Advice on Teaching in Silesia

I just wanted to get a quick feel for what I may be getting myself into. I just accepted a job in Rybnik, and I was just wanting to know whether or not the pay,etc was enough to live comfortably. It's 35zl/hr with 24 hours guaranteed minimum. From those that live and work in Poland, will this suffice for accomodation, food, and a small bit of leisure money? Any info is appreciated, thanks guys!

Is this gross or net? Will they pay your health insurance? Will you be on the staff or freelance? Do they promise to find you a place to live? Who will pay for it? 24hrs/week @ 35zł is not going to be enough if you have to pay for your accommodation and health insurance, etc. You'd survive but wouldn't have much of a life materially speaking. If you are a qualified English teacher, you could do a lot better. I know Polish teachers on 50zł per hour.

It's not that bad for a first job. You will have to be a little careful with it but you won't have to pay much ZUS so you should have a reasonable level of disposable income.

How much can an English teacher make in Poland Seanus?

It depends how much work gets given to them and how many privates they can get. Look to get around 5.5k per month gross.

Supposedly everyone takes English in school but apart from people with master's and doctor's degrees hardly any of the Poles abroad speak good English.

only the very busy ones make that much Sean US (I hope you agree with me). Most of the teachers I've met back then, weren't anywhere close to this number. Let's put it that way, none of them had enough hours to come up with that number. I don't say that it's impossible though. Good for you Sean US.

I teach in a private school plus have a regular crop of students here in Silesia. I think you are thinking of state school teachers. Also worth checking out is the summer options. I still hit the 5.5k mark this month but it will fall away a little as more students go on their holidays. However, I'm not here for the money as that's not what it's all about. At least I believe a teacher shouldn't think that way. You are there to help and if that isn't in your nature then I'd recommend a change of profession.

No, I couldn't even say much about those because I've never met any. I agree with you that if one has enough hours, anything is possible. My dad was working only 2 days a week in Krasnik and they paid him 650 PLN for that so I know, you're right about what you're saying but as I've mentioned above, it takes some busy teacher to come up with 5.5k.

As John Lennon said "life is what happens to you whilst you're busy making other plans". This is sometimes the case in my life but I have an easier week this week :) You do have to work hard to get good money in teaching. It was even better before but I moved away from that school due to a lack of hours.

Rybnik? I know a guy who works in Rybnik and he is going back to England for the summer. An English guy, really nice.

Krasnik :-)

Rybnik is what the OP referred to. Krasnik is unknown to me.

Lublin area.

Ah, ok. Good beer there :) Silesia has many foreigners and the competition is stiff. It isn't the most environmentally-friendly region of Poland but it has its places :)

Nice little town. Rather impressive synagogue which is currently undergoing renovation (more like reconstruction actually). Jewish cemetery is a bit depressing though.

Grandpa's family is from there. Green, hilly region but very poor. Probably that's why they pay less and since there are few jobs English isn't needed.

PB you can't be more wrong than this time :-) No other school my dad ever worked in Poland for, paid better than that particular one in Krasnik. They paid him 55PLN an hour.

Seanus. Lennon would never have used that awful word 'whilst'!


It still depends on what his terms and conditions are. I don't have a lavish lifestyle but I'd find it really tough to live on 3300 gross, especially when you take into account all the religious holidays, Christmas, winter hols, etc.

Sorry, he used "while". That's a slap from the grave :)

Great point about holidays. All those deductions add up and, rather than work, you can spend the day shopping or drinking which leads to further losses. Good point for the OP to know.

It's a gross pay. They do cover healthcare. I'll be on the staff, not freelance. Accommodation is provided upon arrival and they provide full assistance thereafter, but I will have to pay for that. I have been teaching for two years now, but I've taught University-level rhetoric and not ESL, so I don't see any significant leverage that I would have. And since it's not in Krakow or Warsaw, I don't know obviously, but I would assume the cost of living is somewhat more reasonable in Rybnik, correct?

Needless to say, Rybnik is a bit cheaper than the bigger cities but inflation has really hit Poland. Shop in Biedronka and you'll be fine. They have a Tesco there if you are interested. Rybnik is a good place to get started according to my friend who lives there.

Won't do you any good on this forum! I wish you luck as you sound like you're really coming. Try to find private students (don't tell the school as they might get snotty). Private companies are worth investigating as another income source. Keep in touch with this forum; there are several posters here who know what they're talking about (and many more who don't). Register and you'll probably get good advice privately.

thanks guys 'n gals, some helpful tips 'n what not and I'm grateful for that as it's a significant move for sure...I'll keep it all updated and hopefully link up with some of you upon arrival