Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Mmm, interesting - what do you base this on?

Certainly, some schools would seem to be operating like this - Profi Lingua's whole model appears to be built on the principle of using the money to fund more and more advertising! I've noticed that they've put advertising absolutely everywhere in Poznan this year.


It's not going to happen outside of the big cities though - 40zl an hour after tax means what, about 45zl an hour on the distinctly shady 50% umowa o dzielo contract, without health care as well? These small towns simply can't afford to pay so much.


Any school which offers this should be considered to be a liar, unless they are very well established and with a fantastic name locally. I know two schools in Poznan who can be trusted to deliver this if they offer it - and that's out of a significant amount of schools!


I think we all know it is ;)

I do fine for myself as a freelance teacher, working for several different schools and having my own classes on top, but the circumstances in which I was hired for many of these classes (record so far : 2 minute phone call) leaves a lot to be desired.

We won't even talk about the rampant copyright abuse by some schools, some of which are teaching very very well known companies...

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]


I expect anyone serious about their WW2 history would know a bit about the Red Army.


Hindsight is one thing, but reckless stupidity is another thing. There was absolutely nothing that suggested that the Warsaw Uprising would succeed at that time, apart from trust in Stalin of all people.


It's an interesting opinion. But equally so, the post-war carving up of Europe between the USA and the USSR stabilised the continent - a continent that was racked with brutal wars for the last 150 years or so - and as a direct result, led to European integration and the European Union today. Would that have happened without the USA and USSR not being determined to halve the continent between them?

Bear in mind that there was plenty of suffering on the "Western" side as well - Falange Spain, anyone?

Travel / Zakopane for Sylvester - is it time to book now? [32]


Aw come on, it'll be fun!

(it'll also be minus ten million, but hey)

Travel / Zakopane for Sylvester - is it time to book now? [32]


Poland seems particularly awful - crap bars charging over 100zl to get in, endless crap "entertainment" and dire food and drink on offer. They seem to really make a big deal out of it, but it's not my thing at all.

Hopefully this year, it'll be a roadtrip to Tallinn, weather dependent :/

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Sure, I can believe it - but in Poland, the CELTA is the name of the game. The CELTA has its failings - it's probably too focused on grammar, it doesn't provide enough classroom experience (6 hours is not enough!), etc - but it is the magic paper that they're looking for in Poland.


Direct consequence of the Grand Ecole system using the TOEIC test as part of the graduation requirements. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm sure if they switched to requiring an FCE pass, Renault and everyone else would change.

Anyway, Poland places more emphasis on the Cambridge examination system than an American examination system. And the UK, which is leading the way in the EU when it comes to cracking down on dodgy students, has decreed that the TOEIC examination system isn't secure. What does that tell you?

Different countries prefer different things - and it doesn't matter if Poland is backwards or not (for what it's worth, I think the CAE and CPE qualifications are utterly rubbish in terms of what they test) - the poster wants a job, and if he wants a job, he has to comply with what's current in that country. The Middle East expects MA's - does it mean they get better teachers? Not necessarily. But it's what they want.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


So, 1jola, what do you know about Polish learners of English and what the marketplace expects/demands? Using wordy put-downs doesn't really contribute to this thread.

Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what else is considered to be a credible teaching qualification in Poland? I know that many schools are even unfamiliar with the UK PGCE.

Law / Permanent Residence in Polska: procedures, list of documents, etc. [59]

The experience is pretty uniform - it's all set out in law, so apart from some funny local things such as being allowed to laminate the document - nothing changes really. But it's different where non-EU citizens are concerned, due it being subjective.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

Hardly any Poles are interested in passing the GMAT or alternative American tests - there's a niche market in Warsaw, but not much else. But the demand for Cambridge English qualifications is sky high - and the (dodgy) TELC qualification is also in demand - both of which are based on British English.

It's true that beginners prefer American English, but once they get to grips with the language, the vast majority want British English because it's simply what they come into contact with on a more regular basis, not to forget that a Cambridge qualification is seen as the gold standard here. No-one talks about passing the "B2 TELC exam", but plenty of them talk about passing the FCE exam. And - that is why British English is dominant.

