Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

Ready made plans were initially an attractive concept because I had 2 jobs on the go and time was scarce. However, they often proved to be more of a curse for several reasons.

1. Blocking lexis was rarely introduced, any useful lexis was introduced poorly or there were too many, about 45 in one lesson
2. The plans were full of basic English errors that intermediate students would point out
3. The main aim of the lesson was rarely clear
4. The steps of the lesson rarely followed the same theme or language focus
5. The times for the steps of the lesson were often unacheivable (revise/introduce 50 lexis items in categories in 10 minutes?!)
6. The homework rarely revised the material from the lesson, usually it was completely unrelated.
...the list goes on..

I had one lesson recently about music which introduced musical terms that even a native speaker would not know unless they had studied music theory. Thankfully, I had, so I knew what an 'accidental' was (and other such terminology). I bet other teachers thought this was a mistake a musician makes! A great lesson, I'm sure, for students who want to go to another country to study music, but for my group that day, totally useless.

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

Yes, some characters try my patience too. Like one who insists on answering all questions, despite my directing them, by name, to a specific student. She hogs all the time, refusing to let others answer or think, proudly giving the answer if the named student takes more than a microsecond!

I just had to tell her to allow the other students time to answer because I need to hear them speak!

But generally, I don't have problems with students, like you say, the teacher's job is more to facilitate their conversations and learning. I can't wait to get back to teaching using all the CELTA methods instead of these horrible ready-made plans at my school (from which I have just resigned)

Tony

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

My post arrived pretty quick from England too, in fact about 3 days. It was a packer contained 4 poppies that I'd asked a friend to send. It arrived intact and very quickly.

As for the English mail... between folding items with "DO NOT BEND" all over them... folding CDs (!) and refusing to attempt delivery of an "incorrectly addressed" item to the ONLY street in the village (incidentally, the address was from the Royal Mail database!!)... oh and finally, illiterate postmen who cant read the street name or number... but then nothing is perfect i suppose..

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

OK, let me add one or two...

1) When you work for a languge school as a 'native speaker' and then they tell you on signing the contract "by the way, you're not employed, you're a contractor and we pay you 20 days AFTER the end of the month"

2) At the same time, the tell you that the rate they told you net, is actually now the gross rate.

3) When you come to submit your bill after a month's hard work, they proudly announce "by the way, you need a NIP" and the ONLY assistance they offer is to tell you the street that the tax office is on. No building number, not even the words I need in Polish to identify the building, let alone know what a NIP is or which type i need. I have seen on one forum that a NIP is NOT required... but try and explain that to you manager...

4) To find that to obtain a NIP or registration I will need certain documents... but there is no information regarding which documents or if I need a PESEL (except the very kind forum postings) - and to learn that some offices know what they are doing but not do not... so it's pot-luck as to whether I'm going to get what I need today and actually get paid!

So... to the friendly person who kindly suggested I get on a plane and leave... trust me, I'm this close [show thumb and forefinger about a millimeter apart)

The only saving grace is that since before my arrival in Poland I made a Polish business acquaintance who has been the most helpful person I have met and he continues to be so. If it wasn't for him, I'd have gone a long time ago. So, thank-you Jacek! I'm expecting to start working for him full time soon; then I can tell the school where to go.

Me

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]


Because there are many more 'cons' about the UK, for example so many people who just like to flame on the internet when somebody states their opinion.

My list is simply a list of likes and dislikes, this does not mean I hate the country. On the contrary, I find the difficulties I am experiencing in this country to be character building and are giving me a true insight into the country and culture. As I settle into Polish life and summer returns, no doubt there will be many more good things I see.

Oh, I forgot to mention architecture as a good point!

No, coming to the point of promoting Poland. Do we want dictatorship style propogander or honest personal opinions and discussions? Personally, I feel the discussions are much more powerful. I may see something as bad, somebody else may see it as good. Through intelligent, mature discussion, we can find a common ground. If we all thought the same, what a boring world this would be. Communism anybody?

T

Life / 3 reasons why you hate Poland. [1049]

oh hell... don't get me started....

1. The fact that parking restriction signs are very well hidden (like facing the wrong way on a one way street with no road markings) then you get a clamp!

2. The fact that to do anything you have to jump through hoops, the right hoops, in the right order... or start all over again..
3. That I work to the end of the month then have to wait until 20th of the following month to get paid! (turns out the 'job' I was given in a private school is actually a contractor 'job')

4. That everything is so bloody expensive! I have to have 2 jobs, working 12 hours/day just to cover the basics
5. The beggars, ok, we get them everywhere, but these ones even walking around inside KFC asking for money/food and the staff do nothing. Don't misunderstand me, I'm happy to give to the charities that help the needy and have done a lot of charity work, but the number of people asking for money in Poland is unbelievable... and many of them quite clearly not needy! (i.e. perfectly clean, presse clothes, new shoes and very fat in one case)

6. The leaftlets... my goodness.. try working through krakow on a summer's day and see how many times you have to dodge leaflets
7. The roads! (it needs no more explanation)

OK, so let's be fair and give a brief mention to all the things I do like

1. The food (contrary to somebody else's comments)
2. The culture. Yes, there is some culture here and I find it interesting
3. The hospitality shown by the Poles. I have always been made to feel welcome everywhere - almost everybody is friendly and most are very helpful

4. The girls... ok, I won't be shy, Polish women are beautiful and it brightens the day to see a beautiful women with a wonderful smile.

5. The fact that there is so much work for a native speaker English teacher, even if the pay is poor and I have no hours left in the day to do it.

oh dear... the cons list is longer than the pros list.... but I'm just grumpy tonight maybe :p

enjoy!