Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Guys...such drama, and so quick to judge.

For what it's worth, I may be a great English teacher, but I am not a computer wizard...there is really nothing wrong in my post, but I did notice that a couple of commas there were meant to be periods (due to the keyboard I was using), as I had originally planned on saying "I can help you get great 'results' quickly" but the word 'results' was accidentally omitted. I tried to edit my post to make these corrections, but haven't been able to find an edit button within this thread/forum...so, c'est la vie: my post stands and I'm sure anyone that's relevant and real "gets it."

As for the goober-nerd who seems eager to belittle others with a debate over "top rated" vs. "rated tops," either phrasing could work, but top rated is more common and more natural in English. Otherwise, that guys also could use a grammar lesson or two, because it is incorrect to say "I can help them improve in leaps and bounds" -- the correct grammar there is "by leaps and bounds."

Just to be clear, for those who doubt my credentials as it relates to "top rated," after approximately 15 years at a prominent secondary school in Kiev, I was formally ranked with the highest qualifications (top salary for my position, highest ranking possible within their formal grading system, etc.).

Here in Warsaw, I have taught more than 500 students. Every student submits a formal review of their teacher following their course. The feedback from my employer is that I am among the top ranked teachers in the entire school...so that is statistically significant, and this is a large, leading, well-established, and highly regarded language school in Poland.

Anyway, if anyone here is genuinely looking for serious private language instruction, and not participating as sport for socially challenged adults, I look forward to working together.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Never knew so many people would have so much time to do nothing...

I've reviewed my post with multiple native English speakers and they all think it's fine, even great...

I am quite comfortable in my ability and capabilities: as I said, I have more than 20 years experience teaching English and indeed have been top rated (as in #1) by the organization(s) for which I have worked...and also, I have received extensive superior reviews from my clients (which likely goes into driving the positive ratings from my employers). I have effectively taught English students of all types: businessmen/women, spouses, children, etc.

What makes good language teachers is not their extensive knowledge of every little subtlety of the language, but their ability to connect with their students, inspire them, understand them (understand the way they learn, their frustrations, stresses, sensitivities, etc.) -- perhaps, as much as anything, to help students feel as comfortable as possible so that they can relax and learn best (it's true, many Polish students feel stressed about making mistakes and the ability to help them relax goes a long way to helping them learn and succeed). I am sure my personal and professional demeanor helps a lot in this regard.

Thanks to those who have offered encouragement and support, but I suspect these forums have few potential English students, although there could be some ex-pats who manage departments within large Polish companies which could benefit from English instruction for some if their members. Best to all. SG

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

The OP has a life and also has to get in some zzz's every once in a while.

No, I'm not looking for advice on how to teach English (or languages)...my experience and track record speak volumes on that front. For those that seem to have a hard time reading and paying attention: my degree is in English Instruction, not Russian, Polish, Chinese, or even Ukrainian. While I am qualified to teach Russian and Ukrainian, the vast majoring of my teaching has been in English. Over the past 6 years, the vast majority of my students have been Polish, although I've had a spattering of students from all over, including the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and even the Far East.

As I have already said, the key to being an effective teacher is less about the nuances and subtleties of the language (not that my English has any relevant flaws) and more about the nuances and dynamics of the student(s): how to bring out the best in a student is more an art than a science, but also takes experience.

As for why I am advertising on these boards, and/or looking for additional work, it's surprising that's something I would have to defend...I'd think most of the enterprising foreigners on these boards would understand and respect someone looking for opportunities to generate supplement income in their profession. My contract with my school allows me to pursue and undertake private instruction independent of my employer. For those that are clueless: independent private instruction pays more than teaching classes arranged by my school. That should come as no surprise. And no, such opportunities are not necessarily easily or readily obtainable...I may be a terrific teacher; I suspect I'm not much of a marketer. Frankly, I'm just starting to make more of an effort on that front, hence my posts here, although this seems like a waste of time, given the blathering nincompoops that seem to populate these forums...although I do appreciate the few earnest and sincere stalwarts that have offered support and encouragement. Thank you.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

I think the money is in private enterprise/large corporations. Those employers will also respond best to my abilities and capabilities. I think you guys have convinced me I should go up on my private rate to ZL 100.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Most of you guys must be foreign or have a widget up ur butt.

