Salary for Teaching EFL in Krakow

Hi there,

Would appreciate any advice on the following:

I have been offered a job teaching English as a foreign language at a private language school. I have my CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) and previous experience at summer schools in England.

They offer a salary of 50,00 PLN net (after tax) per teaching block (i.e. 80 minutes). Guaranteed monthly net income amounts to approximately 3,000 PLN.

Is 3,000 pln enough to live reasonbly comfortably on in Krakow?

(unfortunately the hours are from 3:20pm to 9:30pm so it's unlikely I'll be able to take on many (or any) private lessons, if it comes to that).

Another school has offered me 2,500 PLN per month for 25 hours work, so I assume that 3,000 is good?

Turtleonfire
More than enough.

Notbad wages, i suppose (not sure of krakow ones but it is ok for where i am up north). You might be surprised how many daytime privates/business offers you might get.

ok, help me with the rest. So 3K/mo salary... what is the rent, from small apartment for one to renting just a room? What is an average electric, water, gas monthly bill? How much for internet access, cell phone, cable? How much can one person get away with for food - no thrills polish style? Is public transportation still dirt cheap?

At that level of wage there should be accommodation provided. Schools were paying 3000 for someone fresh from a TEFL course over ten years ago. And prices have gone up a hell of a lot since then.

If I were you, I'd look around for a better offer.

f stop
You can pay rent, bills and all that for around 1000pln a month, that would give you 500 per week to play with, and unless you are a raging alchy you will live very comfortably.


No I don't think so, I have never heard of a school giving you free accommadation in Krakow.
Krakow is in over flow with teachers and ex-pats. Sad thing is, unless you have a lot of experience or have worked in the city for years and have a good reputation, then don't expect huge wages. For everyone one of you, there are 10 others.

Hi there,

Would appreciate any advice on the following:

I have been offered a job teaching English as a foreign language at a private language school. I have my CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) and previous experience at summer schools in England.

They offer a salary of 50,00 PLN net (after tax) per teaching block (i.e. 80 minutes). Guaranteed monthly net income amounts to approximately 3,000 PLN.

Is 3,000 pln enough to live reasonbly comfortably on in Krakow?

(unfortunately the hours are from 3:20pm to 9:30pm so it's unlikely I'll be able to take on many (or any) private lessons, if it comes to that).

Another school has offered me 2,500 PLN per month for 25 hours work, so I assume that 3,000 is good?[/quote]

turtleonfire,was you set on fire when offerd this job,If not watch it you might get mugged during your lessons, Go to the UK you will earn more

I wouldn't take this offer. As it doesn't give you much scope on being able to take on extra lessons from the school or your own private lessons.


[/quote]
This would be in my opinion the better offer, as you would have extra time to make more money for the same pay.

Ok, thanks guys.

I must admit, I'm a bit wary about asking for any more than that, because as you say, there is a lot of competition around at the moment and 3,000 seems to be the best wage I've found!!!! The accom isn't included - in Poland. I've been offered better wages with free accom and all kinds of other extras for a job in Turkey...but I've never felt the desire to go there.

It actually looks like they're going to offer me a job in Tychy actually. All my Polish friends are in Krakow but there isn't anything available in Krakow at the moment.

Anyone know what Tychy's like?

dtaylor5632

I'd try Warsaw in that case. Even with a cheap room in Krakow, it can't be easy to live on that sort of money. Especially if you want to fly home from time to time, take holidays, eat out etc.

Tychy sounds a better bet, but could be quite isolated.

As for Turkey, it can be fine, and there's plenty of work, but some of the schools there have shocking reputations - worth checking the gray list if it's still going.

In PL, it's usually a much better deal if the school is foreign owned, and infinitely worse at Polish-owned schools, which are more and more the norm.

Actually you would be surprised. When I worked part time, I lived on 1200pln a month. Then you have to ask how the hell 250,000 students manage to live on 700pln a month and still get by.

dtaylor5632

By living like students presumably. That's ok for a twenty year-old, but not much fun for anyone older. Of course a lot of them have part-time jobs and other income.

Its a great starting wage, take it.

Tychy is fine, but maybe for a newcomer a bit quiet.
Personally i would love it, as i preferred outside the major cities, but I lived and work in Krakow for over 5 years.


Ok, so how about those who have graduated and still only earn 2000pln a month?? Accountants ect working for the biggest companies in Krakow??

For even 1500pln a month you can still get flights home, go to pubs, nights out sports ect for all that. Difficult on 1500pln but not impossible. I think a lot of people who come to Krakow think they are going to make mega money because they are a native and Krakow is a big city. The sweet sad fact is, as a teacher in Krakow, making 2000pln a month is about the average, don't like it, school will just find someone else. Simple.

I was getting that plus extras ten years ago, for Target in Warsaw. And they weren't at all good payers.

And Poland was a lot cheaper then, Marlboro 4.50zl, beer 6zl, monthly travel 50zl, food and clothes much much cheaper.

It can't be comfortable living on what's left from 3000 after rent and bills.


A return flight between 400 and 800 gross, a very very cheap evening out from 50zl, a good evening out from 150zl. A weeks shop at the supermarket about 150zl plus, a monthly travelcard 86zl, an English language novel between 30 and 70zl.

I pay newly qualified teachers from 50 per 45 min, and someone with a year's experience would expect more. Unqualified Poles doing korepetycja to teenagers expect 50 for 60 min.

It seems there really is an oversupply in Krakow if schools are getting away with that.

