jon357
2 May 2017
Life / Is it safe for Indians, Sikhs living here in Poland? Any Temple / Gurudwara in Wroclaw? [159]
That may yet happen.
Not so good.
That may yet happen.
Yes people sweat and laugh at me
Not so good.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Indeed. No actual power and tough opposition. Macron is leading in the polls (in France usually fairly accurate - they've had very few surprises ever) 60-40.
there's no chance of the NF winning there, so she could potentially be a lame duck president, similar to how Lech Kaczyński was under PO.
Indeed. No actual power and tough opposition. Macron is leading in the polls (in France usually fairly accurate - they've had very few surprises ever) 60-40.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
@delphiandomine
Rofled. Good one
Hence Marine Le Pen getting some votes.
@delphiandomine
Rofled. Good one
Right wing nutters are obviously immune to education
Hence Marine Le Pen getting some votes.
jon357
2 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
Those would be the bestselling materials of choice. The very thoroughly tried and tested ones. Certainly the most popular here in Poland by far and if the OP wishes to teach seriously here, he/she needs to at least be acquainted with the various methodologies of those courses and the differences between them.
Those would be the bestselling materials of choice. The very thoroughly tried and tested ones. Certainly the most popular here in Poland by far and if the OP wishes to teach seriously here, he/she needs to at least be acquainted with the various methodologies of those courses and the differences between them.
jon357
2 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
That sounds a bit like my experience, Lyzko. A different kind of teacher (Special Ed for adults) who went into EFL training afterwards. Plenty of people working here in Poland are sort of like that (though the best one I've met was previously a private school woodwork teacher with no degree or teacher training - by far one of the best teachers I've ever known).
Same here. It's one of the basics to get the learners to acquire grammar points in the order 1. Meaning, 2. Use, 3. Form. That's (albeit sometimes frustrating to some learners) obvious to anyone who's a good teacher but not so obvious to 'civilians'.
Hopefully if the OP does a CELTA (where they teach vocabulary acquisition as 1. Meaning, 2. Pron., 3. Form) or a CELTA equivalent before coming to Poland, he or she will pick this up.
That sounds a bit like my experience, Lyzko. A different kind of teacher (Special Ed for adults) who went into EFL training afterwards. Plenty of people working here in Poland are sort of like that (though the best one I've met was previously a private school woodwork teacher with no degree or teacher training - by far one of the best teachers I've ever known).
I'd also demonstrate grammar, though in context and never as isolated rules in a chart or diagram.
Same here. It's one of the basics to get the learners to acquire grammar points in the order 1. Meaning, 2. Use, 3. Form. That's (albeit sometimes frustrating to some learners) obvious to anyone who's a good teacher but not so obvious to 'civilians'.
Hopefully if the OP does a CELTA (where they teach vocabulary acquisition as 1. Meaning, 2. Pron., 3. Form) or a CELTA equivalent before coming to Poland, he or she will pick this up.
jon357
2 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
All the good ones have to know when to turn that on and off, however the people I'm thinking of with less than conventional routes to the profession were serious and very rigorous teachers.
I can think of a couple in Poland who'd left school at 15 and worked for a long time in manual jobs before taking a CELTA and later a DELTA. Absolutely first class teachers and with a deep understanding of grammar and how to teach it.
who's a bit of a maverick, part ham actor, stand-up comic, and improv "genius" in the classroom:-)
All the good ones have to know when to turn that on and off, however the people I'm thinking of with less than conventional routes to the profession were serious and very rigorous teachers.
I can think of a couple in Poland who'd left school at 15 and worked for a long time in manual jobs before taking a CELTA and later a DELTA. Absolutely first class teachers and with a deep understanding of grammar and how to teach it.
jon357
2 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
Spot on. Some of the best teachers I've known had remarkably little formal schooling. They were just very good at getting people to learn.
We started French at age 7, a second foreign language (I chose or rather was steered towards Latin, the other options were Russian or German) at 11 and a third (I took German) at 16. These were rough schools in rough areas. I suspect it depends (or did back the) on the policy of your local education authority.
Would you prefer to learn English from a non-native speaker just because that person happens to be fluent in more than one language?
