Language / Free Polish Lessons On-line, looking for websites? [14]

The book Polski Krok Po Kroku was written by one of my friends, who works in Cracow's school of Polish. I use this book with my student, I've just started to teach Polish.

I think it's very well-written, you can also find out about many cultural aspects, e.g. food.
The main difficulty at the beginning is that the book is written only in Polish, so you might need some help.

I'll repeat the question :-) Why did you choose Cracow to participate in a Polish course?

Language / Free Polish Lessons On-line, looking for websites? [14]

Hi,

I teach Polish and I used many books and materials; I could advise you to check out the book I used with my students: polskikrokpokroku.pl.

Here are some sample lessons, and of course if you liked the book, you could buy it via the Internet.

Best regards and good luck with your Polish!

P.S. Why did you choose Cracow?

Work / What do English Teachers do during the summer for work in Poland? Jobs for teenagers? [6]

Hi Karl,

I also teach English and a little bit of Polish too, and I know that many language schools are looking for teachers only for a holiday period. There are many job ads in May and June, recruiting teachers to work for them. You could also look for a job in translations, usually it's not a full time job, so you would still have time for another job if you wanted.

Good luck, malwinaflower.

Language / How to lead conversations with older people? (Polish course participant) [5]

At first, you have to be polite and use Pan/Pani, but I think that sooner or later your Polish course teacher would offer you to call him/her by their name.

In many language schools the atmosphere is quite relaxed and teachers treat students as equals - it is easier to focus and learn things when everyone is friendly.

In shops / buses / restaurants you should definitely use Pan/Pani to people older than you.
Have fun in Poland!

Life / Poetry and Poets of Poland [58]

I love romantic poetry of Halina Poświatowska, Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska, Bolesław Leśmian, but also more metaphoric poems of Wisława Szymborska. I think that poetry of Szymborska is hard to translate into other languages because its full of allegories and ambiguity.

I love Marek Grechuta and Ewa Demarczyk for their poetic souls and beautiful interpretations of poems.

Language / Differences in Polish and English idioms [69]

Thank you very much for your answers.

I also find very useful:

1. the fifth wheel to a coach - (the same in Polish) piąte koło u wozu someone unwanted
2. a big cheese - gruba ryba :-) (totally different idioms) V.I.P., important persona
3. like father, like son - jaki ojciec, taki syn (the same)
4. a sacred cow - święta krowa (the same) a person or belief that is so important that no one should criticize it

Oh and one more (I didn't know that in English it's the same): Manna from heaven - manna z nieba (something very useful received unexpectedly).

Work / Pros and Cons of studying for a Semester in Krakow [8]

I've lived in Krakow for 4 years, studying and working, and I highly recommend this city. It's very student friendly; actually, sometimes people refer to Krakow as "the student city". The prices in many places, like museums, clubs, restaurants, or even the bus tickets are cheaper for students. The con is definitely quite expensive accomodation, but that would be it :) other aspects of studying here are advantageous.

I bet you will enjoy it. Have fun!

Travel / Restaurant reviews in Poland. [86]

KRAKÓW / CRACOW
I see that you recommend restaurants not connected to the Polish cuisine.
I think that for foreigners who would like to get accustomed to the Polish culture, Polish cuisine should be essential. I could recommend restaurants such as Chłopskie Jadło, U Babci Maliny or Miód i Malina in Cracow. Every foreigner I have known was delighted with food in those places.

There is definitely too much bars that serve burgers, pizzas, kebabs which may be harmful to real, Polish restaurants.

Life / What is the best city in Poland to live in? Relocating to Poznan? [41]

Hopefully :) I'm new at PF, I didn't know that there are some meetings of its participants! But I'd love to see who's behind those nicknames :) Regards

Life / What is the best city in Poland to live in? Relocating to Poznan? [41]

I also recommend Cracow :) I've lived here for 4 years now and I love it. Many job opportunities, cultural events, and good clubs and restaurants. It is a good place to study and work, but I think I would move to a more peaceful and cheaper place when I'll retire :)

Language / Free Polish books online? [7]

Hello, here are the samples from a book which I used with my student last year polskikrokpokroku.pl/sample_polish_lessons.html
there is also a link to online polish course, but I think you can use only demo versions of the lessons for free. Best regards and be patient with your Polish :)