Work / International House - Kracow school - any chances of being offered a job there [59]

Dear all,

Thanks for these posts this seems to be by far the best way to learn what is going on!

I booked to attend the CELTA course in June '10 with IH Krakow, I have paid my deposit and booked flights and then just had a 'funny' feeling about IH Krakow. I have since looked on a few forums and heard some bad stories about them and now I see that they have been disafiliated with IH Worldwide and as you say post leader; are no longer listed as a Cambridge CELTA centre.

I rang IH Krakow this morning to find out what happens next. They assured me that they have been able to go ahead with the May CELTA course and they are working towards still being able to run the course in June, but at this moment in time they are unable to confirm anything in writing. However, I was assured they would be writing to all concerned once they have some news.

I have emailed Cambridge ESOL this morning and am awaiting feedback on what my next step should be. I rang IH Worldwide and they just said (quote) "affiliates of IH can choose to become disaffiliated at anytime, it is their choice...", but they would not say whether or not the choice was theirs or IH Krakow.

If anyone else has more news, or even better is in the same position as me, please can you get in touch via this forum. Any news/updates would be gratefully received.

Kind regards,

Ali

Work / International House - Kracow school - any chances of being offered a job there [59]

Dear all,

In follow up to my last post 'Aliloveskrakow'. I have just received an email from Cambridge ESOL, which I am very pleased about. It reads thus;

"Dear edit

Your enquiry has been forwarded to me by colleagues in Cambridge

We are working to ensure that there is CELTA provision in Krakow for the dates you mention (subject to minimum numbers being reached) and will be in contact again very soon to provide further details

Best wishes

edit

edit
Regional Manager"

This has set my mind at ease and hopefully for others too if they have found themselves in the same boat. I really hope the course does go ahead, as I am really very keen to get started!

Regards,

Ali

Life / WHY DO POLES USE ENGLISH WORDS IN CONVERSATION? [396]

Mmmm as I am English and still living in the UK, but am learning Polish I have the opposite wish, I wish that the English would adopt some common Polish words such as; czesc, dobrze, dzien dobry and prosze. I just love the sound of these words and sooo many more..... I think all languages are beautiful and to hear them mixed up and integrating is wonderful, though I do agree with zachodzie that it is sad that so much of the world is becoming Americanised....

I think if you're learning Polish and your Polish friends want to speak to you in English and not Polish that's not a reflection on you, they are just very, very keen to speak with a native speaker - just like you wish to speak to a native Polish person! I think also they don't quiet beleive that you would really understand them!!

Language is to be enjoyed and it's just a tool to communicate with, it shouldn't be viewed as something rigid, but fluid and fun.

Do zoba!

Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]


Awww flissiebell, I'm 39 and I started learning Polish last year! You can do it, just find a very good teacher, be patient with yourself and enjoy each little victory.

I started by using a free programme from byki.com it was great to get me started. It combines learning by seeing, hearing and writing, after 8 months I started proper' lessons with a very patient and positive Polish teacher and 6 months on from there I am able to build up simple sentences, read, write and can understand some conversational Polish, though I still don't have a large enough vocabularly to answer:(

Offer to swap languages in your area; English for Polish and if you're able watch TV serials via iitv.info which has Polish subtitles for popular TV programmes. I find this immensely helpful, for some reason seeing it written down really helps to jog my memory, I've learnt loads of new words this way :)

My advice; saviour those little light bulb moments when suddenly you understand, be prepared to knuckle down and carryon when the complexities of this beautiful language reduces you to tears and most importantly ensure you have a strong motivation to learn.

Stick with it because honestly in a few months time when you know a few words and phrases you will be so pleased with yourself and it really is such a lovely language that you won't be able to stop yourself from wanting to learn more!

Good luck xx

Language / Is it too late for me to learn Polish..? [65]


Mmmm well as for the language swap, I posted an ad on a local noticeboard website under 'language swaps' offering Polish people a chance to practice their English and in return to teach me a bit of Polish for free! It's been very good, I have made a few nice friends and improved my Polish this way. krakow.gumtree.pl

Internaldialogue
Hej Internaldialogue, thanks for the links they are great! Funnily enough I found Janusz's videos on Youtube about a year ago when I was searching for all things Polska related so it's really nice to now discover that they were born from this forum. What a generous person.

