scottie1113
17 Oct 2016
Travel / £1 - 4.73 Polish Zloty [7]
You voted for Brexit? The decline in the pound was inevitable. Stew in your own juices.
You voted for Brexit? The decline in the pound was inevitable. Stew in your own juices.
scottie1113
27 Jan 2016
Language / Polish was chosen the HARDEST LANGUAGE in the world to learn... :D [1558]
As I've said before, your English, while excellent, is rather pedantic and academic.
I'm not suggesting that you dumb down, just speak to Poles in language that they understand. They'll appreciate it. If their English is really full of ghetto blaster slang and obscenities, maybe you should find different people to talk to. I've been in Poland for 8 1/2 years and my experience has been very different than yours when it comes to speaking with Poles.
My native English is so far superior to that of the average Pole who studied English in school, I find it far, far easier to communicate with Poles in Polish!
As I've said before, your English, while excellent, is rather pedantic and academic.
I'm not suggesting that you dumb down, just speak to Poles in language that they understand. They'll appreciate it. If their English is really full of ghetto blaster slang and obscenities, maybe you should find different people to talk to. I've been in Poland for 8 1/2 years and my experience has been very different than yours when it comes to speaking with Poles.
scottie1113
18 Jan 2016
Polonia / Polonia outraged by EU interference [196]
You can add me to that list. I'm American, have been here for 8 1/2 years and care strongly about Poland. You know that S&P recently downgraded its rating of Poland. That's strong vote of no confidence in Poland's current government and its policies and it came in an incredibly short time after the election. How do you explain that?
Right now it is you Harry, jon, delph, roger, doug, makefit, smurf
You can add me to that list. I'm American, have been here for 8 1/2 years and care strongly about Poland. You know that S&P recently downgraded its rating of Poland. That's strong vote of no confidence in Poland's current government and its policies and it came in an incredibly short time after the election. How do you explain that?
scottie1113
26 Dec 2015
Work / Authenticity of offer in Poland (admin / cashier vacancies in shopping malls) [10]
No. And nobody provides free food and accommodation.
No. And nobody provides free food and accommodation.
scottie1113
4 Dec 2015
Life / Is it common for Polish people to speak English in Poland? [122]
Absolutely not true. I've been teaching English in a private language school in Gdansk for eight and a half years and during this time I have had only three students tell me that they prefer British English to American English. The others tell me that American English is easier to understand because of the difference in pronunciation between the two. That makes sense, as they watch American movies and TV series and listen to American music.
A few years ago we had a new teacher from Dover whose accent was so strong that even I had a hard time understanding her. Her students couldn't understand her at all. I was her mentor. During the first few days of working together, she told me that I didn't speak English, only American, and that the only true English was British.That's just wrong. What good does it do to speak "real" English when nobody can understand you?
I'm not biased. I'm just reporting my experience.
IME most Polish people are more interested in learning proper English than "American"...:)
Absolutely not true. I've been teaching English in a private language school in Gdansk for eight and a half years and during this time I have had only three students tell me that they prefer British English to American English. The others tell me that American English is easier to understand because of the difference in pronunciation between the two. That makes sense, as they watch American movies and TV series and listen to American music.
A few years ago we had a new teacher from Dover whose accent was so strong that even I had a hard time understanding her. Her students couldn't understand her at all. I was her mentor. During the first few days of working together, she told me that I didn't speak English, only American, and that the only true English was British.That's just wrong. What good does it do to speak "real" English when nobody can understand you?
I'm not biased. I'm just reporting my experience.
scottie1113
7 Sep 2015
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
Laundromats might be OK but all the flats I've been in here in Gdansk already have washing machines.
Laundromats might be OK but all the flats I've been in here in Gdansk already have washing machines.
scottie1113
27 Jul 2015
Life / How much money should I save to move to Poland? [17]
The the three flats I have rented here were both fully furnished.
The the three flats I have rented here were both fully furnished.
scottie1113
7 Jul 2015
Law / Do Poland's taxes apply to foreign pensions? [21]
To answer the OP's question-yes, if you receive your US pension in a Polish bank, as I do. I have to declare that income on my PIT along with income from my school and a company I have skype lessons with. I have an American friend here in Poland who receives his US pension in the US and transfers it to his bank in Poland-no tax on that.
To answer the OP's question-yes, if you receive your US pension in a Polish bank, as I do. I have to declare that income on my PIT along with income from my school and a company I have skype lessons with. I have an American friend here in Poland who receives his US pension in the US and transfers it to his bank in Poland-no tax on that.
scottie1113
9 Jun 2015
Food / Where to go for the best steak in Warsaw? [77]
These steaks aren't from Poland. They're not chewy, just tender. I don't have a broiler in my oven so I pan fry them in butter over a little heat on the stove. Flavor to your taste. You'll like them.