First of all, I can hold my own the nest of them, and I've had multiple English friends review this thread and comment that there's nothing different they would say, and nothing imperfect abt anything I have said, except for a few typos, which have nothing to do w teaching and only to do w the inability to edit posts in these forums.

Anyway, most of you guys obviously need to get a life...sad that you can't offer productive input to a caring and nice person that's posting here...clearing no one so fast reply has any interest or need in any English instruction, so most of your comments are for sport.

Again, as few of you seem to realize, in spite of the fact that I have already demonstrated superior English skills here, and have awesome client reviews and employer rankings -- teaching English to Polish people -- the key thing that makes someone a great teacher is less abt the subject, although I have, although I clearly have a strong mastery of English, than abt what it takes to actually teach, inspire, reassure, etc.

Go figure. Most of you: go get a life.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

I very simply presented my credentials and capabilities in case someone needs some English instruction on knows of someone who needs wants English instruction.

I never said I was superior or expressed any superiority, except I have said that I am good at what I do and have been top rated by both my students and employers for more than 20 years.

Then, I have basically been attacked by numerous people here, claiming that I don't speak English well-enough (rubbish), that Polish people won't hire me (many satisfied Polish students disagree), that I should teach Russian (huh?)...then, people start volleying back and forth over their own or someone else's expressions or grammar....such silly things...like a bunch of children.

Of course, not everyone has been this way, and I do appreciate the earnest and respectful perspectives and insights.

Lyzko...this reference to this German speaker has no connection...he was factually wrong and otherwise sounds like an idiot.

I'm not sure why you bring it up or what point you are making. Surely, there are plenty of bad teachers and egomaniacal idiots in this world.

Does make me wonder, though, what universal proverbs he was identifying for the audience. Anyway, I'm not a lecturer on linguistics or language instruction. I'm a language teacher. I know how to help people learn...to make the experience as fun, interactive and effective as possible...and ultimately, learn as much as possible in as little time as possible.

Englishman -- speaking with or without an accent is irrelevant to being a good and effective English speaker or English teacher. Such comments are elitist and off the mark.

Any Polish student speaking English will have an accept, and that's quite OK.

To begin with, there are so many accents among English speakers themselves, that it's not as if speaking English is itself monolithic...take some rednecks from Alabama and put them in a room with some hicks from Maine and some spoiled housewives from Long Island and you'd have quite a cocktail of accents...but ultimately, they'd all be able to communicate (despite the fact that they probably wouldn't agree on much).

Then there are a few unlikely local phrases, such British people saying "brilliant" over something that's neither brilliant nor particularly exciting....but it's a common expression...to "boot" and "bonnet" which mean very different things in the UK and America. But these differences are quite limited and quite irrelevant to effective communications.

Some of the most successful business people I know operate in English with a strong foreign accent.

And there are those who say a foreign accent in English is downright romantic -- hats off to the French on that one..although I am often told a Ukrainian accent in English sounds very pleasing -- but the point is that an accent has nothing to do with being an effective communicator (I could make a case it could make someone a better communicator because people pay more attention)...but there are good English teachers from native speaking counties like the UK, US, and Australia, and good English teachers from foreign countries around the world...the difference in teaching skills and teaching ability is not related someone's native language.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Sorry, InPolska, there's just no evidence/support for your claim that it's important to be a native English speaking person in order to be a good or great English teacher...and the wide variety of English accents negate your whole point.

What is important is a teacher's capabilities (basically combination of knowledge, demeanor, and experience) and thus his/her track record; here I shine with many years of experience and many satisfied clients.