Spot on. Some of the best teachers I've known had remarkably little formal schooling. They were just very good at getting people to learn.
rather that languages in the UK are not taught until the first year of secondary school, at age 11
We started French at age 7, a second foreign language (I chose or rather was steered towards Latin, the other options were Russian or German) at 11 and a third (I took German) at 16. These were rough schools in rough areas. I suspect it depends (or did back the) on the policy of your local education authority.
jon357
2 May 2017
Language / Any good English term for lewactwo and derivatives? [16]
@Wielkipolak
There are quite a few things like this available online: politicalcompass.org/test
@Wielkipolak
There are quite a few things like this available online: politicalcompass.org/test
jon357
2 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
Of the EFL trainers I've met, worked with, worked for and employed here in Poland, I've met very few who are monolingual, and most of those were not from the UK - the ones who spoke only English tended to come from across the pond.
Nevertheless, there are very sound methodological reasons for only using the target language while training. This is far from new and unlikely to change soon. The main paradigm for language lessons (sometimes called the Communicative Approach, the Eclectic Method or the British Method) avoids L1 for a whole raft of good reasons.
Indeed if the OP does a CELTA, he or she will quickly discover why this is so.
Of the EFL trainers I've met, worked with, worked for and employed here in Poland, I've met very few who are monolingual, and most of those were not from the UK - the ones who spoke only English tended to come from across the pond.
Nevertheless, there are very sound methodological reasons for only using the target language while training. This is far from new and unlikely to change soon. The main paradigm for language lessons (sometimes called the Communicative Approach, the Eclectic Method or the British Method) avoids L1 for a whole raft of good reasons.
Indeed if the OP does a CELTA, he or she will quickly discover why this is so.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
They aren't.
Remember there are many issues in the current election. For some reason you seem obsessed with just one.
racist Russian puppet
They aren't.
Remember there are many issues in the current election. For some reason you seem obsessed with just one.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Like a strong economy, a developed democracy and a thriving culture.
Oh dear.
You're American.
than currently occurring?
Like a strong economy, a developed democracy and a thriving culture.
human trash
Oh dear.
Polish
You're American.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
France is certainly a success. A strong economy, free healthcare, and as soon as the people's choice Emmanuel Macron consigns the Putinist Le Pen to the dustbin of history, a model to follow.
France has always had riots. Under every president, every government. Part of the same rich tradition of activism and people power that keeps Le pen away from any office where she could cause damage.
society a success.
France is certainly a success. A strong economy, free healthcare, and as soon as the people's choice Emmanuel Macron consigns the Putinist Le Pen to the dustbin of history, a model to follow.
France has always had riots. Under every president, every government. Part of the same rich tradition of activism and people power that keeps Le pen away from any office where she could cause damage.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
They did, when organised thugs with similar views to Le Peni smashed up Centrum a couple of years back.
The military in France would I suspect, be rather too healthily multicultural for you.
And Marine Le Pen will certainly be prosecuted and may well end up in jail. France is quite strict about financial irregularities and she has nobody on her side.
But if Warsaw
They did, when organised thugs with similar views to Le Peni smashed up Centrum a couple of years back.
The military in France would I suspect, be rather too healthily multicultural for you.
And Marine Le Pen will certainly be prosecuted and may well end up in jail. France is quite strict about financial irregularities and she has nobody on her side.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
The French have a pretty high standard of living, a short working day, a minimum of five weeks paid holiday per year, paid paternity (and pretty good maternity) leave. And free healthcare and higher education. There's no shortage of people wanting to settle there and millions of tourists visit yearly.. A very nice country.
So am I.
The French have a pretty high standard of living, a short working day, a minimum of five weeks paid holiday per year, paid paternity (and pretty good maternity) leave. And free healthcare and higher education. There's no shortage of people wanting to settle there and millions of tourists visit yearly.. A very nice country.
Im glad I don't have to live there:)
So am I.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
If the cap fits, let the disgusting Marine Le Pen (or anyone else...) wear it. Better still, let her wear prison uniform, as she will when the funding scandal is resolved.
As can the French. And they will. Nobody votes for Le Penists here either.
Oh dear.
racist!
