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Posts by Seanus  

Joined: 25 Dec 2007 / Male ♂
Last Post: 29 Dec 2011
Threads: Total: 15 / In This Archive: 4
Posts: Total: 19666 / In This Archive: 8616
From: Poland, Gliwice
Speaks Polish?: Tak, umiem
Interests: Cycling, chess and language

Displayed posts: 8620 / page 70 of 288
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Seanus   
26 May 2011
Language / Need advice on how to improve Polish language skills [134]

However, as in most languages, sounds can change. For example, pięć and pięćdziesiąt are not the same, much like fashion and able become fashionable (IBLE). Pięć is like pyench and pięćdziesiąt is like pinjishont.
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

Nah, I just have my bases covered so no jacker can have a pop at me for this or that. Sticking with what they agreed to doesn't give them a leg to stand on if/when they moan.

FUZZY, try 890PLN for ZUS. It's fractionally over!
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

Privates drop off (that sounds bad, LOL) but you have to roll with it for as long as you can and be flexible. I always have my timetable at the ready for any sudden change of plan on their part. It's often a good idea to get cash for 2 lessons in advance as they feel obliged to come to the 2nd lesson.

Other good advice? Well, be crystal clear about what THEY want. Write it down somewhere and use it as a comeback should they express any dissatisfaction in the future. I work from core textbooks and branch out from there. Recap what they have learned at the start of the next lessons. Building this continuity aspect will hopefully ensure that they see a progression curve and that they are working towards sth. Being too loose will make them grow restless.
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

Guesswho, when I combine my privates with my regular school work (teaching hours), it only comes to 27 or 28 typically. You can't leave things in the Lap of the Gods. When I'm not teaching I'm planning, planning and planning some more. As John Lennon said in Beautiful Boy, and I quote for the umpteenth time, "life is what happens to you whilst you're busy making other plans". This is a cold and hard fact IMHO.
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

He made a mistake in opening a school. Private teaching is, IMHO, by far the better option! More discreet, cash in hand and fewer expectations. Not to mention no bureaucratic obligations. He is now stuck between a rock and a hard place. His school will find out in due course.
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

Delph made a good point above about loyalty. You must be loyal to them but they don't need to reciprocate by extending any courtesies to you. I'd stay quiet and run the risk. Honesty will not be seen as such in your friend's case. They will be affronted as they want to maximise their incomings.
Seanus   
25 May 2011
Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

I have the CELTA and do private tutoring too. It's NOT bad. They don't dish out medals for honesty here. You don't have to pay 800PLN a month in the first 2 years. ZUS will be about 350PLN for you. I pay 890PLN as I'm beyond that stage. Be sure to gather invoices with stamps for anything you can. I don't pay tax (avoidance, not evasion, so legal) due to that.

You sound very logical. Please feel free to ask anything and I'll do my best to answer.
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Sok, I meant legitimate in the sense of officially acknowledged as such but we all know that that isn't the be all and the end all of the matter.
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

So you accept that the massacre of Poles was fine and just so that they could win back their city?? If it was Polish before then when did it legitimately become Lithuanian?

So you attacked an independent state in the form of Lithuania?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Well, Lithuania had its independence by then and there are 3 main tests for statehood. Definable boundaries being one of them.

Lesson learned, be careful who you help!
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Sok, so you accept that territory changes hands? If it was really so Polish in character then why cede it by formal means? Serbia will not do that over Kosovo.

Gumi, was Vilnius within the territorial boundaries of Poland?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

I-S, that's just not true. It gained its independence in 1918. Sound familiar??

But it was the largest though :)

There had to be more compromise, I-S

I agree that Lithuania should acknowledge the Polish contribution as they voluntarily entered into the Commonwealth. However, do landgrabs serve a useful purpose??

Ok, Sok, then ask away. Wars change boundaries and perceived rights, fact!

Gumi, of course Scots wouldn't want that. So, America's actions would be valid in that case?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

No so let's discuss it. Do you accept the boundaries of Scotland as they currently stand, Sok? So if America decided to invade, that would be alright and it would be a new American territory? If not, why not?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Was Vilnius within Poland's territorial boundaries at that time?

So if America invaded Peru, that would be ok??

But you have free movement in the EU to go anytime, Sok. The Romans left an indelible imprint on British society but things change. If force is what you say it is then the Soviets used it to dismantle the Commonwealth.
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Lithuania should be crushed and occupied?? That's a Soviet mentality!! The winner is right? You advocate that force dictates rights??

As was in the spirit of sharing, stemming from the Commonwealth, Sok.

Yes but the Lithuanians had the largest country in Europe and invited Poles in through the Lublin Pact. I can't recall much of that happening in the ME, Sok.

But was it Poland's job to do that in foreign territory? Do you believe America should be rebuilding Afghanistan, Sok?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

I-S, bear with me. I am not that well-up on this part of history so am just trying to flesh out the position based on logical questions. So Lithuania didn't exist after 1791??? ;)

Wasn't it the case that Lithuania was the largest country in Europe in the 1500's??
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Founded by Lithuanians for Polish people? I hope the rates were good for developers then ;0 ;)

So territory is governed by numbers and not who founded it or had original claim? Why not just call Kosovo Albania then? It has, after all, an Albanian majority. Did Vilnius residents (Lithuanian) do nothing to make the city theirs?

Germany, through the auspices of the EU, invests a huge amount in Polish cities. They also have historical claims to places like Gdańsk. Should it be restored to its former name of Danzig?

Largest city in "their" country? So how do you propose to classify the status of Vilnius retroactively? Province of Poland? Free city?

Assuming it was Lithuanian first, Poles then came later. Flooding or swamping to form a majority like Albanians did doesn't mean that the core right should change, does it? That would mean that all weak states with a legitimate claim to land would have to cede that territory to the greater number from outside.

By de jure, I meant that it was formally Lithuania's. It was within their territorial boundaries.
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

OK, so let me see what you are trying to say here, Sok. Vilnius was Polish due to a takeover by default or by formal agreement? It seemed more de facto than de jure. So, assuming Vilnius to have been Polish, what changed to make it Lithuanian? Why didn't Poland set up a parliament there?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Scots have lived in Poland for centuries but do we claim Poznań or Kraków as ours? You are basing your argument on the Commonwealth, yes? So what if Brits, through having the Queen as their own, decided to call Brisbane or Sydney British? Would that be ok?

So Poland was an occupier in your eyes, gumishu? You think Iraq should be American?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Surely Lithuanians would be most natural in, um, Lithuania ;) ;) They had their own state so where's the problem? Was there a formally agreed handover to Poland?
Seanus   
24 May 2011
History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

So they had their own state, Poles came in as guests and then what? They tried to take over the land? So, according to your logic, Koala, Kosovo should be Albanian, is that right?