Language / WHY THE HELL CANT I LEARN POLISH?? [64]

I've been learning for over a year, and I move to Poland next month. I can say short sentences, but I can understand much more than I can say. I recently got a tutor who will only speak to me in Polish (Trust me this helps), she says that I've spent too much time just concentrating on grammar and not enough just speaking and listening. I've picked up lots of phrases and short sentences just listening to my girlfriend speaking to her friends.

It will happen, just lots and lots of practice and being forced to speak Polish. I know that once I've moved to Poland, I will have no choice but to speak ;-).

Language / I need some encouragement from Polish language speakers! [30]

I started out by just reading grammar books and trying to learn lists of rules and vocabulary. I can say that I regretted it after moving to Poland because although I could read some stuff, I was completely lost when I had to speak, and understanding people speaking was only slightly better. When I tried to speak, I found myself looking up tables in my head and often getting it wrong because I felt pressured.

Now, I'm concentrating completely on speaking and listening. I have a tutor and I am working through the Hurra Po Polsku books, which still covers grammar but covers it in a context which helps you remember it. You learn phrases and situations in which specific grammar is used.

As an example, I consider the locative case the most difficult to get to grasps with, but if you learn phrases that use the locative case you start to get a feel for what should happen, and most of the time you can start forming your own sentences and just know what feels right, e.g. Once you know how a few of the words decline, you can guess how new ones will by the endings. It really does work, and you start to get used it. Also, don't be discouraged, I found that even when I make grammatical (Some serious) errors, I'm still understood and people are happy to correct me.

Work / Advice on Polish courses in Krakow [8]

I'd recommend these guys: prolog.edu.pl

I have used their course materials and they come highly recommended

Life / Picking up BBC television in Poland [41]

I pay £9 a month for a server in London which I can use to get BBC iPlayer. Works a treat :-).

Life / Picking up BBC television in Poland [41]


I have a shared server with rapidswitch. It's a Linux box with root access. I've setup an SSH tunnel and it works nearly as quick as being in the UK :-)

You get 200GB of bandwidth a month for the basic price.

Language / Problems remembering Polish vocabulary [20]

I use a flashcard system:

After each lesson, I put all the new words into a lesson, and go through this. It helps you learn the words really quickly, but getting them to stick is another story.

I found simply the best way (for me!!) to make words stick is to learn it with a phrase, e.g. If you wanted to remember kupić, you would learn: Chciałbym kupić książkę. I often combine a few words in a phrase, and this greatly helps me, as I associate a word with a situation.

Language / Does anyone know where I can learn Polish for free? [35]

Get yourself a Polish partner, you can get it for free then ;-))

Language / Polish Language test using the European Language Frameworks [9]

Thanks for the links everyone.

I realised doing some of the tests that I have a long way to go :(

Language / Polish Short Stories \\ Polish Language Exam (writing-reading-listening) [4]

Gah bloody Rapidshare is doing its best to make me pay to download. Anyone have any idea how I can actually download these files, it keeps claiming there are no slots and some other rubbish.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Although I think Polish is difficult, I would argue it is the "HARDEST LANGUAGE" in the world. As a native English speaker, when I started learning Polish, I discovered just how strange some of the things are in English, and I take it for granted that I just know what to say. Think of all the tenses and helper verbs :P.

I've spent far too much time studying Polish grammar, and although I understand it, I can't think fast enough when I'm speaking. I'm guessing that I need to just be happy that I can get my point across in Polish without being grammatically perfect. After all, I only want to communicate, not write a novel.

I'm fairly sure if I said "piec uszy" I would be understood, even if it is grammatically incorrect. When I need to think about grammar all the time, my speech becomes so slow and full of long pauses and "errrrrrrrrrmmm", that it isn't worth it, until I get more practice and start to get used to what sounds right. But on the plus side, things I used to have to think hard about are starting to come naturally.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

I know a few Poles who would completely disagree with this statement. English is difficult because of the many different tenses, amongst other things. Things we take for granted. I'm sure it's exactly the same case with Polish.

At first, I was surprised how Polish people could speak so fast and get all the cases correct, but whenever I ask a Pole a question about "Why did you say that?", they don't know. It's exactly the same case with most English people, who can't answer grammar questions.

I only know one person who could speak English perfectly and he was a highly qualified English teacher.

Life / What can citizens do to make Poland a better place to live? [125]

One thing I really miss about England is that people actually smile. How hard would it be when you are at a checkout in a supermarket for the person to smile and say "Dzień Dobry". When I ask for something in a shop I feel like I'm imposing on the person and they want to punch me. You have a job because we are shopping there, learn to appreciate that fact!!

Some other minor things:

- I hate being refused service in a shop because I don't have the correct change. Or being snarled at because I hand the cashier a 50zl note.

- If I let you in front of me at the checkout or I hold the door open for you, just say "Dziękuję".