Also sorry InPolska...I've reviewed my posts with so-called "native English speakers" and they have said there's nothing different about a how a native English speaker would have phrased my comments and there's nothing to indicate that I am not a native English speaker. Moreover, they generally gave me high marks for what and how I have said. You just seem like a big ole bucket-o-negativity and I guess nothing is going to change that...

Delphain: good point, we're not talking C2 level here, just up to B2.

As for the superiority comment, some of you miss an important subtlety in English and duality in this case: I was not saying my English is superior to anyone here or superior to anyone in specific, but rather was using the word "superior" to mean "generally excellent" when I said I "demonstrated superior English skills" as in a good, better, best...here, superior is basically used in contrast with poor and average.

On that note, ladies and gentlemen, have a good day doing whatever it is that you do or don't do. I suspect based on the feedback above that ZL 80/hour is probably a more appropriate rate for someone of my level of capability and experience. I am confident that if someone were to meet me, they'd have no issue with my English language capabilities and hiring me over some as yet unidentified native English speaker with less skill and experience. I make a good first impression, get good results, and have the client testimonials to back it up.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Roger5: Thanks...I was thinking ZL 80 was low, but I was being talked down by others...I already have a job...I am just trying do better, make more money...I thought hooking up 1 on 1 with a company or companies with both private and intra-company group lessons. Thanks for your tip: yes, I agree there should be ca cancellation policy.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

Most of us know that's it's not really relevant if someone teaches with a foreign accent: a Polish person's ability to communicate effectively with a strong English accent is well proven. I know many highly successful people in business in the US or the UK who speak with heavy French, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Israeli, German, etc. accents -- not relevant to their lives or their successes.

As many have noted here, what is relevant is a teacher's ability to teach. Their accent is a rounding error to the point where it is fundamentally irrelevant. It's not even a tie breaker: between two teachers with similar abilities, one can make no conclusion that you should always take the native one. The idea itself is stilted and warped. So silly. What about a teacher with a NY accent -- you really want that as your role model?

The accent is totally irrelevant in terms of a teacher's ability to teach, a student's ability to learn, and ultimately, a student's ability to succeed.

If I had to chose between two teachers with similar levels of experience, I would ask them about their teaching styles and select the one I thought was best, with whom I had the best rapport, that I preferred to spend time with, and/or that I suspected I'd learn the most from....In the end, I'd never really know the "answer." I can easily make as strong case that -- on average -- foreign based teachers are more likely to be better teachers than native speaking ones...because they have had to learn the language from the outside and have more sentsity to and empathy for their students. I can also make the opposite case.

Those that profess otherwise are just being cantankerous and argumentative, at a minimum.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

@Polsyr: I agree that if you really want to learn a culture, as well as a language, then best go abroad! And, I agree that Polish call centers could be a good target audience, but the broader, general corporate and finance circles -- companies growing and expanding their business and interactions throughout Europe and beyond -- should provide significant demand and be highly receptive market to my services.

I am quite confident, having taught English to more than 500 people in Poland (most Polish) and thousands more over the years in both Poland and the Ukraine, that I am a highly effective English teacher, well-regarded by my students and employers alike.

I will stack up my capabilities and instruction against the best of them -- native or foreign -- and am proud of the results I achieve with my students...bombastic naysayers to the contrary.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

I am really confused why looking for additional work is somehow perceived as a negative, except some people don't have anything to add and just enjoy putting down other people.

I will check out nativespeaker.pl and maybe that will be more fruitful. If anyone knows someone or some company that's looking for English instruction, please keep me in mind. Thanks.

Genealogy / Do I look Polish? (my picture) [375]

I think you look American except for the haircut.

Classifieds / Private English Lessons by Experienced Professional Teacher in Poland (Warsaw) [107]

You guys are just full of repetitive, self-serving gooblygook. Hope you're having fun entertaining and reassuring yourselves.

Work / There are English speaking jobs in Poland. [9]

There are numerous English speaking companies/jobs in finance circles and/or with international companies with large Polish-based operations/offices (especially in sales, dealing with international customers), where English is the primary language used within the company and with and among customers.