish! We mustn't put down efforts to communicate through our beloved English, but perhaps acknowledgement needs to be raised over Native English v Non Native English. There are very clear differences that could make up an entire University degree between - or at least a new module for TEFL (advanced). Those who claim to be fluent in the English language should be invited to partake of the 'Banquet'. Just a thought .....

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


Beautifully said! This relates to one of my earlier points. I think there is 2 forms of English Language out there, both of which I believe serve Independently and Inter-dependently. Can one be without the other? Is one cause and effect of the other?

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


But then when we study English in UK as a subject - not as a language, we are not studying the same 'English' as non natives (Polish, Germans etc). We learn about our history of the English language, Great Poets and Authors that shaped our reading habits ... Wordsworth, Keats, Shakespeare .....

A while back my Polish friend was explaining how English was taught in her school and how she had learned about Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous etc and I was amazed at her level of understanding (if not a little embarrassed) as I had only recently learnt these terms myself! This is why I believe a fluent 'non native' can teach English in England probably better than an 'unqualified' native as their understanding and study of it is completely different to how we were taught it at school.

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

I think I follow your train of thought ....

I think some non natives of English who are considered fluent, quite often get so wrapped up in the complexities and structure of the language that they miss out on the culture of the language, i.e. its history, its people, the way we love Slang so much - there is a whole new language within a language!

So even if I do from time to time get the Queens language so utterly wrong - who decides if its wrong? Who gets the final say in this matter? The Queen is a servant, her role is to serve her country ... so the people of her country decide her language!

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

The Queen has people writing for her all the time, and I'm sure even she fluffs up her lines on occasions. Besides, I would like to see the Queen attempt Grammar Awareness module ... What is a Gerund?? although it looks of German origin so she could ask her hubby .....

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]


I think I would hang my head in shame ...

But can they teach with an English accent?? I may try to get a sideline going, 'speaking with style' in which speaking the lingo with a Brummy (or other accent) earns you extra points. Having the right accent often goes further than being grammatically correct. I mean who of us actually speaks correctly all of the time :)

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

Ha Ha! Well there's hope for me yet! Maybe I will come to the States for a teaching post - although with my Scottish accent I may be confused with a non native ....

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

As part of the interview to get into the course, I was asked to do a 5 minute mini teaching exercise. It didn't have to be a language lesson, but if it was then obviously it would have to be a language other than English as we are all English natives - so I chose Polish.

The CELTA course is at Dundee College .... and I've just found out that I've been accepted woo hoo! so the Polish lesson must have paid off!

Language / Software to convert my keyboard to polish [13]

Thread attached on merging:
DOWNLOAD POLISH KEYBOARD (LETTERS) FOR LAPTOP??

Dzień dobry

Proszę pomoc ...

Can anyone please tell me if there is a tool available to download the polish alphabet to use as a keyboard? I would use this for occasions such as Skyping my friends in Poland - practicing writing/correct spelling.

Dziękuje!

Language / SŁUCHAĆ, or PRZYSŁUCHIWAĆ SIĘ? [53]

thanks guys for your help

One more thing ... when I say 'proszę' do I leave out the emphasis on the ę sound (like prosz - eoung/ or just prosze?). I'm never sure of this as I've heard it both ways - and so worried in case one of the interviewees is Polish!

Life / What should be done to make life in Poland better and more enjoyable? [94]

Boost the econony!

More jobs - and higher wages!

Appreciate Polish Education & Labour ....

Love / Advice from Polish Girls please :) [54]


Awe what a shame ...

I think you've learned a very important lesson.
Now stop licking your wounds and move on to the next smiley (single) girl.

p.s reading these posts - no wonder there's no such requests from Agony Uncles!

Love / Advice from Polish Girls please :) [54]


Hey you sound like a right preditor! You know what they say about rebound relationships ...

But Funny!

Life / 3 Things I LOVED about Poland [58]

Hey that sounds really nice. I spent some time in the country too, and it reminded me of Scotland. The deer looking on sounds very special, unfortunately where I live its more likely to be Sea Gulls - and they're definately preferred to be looking on from a distance (preferably not in the firing line).

I know what you mean about waiting at traffic lights. I've been fortunate to spend some time in Dublin, and believe me its not too different to here too, and it definately makes a difference when people wait to cross the road. Little things of politeness and respect can go along way ...

Life / 3 Things I LOVED about Poland [58]

Not much things to love Poland?[/quote]

Not sure what you mean by that?

Either we don't have much to say about Poland, or that you don't??

Either way, I just wanted people to say what they loved about Poland. Perhaps I should have called it - 3 Things You LOVED about Poland ...

Bring on the Love!

Love / Advice from Polish Girls please :) [54]

Hey Mr Nice, you sound like you live up to your name

I'm no expert in all things Polish, but I do have Polish friends, and recently spent some time there, and as far as I can discern they don't seem too different from UK girls - perhaps a little less materialistic and a bit more appreciative but I wouldn't want to negatively stereotype against our UK girls.

I agree with feedback you've already received. Just be yourself and build on a friendship. There's nothing better than seeing a friendly face at work - and speaking as an old romantic - its good to make yourself a 'what if' man. If she's getting the right signals from you (which I'm sure your oozing from all areas) then she has something to go on - but you're still outtareach and 'unattainable'. Ok, so without trying to sound all Mills and Boons - play it admiringly but cool. Then perhaps one Friday you could casually say 'So do you get to play in the weekends' - judging by her answer you will probably know to take it further. But even if she doesn't give you the green light straight away, she will certainly go home and think about what you said, and if interested, once she's is asked again she will know what to say ...

Go and get her Tiger!

Language / Correct form of BYĆ. Please help! [96]

Thread attached on merging:
HELP! What is BYĆ? Struggling to Self Teach ...

I will be embarrassed if I'm asking a really dumb question, but as I'm trying to teach myself with no Tutor and no Classroom environment then I'm having to prowl the forum to find hints and tips, and now I come across BYĆ. Is this an abbreviation for some sort of table to do with pronouns and verbs? Please can someone translate or give description of? thank you.

And how is this phonetically pronounced?

Language / Help with Sentence Structure! [16]

thank you, that was a very informative and comprehensive reply. I will take on board your suggestion and try to recognise and remember word endings. Rome wasn't built in a day, and Polish wasn't learnt in a week! ....

Language / Help with Sentence Structure! [16]

thank you Saja, I don't have anything specific at the moment to discuss, but if I come across anything I will be keep you in mind. Thank you.

Language / Help with Sentence Structure! [16]

thank you lowfunk for your reply, I have printed it off for future reference, don't think i've ever been so excited talking about sentence structure! thank you.