Life / Copy shops common in Poland? If yes, does anyone know one in the Gdansk area? [6]

There are several in the Old Town. Try the one on Szeroka, about 100m from the statue of Sobieski on his horse. Hope this helps.

Love / 2 Americans engaged, he was born and raised in Poland... [2]


Lol. Tongue in cheek comment, but not far off the mark.

Law / Real wages drop in Poland [28]

I only work for one school- you guys know which one it is. I've got 26 hours a week for which I'm paid x zl per month as per my contract. If I exceed my contract hours for the, which I will and which I've done every year since starting there, I'll be paid overtime at the end of my contract. It usually comes out to about 10,000zl on top of my monthly contract salary. BTW, that stays the same every month regardless of holidays or Christmas/semester or Easter breaks.

I also teach four hours on Saturday. That's not included in my contract and is paid extra.

Throw in some private lessons and things are just fine here in Gdansk. >5000zl a month. And my monthly expenses are way less than Bieganski's 2500-2800 zl a month.

Off-Topic / I am teaching my Polish friend English, advice needed [30]

[quote=pam] Guess "a" and "the" aren;t overly important in the general scheme of things.

Exactly. At her level, she doesn't need to spend any time on articles. Keep it simple for now.

Food / Jacket potatoes - do Polish people like them? [22]


They're good, and they deliver, but at 20zl+ per potato, they're also expensive. I prefer to bake my own.


All my Polish friends eat them when I serve them.


I have never understood the British penchant for baked beans on toast, or for that matter, with what you call a fry up. Oh well. Suum quique


Bland, no flavor at all. Good only for filling you up with very little nutritional value.


They can. I've been baking potatoes here for five years, So far nobody's died. :)

Work / Finding work in Warsaw / Poland as an English private tutor [63]


lol

Work / An American studying in Poland - CELTA, SAT? [20]

Why didn't you take the SAT? And why haven't you registered here?

Life / General questions for those who have chosen to make Poland their home [32]


You've read their posts on other threads. I'm talking about negative and critical people who find fault with everything and everyone in Poland. Aside from this forum, I've met quite people like that since I've been here. They've all left. Enough said.

Life / General questions for those who have chosen to make Poland their home [32]

When I went to France for the first time about 25 years ago, I decided that some day I would live in Europe for the experience, not because it was better than the US, just different.

Since the US isn't a member of the EU it's difficult for an American to teach legally in France, Spain and Italy so I began looking at Central Europe. I've been interested in Poland since I was about 9 and began reading about WWII. I visited here six years ago and fell in love with Gdansk, so five years ago I moved here and began teaching.

Before coming here, I spent 12 years as a Marine officer, then 25 years in sales and sales management. Teaching is the most enjoyable and personally satisfying thing I have ever done.

Poland isn't perfect and it's certainly not for everyone, but I really like it here and have no plans to leave despite the difficult language. :)

History / Seen "teutonic" in my history book and i was just wondering what it was? [4]

Do some more research and you'll find out.

Travel / An American In Poland: where should I go, what to see? [9]

In Gdansk go to Pikawa on ul.Piwna in the old town. It's the best coffee shop there. Try their szarlotka-apple pie-with ice cream. My favorite bar is Absinthe.

Drugstores? Rossman or any apteka. Nothing special.

If you're interested in history, the museum of the uprising in Warsaw and the Solidarity museum in Gdansk.

Work / English qualifications to start Teaching English In Poland. Is degree of some sort needed? [123]

True and I teach both.

Work / English qualifications to start Teaching English In Poland. Is degree of some sort needed? [123]

Check out esl cafe. The Polish forum has a lot of good discussions about the need for a CELTA and about schools.


Nope. I eat cod, but I've never seen a real one.

Which reminds me, teaching present perfect so that students who don't have it in their language can understand it isn't easy. Swan helps a lot as does onestopenglish.com

Work / English qualifications to start Teaching English In Poland. Is degree of some sort needed? [123]

Not to mention that he'd better know grammar inside and out and more importantly, how to explain it.


