Finding work in Poland as an Englishman

I hope in about a year's time that my spoken Polish will have improved to a degree whereby I can converse with Poles with more confidence than I do right now.

I hope to move to Warsaw with my partner and find work over there, but am unsure of the job market there. My partner says that on average, for every Pole that they pay £2 per hour to, they would pay £5 to an Englishman doing the same job.

I have no idea whether this is true or not, but just wanted to tap into the fountain of knowledge that is the Polish Forums and see if there are any English forum members here who work in Poland?

I met few English but they were working as an English language teachers.

Maybe you could have a look which english companies have their offices in Poland?
I know that in Krakow we have commercial union.

Hey Blur13, i am in the same boat as you. Im a graduate from university and me and my girlfriend are looking into moving to Poland. As of yet im not getting much luck. Ive sent a few emails out. How have you been looking for work? I understand we could get work teaching ESL but i would like to find out what Big companies operate in Poland that might need English Speakers.

Sam

You might make money as a translator, but your Polish had better be up to scratch.
Even then most firms would only take you on on a part time basis.

Also, why would a company pay more just because you are English.

"Also, why would a company pay more just because you are English."

From my experience, English teachers in Warsaw make quite good money IN COMPARE with Polish languages teachers... And you may get a job as a proofreader too. You can also teach English privately and charge at least 50 zł. per 1 hour. One of English guys I know, who has been here for almost 20 yrs. charges 100 zł per hour and he still have students willing to pay that much for private lesson. He also work at the University and sometimes as a proofreader.

What is a proofreader ? It is an Englishman checking a text and pretending he's important.

A proofreader needs skills in English Language, Grammar and a modicum of knowledge in the Subject Matter. It is also anyone who checks a text, however short.

"Have your private lessons with me [for 100zl ] and watch your marks [in my class at university] rise through the roof."

Good point W_w (as always). Maati is just describing how things are, esp with foreing teachers (god or bad) -they are perceived as better ones - although I have met some who should not teach at all.

From my little observation there is a big demand for native English teachers in private schools. One of the reasons why I choose to learn at my present school was the fact that I can get a “magister” title after graduating and that there are English natives among the staff. Still haven't had a single lesson lead by one.

Matyjasz,

You don't need a native speaker as your language skills are better than most.

While you're at the computer you could try listening to on-line radio. With your interests BBC Radio 4 will help, if you think you need it.

Sure. Thanks for the advice and kind words. Starting to look for that radio right now!

"Have your private lessons with me [for 100zl ] and watch your marks [in my class at university] rise through the roof."

yes, that's the way it is...

as a teacher of polish as a second language i get about 30 zl/hour in the school i work for. the person i know- british guy- gets much more... why? because they don't want him to escape one month after he came here