Law / Tunisian man got married with a Polish girl. How to get a temporary residence in Poland? [29]

@Polsyr: Re EU, I can tell you that on regular basis French medias report about foreign (non EU) guys, living in France and fathers of French citizens who are expelled from France because they don't qualify for French papers (athough their kids are French). Such non coherent cases are not rare and therefore accepted by EU.

As a conclusion: not so obvious ....

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

@Polsyr: for sure, good teachers after let's say 1 year have plenty (usually too much during academic year) work and thanks to their network, they don't need to look for work as schools and individual clients contact them through other people etc... Therefore, I'm "shocked" that OP after 6 years of successful teaching in Warsaw has no network to rely on.

As to your Pole teaching Arabic may have great methods but I'm sure that his/her language skills were not at the same level of a native Arabic speaker. To be a good teacher, both are needed: a native level of language knowledge + good (not only methodology but also personal) skills. I too have met Poles with good methods but nevertheless they were weak in the language(s) they taught.

Trust me, in Warsaw, there is no shortage of native English teachers, including a lot who are well qualified and experienced and they have most and the best jobs. This is so for all languages; most students want (qualified) natives even if natives are more expensive (sometimes twice as much).

I'm not saying that the OP cannot not find work to teach English but since fierce competition with native speakers (+ Poles who have the same skills as she does), it is not obvious and therefore she should concentrate on Russian (what I would do, great opportunities here for Russian).

Has she ever lived in an English speaking country and if so, how long?

@ProfTeacher: why don't you apply to university and to government institutions dealing with international affairs? Your background could be useful there.

Real Estate / Can a Non-European buy house in Poland? [14]

@Flat: be aware that in Poland you may not ask potential tenants about their incomes and therefore landlords don't even know whether tenant shall be able (not to say willing) to pay.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

@Vincent: when OP says that she has taught 500 students, she does NOT say English (but Russian, Ukrainian, and 3rd place English). English is therefore NOT her no.1 subject and completely normal that in a place like Warsaw with several hundred (including qualified and experienced) native speakers of English she cannot find much teaching work in English.

Sorry but from her initial message, I understand that she seems desperate for work (since she's not new in Warsaw).

@Vincent: language schools don't close in summer. A lot of clients continue their lessons and (few) summer courses are assigned to teachers that are good and already working for the school for some time. All teachers do know that summer is a slow period and therefore they organize money for the summer. Good teachers work all the time and therefore can save enough for the 3 summer months, July, August and September.

Obviously you don't 1. live in Warsaw (or Poland) and 2. know about language teaching in Poland. Believe me, someone who's been teaching full time in Warsaw for years and who is considered a great teacher, always has work (and often more than what they can handle).

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

@Vincent: of course, they are a lot of varieties of English accents but they are all NATIVES contrary to the OP who is not. Has she ever lived in any English speaking country and if so, how long? Whether you like it or not, qualified and experienced natives (not only of English but of all languages) shall always have priorities and you cannot deny it. When no native available (which I doubt as regards to English), Polish clients shall request POLISH instructors. Why taking someone from Russia when Poles can do similar work? She could teach English to Russians who'd prefer to deal with someone knowing their language and therefore able to know what problems they'll encounter.

Besides native pronounciation and accent, a native teacher shall know idioms and about everyday's culture and lifestyle.

Also, if the OP claims to have taught 500 students, has been working for "top schools" in Warsaw, I don't understand why she does not have a network and why she needs to advertize in PF. All (good) teachers after one or two years have great network through which they find a lot of work and very often have to refuse work because too much (or too far...).

To summarize, since competition with native speakers of English too fierce in Warsaw (other big cities in Poland too) and the OP is a Russian native, what's wrong with teaching Russian? She could also translate and even consider working in an international company using her Russian skills (I know 2 Russians who do in American companies and they are very happy). There are a lot of opportunities for the OP in Warsaw thanks to her (not only language, but also cultural) Russian skills.

Law / Marriage Interview at Foreign Office in Poland - possible questions and chances for a negative response [10]

@Roger: the guy is American so not suspected of a scam marriage ;). As an American, he also has a culture and a life style completely compatible with the girl's.

In Poland, like anywhere else, they are harsh when the guy comes from a 3rd world country and means to escape from poverty, war... Americans are not concerned ;).

Officially they have to meet OP, they'll spend 2 minutes with him and congratulate him.

No need to make the boy worry over nothing! ;)

Law / Marriage Interview at Foreign Office in Poland - possible questions and chances for a negative response [10]

@Roger: Cool! In a case of an American, they won't ask him anything. It'll be a pure formality, as they HAVE to meet foreign spouses, they'll will meet with him and they'll just ask "where and how did you meet?", out of curiosity and no big deal. I got married in Poland and had no meeting, and wasn't asked any question by anyone.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

You'll, do realize that oral skills are crucial in case of a language teacher. Students expect the right pronounciation and a correct accent from their teachers and that's the reason why a (qualified and experienced) native shall always have priority over a non native. In Warsaw, there are tons of native teachers of English, including a lot who are qualified and experienced. Even backpackers which no qualifications get hired with no problem and most clients shall prefer a native teacher over a Russian teacher.