Anyway, the CELTA is known throughout the world, not just in the colonies. It's tightly controlled by Cambridge and has integrity as a qualification - it assures basic knowledge about teaching and shows that the person has a degree of commitment to teaching and isn't only doing it for beer money.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

hahahahahaha :D

I've never understood why single people want to move to such difficult places. I mean, if they really wanted to teach, wouldn't it be easier as a newbie teacher to go to some small town?

(of course, they wouldn't get to party that way)

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]


I'm amazed you didn't know about the wide cooperation between the AK and the Red Army - support that was offered freely to the Soviets!


Yes. If they hadn't wasted a lot of good people in the pointless Warsaw Uprising (even Poles are starting to admit to the sheer stupidity of it), and simply held on - they could have chopped the Red Army supply line in half and sent a very clear message to the Allies. They certainly could have fought a long guerilla war against the Red Army - and while they may not have won, there may have been significant pressure on the Soviet Union to accept a similar deal as Finland/Austria got.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


You and thousands of others. I've got a friend who manages a small-ish school there, and she told me that she's spoiled for choice if she wants a fresh graduate with a CELTA in his hand. She's actually managed to get someone this year for 30zl an hour - he's happy, she's happy (he's cheap and capable) - but it tells you what you're up against.

In all seriousness, the Krakow market is like Prague - oversaturated and full of people willing to work for nothing, just to get some income. It doesn't help that the university there has been doing a good job of attracting Americans.

USA, Canada / Giving up canadian citizenship for a Polish one? Cant be true! [20]


Sounds like the classic case of someone who didn't have the confirmation of Polish citizenship in his hand, yet thought that Poland would welcome him with open arms.

Ever had your human rights abused in Poland, convex? I haven't :(

USA, Canada / Giving up canadian citizenship for a Polish one? Cant be true! [20]


Hmm, if he moved before 1950-1 (can't remember which) - he may have lost his citizenship by decree of the PRL.

Travel / Help with train from Berlin to Gliwice (and Katowice) [7]

It depends on the train and route that you're taking. If it's a ticket for the EuroCity service from Berlin to Krakow, yes, you can get off at Gliwice.

Travel / Crossing to Russia: Planning a Motorcycle Trip from Poland to Kalinigrad [26]

There *is* some sort of shady Kaliningrad-only visa available at the border - I don't remember the precise details, but if you search for "Kaliningrad 72 hour visa" on Google, you'll find the details. As I recall, it seems rather dubious, but it's official and sanctioned by the Russian Government.

It's only available at the Polish border.

Life / Tricks & Dodges (The Poles are nothing if not inventive) [26]


Captain Crunch and friends!

textfiles.com is always worth a browse about this stuff, even today.

This brings back memories..

Law / Any experience about importing goods to the UK from Poland? [20]


The laws are different for commercial importation though - I seem to believe

Best bet would be to ask on trucknet.org.uk - they're quite knowledgeable on there, and there's one guy called onys from Poland who might know more.

business-int.com/categories/vat-legislation/understanding-vat.asp explains it quite well :)

Law / Permanent Residence in Polska: procedures, list of documents, etc. [59]


No, you have to apply for residency in Portugal on the basis of being married to an EU citizen. You can do it easily, as it's a fundamental EU right.

Law / Any experience about importing goods to the UK from Poland? [20]

You haven't got a chance of importing more than the guidelines with a white van - you're going to get pulled in Dover regardless. Even importing the guidelines in a white van is dodgy.

If you want to import those things, pay the tax - but you've got no chance of making any profit with paying not only UK excise tax, but Polish excise tax too.


There is no duty, but as I recall, you still have to have some paperwork showing where the goods are being exported and imported to - it's not just as simple as loading a van with goods to re-sell.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]


Kaczynski's speech the other day was highly amusing - talking about Poland becoming "a major sea power" again. Yet - Poland was never a major power in the sea at all, unless you count some badly made boats in the PRL era.

Poland should concentrate on being a regional power - it'll never have the dominance of the "big 4" in the EU, but it can certainly be a major player in Central-Eastern europe.

Travel / Fish and Chips in Warsaw [53]


It's hardly a rip-off if both seller and buyer agree on the price.

Still curious about this "ten chips for 8zl" though - haven't heard the same complaint from anyone else.

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]


Exactly.

