Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

Question for the english teachers around Poland. Does it make a difference if you are fluent in polish as well as teaching english (for example, being a US-born Pole)? As I am sure it exists the other way around, many native Poles teaching English but I was wondering how common is the case for the other way around.

If this is rare, does it make a difference in commanding a decent wage in saturated cities like Kraków, Wrocław, or Warszawa?

Personally I have a position doing project management so this is not in reference to myself, but a couple friends that I have back home that are finishing university and might be considering a move to Poland.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

I guess my question is also related to ease of finding work privately or through a school. I am aware that having the right connections are invaluable and creative advertising goes a long way, but then again - I'm not the one going for this as my career. This would be people who I feel are a bit less ambitious/creative than me and I'm just trying to seek out whether its a worthwhile effort for them to come out here and make 3000zl a month teaching english in Kraków without working an absurd amount of hours. Once again, I stress fluency in both languages.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

I'm talking about individuals with four year degrees (some related to teaching, even teaching certificate), completed CELTA training, real fluency in both, and fairly hard working. Would it be difficult to get a decent paying school (private school?) position or just better off trying to get private lessons in Kraków?

From what I have read, it seems a lot of Native english speakers are on beginning level of polish (making it harder to really reach out/teach students on certain aspects of the english language) and not at BSc level (but with some teaching course completed). Is this an accurate reading (I apologize if I am way off)?

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

I fail to see where I mention that I am too creative to be a teacher? I only stated that there is somewhat of a lack of 'drive' and hard work ethic when comparing myself to a few of my friends that potentially want to get in on teaching English in Poland. Their studies in the states aren't going the greatest and while they don't intend on teaching English in Poland, it may happen that they do. I apologize for not using capital e and p when referring to languages, don't normally type too formally on forums.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

I definitely wouldn't call them slackers, especially my brother who is finishing a degree in teaching and always wanted to live in Poland. For some, it would be temporary until they figure out what they really want to do in Poland, considering some have never been in Poland for longer than 3 months (a summer's vacation)? Why are YOU teaching English in Poland, is that much different?

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

Poznań isn't a small city by any stretch of the imagination either. I definitely understand the negative sentiment coming from dedicated educators in this thread, but doing it for a short time does not mean you won't care and cheat your students. There have been things I have done for a short time only, but still made sure I gave my full effort. Same can be for teaching. If someone is willing to go through an intensive four weeks like the CELTA (a nice grand that you have to pay, $2 grand in NYC), I wouldn't say that they are just looking for the easy way but giving yourself options. Besides, the CELTA I'm sure changes the perceptions to a more positive, caring one.

Either way, I do hope that my friends end up doing it so then in the end we can drink beers, talk to girls, and enjoy life in Kraków (though I don't think any of us would say we are 'American'). I don't see anything wrong in that.

Life / Outdoor Stoves in Poland (Propane?) [9]

This is actually for my Polish Scout Troop that is coming from the states for our organization's Polish World Scout Jamboree that is happening at the Zalew Zegrzynski in Zegrze at the army base. They are supposed to provide us with the military stoves but those are only good for making soups, gularz, etc (can't really fry on them).

Anymore links or ideas will definitely help. In the states, we usually make 'kuchnie polowe' by digging approx a feet deep hole that is about two feet wide and five feet deep, using fireproof bricks and rebarbs on the outside, and then putting a sheet of metal over it. At the end, there is a chimney for the smoke. Wood is then used as the fuel.

But since its an army base and I doubt we will get permission for it, I'm looking for alternatives.

Life / Outdoor Stoves in Poland (Propane?) [9]

This Jamboree is for Polish Scouts in ZHP pgk (poza granicami kraju). The scouts will be all polish troops from USA, Canada, England, Australia and to a lesser extent France, Argentina, and a few other countries. The total number of scouts will be approximately 1500-2000.

Visiting day will be on July 31 from about 12pm to 5pm. It will be open to the public during these times only. I am not sure of what restrictions there will be yet but I assuming the polish military will be doing a sign in and out.

News / Kaczynski to be buried at Wawel ?! [289]

If Kaczyński is being buried here, Kaczorowski should be entitled to a spot at Wawel just as much. Kaczyński should be in Warsaw, where he was not only the mayor but also lived his life there. Hell, Kaczorowski had stated that he wanted to be buried in Kraków but they are burying him in Warsaw.

Law / EU citizen residency certificate to live in Poland [34]

Right now I am working on an American contract in Poland. I am a Polish citizen (have a PESEL) and in a month's time, I will have my Dowod Osobisty. My question is regarding medical care. Will the ZUS zaklad have any issues with the fact that in the eyes of Poland, I am 'unemployed'? If need be, can I get medical care without paying huge lumps of money?

Law / EU citizen residency certificate to live in Poland [34]

Thank you for the response Ziemowit. If I am not currently paying into the NFZ, can I still receive medical treatment as a polish citizen?

Travel / Visiting - Mazury? what else besides the obvious? [15]


My family is from Elk. Beautiful city worth stopping by

Real Estate / Buying a flat in Krakow; prices are still falling? [200]

How about renting? Is it possible to negotiate successfully on the price of an apartment per month? I am currently looking to rent a 3 room (2 bedroom, 1 living room) apartment somewhere close to the Rynek and am wondering how much can I push the agents for a cheaper price. Also, how much should one expect to pay for electric heating in the winter months?

Travel / Foreign beers in Krakow [18]

I know you are looking for shops but in case anyone is looking for a great bar to go to heed the following:

House of Beer on Sw. Tomasza. They have approximately 70 bottled beers from all over (Polska, Czech, Slovakia, Ukraine, Germany, etc) and 5 beers on tap with Zywiec/Tyskie no where to be found. Great long bar and then also have comfortable sofas to relax on. Great atmosphere, great beer, and great prices (5-8zl for 90% of the beers)

Real Estate / Where to live, where to avoid in Krakow [28]

Im also moving to Krakow next week and am hunting for an apartment. My range is slightly higher (1600-2300zl with media, electricity, etc) but still am having a tough time finding anything decent in stare miasto for that price using gumtree and gratka.

Real Estate / Where to live, where to avoid in Krakow [28]


I am looking at Stare Miasto, Kazmierz, and Krowodrza (that's where I will be working). I still would definitely prefer something in Stare Miasto (a studio or small one bedroom) but we'll see how this ends up.

Law / Online Polish banking (in English) [27]

I will be opening up a bank account in the next week or so. I currently have a bank account with Bank of America in the US (since they are part of the global alliance for atms... which has come in use multiple times). If I open an account here with Citi or HSBC, will I be able to use this bank account for przelewy from my job in Poland?

If so, I'd rather take care of the account here rather than in Poland.

Real Estate / Where to live, where to avoid in Krakow [28]


Sorry, I meant Bronowice as that is where I will be working (not Krowodrza)

Work / Salary expectations in Poland [373]

I started at 7500zl brutto as Project Manager for an American company. Just had a performance review and I am set to make about 10,000zl brutto starting June 1st. If you provide value, you can make pretty "good" money in Poland - especially for Polish standards.

Real Estate / Negotiating - how low will developers go? (Krakow) [4]

I am currently renting in Kazimierz for last 2+ years and am looking to start actually putting my money into my own place. I do have quite a bit saved so mortgage won't be ridiculous. I am Polish and have no problems talking to these developers.

This is a new building with mostly sold apartments. It is developer standard and I plan on investing a good bit into finishing it. Probably going for a garage space for 2 cars.