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TEFL POLAND / TESOL POLAND
A guide to teaching English in Poland
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| At a Glance - teaching English in Poland |
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Poland gained its independence at the conclusion of World War I, only to be overrun first by Germany, and then by the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite country following the war, but unlike other former ‘Eastern Bloc’ countries, Poland was one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. It is perhaps best known for the strikes of the 1980’s, which led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" and throughout Eastern Europe this became a symbol for change and a search for democracy. Parliamentary change came quickly in the 1990’s and Poland has become one of the stronger economies of the former communist countries. The country took a large step towards the West when it joined the NATO alliance in 1999 and joined the EU in 2004.
If you head for the capital (Warsaw) then you will find an almost completely modern city, as much of the original city had been destroyed by the end of World War II and the population deported. The builders have done the city justice, creating several green areas and there has been some reconstruction of the few famous buildings left remaining standing after 1945. The Old Town was rewarded in 1980, when the entire complex earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage site. But the Soviet influence is present and the Warsaw suburbs are full of identical tower blocks.
In common with many of the Eastern European countries, demand for English is high as Poland seeks a closer relationship with the West. Teaching positions abound and are regularly advertised in the UK national press and on the Internet (a trawl through www.tefl.com will regularly reveal a selection of positions in Poland). Alongside the Czech Republic, Some of the best living conditions in Eastern Europe can be found in Poland, although this is not a region for those that are purely financially motivated. The government has played a big role in shaping a more professional approach to the teaching of English and well-qualified locals meet much of the demand. However there is still a strong demand for native speakers and while some of the attraction of the West has dimmed, the people still tend to be warm, welcoming and highly motivated to learn English. One thing is for certain here – you’ll be made very welcome and it is often thought of as being an ideal first stop on your TESOL career.
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There is a wealth of EFL opportunities for teachers at every stage of their career and positions are regularly advertised in the UK national press. Journals to try include the TES (Times Educational Supplement) on Fridays and the Guardian EFL pages on Tuesdays, as well as the Internet. There are some voluntary organisations and agencies that recruit for Eastern Europe. These would be the place to look if you are a school teacher looking to be placed within the state sector. Try Teaching English Abroad as a useful reference for this.
However the private industry is thriving and the Polish term tends to begin in October. A good way to immerse yourself into teaching and the Polish culture is to teach at one of the many summer camps. But don’t travel there on spec – despite the inclusion to the EU you will need to visit your Polish Consulate and get all the documentation sorted before you leave for Poland. Again, Teaching English Abroad will tell you exactly what you need to know, or you can contact the Consulates directly (see Useful Numbers below).
When looking for work in Poland, try the British Council Offices in Warsaw, which may hold a list of language schools locally. Meeting other teachers who can keep you up to date on current vacancies should not be too difficult in the big towns. Bear in mind that many Language School Directors may not speak fluent English, but it is still one of the easiest countries to find work quickly.
Teaching business English is also on the increase, so consider taking the Global English Level 2 TESOL with business before you go. This will help you particularly as you may have to devise your own courses from scratch. This will help you to get one step ahead in the search for work, particularly in the buoyant freelance market, where many teachers supplement their earnings. Remember that on applying for TESOL positions, it is generally advisable to send a passport-sized photograph along with a CV, covering letter and possibly copies of degree/TESOL certificates.
Polish employers may want to interview you before offering a contract. Often this can’t practically take place in person, so you may have a telephone interview. Have a look at our Staffroom section on EFL interviews – what to expect for ideas and interview tips before you are called.
The typical teaching timetable is around 24 hours per week (a 45 minute lesson often counts as one hour). Allowing for planning etc., this is regarded as a fairly full timetable. However some overtime and/or freelancing could be fitted in and may be necessary to supplement your salary. Pay in the private sector ranges can go up to 4000 Zloty per month gross and deductions are made at around 20%. You can expect higher rates of pay for freelance work (up to 60 Zloty per hour) and for teaching business English or helping out at University level. In common with much of Eastern Europe, finding good quality, affordable accommodation can be difficult. The cost of living is also rising. Despite this, working conditions are not exploitative and Poland’s people and culture should make for an enriching personal experience. But be prepared for cold, cloudy, and moderately severe winters with lots of rain and snow.
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Global English student Chris James completed the Global English Level 2 TESOL course and has extensive experience of living and teaching English in Poland.
I have been visiting Poland since 1990 and have travelled extensively throughout the country with my ever-increasing circle of friends. In fact, it is impossible not to make friends as the Poles are very hospitable, and willingly introduce you to their friends and families, especially if you spend some time with them and take an interest in their country and culture. Although life in the rural areas is still quite basic, with not many people speaking English, the major cities are rapidly modernising with most professional people having a good grasp of English.
Polish people are keen to practice their English, often wanting to know if their pronunciation and grammar is correct (which makes it difficult for me to improve my Polish). It was giving this informal guidance, along with editing the English for a friend who has to write academic papers and assisting other friends’ children with their English studies, that prompted me to do the Global English courses.
As it is considered to be essential, English is now taught in schools; even so, parents who can afford it will often pay for additional private tutorials.
Away from Warsaw, the large cities of Lodz, Wroclaw, Katowise, Kracow, Poznan and Gdansk have many English language academies where native speakers are always welcome. Travelling throughout Poland is quite easy with a very reliable train service, or by using the Polski Express coaches, supplemented by an excellent network of local buses and trams.
Have you taught in Poland? Could you share your experiences with others on this webpage? If so, please email us at info@global-english.com.
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British Council http://www.britishcouncil.org/
British Council in Poland: http://www.britishcouncil.org/peru.htm
Polish Embassy UK: http://poland.embassyhomepage.com/
Polish Embassy USA: http://www.polandembassy.org/
Polish National Tourist Office: http://www.polandtour.org/
Need more info? Go here: Teaching English Abroad
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DISCLAIMER
These pages are for general information only and whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, it is up to the individual to thoroughly investigate the conditions of entry to countries and the legal working regulations. If offered a job, please carefully vet all terms and conditions. Inclusion of potential employment opportunities does not in any way represent a guarantee of employment.
When travelling overseas, please refer to your government’s own advice on current conditions in each country. The British Foreign Office website is a good resource for travel advice. Please follow the link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/
If you find a broken link or if you have an experience you would like to share with others about working in a particular country, please email us.
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