American in need of a job in Lublin

I am a 23 year old female here in Lublin visiting my american boyfriend who is in Med-school. I have decided to stay for the remainder of his school year and would like a job to keep me busy. I know very little polish but I am slowly learning. I have found that most english schools require a ESL/TESL certificate which I don't have nor will aquire. I have had little luck finding something to occupy my time and give me a little spending money. Anyone out there have a suggestion? I have emailed 10 local schools with my interest in possibly tutoring and have recieved no response. Anyone out there, been there, and could offer thier wisdom?

Thanks!

Stick an ad in the paper, put something up on the local library noticeboard, do the same with the local university.

So try own privet lessons.

Sorry but if you cant be bothered to get the TEFL certificate then do you think its wise that you become a TEFL teacher?

Not being rude.

Paul, I read on one of the threads you say you have reported 3 Polish people for working illegally. I'm assuming this is relate to the Polish girl who recently broke your heart. if thats the case, then that was a really low thing to do man. Severly not cool.

Don't you know being a grass, a snitch is the worst thing. I hope you are joking. Either way it is not something you should brag about.

Try the NewEnglish School in Lublin, I used to work there for 4 years and they are a nice bunch there. Here is there website newenglish.pl/lublin_new/index.html

Say hi from Colin Walker.:)

Thanks for your help. And to Manser, I am not looking to become a TEFL teacher, if I were I would obviously need the certificate. I am just trying to see what's out there. Thank you though for pointing out the obvious. Wish me luck.

valmoe,
If you have no teaching experience a school job might be too tough to handle perhaps but I think any native speaker would do fine doing "conversation classes". I'm sure if you advertise in Lublin local pappers you'd get enough responses to make some good cash. Native speakers are in demand for this type of service and you could get 40-60 PLN per hour doing it. Avoid beginning and intermidiate level students since unless you know how to teach English grammar you won't be able to help.

Good luck anyway.

Kowalsi, I'm wondering if you are in Lublin? I'm interested in going there (friend is there) and am looking for teaching situations. It seems from what you say that one-one tutoring/conversation is fairly lucrative. Then again, I'm wondering if it's legal.

I have TESL (from Canada) and 8 years of teaching at an ESL school in Vancouver.

Sorry, the font is small on my screen and I mistyped your name, Kowalski.

I used to work for a school and give private lessons too. I think the salary is a bit lower - 30 to 40 PLN, especially if you got none or not that much experience.

Hello Valmoe! I'm also a 23 year old female living in poland for her boyfriend and looking for a teching job too! I live in Chelm, about 45min from lublin. How long have you been in poland for? Do you like it? What part of the states are you from?:( I know a lot of questions but Im' just excited to hear from an american the same age as me living near by in a similar situation. I've been here four months, and although I love it I sometimes miss my girls from back home:( Are there lots of other americans in lublin?

I'm a 28 year old male and I grew up in Lublin. I moved to the states almost 20 years ago and I'm actually going back next week to visit and buy property. My family is from Zamosc area. Lublin is a very large city approx 350K people and on top of that its a college town. Three major universities and other private schools so there is plenty of people from all over the globe.

Seefeather. We visit Chelm almost weekly as my boyfriend has family there! Sorry I haven't responded but our computer broke and getting a Apple fixed here is IMPOSSIBLE!

I have been here since the beginning of October. I like it here, but like you, I miss my girls! There's just times I need a drink and a shopping companion! LOL!! I am from Michigan. I'll check back to see if you've been on, we could possibly chat sometime! Do you Skype? AOL? let me know!

valmoe

I'm possibly planning to reside in Lublin and was wondering what your outcome was. I see this post is a few months old.

-Steve
stevenmyer@gmail

I had no problem getting interviews at english schools. Some were harder to interview than others. A couple asked for prepared lessons plans, which with no training was hard to come up with. I am currently working with a great school that has planned lessons. It's a blast! I am doing private lessons as well. Mostly people from the gym who hear me speak english. I charge $30zl since it's easy work. I found walking downtown was the best way to find schools. There are about on on every block. You should have no problem! Good luck!

That's refreshing! What's the name of your school? Is it possible they'd have some openings for the new school year?

I just noticed that you're from Michigan. Odd does everyone find Polish companions in Michigan? Where in Michigan are you from?

Steve
stevenmyer@gmail
myspace.com/stevemyer

Mine's American born but there is a large polish population in Michigan. As I understand it, Illinois too. I have met people who lived/worked in Tennessee and even Oklahoma.