If the cap fits, let the disgusting Marine Le Pen (or anyone else...) wear it. Better still, let her wear prison uniform, as she will when the funding scandal is resolved.
elect whomever
As can the French. And they will. Nobody votes for Le Penists here either.
We
Oh dear.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Their polling figures are very very different. The French as a nation are much better educated and there is a very healthy tradition of Socialism there.
Their polling figures are very very different. The French as a nation are much better educated and there is a very healthy tradition of Socialism there.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Most French people do indeed disagree with her policies.
Haha - you live in a fantasy world. Too many people are too decent for that, and people remember very whell when the far-right tried their 'storm'. How's Stormfront, by the way?
Not going to happen, no matter how much that racist psychopath would like it.
disagree with her policies
Most French people do indeed disagree with her policies.
This is when the "Far Right" will take Western Civilization by storm.
Haha - you live in a fantasy world. Too many people are too decent for that, and people remember very whell when the far-right tried their 'storm'. How's Stormfront, by the way?
if you gave Putin full control of France
Not going to happen, no matter how much that racist psychopath would like it.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Don't be silly. Remember, people don't like racists, and Le Pen is a Putin sponsored racist.
Hotel prices (I just had a look on Booking) are still high as ever.
Don't be silly. Remember, people don't like racists, and Le Pen is a Putin sponsored racist.
Hotel prices (I just had a look on Booking) are still high as ever.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
They certainly don't want her or any other Putinist. No decent person would.
I am not sure France deserves Le Pen
They certainly don't want her or any other Putinist. No decent person would.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
The people's candidate. Certainly the one with the most support, coming first and all that.
Putin's candidate. Important that the appalling cow doesn't get elected.
candidate
The people's candidate. Certainly the one with the most support, coming first and all that.
LePen got elected
Putin's candidate. Important that the appalling cow doesn't get elected.
jon357
2 May 2017
Food / Making American cheeses (Polish and EU ones are terrible!) [100]
Not one of the best. They're actually quite easy to make, though I'd recommend using pasteurised milk with them.
Stinking Bishop
Not one of the best. They're actually quite easy to make, though I'd recommend using pasteurised milk with them.
jon357
2 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Conspiracy nonsense.
Rothschild
Soros
Conspiracy nonsense.
jon357
1 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
Absolutely. It isn't really enough to do a CELTA snd then nothing else, especially if you choose this work for the long term. Constant professional development is the only way.
Here in Poland, the sts really know the difference between someone who is winging it and someone who knows what they're doing.
Absolutely. It isn't really enough to do a CELTA snd then nothing else, especially if you choose this work for the long term. Constant professional development is the only way.
Here in Poland, the sts really know the difference between someone who is winging it and someone who knows what they're doing.
jon357
1 May 2017
Work / What qualifications are required to teach English in Poland? Completed 2 week TEFL course [53]
Remember that a lot of EFL Trainers aren't teaching groups that have, say Polish, as L1, and sometimes teach multinational groups and others (mostly those at the top of the profession) travel from place doing short skills courses - I sometimes do Italians one week, Malays and Russians the next, then French, then off to Kuwait for a few days' work.
In Poland it certainly helps to speak Polish (though not always necessary or desirable to let the learners know) and speak it or not, everyone training students should have an awareness of any particular issues and challenges they face due to L1.
phrase-book knowledge of the local language,
Remember that a lot of EFL Trainers aren't teaching groups that have, say Polish, as L1, and sometimes teach multinational groups and others (mostly those at the top of the profession) travel from place doing short skills courses - I sometimes do Italians one week, Malays and Russians the next, then French, then off to Kuwait for a few days' work.
In Poland it certainly helps to speak Polish (though not always necessary or desirable to let the learners know) and speak it or not, everyone training students should have an awareness of any particular issues and challenges they face due to L1.
jon357
1 May 2017
Food / Making American cheeses (Polish and EU ones are terrible!) [100]
We do washed rind (and cheddared) cheeses. They're a bit fiddlier but better than the easy option which is waxing them.
washed-rind cheeses, which take an extraordinary level of skill.
We do washed rind (and cheddared) cheeses. They're a bit fiddlier but better than the easy option which is waxing them.
jon357
1 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Excellent.
Actually, the main conservative party in France, Les Républicains, have openly called for a Macron vote.