These steaks aren't from Poland. They're not chewy, just tender. I don't have a broiler in my oven so I pan fry them in butter over a little heat on the stove. Flavor to your taste. You'll like them.
scottie1113
8 Jun 2015
Food / Where to go for the best steak in Warsaw? [77]
I went to Biedronka yesterday for the stek kruchy. They didn't have any so I bought two antrykot packaged by Beef Master. Thick and marbled, they were even better then the stek kruchy. Try, and enjoy.
I went to Biedronka yesterday for the stek kruchy. They didn't have any so I bought two antrykot packaged by Beef Master. Thick and marbled, they were even better then the stek kruchy. Try, and enjoy.
scottie1113
24 May 2015
Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]
My basic mistake? ? Not at all. In eight years here, I have only communicated with students or their parents who speak English. Handicap? Not at all. I have or have had many "high-quality" students. My Polish is good enough to communicate with any prospective students or their parents, but since I don't/won't teach children, that's a moot point. They come to me-I don't advertise-because they want to improve their English, not speak Polish. I don't have enough free time in my schedule to accommodate all the requests I have, and they have all come in English.
You're just wrong to maintain this position, even for the OP, who isn't going to get any private students in his first year.
My basic mistake? ? Not at all. In eight years here, I have only communicated with students or their parents who speak English. Handicap? Not at all. I have or have had many "high-quality" students. My Polish is good enough to communicate with any prospective students or their parents, but since I don't/won't teach children, that's a moot point. They come to me-I don't advertise-because they want to improve their English, not speak Polish. I don't have enough free time in my schedule to accommodate all the requests I have, and they have all come in English.
You're just wrong to maintain this position, even for the OP, who isn't going to get any private students in his first year.
scottie1113
23 May 2015
Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]
DominicB, why did you tell Capetonian that it would be hard to build up a clientele of private students without being able to speak Polish? While I agree with you that it would be hard to do in his/her first year here, I don't see that speaking or not speaking Polish would make any difference. I don't speak Polish with my prospective students. They come to me for English lessons, not conversations in Polish. Just curious.
DominicB, why did you tell Capetonian that it would be hard to build up a clientele of private students without being able to speak Polish? While I agree with you that it would be hard to do in his/her first year here, I don't see that speaking or not speaking Polish would make any difference. I don't speak Polish with my prospective students. They come to me for English lessons, not conversations in Polish. Just curious.
scottie1113
25 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
I wouldn't have to think at all. I'd just say no.
I wouldn't have to think at all. I'd just say no.
scottie1113
23 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
All the books recommended so far are very good. I'd like to add one more: How English Works, by Michael Swan. To be an efficient teacher, not only do you have to know grammar but you have to know how to teach it so that your Polish students can understand it. That's the trick.
All the books recommended so far are very good. I'd like to add one more: How English Works, by Michael Swan. To be an efficient teacher, not only do you have to know grammar but you have to know how to teach it so that your Polish students can understand it. That's the trick.
scottie1113
22 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
Direct Method are pure crap, and if you list them on your CV, you'll be laughed out of any reputable school as soon as they read it. If you still plan to move to a larger city, you'll find that only CELTA will open doors for you.
Direct Method are pure crap, and if you list them on your CV, you'll be laughed out of any reputable school as soon as they read it. If you still plan to move to a larger city, you'll find that only CELTA will open doors for you.
scottie1113
22 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
CMC, do you have any teaching certificate? CELTA is the gold standard here.
CMC, do you have any teaching certificate? CELTA is the gold standard here.
scottie1113
22 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
I don't think you'll ever find a job there that will guarantee you 40 hours a week. 20-25 is more likely. Of course, you can supplement that with private lessons, but those take time to build up. Nonetheless, I wish you good luck if you decide to try it.
I don't think you'll ever find a job there that will guarantee you 40 hours a week. 20-25 is more likely. Of course, you can supplement that with private lessons, but those take time to build up. Nonetheless, I wish you good luck if you decide to try it.
scottie1113
21 Apr 2015
Work / What is a good monthly salary for an English teacher in Poland? [124]
Register and I might answer your question.
Register and I might answer your question.
scottie1113
16 Apr 2015
scottie1113
12 Apr 2015
Travel / Visiting Gdansk - looking for ex-pat bars... [21]
Not too many of us Americans in Gdansk, but you might try the American Corner on Monday nights.