I have met tons of NON natives teaching languages (not only English...) in Poland and I daresay that let's say 99% of them did not know the language very well (not to mention bad pronounciation, thick foreign accent..).

The OP is Russian so her best bet would be to work in Russian (including translating). Her chances of teaching English in Warsaw are rather slim since too many English speakers, who always shall have priority (normal!). The proof that her chances are limited since she needs to advertize in PF. After 20 years of successful teaching, including years in Warsaw, I don't understand why she has no network to rely on.

PS: has the OP lived in English speaking countries and if so, where and most important how long? Personally I would not trust a language teacher who have never lived where target language is spoken (I have met such teachers in Wasaw ;)).

Law / Marriage Interview at Foreign Office in Poland - possible questions and chances for a negative response [10]

They never ask about sex ;). When they suspect scam marriages, they do ask questions in order to check whether they live together and they know each other well. In the case above, a good kid from America and a nice Polish girl don't seem like a scam ;). They are very young but they are in love and a couple. Americans are not desperate to live in Poland so they don't need to even think of scam marriages.

Administration does check in case of guys from 3rd world countries marrying Western (including Polish) girls. When different religions, when huge cultural differences, when the guy's original culture does not respect women, YES, authorities do check as they are entitled to think about scam marriages but not in the case of let's say an American boy ;).

Keep cool, William and all the best to you and to your soon-to-be wife!

Real Estate / Can a Non-European buy house in Poland? [14]

@Flat: please do realize that renting to tenants is very risky in Poland. If tenants don't pay rent, it'll be close to impossible to kick them out (even through court which most often sides with tenants).

(I live in Poland and I had tenants for a few years)

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

@Prof: Hi! Please realize that there are tons of native speakers of English (including many who are well qualified and experienced) in Warsaw and in most cities and towns in Poland and when the choice, Poles always choose native speakers and it's normal. If I wanted to learn Swedish for instance, I would not hire a Greek or a Malaysian instructor. People want to learn the REAL language, with the right pronounciation, with the idioms.

Since you are a native of Russian, do look in that area. I'm not sure there is a lot of work in Ukrainian but most probably no problem to find teaching work in Russian.

If you mean to teach English, try to find Russians/Ukrainians who would prefer to learn English with someone speaking their language.

PS: what about translating?

Study / Student from Nepal travelling to Poland with dependent for further studies. Any job? [87]

@Sujan; in order to be issued a work permit in Poland, you need to find a boss who'll have to prove to Polish authorities that they cannot hire among Poles and foreign residents in Poland. Be aware that a work permit in Poland is good only for one employer and one job and as result forget the idea about working in another EU country ;)

What are your skills that would make you better than Poles and foreign résidents in Poland?

And why Poland??? ;)

Life / Life in Poland - feeling lonely and don't want to socialize much! (anyone feeling same?) [93]

@Rozu: I have spent every summer in Poland since 1998 and believe me, some years, it rains almost every day (I remember last August when we had big thunderstorms in Warsaw in the evening almost every day and it was just when I was going home from work;). This year is exceptionnal but it is so not only in Poland but everywhere in Europe (over 40 in many parts of Western Europe).

As to summer in Poland, it's very short and that's why I now don't buy many summer clothes as usually I cannot wear them more than 2 or 3 times. I understand that for Britons it may seem nice but a lot of people are used to better weather.

Everybody keep to the topic please (some posts not connected with the life in Poland were moved to the random chat)

Life / Life in Poland - feeling lonely and don't want to socialize much! (anyone feeling same?) [93]

@Webkot: this is exceptional and it's only for a few days. Sometimes in summer, it rains all the time.

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@Gumish: are you sure re Alior? I happen to have a savings account with them. Probably they are not doing very well. Bank was opened by a French guy of Polish origin.

Life / Life in Poland - feeling lonely and don't want to socialize much! (anyone feeling same?) [93]

@Webkot: where I spent most of my childhood, there are over 300 days of sun per year and in winter it's normally around 6 to 8. Of course, if you come from England, you think summer in Poland is "great" ;). Summer here is very short, no more than let's say 2 weeks if we add up the days of nice weather (this week is exceptional), a lot of rain, a lot of thunderstorms (last year, in August, in Warsaw, every night big thunderstorm).... The rest of the year is not better ;).

Life / Life in Poland - feeling lonely and don't want to socialize much! (anyone feeling same?) [93]

@Webkot: absolutely! Poles socialize among their relatives first and friends come much afterwards... It is also so in cities. People shall remain polite but the big majority thereof shall never invite others over, for instance. A main reason why most foreigners stick together.

