Tutoring English/Nannying in Warsaw

Hello!

How difficult is is to find a job tutoring English in Warsaw or being a nanny as a way to teach children English? I am a Polish-American (my parents are from Poland, but I was born and raised in the states), speak Polish pretty fluently, have a Master's Degree, and will be moving to Warsaw for a few months to live and help out my sick grandmother. I hope to find some work like this so that I have something to do, and also as a way to make some extra money. I was hoping someone could tell me if there is a need for this kind of work (or work like it), what the pay is like, and how to find it!! If anyone could help, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Oh also, my Master's is in Social Work. If anyone has any ideas on maybe incorporating that into some kind of work, that would be awesome!

The first job is always the most difficult to find. After that everything is based on reputation.

The pay won't be too high, but you should be able to carve out a little niche by working with children.

Thank you! Do you have any suggestions on how to get my name out or find a first job?!

This may be a good way to start looking

lindenia.net

Thank you!

If you're in Warsaw in the immediate future, I know a reputable language school who are looking for (the Director of Studies texted me yesterday) a female native speaker. The school is female owned/managed so nothing dodgy - they probably just have a lady client who has made a specific request.

They do in-company lessons only, teaching mostly corporate managers and are based in downtown Warsaw, though their clients are probably spread round town. I don't know how many hours are on offer, probably just a few.

They usually expect people with experience/training, but given that they have a specific need for a female, and most native speakers in Warsaw are male (and it's urgent enough for them to ask a competitor if he knows someone), they might be flexible on that.

If you'te interested, PM me and I'll put you in touch with them. Anyone else interested, for that matter, please feel free to PM.

AFAIK (if nothing's changed for the last several years), most language schools in Warsaw hire new teachers all the time and are just dying for native speakers. Not all of the schools are decent as employers, though - it's worth having something recommended by a friend or a current employee. I can give you some advise via PM (don't wanna drop names of companies and my opinion on them publicly).

When it comes to babysitting, there is this babysitting agency called Prowork operating in Warsaw. It's the one I know of that employs English-speaking nannies, but I'm not sure whether the job they offer is here in Poland or maybe in the UK or somewhere else, you'd have to look them up online and find out. Good luck!

Again, thank you everyone for your help!

In regards to the language schools in Poland and teaching English, do individuals need special certification for that? And do schools generally hire in the middle of the school year? I plan on coming to Poland sometime in January and hope to find work then.

In all honesty, it depends what your aspirations are. If you're simply looking for something to make money and aren't too bothered what you're actually doing, then it shouldn't be a problem finding work. It might not pay top dollar, but it'll give you extra cash.

The better jobs of course will require certification - but if you're only here for a few months, it shouldn't be a huge problem if you don't have a teaching qualification.

There is one issue however - do you have a Polish passport?

Yes, since my parents were born in Poland, I have my citizenship. I'm assuming this will help!

It will and it won't - you'll be required to enter/leave Poland on your Polish passport, and you'll also have to obtain a Polish ID card once you're here. It shouldn't be too much hassle for you, but expect trouble without it as a Polish citizen without an ID card will confuse virtually everyone. It's mandatory for you to possess the ID card if you are living here and are Polish.

thanks, i wouldn't have known that. do you know where to get that?

You'll have to go to the relevant Urząd Miasta for the place in which you're registered (yes, you'll need to register your address too) and get it there - I'm not too familiar with the process, but it should be quite painless. The useful thing is that the card can be used for intra-EU travel, so if you want to take a side trip somewhere, you won't have to carry around your passport(s).