Not too many of us Americans in Gdansk, but you might try the American Corner on Monday nights.
scottie1113
4 Apr 2015
scottie1113
25 Feb 2015
Language / Problems Polish People Have with Learning English [63]
I have no idea what grammatics is.
The three most common mistakes made by Polish students are:
1. Articles
2. Verb tenses and forms.
3. Vocabulary
The two most mispronounced words are photography and photographer.
I have no idea what grammatics is.
The three most common mistakes made by Polish students are:
1. Articles
2. Verb tenses and forms.
3. Vocabulary
The two most mispronounced words are photography and photographer.
scottie1113
20 Feb 2015
News / SKM and surcharges - Fast Local Trains in Tri-City, Poland [25]
Because you can buy a ticket online with a smart phone, and many users will do that up to the point of pressing the buy button until they see a conductor on the train. Otherwise they ride for free. SKM is wise to this now and they can check the time of purchase. A friend of mine did this. Having purchased but not validated his ticket, he boarded, took a seat and then validated the ticket. A conductor saw him do it. Result-a 100 zl fine.
Do what Harry suggested. Buy a few tickets at a time. If you can't be bothered to validate one before boarding (I really can't believe that you're so resistant to this.) , walk to the front of the train and have it validated there.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Grow up, son.
Why do you have to validate your ticket before you get a train?
Because you can buy a ticket online with a smart phone, and many users will do that up to the point of pressing the buy button until they see a conductor on the train. Otherwise they ride for free. SKM is wise to this now and they can check the time of purchase. A friend of mine did this. Having purchased but not validated his ticket, he boarded, took a seat and then validated the ticket. A conductor saw him do it. Result-a 100 zl fine.
Do what Harry suggested. Buy a few tickets at a time. If you can't be bothered to validate one before boarding (I really can't believe that you're so resistant to this.) , walk to the front of the train and have it validated there.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Grow up, son.
scottie1113
17 Jan 2015
Travel / Is there an event or where we can try out free food in Poland? [4]
I've never heard of one and I've been here for 7 1/2 years. Maybe somebody else knows.
I've never heard of one and I've been here for 7 1/2 years. Maybe somebody else knows.
scottie1113
18 Nov 2014
Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]
Is it the full time course or their online one?
Is it the full time course or their online one?
scottie1113
18 Nov 2014
Life / My experience in Poland 15 years ago as an American trying to live and work there. [149]
I still live and work in Gdansk.
I still live and work in Gdansk.
scottie1113
18 Nov 2014
Law / Poland's green card for American, and citizenship question [16]
That happened to an American friend of mine who was trying to get a karta pobytu-residency card. He was self employed but couldn't get a work permit based on that. He finally left Poland after 18 months.
Another American wasn't so lucky. He was deported for working without a work permit. Both had their own companies here. It's not as easy or as logical as you think. Good luck.
If I am contributing a lot of money and jobs to the economy and society in Poland....they would be crazy NOT to give me citizenship.
That happened to an American friend of mine who was trying to get a karta pobytu-residency card. He was self employed but couldn't get a work permit based on that. He finally left Poland after 18 months.
Another American wasn't so lucky. He was deported for working without a work permit. Both had their own companies here. It's not as easy or as logical as you think. Good luck.
scottie1113
14 Nov 2014
Life / My experience in Poland 15 years ago as an American trying to live and work there. [149]
Everything DominicB said is true and I mean everything. I'm an American and having been living and working in Poland for 7+ years. I teach English and I'm doing better than most people I know here, including my Polish friends and that's because I'm good at what I do and I work hard. Your plan, such as it is, is simply unreasonable.
Everything DominicB said is true and I mean everything. I'm an American and having been living and working in Poland for 7+ years. I teach English and I'm doing better than most people I know here, including my Polish friends and that's because I'm good at what I do and I work hard. Your plan, such as it is, is simply unreasonable.
scottie1113
12 Nov 2014
Travel / Christmas Fair in Gdańsk - worth visiting? [6]
I've been living in Gdansk for seven years. The Christmas Fair is small and nothing special. Come to Gdansk to visit Gdansk. You'll only spend an hour or so at the Fair, but there are a lot of other things worth doing and seeing here.
I've been living in Gdansk for seven years. The Christmas Fair is small and nothing special. Come to Gdansk to visit Gdansk. You'll only spend an hour or so at the Fair, but there are a lot of other things worth doing and seeing here.
scottie1113
23 Oct 2014
Life / Life in Poland for American who likes women, beer, hates Tories and is concerned about the weather [19]
Another unregistered troll. Yawn.
Another unregistered troll. Yawn.