lateStarter
2 Aug 2009
Work / I'm interested in teaching in Poland and I need some help. [33]
From my own experience in the Warsaw area (4 years now) it doesn't hurt to have CELTA but it is not entirely necessary. Having said that though, I wish that I had it! Most of the school Directors that I have spoken with have told me that it would open up more possibilities - specifically with regard to In-Company Training. Generally, they will throw you a few individual students and if they are desparate, ask you to do some groups.
If you are good though (not in your own mind, but get lots of positive feedback) the schools will put you to work. Even if 90% of the teachers must be certified, if you are in the top 10% of the Native language speakers in the area, you will be in demand.
To be fair, I would not call myself a teacher of the English language. I now realize that there is a lot more to teaching than meets the eye (especially a foreign language). I have actually learned more about English in the past few years here in Poland than in my prior 40+ years in the US of A. Harry's remark about conditionals brought a smile to my face.
I make it clear from the start of my lessons that I am there for conversational practice and that I will help them out where I can with grammar, pronunciation, etc... I mention that if they have any specific grammar point that they want to review, I will be glad to help them out. One of my students mentioned that he always had a probelm with conditionals and would appreciate a brief review. I told him that as soon as I knew what he was talking about, I'd get back to him! We had a good laugh. After I found out what they were, (oh, so thats what these are called!) I told him that quite honestly, most motivated Polish students had a better command of English grammar than 99% of the American population.
Most of my students are Advanced level, so your mileage may vary. I would find it very difficult to teach anything below Intermediate level, even if I did speak fluent Polish. I just don't have the training/skills required. I'm sure the kind of training you would pick up with an intensive short-term CELTA course would be invaluable and well worth the time and moeny. Of course, it would also help if you actually liked to do this kind of thing. If you are just looking for a way to pay the bills, but you really dislike it (and there is a lot not to like) you will not do well...
Just my 2 cents - Shawn
From my own experience in the Warsaw area (4 years now) it doesn't hurt to have CELTA but it is not entirely necessary. Having said that though, I wish that I had it! Most of the school Directors that I have spoken with have told me that it would open up more possibilities - specifically with regard to In-Company Training. Generally, they will throw you a few individual students and if they are desparate, ask you to do some groups.
If you are good though (not in your own mind, but get lots of positive feedback) the schools will put you to work. Even if 90% of the teachers must be certified, if you are in the top 10% of the Native language speakers in the area, you will be in demand.
To be fair, I would not call myself a teacher of the English language. I now realize that there is a lot more to teaching than meets the eye (especially a foreign language). I have actually learned more about English in the past few years here in Poland than in my prior 40+ years in the US of A. Harry's remark about conditionals brought a smile to my face.
I make it clear from the start of my lessons that I am there for conversational practice and that I will help them out where I can with grammar, pronunciation, etc... I mention that if they have any specific grammar point that they want to review, I will be glad to help them out. One of my students mentioned that he always had a probelm with conditionals and would appreciate a brief review. I told him that as soon as I knew what he was talking about, I'd get back to him! We had a good laugh. After I found out what they were, (oh, so thats what these are called!) I told him that quite honestly, most motivated Polish students had a better command of English grammar than 99% of the American population.
Most of my students are Advanced level, so your mileage may vary. I would find it very difficult to teach anything below Intermediate level, even if I did speak fluent Polish. I just don't have the training/skills required. I'm sure the kind of training you would pick up with an intensive short-term CELTA course would be invaluable and well worth the time and moeny. Of course, it would also help if you actually liked to do this kind of thing. If you are just looking for a way to pay the bills, but you really dislike it (and there is a lot not to like) you will not do well...
Just my 2 cents - Shawn