When I was studying in the US and living in dorms, people around me that were not even among my friends were concerned if I had a place to go to for the Thansgiving dinner for instance and every year, I had a lot of invitations and had to refuse some. Here, completely different. People don't care about the others and if we are alone and in trouble, trudno!

PS: as to the "glorious" weather, it dépends where we are from because for me, the weather is lousy (short and instable summer, long and dark winter).

Work / Information about jobs for Indian students in Poland [286]

@Roger: so most probably very few Ukrainians and those working are paid peanuts and therefore no chance for .. Indian, Nigerian, Benglashi or Palestinian students

Work / Information about jobs for Indian students in Poland [286]

@Delphi: True but also Polish employers prefer to hire people "like them". In the West, it is already almost impossible to be hired when coming from 3rd World so thinking that it's easy in Poland is pure non sense. I serious doubt that a Polish boss (farrmer or whatever) shall hire an Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian... student.

Nevertheless, Polish authorities should tell them that they shall not find work and also be stricter re financial means. When telling these students that they are allowed to work in Poland, it is not responsible as they shall NOT find any work. Yes, such students are very naive but I believe that the Polish authorities are at fault because they do not tell truth. With no money, no work, these students won't be able to study so why letting them come to Poland?

Work / Information about jobs for Indian students in Poland [286]

Fruit picking and the like are done by Ukrainians. I can't imagine a Polish farmer to hire ... Indian or Bengladeshi students. High time to be realistic instead of dreaming.

Work / Information about jobs for Indian students in Poland [286]

Polish students cannot find jobs so why the hell could Indians work? It's high time for all those posters to get informed and also realistic. Some of them are completely disconnected from reality..

The fault is the Polish government's. They should demand that all applicants to student's visas have enough funds to support themselves while in Poland. The kids come to Poland, cannot find jobs, live in dire poverty, fail in their studies. The Polish government is really irresponsible. Other countries demand sufficient funds, why doesn't Poland?

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@Pol: in Belgium vote is compulsory but when people don't vote, no fine of any kind.... I believe it's also compulsory in Brazil (my "friend' Levi shall confirm/infirm ;))

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@Harry: in this case, PiS was the opposition ;)

It is up to the other parties to motivate their voters.

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

Sure, Jon, a low turnout favors the opposition but it is like that everywhere. Everybody knows that over 50% of Poles don't vote so what to do? Force people to vote? Cancel elections? In October, not many Poles shall vote.

It is obvious that when fewer than 50% of people vote, whoever gets 50.01% in order to be elected does not represent much of the population but it is like that all the time. A few months ago, there were the local elections and same story, most Poles did not bother to vote.

If most people don't vote, it should be a problem for ALL politicians. If people don't vote, it's because they are disgusted and don't believe in politicians. I personally know people here who used to vote (PO, TR or SLD) and now they don't want to hear anything about politics.

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@Pol: I think Harry means that Duda was more able than Komorowski to convince his supporters to vote.

I know from a client that on the Monday following the 1st turn, Duda was at 7 (am) at Centrum Metro station (in Warsaw) to meet people and offer them coffee.

Duda did a much better campaign and as a result got elected. That's the way it is in all democratic countries.

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@eh?: same for me! I was amazed when I found out from several professionals in their early 30 living in Warsaw I deal with at work that they had voted for Duda. I also know several people (same socio-economic background) who used to vote for PO but as they were disgusted, they did not vote at all.

Someone (working at a high position in the administration) told me last year that there was a new generation of PiS and contrary to what I thought, PiS (and also PSL) do not consist of only old farts and "village idiots". Life is not so simple, it is not white or black. It is wrong to think that old, poor, uneducated vote for PiS and young, rich and educated vote for PO - it is obviously more complicated than that.

Anyway, Duda was elected and that's it ....

News / Are Poland's politicians able to speak foreign languages? [29]

@Gum: whether he does or does not speak any English, what difference does it make? He was elected to run Poland not to teach English.

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

@Harry: Duda got elected simply because he had more votes than anyone else. None of his opponents disagreed with the results. I agree that whoever gets elected is neither the best nor the most intelligent but it's the way it works in what we call "democracy". It is the same in all countries.

What do you want? That the election gets cancelled and the guy of your choice gets the job instead ;).

Work / Cost of living in Gdańsk, average salary for experienced software engineer in Poland [64]

@Jil: People in Gdansk are not any special. You may know winters in England but in Poland, it's much colder (and darker).

@Roger: yes, the only thing is to get busy (no problem for me as I work like a horse, outside of summer) otherwise easy to become an alcoholic or depressed. At first, I suffered a lot living all day like in the middle of the night, with the artiticial light on all day. A lot of Poles cannot get used to it and are very depressed in winter.

Work / Cost of living in Gdańsk, average salary for experienced software engineer in Poland [64]

@Roger: it is not normal to have + 32, 35... in Poland and it does not happen more than for a few days every summer.

As to flats being warm, it is a problem because it's dry Inside and I get lung infections every winter ;). My solution (since last winter): NO heating at home and I'm not sick ;)