And interestingly, I think students are starting to realise on a whole that native teachers tend to be quite badly qualified. I actually did a class a while ago on native vs Polish teachers - and the students were stunned to discover that native teachers are (by and far) the product of a 4 week training course - maximum. Obviously, there are exceptions where well qualified people are teaching in Poland - but I think the days of someone being an instant hire just because they have the CELTA combined with any degree are over.
Obviously, those who come to Poland with a good degree from a respected establishment will always find work, especially if it's backed up with real experience (I'm looking at you, Seanus) - but I think many schools in cities are now looking towards building their facilities with established teachers. I even know one very well ran school in Poznan that doesn't actually hire natives.
Besides, the CELTA I'm sure changes the perceptions to a more positive, caring one.
The problem is, CELTA is no longer the be all and end all. There are hundreds of English philology students being churned out every year in Poland - and while you always need a native or two to keep things relevant, these jobs are much more likely to go to someone local to the city than to an import.
Either way, I do hope that my friends end up doing it so then in the end we can drink beers, talk to girls, and enjoy life in Kraków
And to be honest - the market is moving away from this kind of teacher. Schools simply don't want to hire someone who isn't settled - why risk your native turning up with a rotten hangover if you can hire someone established in Poland, with a checkable work history and who isn't interested in talking to girls and drinking beer? I've lost count of the amount of natives in Poznan who are settled here - why risk hiring a foreigner who might go back at any moment, when there is a workforce already here?
If the proposal to stick VAT on education comes in, then non-EU citizens might as well forget about it.