Beats me how you can use the term "Polish American" if your homeland is America, though.


It wasn't the banking authorities that decided this - it was the banks themselves. Bearing in mind that all but two banks are foreign owned (and one of the Polish banks absolutely must play it safe by virtue of who they are) - "Polish frugalness" had nothing to do with it. It was simply a lucky break caused by specific market conditions in Poland.


The alternative is a growing ZUS deficit, more employee-friendly laws, more bureaucracy and generally a business climate similar to the mid 1990's which was absolutely hideously unappealing. The next government has to be able to take the issue by the horns, or Poland is in trouble.


This is one of the huge problems in Poland - the mentality that you are no-one without a Masters degree. The easiest way to solve that is to introduce tuition fees that really hammer people taking second degrees and to only allow people to sit a Masters degree if they got high grades in the BA/BSc. And drop the ******* stupid requirement for a university to have a certain amount of professors in each department in order to be able to award degrees!


Poland is a mess in respects to contracts - you can easily keep someone on temporary contracts for years, but the second you give them a permanent contract, they've got you by the balls. I'm not surprised that many employers simply refuse to give them - why would they risk it?


It needs to happen in the next government, and it's going to hurt. But ZUS is in so much trouble financially that there's really no other option. Still, the raiding of the OFE funds isn't going to encourage anyone :(

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]


Given how out of touch most of the Polish-Americans are with their "homeland" (I use that term loosely) - their habits hardly mirror Polish habits.


They can't do very much due to being stuck between a rock and a hard place politically. The only thing they can do is win the elections next month, use the momentum going into 2011 and then hope for managing to win 50% in both the Sejm and Senat elections. Getting 50% in the Sejm will be nearly impossible, but if the PSL don't reach 5% and Palikot splits the SLD vote, then there's a small chance that it'll happen.

Then, and only then, will we see the reforms that Poland badly needs.

News / Why is Poland developing so slowly or in the wrong direction? Who is responsible ? [317]


I can see that you really aren't in Poland on a regular basis with your posts - this just confirms it.

Poles, if they could get access to the credit, would be spending as much as anyone else. The amount of people taking televisions/etc on "na raty" says it all - the credit desk in Media Markt is always very busy.

But thankfully, in Poland, the banks decided not to grant easy credit - and managed to survive relatively intact as a result.

Work / Moving to Warsaw from UK to do a contract work for a company [12]


Not legal, except in extraordinary situations.

Real Estate / Legal questions about dividing a property in Poland [19]


Seems that way to me as well. Anyone having so many questions cannot be happy with the situation - and with the situation as-is, it sounds like a nightmare.

Travel / Will I have a problem upon exiting Poland? (American visited Poland through Germany) [20]

Or worse, if you're willing to spend your life worried sick that you could be caught and asked to leave within a week at any time, along with receiving a one year Schengen ban.


Still looking for the magic answer that as an illegal immigrant, you'll be welcomed with open arms and handed a residence permit?

You might or might not have problems. Harry gave you a sensible piece of advice.

If you want to get out of Schengen without much trouble, then the France-UK border crossing is never staffed with Schengen exit controls.

Travel / Is registration required upon arrival in Poland? [8]

Fine and well if you're an EU citizen.

Not a great idea if you're non-EU.

Work / Moving to Warsaw from UK to do a contract work for a company [12]


If his van is big enough - I can thoroughly recommend this guy - atrans.wikidot.com - he has done a splendid job for several PF members, including myself with a vanload from Aberdeen to Poznan. The only problem is that his English is limited - but if he meets your needs, I could liase with him for you. There's actually another guy on a different forum who used him and was positively glowing about his service - even saying that everything was packed to perfection.

I wouldn't normally recommend any Polish business in such a glowing way, but this guy is really top notch and thoroughly trustworthy.


You don't have a choice - you'll fall under the Polish, not the UK system as you'll be resident here for more than 185 days a year.


You'll have to move to the Polish system, and there won't be anything such available to you here as it's all means tested.

But - in terms of money, what you lose in benefits/taxes/etc, you'll probably gain in terms of the cost of living being much lower.

Travel / Fish and Chips in Warsaw [53]


Did you question it? They might genuinely just have mixed up what you ordered - when I was there in August, the normal portion size was a decent enough size.