Love /
Tricky situation, should I refuse or accept? Forced to be an English teacher in Poland. [23]
“they let us stay with them in warsaw for a week when we first came, they made us great food” – that should be considered normal and expected from a Polish family in Poland, 1 week is not a big deal…
“they tried to get me work as an english teacher (and they did)” – help is always appreciated when you do not know the local market, but that should not be a very difficult thing to do, any candidate speaking fluent English or born in English speaking country could relatively easily start with a job like that
“they got us an apartment in the city center” – that’s nice but it is not something extraordinary, it should not be a very difficult task for a local person
1. If it is really close/immediate family, in general, it is better to refuse the money unless you and your girlfriend do not make much and need that income. Commonly, teachers do not make a lot in Poland. Since they helped you find the job, they may realize that you are not make a lot there and you could use this extra income – in that case, it is all right to accept it. However, in any big city, English teachers should make better than average (among teachers). On the other hand, you may not be a licensed teacher so that you are only allowed to teach adults in some private school, as a result, your wages may suffer a bit.
To decide whether the particular aunt is close enough to provide free lessons, it is up to your Polish girlfriend to answer. After all, it is “her” family. Ask her how she would feel about you giving these free lessons. If she is really close with them, she may support this idea. Typically, uncle/aunt are not close enough that you could not charge them some rate. But if you do, make sure the rate is at lower end but not unreasonable low where it would be too obvious. Never tell them directly that you are giving them any “discount” or mention the discount percentage or discount amount – that could be somewhat rude too. Just mention the (low) rate that you would happy to do lessons for.
The aunt and uncle may also realize you just moved in and need extra income to settle down. If that’s really the case, it is all right to accept some money for the lessons.
2. How can you fail to teach 13-year-old “some” English? If she takes English classes at her regular school, make sure you keep yourself current with what is going on in her regular English classes, verify she understand the subjects covered in her regular text-books before you go above and beyond into some other curriculum.
3. Yes, typically it would be rude to refuse unless you got some clever and undisputable excuse (e.g. no time due to the new born baby). Long work hours, problems with transportation (no car, no bus route, etc) or long travel times where such lessons could not be conducted in a reasonable, practical and safe time for 13-year-old could be a good excuse too, however, there is always a chance her parents would ask about doing lessons on weekends.