Hoe many natives were in Poland 10 years ago, I think I and other teachers shot you down about this last time, you are simply outdated when it comes to current Poland.


Can't be comfortable............could you explain that to every other Polish or Native speaker in Krakow?? You are licking stamps mate....many stamps.


Were you booking the tickets for the same day?


Good for you, so advertise your school, I bet I know what teachers work there, maybe we could ask them?

I've never discussed this here.


I live in Poland and own a language school.


Never. Usually about six weeks in advance, by WizzAir, Warsaw to either Doncaster or Liverpool. With one suitcase and a piece of hand luggage.


The onus is more on them, to explain how, after 1000 rent and bills (for a room, not a flat) they can eat well, clothe themselves, have a social life, keep some money back for flights and for the holiday season, and presumably save a bit on a hundred pounds a week.


Ask any teacher in Warsaw.


I have no idea what you mean.

So which school??


Who the hell charges 1000 for a room??? I lived in one of the most desirable complexes in Krakow for 800 bills included. Anyone who takes a room for 1000 plus pays bills is off their nut.


I don't really get this, are you saying that teachers for your school have a hundred pounds a week to spare, or are you saying that they should save some of their hundred pounds each week for flights?


Krakow remember.

Don't take notice of peoples perceptions of living in Poland, just consider this,.

3000 zl brut, gives you about 2200 zl in the hand. This leaves you with 75 odd zlote to live a month... finding a one room flat with nothing special, maybe 1200zl a month and this is not the bills with flat. This leave with 35zl approx to spend...work it out for yourself.

You do not take into account holiday breaks where you will receive zero income.
You may get a few odd jobs teaching privately, you may not. If you want the experience give it a go, but you will not be able to save money to go home or buy a house in the future.

I have a website. That would reveal my name and address, which on an internet forum would be a very bad idea.


You yourself just said:



Of course not. I never ask who else somebody works for, but a 45 min lesson unit with me starts at 50zl. Most get more. Most teachers do a lot of lessons, and some also do proofreading, translation etc.


Prices aren't so different - Krakow is a big tourist centre and prices reflect that.

Again ********

2200 brutto leads to 75 a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! feck there would be no one working in Krakow for that!


I think I was talking about bills included, if someone wanted they could find room for 500pln a month no problem.


Well well done, but are you saying its impossible for someone to live off 2000 a month?

I mean a day sorry

Thats not bad cash after you have paid the lot off.

I have a website. That would reveal my name and address, which on an internet forum would be a very bad idea.

School name though????

dtaylor you are not listening, 77zlote a day to cover all costs, you say you pay 800zl for rent, where you rent, what street, how may you share with?

Very very hard to live well on that.

A doctor's appointment and a couple of prescriptions. Saving for a holiday somewhere nice plus a few weekends away, a taxi home after an evening out, some good clothes, the theatre or opera every now and again, a meal in a restaurant that doesn't have plastic plates, smoking a pack of decent cigarettes a day (300zl). A decent bottle of wine, perhaps a gym membership, saving a little for a rainy day (not to mention that there isn't much work for teachers in the summer).

On 430 pounds a month?


My name's on the website, I'm registered as the owner and KRS is now searchable online.

Lived on wielicka, before the top end of starowislna, before on krowoderska.

Last place I lived in brand new flat by myself, other places i lived with another flatmate.

Dont ask me, maybe ask cardno and seanbm as they both drank in my place at the time :)


Done it all my friend, but if you cant do it on so little, then I suspect you like to waste your cash...........beer? pubs???????????

You dont want much from life eh........... thank god i hope u are not married ;)

Having a social life is wasting cash? If I wanted to make a vow of poverty, I'd join a monastery. Though, for the record, I go out a couple of times a week, including weekends. And don't want to be worrying if I can afford a round of drinks, or waiting in sub-zero temperatures for a night bus.


I want as much as life can offer. I'm not married, but live with someone, who earns quite well too. What's the point of studying in your twenties, developing skills in your thirties and running a business or carrying on a profession later if you have to live on subsistence wages?

A lot of the people in PL who get 2500zl are in double income families, have inherited a flat or have a low mortgage, have subsidised healthcare and travel, and are still looking for more money because it isn't enough to live well.

It's not enough to pay the mortgage on a modest apartment. Double that for a dual income, and use 28% of your income, and you can still only afford 1680 a month towards a mortgage.

I would say that not being able to afford a modest apartment in the city I want to live in is not a comfortable wage.

Now if comfortable is putting half your monthly wage towards a tiny apartment, then it is indeed comfortable.

If comfortable means living with roommates for 20% of your monthly income, then you will be really comfortable.

Every month, you can buy 11 Big Macs every day on your salary. You can buy 30 monthly public transportation passes. 500 beers, a steak for lunch and dinner at miod malina everyday, 1,5 32gb iphones, drive 11,000km in a new VW golf, but you can't afford to make the payments.

What's comfortable for you?

Think about it. Electricity for a decent sized flat, metered water, heating, internet, phone bill, cable, a cleaner if wanted, entertaining guests sometimes. Saving for a good holiday, taking a few weekend breaks, being able to fly back to UK from time to time.

It all takes a chunk out of wages. Beyond a certain stage in life it can't be nice to have to make sacrifices if you want to get a cab home.


Exactly. And if you have an older car, don't forget the repair costs. And insurance etc. And when your computer dies, is it worth living on cat food for three months to buy a new one?

cat food has come quite a ways.

convex

Mine make life hell if it isn't Whiskas. For two pussies that's about 400 a month!

And when my doggie was still alive, he could really eat.