This is nonsense. We teach English. I rarely use Polish in my classroom except to explain the meaning of different fish. Try to define cod so that anyone who has never seen one can understand and you'll know what I mean.

USA, Canada / My story. Born In the USA - do I have a chance in Poland, my Mother Country? [69]

It's not that simple. My first father in law was a pediatrician and when I asked him about the high mortality rate he told me it was calculated differently in the US than in other countries. Something about not counting only babies who die in childbirth but also those who have lived for a longer period of time, but now I can't remember how long a period that is.

Travel / Is Gdansk worth a visit in Poland? [33]

Check out gdanskinyourpocket.com. Not many B&B's here, but a good hotel in the Old Town is Wolne Miasto. Much cheaper than the Radisson but very nice. Besides, how much are you going to spend in your room when you're not sleeping? PM me for my mobile number..

Love / How would Polish people react to a forginer in Poland? [36]

LOL!!

USA, Canada / Animosity against second and third generation poles ? [26]

My university was 56th. Not bad.

Love / How would Polish people react to a forginer in Poland? [36]


Zero.

Work / what jobs are needed in poland right now?? where to study university? [12]

McDonald's.

USA, Canada / Living in Poland - prospects for Alabama guy ... need some advice! [146]


True, most prices are cheaper, but the relative cost is far more expensive when you take into consideration how low the salaries are in Poland.

Law / August bank holiday in Poland? [5]

In Poland it isn't a bank holiday. It's a religious holiday and it was on Wednesday.

Work / Teaching English in Poland without TESL certificate? [17]

You'll find this a great site about teaching English in Poland:

Work / Teaching English in Poland without TESL certificate? [17]


Most good schools won't let you speak Polish in the classroom. You're supposed to teach English. If it's a question of vocabulary, just have your students look up the word in a dictionary. Then again, I don't teach beginners, nor will I.

Work / Teaching English in Poland without TESL certificate? [17]


Yes, but not at a good school.


Somewhat, but a CELTA will open many more doors.

Work / Teaching English in Poland without TESL certificate? [17]

If you want to teach English in Poland, get a CELTA. A TEFL certificate is pretty worthless here unless you're willing to work for second class schools. Where in Poland would you like to live, and why Poland?

Travel / First visit to Poland in 20 years - bus/traintravel around the country [11]

There's a bird sanctuary on Sobieszewo Island a few kilometers from Gdansk. You can take the112 bus and, I think, the 186. The trip takes 30-40 minutes depending on traffic and costs 3zl if you buy your tickets at a kiosk or 3.60zl if you buy them from the driver.

Life / Which is the best mobile network in Poland? [29]

I've been very satisfied with Orange.

News / Poland's Economy Is Booming! The EU's Success Story? [711]


Neither do I. Millenium has called once in five years.

Poland is far from booming.

Travel / My holiday, Gdansk or Kaunus, Lithuania? Help me decide! [23]

pam, I have been living in the Old Town in Gdansk for five years. You didn't mention what your interests are. other than walking so I won't throw up a list of must do-must see things. I was going to suggest Oliwa Park and the church there, and just past it heading toward the zoo there's a hill with a tower (Pacholek) on it. On a clear day you can see Gdynia and across the bay to Hel.

Where will you be staying and how will you get there from the airport? A taxi to the City Center will cost about 50zl and a bus is about 3zl.

There is a very good and inexpensive little restaurant called Jadalnia next door to DaGrasso Pizza on Szeroka-actually it's right around the corner from Tekstylia and it's in the basement. The best coffee shop is Pikawa on ul.Piwna.

If you like history, visit the Solidarity museum and one in the old town hall on Dluga.. Closed on Monday, free on Tuesday.

When you get to your hotel or hostel, pick up a copy of Gdansk in your pocket. It's free and it's a great guide to the whole area.

The weather in October can be nice, or cold and rainy. Plan accordingly.

If my schedule permits, I'll buy you a beer at Absinthe. Send me a pm and I'll give you my mobile number. You'll love Gdansk!