Opportunities for Fluent English/Polish Speakers?

SamenessLove:

I'm a native English speaker and about C1 CEFR level Polish fluency. I took ACTFL oral test and I scored "superior". I also have a Bachelors degree. I know I can get work teaching English easily but what type of bargaining leverage does being bilingual give me in general for any job? Is it a "big deal" or just another skill?

SamenessLoveThreads: 1 Posts: 49 Joined: Apr 24, 09	May 3, 09, 06:39 / #
I'm a native English speaker and about C1 CEFR level Polish fluency. I took ACTFL oral test and I scored "superior". I also have a Bachelors degree. I know I can get work teaching English easily but what type of bargaining leverage does being bilingual give me in general for any job? Is it a "big deal" or just another skill?

freebirdThreads: 3 Posts: 638 Joined: Jun 8, 07	May 3, 09, 07:32 / #
SamenessLove: oral test SamenessLove: Is it a "big deal" or just another skill? I guess it's up the one who enjoyed it more or less to say whether it was a "big deal" or just another skill, :-) I hope you can take a joke, :-)

terriThreads: 1 Posts: 385 Joined: May 3, 09	May 3, 09, 08:54 / #
All English native speakers, who also speak Polish should consider applying to all International Companies, where language both skills may be useful. However, please remember, that there are now thousands of multilinguals chasing the same jobs and that other skills (such as accountancy, HR) may be required in order to secure a well-paid post. Also, with the recession in Poland, there is a likelihood that language schools will not be hiring many new teachers, as student numbers decrease. No, it is 'not a big deal' nowadays to speak just two languages (English and Polish), you have to offer some other skills.

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 [Suspended]	May 3, 09, 14:45 / #
terri: Also, with the recession in Poland, there is a likelihood that language schools will not be hiring many new teachers, as student numbers decrease. Actually, I've observed the exact opposite. With the global 'crisis', people need to be better qualified, hence the need for English teachers. The schools that operate on getting people for a term (like Profi-Lingua) might very well struggle - but the well ran schools in good markets will always have customers.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	May 4, 09, 06:29 / #
SamenessLove: I'm a native English speaker and about C1 CEFR level Polish fluency. I took ACTFL oral test and I scored "superior". I also have a Bachelors degree. I know I can get work teaching English easily but what type of bargaining leverage does being bilingual give me in general for any job? Is it a "big deal" or just another skill? depends what the BS is in and/or what you're wanting to do.

terriThreads: 1 Posts: 385 Joined: May 3, 09	May 4, 09, 08:30 / #
>>>>Actually, I've observed the exact opposite. With the global 'crisis', people need to be better qualified, hence the need for English teachers. ....Good English teachers with wide experience will never be out of work. I thoroughly agree, that people need an extra edge to chase those few jobs that are available. I foresee that language schools will have to drop their prices in order to attract more students year after year or there will be a mushrooming of private tutors, where a -one-to-one tuition gives a student more in an hour than a school ever could do.

ArienThreads: 6 Posts: 1,604 Joined: Oct 20, 08	May 4, 09, 10:59 / #
SamenessLove: I'm a native English speaker and about C1 CEFR level Polish fluency. I took ACTFL oral test and I scored "superior". I also have a Bachelors degree. I know I can get work teaching English easily but what type of bargaining leverage does being bilingual give me in general for any job? Is it a "big deal" or just another skill? There will definitely be work for you as an English/Polish teacher, or perhaps as a translator, writer or even narrator. (And if you don't mind me asking, a Bachelor's degree in what direction exactly? Could you be more specific?) To be honest, if there isn't anything, or little else you have to offer besides being bilingual, then I'd say you shouldn't get your hopes up too high, or expect too many options in other branches of business. A lot of specialized people are bilingual these days? (Even I am, and I'm just an Electrician!) You never know what might be available for you, it all depends on who you know, and who you'll get in touch with? So I suppose you'll have to see for yourself. :) Good luck!