Excellent.
jon357
1 May 2017
Law / Stopped by the Poland's Police for no reason while walking at night [94]
This is true, however very worth noting that police culture and behaviour varies a lot from place to place. I once had a ride in a police car in the Bahamas (from the airport to the ship I worked on) and the policemen said "if you've got any drugs with you, smoke them now, the ship are doing random checks today". That was a surprise.
In Poland (ask anyone here) the police don't have a great reputation. They're getting much better than they used to be, however there are still a lot of bad apples.
If they just stop someone for a routine check, it's usually OK, just a routine check - they're sometimes given a quota to fill. Otherwise, it's best to be very careful and keep your dealings with them to a minimum. Young people especially should be careful.
Go to Jamaica for a week
This is true, however very worth noting that police culture and behaviour varies a lot from place to place. I once had a ride in a police car in the Bahamas (from the airport to the ship I worked on) and the policemen said "if you've got any drugs with you, smoke them now, the ship are doing random checks today". That was a surprise.
In Poland (ask anyone here) the police don't have a great reputation. They're getting much better than they used to be, however there are still a lot of bad apples.
If they just stop someone for a routine check, it's usually OK, just a routine check - they're sometimes given a quota to fill. Otherwise, it's best to be very careful and keep your dealings with them to a minimum. Young people especially should be careful.
jon357
1 May 2017
Law / Stopped by the Poland's Police for no reason while walking at night [94]
This sadly does still happen. A crowd of them stood by and watched some mafia taxi drivers attack someone in Warsaw a few years ago. Unfortunately for them he was a journalist on Tygodnik Powszechny (a Catholic national newspaper) and it rebounded on them.
the policemen did not call an ambulance for the unconscious Czaja.
This sadly does still happen. A crowd of them stood by and watched some mafia taxi drivers attack someone in Warsaw a few years ago. Unfortunately for them he was a journalist on Tygodnik Powszechny (a Catholic national newspaper) and it rebounded on them.
jon357
1 May 2017
News / Which French candidate for president will be best for Poland? [512]
Don't be silly.
Tony Blair and the left on the UK the man makes Putin look like a angel.
Don't be silly.
jon357
1 May 2017
Food / Making American cheeses (Polish and EU ones are terrible!) [100]
Craft beers are huge here now. They've really taken off since you left. For people like me who prefer 'ordinary' ones, it can actually be quite irritating.
For cheese, improvement is slow. There are a lot more varieties (blue kinds are more and more popular) though still mostly from factories. The only real craft one is Korczynski which isn't very complicated (you could easily make it at home with the right sized pans) but is still good. In fact it won a prize several years ago.
One thing holding back cheese in Poland is local tastes. You mentioned that people prefer bland - this is key to it. Cheeses high in tyramine (like a lot of the best ones) aren't popular here.
I always bring four types back as presents. Tangy Lancaster, made on a hill farm, Creamy Lancaster (ditto), Shropshire Blue (made in Hawes, Wensleydale) and White Stilton. All except for the Creamy Lancaster a little strong for mass market tastes here but some people like them. French friends sometimes bring back Chaource - closer to Polish tastes but not produced in enough quantity for much export.
There are some signs that an artisan cheese industry is in its infancy in Poland, though, just like with craft beers.
Craft beers are huge here now. They've really taken off since you left. For people like me who prefer 'ordinary' ones, it can actually be quite irritating.
For cheese, improvement is slow. There are a lot more varieties (blue kinds are more and more popular) though still mostly from factories. The only real craft one is Korczynski which isn't very complicated (you could easily make it at home with the right sized pans) but is still good. In fact it won a prize several years ago.
One thing holding back cheese in Poland is local tastes. You mentioned that people prefer bland - this is key to it. Cheeses high in tyramine (like a lot of the best ones) aren't popular here.
I always bring four types back as presents. Tangy Lancaster, made on a hill farm, Creamy Lancaster (ditto), Shropshire Blue (made in Hawes, Wensleydale) and White Stilton. All except for the Creamy Lancaster a little strong for mass market tastes here but some people like them. French friends sometimes bring back Chaource - closer to Polish tastes but not produced in enough quantity for much export.