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Ha ha, I don't think even Polish could beat this below beauty:

Take the incorrect sentence:
James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher

Adding commas, make this valid English.

James, while John had had "had", had had "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher. which means "It was the case that while John used 'had,' James used 'had had.' The teacher preferred 'had had.'"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_while_John_had_had_had_had_had_had_had_had_had_had_had_a_better_effect_on_the_teacher

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]

Chinese has my vote as the most difficult, at least for an European ;-)

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]


I didn't conceive this sentence and I would certainly never use it. It's an example of the somewhat chaotic verb system in English. I know from experience, i.e. being round lots of Poles learning English, that lots of them cannot grasp the different tenses, especially not in normal speech. If you're Polish and you can then congratulations :-)

Also, I'm certainly not a teacher, and I'm definitely not qualified to comment on English grammar. If anything, I know more about Polish grammar because I've studied it, I rarely think about the grammar in my own language unless my g/f asks me a question.

Law / Polish EU Drivers Licence - can I get one the easy way (by paying for it)? [185]

WTF people, if you want a driving license then go and do the test and pass. I had to, and I'm sure most other people did. I guess it's your problem if you crash and kill yourself, but it certainly isn't fair on the other person you decide to kill.

Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]


Shouldn't that be "ten kierowca" and "ten dentysta"?

Law / Opening a Polish Bank Account by a foreigner in Poland. Recommendations. [299]

Try mBank.pl. They let you open a bank account using your passport and they speak English. Although you will need to be present in Poland at the time as they will send a courier to your home to sign some documents.

Language / Dzięki temu...... ? [8]

It means "Thanks to that......", like you are thanking something for something

Like thanks to that, I can now buy a house.

Dzięki temu,

Life / Any Polish channels with closed captioning? Reality TV shows? [7]

Yeah there are, just not for every program. I've used them a few times

Food / Poles prefer pizza & kebab? [64]

The only kebab I got which was served by a Turkish person was in the train station in Krakow. It was nice as well :-)

Language / średniozaawansowany prodręcznik do nauki polskiego [8]

The hurra po polsku books are great if you have a tutor, or are learning in a class, but I wouldn't recommend using them on your own. The books are completely in Polish, and without a tutor, they won't explain to you clearly why things are. They are perfect to go through as additional practice though, once you have learnt the material elsewhere. If on the other hand you have someone who can go through the book with you, then I highly recommend them.

However, for working on your own I would recommend, "cześć jak się masz II". This is at level A2 in Polish and it is a very good course book. There are dialogs, good explanations, and lots of chances to practice. There is even an assessment test at the end of the book. Also, unlike some other Polish books, I found this one pleasant to look at, and nicely illustrated. The book flows on nicely from the previous level A1 book, and there are also additional more advanced books that follow for level B1, B2, etc..

Food / Your all time favourite Polish Dishes! [108]


Pierogi covered with Pudliszki's spicy tomato sauce. Delicious :P, yum yum *drool*

Language / Any sites with podcasts in Polish? [17]

Thank you. I used to listen to the bloggy Polish blog, but they haven't updated it in a long time.

UK, Ireland / Poles living in the UK returning home or not? [63]

At least most Polish people are willing to work in the UK and work hard, most scum/chavs don't want to work, they just bash out a couple of kids by the age of 18 and drain the benefits system. Let more Polish in, and throw the chavs out.

UK, Ireland / Moving from Ireland to Poland [29]

All I can say is, it ain't all it's cut up to be. I did the same thing, and after the honeymoon period is over, you will begin to face reality and understand why lots leave. When you first move there it will feel like you are still on holiday, but once settled down, you will begin to experience the reality.

Firstly, good luck finding work, especially one which pays you as well as you get in Ireland. Here, the most important thing is to Learn Polish!!!!. Don't rely on your wife to do everything for you. Learning the language, and speaking it with your wife is extremely important. Especially if you value your own independence.

You will be shocked at how hard some things are compared to Ireland. Bureaucracy is often a frustrating process especially if you don't speak Polish or don't know somebody who can help you with everything. Also be prepared for a culture shock when you experience customer service here, a smile is a rarity (Unlike in Ireland).

As for the average cost of living, it all depends on where you want to go. I believe you could live comfortably of 3-4000zl a month. If you move out of town, then the costs will be less (But then you have less chance of finding work).

Buying land and a house is cheaper than it is in Ireland, and I would highly recommend you stay in Poland whilst the home is being built (To checkup, etc..). Once done, I would recommend you go back to Ireland to pay of your mortgage. (At least then you will have something to look forward to).

I'm only being frank with you, but unless you have something really good to offer on the Polish job market, you are much better off staying in Ireland. Also, ask yourself, why did your wife leave Poland in the first place?

Sorry if I sound like a killjoy, but I'm only sharing my experience. Others may have a very different experience than I have. Good luck