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If you're looking to teach English in a foreign country, you may want to consider Poland. This country is full of friendly, hospitable people who will make your stay enjoyable. There are also many great tourist attractions, including several beautiful and formidable castles that you can visit while you are in Poland. However, as with any commitment, there are many factors to consider before embarking on this journey. How difficult is to get a job as an English teacher in Poland? There is very little competition for English teaching jobs in Poland. There are many job opportunities here, because the English language has become very important in Polish society. A working knowledge of the English language is actually required for many Polish citizens to be able to do business and perform basic functions in society. There is typically more competition in the bigger cities, such as Warsaw, when compared to the smaller towns. However, this might be for the best, since the bigger cities also have a significantly higher living expenses than do the smaller towns. Try searching for English jobs in Poland on various job sites to get a better idea of the market demand. What qualifications do I need to become an English teacher in Poland? In Poland, a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is the industry recognized certificate in Poland. This is the preferred training program that any employer in Poland wants to see on a resume; however, if you have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, this will work for many employers as well. However, Internet courses, such as the TEFL online course, are not accepted by most employers. The only exception to this is the CELTA Internet course. Though it is not a formal requirement that you have teaching experience, obviously this would give you an advantage with employers. What are the visa requirements for a foreign English teacher in Poland? If you have a European passport, you do not need a work visa. You simply need to present your European passport to enter the country. Do I need to be fluent in the Polish language? You are not required to be able to speak Polish to obtain a teaching position. In classrooms, it will be encouraged that you only speak English with your students. Also, in most towns, most people speak English, so you will be able to get along quite well only knowing English. However, it is helpful that you know some basic Polish for your own convenience while traveling around the country. How much money can I expect to make as a teacher in Poland? As a teacher in Poland, you can expect to earn about 8000 zlotys per month, which is equivalent to a little more than €1900. Almost any school will hire you based on a "contract for work performed." One great benefit to teaching in Poland is that your employing school will not only pay you, but pay your taxes as well. This is a huge advantage when compared to some other European countries, where tax rates are very high, and these are taken out of your paycheck. Additionally, since you will not be teaching during the months of July and August (summer vacation), you can work as a freelance teacher and teach private students; here, you can charge about 50-80 zloty, or about €12-€20, per hour depending on your location and teaching experience qualifications. What type of contract can I expect to get? One advantage to teaching English in Poland is that there is no scarcity of full-time positions. This is actually a problem in many other European countries; these teachers often have to do supplementary tutoring or teaching on the side to make ends meet. However, in Poland, you can likely secure a full-time teaching position if you are qualified. Contracts typically last for 10 months, from September to June. Teachers do not have official employment in the summer, although you do have the option of teaching in summer schools or doing private tutoring for students and tourists. What employer benefits can I expect? Employers will almost never pay for your airfare and your living accommodations; therefore, you need to plan for these expenses on your own. They typically offer an option to purchase supplementary health insurance if you have a contract position. This is fairly typical when compared to other European countries' employer benefits for English teachers. Hi I'm Vickie Talsma and I'm a travel-addict turned English teacher and social marketing maven. I teach in Poland and enjoys sharing tips & tricks to follow in a similar teaching - traveling lifestyle. Learn more about how to teach English in Poland.
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