Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

I figured I'd hear from you about this Harry. The reason I posted this is because no one else has mentioned how much they make and I thought the OP deserved at least one real life example.

I don't know about Bell ten years ago so I can;t address either the salary issues or whether Bell has raised its prices. As I mentioned, i know teachers at other schools who make more money, most by working at two schools. That's fine. I chose Bell because of their excellent resources and incredible support in every area I've neded. When my young American friend left for Thailand a couple of weks ago-before his contract ended-the DOS (who had taught in Thailand helped him locate a school and let him use school facilities to fax some necessary documents. He also paid him for his end of contract bonus.

BTW, I'm on a contract so I'm not paid by the hour. When we had a two week Christmas break followed by a two week semester break in January, I still got my base monthly salary, and because I taught some in-company classes durong the semester break I earned extra money. As I said, base is 2400, actual with Saturdays is about 3000 zl.

I've read some pretty negative comments about Bell both here on and eslcafe. Maybe they were true then, but not now, except for the relatively low salary which will invrease in time. It's better than some schools, worse than others. I guess we all have to choose what it is we're looking for in a school.

Harry, if you personally know of other schools in Gdansk which pay more, would you name them?

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

Michal is the only poster on this thread who knows what he's talking about. Wages are terrible. I had to pay my school to hire me and I pay them every month for the privilege of teaching there. I ran out of my savings so I've been sleeping in the streets. Right.

I did my CELTA last summer at Bell in Warsaw and found a job with them in Gdansk. It was cheaper to do the CELTA in Poland than in the US, including airfare, so that was a no brainer and I wanted to take the course in the country where I wanted to work. As a first year teacher I make 2400 zl a month (that's on a contract-I teach 22-24 hours a week)) and another 125 zl for every Saturday I teach. Saturday class is three hours-I included that in my total weekly hours. I live in a small flat about five minutes from school and Old Town. Rent is 700 zl plus utilities, phone, internet, etc. It comes to about 1100 or so every month. I got a good deal on the rent because while the location is primo the school has had a contract with the owner for some time so he doesn't raise the rent, and that's happening everywhere in Old Town. The school also helped me with my application for a residency card-invaluable. The salary increases as you get more experience. Seems fair to me.

I have met teachers at other schools in Gdansk who make more than I do without any qualifications. It's possible. I've gotten calls from other schools asking me to teach various classes such as business English-I already do that through my school-but there's always been a time conflict. I'm a whole lot older than the rest of you good folks here and my experience in sales and sales management has led to a couple of fun in-company jobs teaching management-all through my school. I love teaching and I love being in Poland, especially here in Gdansk.

That's my experience so far. Just my 2 gz.

The school also helped me with the application for my residency card.

Work / Any TEFL teachers in Poland out there? [28]

Good advice Michal. EMPIK and a few other schools I would work for do not do that. In addition to working for a school I want to teach business English so I will contact some companies in Gdansk.

And believe me, the CELTA in Poland including air fare and a flat is much cheaper than in the US, plus I'll be in Poland so I can work on my language skills while I'm there.

Work / Any TEFL teachers in Poland out there? [28]

I sent a 300zl deposit when it was 3 zl to the US dollar, so US $100. Today it is 2.75zl to the dollar so that is $1490. I Google currency exchange rates and find out the daily rates. I didn't convert zl to Euros or punds so you'll have to do that yourself. I'm not interested in what a pound is worth as it will be a while before I decide if I want to visit England. All I care about is being in Poland in three weeks no matter what the exchange rate is at that time. And since I'll be paid in zl it won't really matter for a while.

Keatsgray, my teacher friends in Warsaw and Gdansk told me that 3000zl gross plus free accomodations is pretty good. They augment that with private lessons but don't count on the income because they say it can be sketchy at times. I guess I'll find that out for myself pretty soon. And good luck to you!

Work / Any TEFL teachers in Poland out there? [28]

It means I will pay 1000zl plus 200zl for utilities etc for the flat and a total of 4990zl for the CELTA. I have a friend in Warsaw who took the CELTA from Bell four years ago. He knows the flat and said it's decent and he also said the price was fair.

I'll be there in 3 1/2 weeks.

Work / Any TEFL teachers in Poland out there? [28]

CELTA at Bell in Warsaw is 4990 zl plus 1000 zl for a studio flat near the school for the month. Not bad, I think. I have an American friend in Gdansk who has been teaching there for four years. He tells me that he has interviewed with a number of schools during the school year and they all told him him that if he had his CELTA they would hire him on the spot. Sounds promising, but I'll find out for sure when I get there in early September.

Work / Any TEFL teachers in Poland out there? [28]

Not yet but I'm taking my CELTA in Warsaw next month then it's off to Gdansk to find a job.

News / What's the stupidest question asked about Poland? [414]

After my trip to Poland last summer a guy at work asked me there was indoor plumbing, electricity, and cars in Poland. He has never been outside the US. When I showed him photos of Warsaw and Gdansk all he said was "oh".