When do you plan on moving to Lublin?

The plan is to move right before the school year starts, Septemberish. Yes, there are a lot of Polsih in Michigan, Hamtramck has the largest of all them. I'm planning for my trip to Europe in August. I was thinking about going to Lublin first and seeing what kind of work I can find. When are the hiring dates for teachers for the begining of the new semester do you know?

I just called schools and got a job. I started in the middle of a term but it had been about 10 years since they had a American speaker. I don't think it's really a big deal when you start. I even read on this forum to email, email, email. Don't. Call them directly or show up. I got no where emailing schools. Just call and insist on a interview.

You should have no problem, but 1st and formost, get your visa figured out. I came not knowing I'd be staying so I don't have a proper visa. It's a time consuming process. Find out what you need to do NOW. The schools will help of course but better to be 95% prepared.

I can't get a visa until I find a job. I can't call places and set up an interview because I'm not in Lublin yet. I know what I have to do but it seems I can't do any of it until I'm there. On the flip side I'm going to sign up online for a TESOL course, in which I will be given a certificate once I have read all the materail and done all the assignments. I'm also learning Polish at a pretty rapid rate, I'm listening to CDs and I go to a class every week that teaches it. I'm also planning on going to some class rooms that teach ESL. Perhaps maybe I can even be a guest speaker to gain more expereince.

-Steve

Your 10 steps ahead of me! I would try emailing some schools and letting them know your situation. You may be lucky enough to get a job before you come. It seems getting the paperwork done here is a pain. I was given my work papers and it's around $1000 zloty's and 2 months processing. Plus, it's all in polish and although I listen to cd's and people I just haven't caught on. Learning here is hard because everyone I run into rather speak english!

Sounds like your on the right track, Good Luck! Can I ask... Why are you moving here?

I've been emailing people. I had one school interested but it requires you have a TESL. So I'm going to get that and this should increase my chances. Until then I'm going to keep emailing schools. I'm having a hard time finding them online though. My girlfriend sent me a link to a website that had a list of all the schools. There's a crap load...unfortunatly it's all in Polish. Maybe if i just searched for the emails and did a mass mail out...

By the way, my girlfriend is essential is the reason I'm moving to Poland. She's going to be studying at Marie Curie-Sklodowskiej for her masters. She's native to Poland and will be able to help me out with the paperwork. I didn't HAVE to move to Poland to be with her but it seemed to be the most probable scenario.

Plus, I really need the change. I've always wanted to live outside of the U.S. So I'm taking this as my opprotunity. I'm trained as an artist, I went to school in Detroit and got a Bachleors in Fine Arts. I actually wanted to become an art teacher. I've been teaching art the past year. But things change and I just go where the wind blows me.

Right now the wind is blowing me to the east. :)

Steve

Hello Steve, just been reading your posts. Have you thought about the Callan method, for teaching. Secondly not all schools accept online TEFL so beware.

I have a list somewhere I think. If I come across it I will email it out. I really think a stroll through beautiful downtown with a handful of resumes will prove sucessful. There is a school on every block if not 2 or 3. Just pop in and have a chat and you'll get something.

You may want to place a ad in the paper as well, possibly for tutoring and/or art lessons! Why not? Last time I looked there were no postings for English tutors/private lessons.

Good luck with your studies!

I'm sure I'll be fine. It's just the fear of the unknown that always gets me. I've thought about the Callan method. It's just a mater of finding a school that teaches that way. As for the TEFL certificate online, I thought it'd be better than nothing for now. I don't have the time or the budget to go for a CELTA or a class taught TEFL. It's pretty unrealistic in my scope of things. Does it cost anything to post an ad in the paper? and yea if you have that list that would be awesome!

What are the chances of me getting some sort of design job in Lublin? I do have a B.F.A if it'll help me any.

Steve

Lublin, even though nice, is sort of provintional city of Poland. You can get a job with BFA quite easily, but don't expect high salary...

provintional? what do you mean? provintional isn't a word and there are so many like it I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

cant you work it out from context...?

well I ussaly can. But I can't really figure this one out.

He meant 'provincial' i guess ;] Yes, it's true... unfortunately. We have here many universities and private schools but it doesn't change anything. Most well educated people leave this city after they graduate - they move to Warsaw, Cracov... or somewhere abroad.