Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Chromium
Thanks for this excellent post... answered a lot of my questions before I even asked them.

I have been thinking about teaching as a way to stay in Poland or a place like Thailand... just can't figure out what course to take and where. I am an American living in Middle East at moment, visiting Poland in a few weeks. Would like to find a good school in Krakow area to take the TESL course?

My only experience is a father who taught 4th graders for 30th years and I swore I would never teach... strange how the son comes around to what the father did...

I may drop you and msg or email to avoid from hearing from people who shouldn't post on this topic.

blessings
Lon

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]

If interested here is an article from March saying Starbucks is coming to P-land.

seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/309667_polandstarbucks30.html

cbw.cz/phprs/2007040229.html

As a person who has been traveling a lot this last year and mini rebelled against the chain back home, I have found SB to be a safe haven on the road. Is the one place I can go to get a internet connection (paid) and a little taste of home and relax in a comfy chair. Yes compared to local brands way over priced but you know what you are getting.

I'm traveling in the South of Poland in two weeks so good to know I will just have to find a little local cafe` and relax.... probably not a problem I'm guessing.

Above are two good articles. Looks like 2008 for Starbucks but also of important note is the first Burger King is coming too...

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]

if u are worried about the weight just do a few weeks in Jordan or Egypt... I lost 5lbs off my 150lb frame in that time and 2 inch on my waste. Then eating crapdollands in Asia last month (because I was in a rush between jobs) put it all back on and not in a flattering way... guessing Polish food will keep the same... lots of meet and potatoes.

article said all the company brands like BK, SB, Pizza Hut are all owned by the same company so once you see one the other is not far behind.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

Well being poor and teaching English in Poland sounds right nice about now.... car bomb just killed another member of parliament down the hill from my town... nice sonic boom sound... new something was not right...

be nice I think Chrimium and and ukpolska both have good information to share... perspective or situations may be different.

out of here in a few days...

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

I just spent a week in the deep south near Ustron after a weekend in Krakow... love not so sure... but the family who basically adopted me fed me non-stop meet and potatoes to the point of bursting... plus was always a beer handy... was also quiet and the sky when clear full of stars on a country dark night.

and soo true so many lovely women... not just looks but helpful too when you put on the I only speak English (American) eyes, please help...

very nice and a place I hope to return too often to visit new friends and enjoy the beer, girls and food.... all very delicious.

Life / Winter in Poland? [161]

haaa

I passed through in December for the Xmas holiday... was negative -3 c when I left after Christmas from Warsaw.... was lovely.

Travel / Getting from Krakow to Warsaw [99]

Hey nothing to fear just ask a lot of questions. The above are right on as to cost and ease of travel between Warsaw and Krakow. Your test will be finding the window to buy the seat. Also I found finding the track to a tad confusing once on the platforms. Also note that generally you buy a reservation + the seat. If you miss the train must get reservation/seat again. I forget which. The train is also a great way to meet people. I have had good conversations with locals on my travels... when I found a person who spoke English.

Good luck.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


How long have you been teaching English in Poland? Are you a native English speaker?

I have been looking at ESL teaching for a couple of years now. For me I am not a post college type looking for a year or two of fun. I just hit 40 and started a 2nd career and life style a couple of years ago. To include more travel and more freedom. So if I enter the field would be looking to do more business English lessons? Can you comment on the market for business English. ie Business who bring people in to work with staff.

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]


A couple of comments as to relates to Poland. The clustering talked about by Buddy is a fact in the US and apparently in the UK.... Just walk around Manhattan and every 4th door was a Starbucks... but now with the eco down turn I think a lot of stores opened during clustering are closing. In the current climate this old model might be out?

I also don't see this practice happening in Poland as there does not appear to be a need to cluster and drive other shops out. Also as an American sometimes after a long time on the road is nice to just go into a little piece of home where I know what I will be getting... good or bad.

I also just like to collect the Starbucks City Mugs so when opens in Poland will be looking to get my mug!!

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

I think that is pretty sound advice and goes for any type of consultancy or contract work. I also think that if/when I do take the jump I will have several months of support banked so I can take a good course and take the time to work on the reputation. I'll probably wind up taking the CELTA in Krakow or Warsaw. By the time I do hopefully some of the financial mess will be on the mend.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

I am just curious before you started teaching (and any other person who wishes to answer) how would you describe your grasp of English grammar?

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a "sticky" as it applies to this Forum?

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

So I actually feel better now. Sounds like control is part of the battle and being prepared for questions the students put forward. Even though I am an American I never spent a great amount of time learning structure. If it sounded right and looked right on paper then I figured I was good to go.

As to sticky I would vote that this topic could be a sticky.

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]

Well I guess not a big loss if SB is not in all the towns yet....

as another writer said the special city mugs are great.... so really just wanting a nice big Warsaw or Krakow mug for my collection. I know very shallow...

I will be swinging through Warsaw in a few weeks and will take a look.

cheers.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Hey can you follow up on the part Delphi about starting your own business... I have heard that is the best way to meat visa and tax rules. Due you just hirer a lawyer or is it a clear process... I hear horrors about red tape in P-land. I am an American so if I finally came over I think I would have to do this to legally stay and work.

cheers

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

delphiandomine

Delphi
This link is the best thing I have got off forums in regards to the issues of teaching and getting started. Now that I am a bit older I am more looking to stay within the rules...

