I'm moving to Krakow in about 6 weeks to teach English (I know, I know) but the upside is that I already have a job lined up. Any tips on life in Krakow? Any help would be much appreciated.
Hello pubben, And welcome to the Polish forum. I am in Krakow and I used to be an English teacher here about 6 years ago. I can advise you to get your flat sorted out before September as Krakow is a student city and they will get all the best flats by then, you could try getting your employers to sort that out for you.
I'll look into that. Another question out to the forum as it were: What sort of money do I need to surive out there? I mean for a 'comfortable' lifestyle; smokes, a few beers, a few saturday nights out here and there?
So in Euros, the normal price of beer is about 1:50 euro in a pub, smokes, depends on what you smoke put they are cheap, I gave up a few months ago but they are less than 2 euro, I think. For rent you'll need one month's deposit and one month up front, same as everywhere.
That is tricky, as I am sure you understand, it all depends on where you live and what you're used to. For teaching it should be about 4000 Zloty a month but that was before, 4000 is probably still good for a teaching job. There are several threads about this, check'em out.
This is a city and you should keep your eyes open, as in any city but it is very safe. The only time I would recommend extra caution would be after a football match, the lads sometimes like to play rough. But again you will see then/hear them a mile off and they are more interested in the apposing team.
No problem, it is easy for me just to type these few sentences. You will really enjoy it here, it is a wonderful place, I love it here, I live a bit south in the mountains.
note that a lot of the views on this forum are not the views of any of the Polish people I have met and should be taken with a pinch of salt, that of course is my opinion.
Well, I think it is safer than most cities in Europe, you'll be grand. I always think it depends on the person, basically if you want trouble, I am sure you can find it, ha ha ha although it is not recommended.
I know it is nerve wrecking moving to a new country I have lived in 7 myself. Have you been here before?
I'm not the sort of person to go looking for trouble, although my mouth often takes me there. Hopefully, my subtle nuances won't cause too much offense here though.
Never been to Poland before, brave step for me really. But hey, you only live once!
Oh, yeah, just in case you don't know. It usually gets to about minus 15 during winter but it is great full of snow and it looks like another country. Just hop on a bus (cost about 3 euro) go one and a half hour south to Zakopane and go skiing/snow boarding, it rocks!!!
these days it is about 30 degrees, there are sand beaches at the lakes close by, the list is endless. You chose well, actually what did make you choose here?
Well, that in itself is complicated so the short version:
Qualified as a teacher this year but didn't want to go into teaching full time in the UK yet.
Didn't want to do supply work either, nor waste a year earning and burning in a crappy temp job.
Spilt up with my girlfriend a while back and have been living on my mate's sofa for a while so thought that since I have no ties or commitments I might as well work abroad.
Did some research and thought about teaching English. Poland is an exciting place, heard Kraków was amazing and am a history buff, so I put all these things together and ended up getting a job here!
I'm in Krakow right now learning to teach English :) I understand that Poland is short of 8000 English teachers so there should be plenty of work. However, this still hasn't put the slary rates up :(
I'll be moving up to Gdansk where I'm told it's worse... but the private teaching should help make ends meet.
Is it possible to be employed as an English teacher in Poland without speaking any Polish? How would you communicate with the children in order to explain things, with your colleagues in the staff room, how would you understand any forms you had to fill in, tenancy agreements, tax, medical things, the list is endless...
Is it possible to be employed as an English teacher in Poland without speaking any Polish?
yes
How would you communicate with the children in order to explain things, with your colleagues in the staff room,
sometimes actions speak louder than words
with your colleagues in the staff room, how would you understand any forms you had to fill in, tenancy agreements, tax, medical things, the list is endless...
normally someone there to help with things. colleagues in the staff room would most likely speak english
Is it possible to be employed as an English teacher in Poland without speaking any Polish?
Yes
How would you communicate with the children in order to explain things
By using your body, sounds, pictures and they will pick up English.
with your colleagues in the staff room
It is probably an English school so they will speak english.
how would you understand any forms you had to fill in
You don't but that is half the fun.
Relax HelenaWojtczak, Take a deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth, I read your questions as if you were panicking. I think it depends on what type of character you are as to how easy life can be, I find it easy enough although I never get embarrassed and am not afraid of making a complete spectical of myself, thanks to my parents continuously embarrassing me.
Sean .... I am not panicking. I do not have the smallest plan ever to live in Poland and teach English. I enjoy my life here too much and run a business myself. Maybe 30 years ago, not now. I was asking out of idle curiosity, because I am interested the the world around me, in what everyone does. I don't ask questions only because something relates to myself ...Helena