Incidentally and because I am very nosy, what other languages are your learning?! :)

Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]


Dear Janusz,

I first found these videos on Youtube about a year ago and now I have been signposted to them by another poster on a different thread having had no idea they originated on this forum!

I just wanted to say thank you for investing so much time and effort for free so that strangers such as myself can begin to learn Polish:) You set a wonderful example of altruism.

Sincerely thank you very much.

Ali x

Work / Moving to Poland from the USA. Question concerning CELTA certificate.I need help [32]


Hi Lukasz,

Here's a little update, as I was in the same(ish) boat as you. I booked and paid my deposit for the July CELTA course at IH Krakow, only to find out that they're no longer affiliated with IH Worldwide and that CELTA will not allow them to host a course there, why I do not know, though . Anyhow, I wrote to CELTA direct and here is an extract of the reply I received via email a couple of days ago:

"IH Krakow are no longer affiliated with IH Worldwide and now go by the name of Instant English and the May CELTA course currently being run in Krakow is actually being administered by IH Katowice as (what Cambridge ESOL term) an "off-site" course. This is a short-term arrangement only but one that is fully authorised and supported by Cambridge ESOL.

From 21st June onwards CELTA in Krakow will be available at the British Council."

I am very impressed that you have managed to find work anyhow and as I speak a little Polish (very little) I am wondering if I really must do this dreaded CELTA course as I've heard nothing but scare stories about how difficult it is?

If anyone wishes to share their experience of the CELTA course I am all ears!

Thanks

Ali

Work / Moving to Poland from the USA. Question concerning CELTA certificate.I need help [32]


Hahaha thanks I will make sure I take lots of apples!


Mmm interesting thanks.


Good advice, that's me off the booze for a month then!


Thanks Seanus, I admire your professionalism and I think this is the best advice.

Regards,

Ali x

Work / International House - Kracow school - any chances of being offered a job there [59]


Sorry you're right I should have finished off my little story about my experience with CELTA!

Well, IH Krakow are now Instant English and no longer offer the CELTA course, they did offer to transfer my application across to IH Katowice, but I wasn't able to do that as I'd applied via an Agent; Cactus Language and they made alternative arrangements for the course to be held elsewhere; The British Council (please no horror stories!) offered the same dates/same costs and all correspondence is flowing freely so I (stupidly) envisage no further problems... Although I've yet to secure my accommodation!

IH even very kindly transferred my deposit to the British Council rather than return it to me in England whereby both sides would have incurred bank charges.

So all in all, just a slight hiccup and nothing to worry about, for me, I mean. Except that now someone is bound to post something worrying about the British Council!

Work / International House - Kracow school - any chances of being offered a job there [59]

Thanks Terri that is very reassuring to know :)

Love / Please Stop insult for polish girls [17]

Hahaha OMG I read Seanus's comment 'butterface' and I didn't know what it meant either, but guessed (wrongly!) that it meant a very pretty face on a sweet girl a la "butter wouldn't melt in her mouth". I must say I am a bit disappointed to learn it means something completely different, as it's such a nice expression! Perhaps, not being down with the lingo is a blessing sometimes :) :)

Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]

Was Tyskie, but then I discovered Redds malinowy, very nice on a warm evening :):)

Work / Teaching English/CELTA at the IH, Krakow [13]

Thread attached on merging:
CELTA KRAKOW NOW AT BRITISH COUNCIL

Dear all,

For anyone wishing to do the CELTA course in Krakow please note that it is now being run by the same Tutors from IH; Magda, Basia and Declan, but over in the British Council on Rynek Glowny, Krakow. I attended the July course and it was absolutely brilliant, really hardwork, but I also found the intensity to be a great motivation in its self. I was really surprised by the facilities provided there; interactive whiteboards and plenty of computers for us trainees to work on. Also, the accommodation was really good and only a 20 min walk away, I believe when it was over in IH the accommodation was awful :(

Magda, Basia and Declan put 110% into trying to achieve the best out of every trainee and it was great to be so thoroughly and systematically taught, it really is amazing what you can learn in such a short space of time! I would highly recommend anyone thinking of teaching to first do a CELTA course as it really does give you some basic skills and a chance to brush up on your weak points before doing it for real.

Thanks,

Aliloveskrakow