Ok... next question best city to get started... I am thinking CELTA in Krakow and then a mid size city. Biggest thing for me is community... ie a place to make a few friends and be able to earn enough Z after awhile to pay the bills. Thinking Pozan or Wroclaw could be a good place... Krakow is to overrun with drunk tourist most evenings (at least that is what I observed in August). Any tips?

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

dtaylor5632

Good point and I have got the feeling the market is a tad crowded at the moment. Reference to Krakow was just for the training; would look to a mid size city elsewhere in Poland or even over in Hungary. At this point I still have a paying job and a few other things to do first so looking 2011 and maybe the market will be in better shape by then. What are other cities you might recommend from your experience so far? I am a native speaker (American).

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

delphiandomine
Thank you for the information. As I get closer to a decision point I will hit you up further. I had read previously that Wroclaw was the new Krakow....

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


LOL. So what you are saying that despite a tougher market for new teachers Pozan has more charm than Wroclaw. Will see what happens. Though I do like the idea of of doing IH CELTA in Wroclaw. How is the winter in Pozan? Any difference in pay between the two places or cost of living?

Seinus thanks for the tip on Katawice... I had passed through the downtown a couple of years ago and yes was a dump. But I did see a very pretty girl or two.... so maybe....

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]

mullerriceman - Hey thanks for taking the time to put together a good Poland focused web page for English teaching. It will be bookmarked and will refer to it as I make my plan for later part of 2010. At the moment looking at IH CELTA in Wroclaw at end of summer.... then will see from there.

cheers
Lon

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]

just a little slice of home on my recent visit....


and my picture to go with it.

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

I just passed though Poland again... think my 5th trip and 3rd in 2 years. I think next I am in for a longer stay.

On comments about smiles. A smile begets a smile.... for the most part as I traveled and this time was to Wroclaw and Poznan and of course Warsaw, whenever I smiled or opened a door or just looked a little confuesed I was treated kindly. Yes of course there are rude people but every country has them. So smile, laugh, share a moment with your Polish neighbor.

This trip as always the nice people... town squares.... interesting beer... lovely girls....

This time as I arrived back in Warsaw was the day the Pres and his party died. So I was able to share this moment for the weekend before leaving.

Love Poland and will be back. Also note when you say you love something you take it all the ugly and the good.

• 
  wroclaw
  

Travel / Getting from Krakow to Warsaw [99]

just note on train as I was just there last week. Cheapest is not always best. I always go ICE as the little extra goes a long way. And prices are not that bad... I paid basically 40 USD to go ICE Warsaw to Poznan and Warsaw to Krakow is a little less. Good luck.

Law / WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EURO CURRENCY TO POLAND? [101]

I have met more than a few "euro" people in my travels and I do ask the question are prices and life better with the euro.... most say 1) prices went up 2) euro buys less...

so simple answer for me is Poland is better off without the euro and control of its banking policy as long as possible. I bet the Germans would love to be rid of the euro at this point in time.

just my 2cents.

Travel / Starbucks in Poland? [149]

very cool for those who need something quick and a slice of home. Actually one of the reasons I enjoy old Europe is the lack of BK and Starbucks and strip malls. Also the other benifit is just a warm place to still on a cold Warsaw afternoon with a friend....

Law / WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE EURO CURRENCY TO POLAND? [101]

time means
let me check the rates then I will tell ya. :) But you did pick up on my American hint.

Travel / Getting from Krakow to Warsaw [99]


yes I had a couple of experiences where I felt like big game of chance.... would a nice quiet train roll in or a rickety old one... seamed to be no reason to it sometimes but like I said ICE seamed to be better rides... short hall the older ones.... but also at times great places to chat of locals if you are in tourist mode.

Work / International House - Kracow school - any chances of being offered a job there [59]

If looks say anything about a program then IH Wroclaw looks decent. Building is right behind Nathans Hostel right on the edge of Old Town; 5 min walk from market square. I dropped in on the school in early April while I was touring in Poland. At the moment trying to decide between Wroclaw (Krakow is out) and IH Budapest... though I would like to work in Poland.

Just need to do the dam application and grammar "test".

Life / Why Do You Love Poland? [907]

Just spent a few weeks in Poland as part of my walk about Europe.
Have to add the Lake District in the North is great
As always the people are great... call it reserved friendly.
Beaches along the Baltic Sea
Polish beer
As alway Polish girls are #1.
Opportunity... if you take a close look at Poland and have initiative there is opportunity for the expat to thrive (from my expat perspective)
And potato pancakes and goulash is my favorite meal; generally found in southern Poland.

Life / My own thoughts about life in Poland (have lived here for two years) [133]

hey pubben
Thanks for posting/starting this very enjoyable debate.... and hey contrary to a lot of things on polishforums is mostly mature talk. Even Semus and Delphi keeping things civil.

I have been to Poland at least 6 times in the last 3 years and see many of the issues you brought forward.

I think the hardest issue to quantify is the material nature of Poles. This has bothered me as I speak with new and older Polish friends. I wonder if has something to do with the communist history? I know from talking with friends a great deal of value is placed on "things" and position (in society). Had one Polish friend talk down to me at the idea of taking time out to teach English in her country... ie low wage equal low thought of job. Still working on figuring this one out.

blessings

News / Human Trafficking in and from Poland [80]

thanks for the la strada link. Very interesting group.

Another interesting link for a US based group. polarisproject.org