Poland

Do you want to discover quintessential Europe while living in a nation of historic cities, charming villages, and beautiful landscapes? Can you see yourself living in one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic countries in Europe? Poland might be the place for you! A Little History The history of Poland is a rich and complex tale that spans over a thousand years. It began with the formation of the Polish state in the late 10th century, under the rule of Mieszko I. Poland’s early history saw the emergence of a strong monarchy and the adoption of Christianity in 966 AD. The country experienced periods of territorial expansion and political fragmentation, often facing external threats from neighboring powers, such as the Teutonic Knights, the Mongols, and the Ottoman Empire. In the late 16th century, Poland-Lithuania became one of Europe’s largest and most influential countries, known for its religious tolerance and a parliamentary system known as the “Noble Republic.” However, internal strife and external pressures led to a series of partitions in the late 18th century, which saw Poland disappear from the map of Europe for 123 years. It regained independence after World War I but faced the challenges of the 20th century, including two World Wars and decades of strict communist rule. In 1989 with the fall of the Iron Curtain, Poland transitioned to democracy and market economy, becoming a member of the European Union in 2004. Poland’s history is marked by resilience, a strong n…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Poland. Education A bachelor’s degree is preferred by the vast majority of schools in Poland, but it is not required to teach there. The ESL market in Poland is strong, especially in the bigger cities of Warsaw and Krakow and the Polish tend to have high standards of education so typically look for teachers who have a bachelor’s degree. Teachers without a bachelor’s degree are eligible for some teaching positions in Poland, although they may need to be flexible on location. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Poland, and you do not need to be a native English speaker in order to find a job there. English Fluency If English is not your first language you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Likewise, some Polish schools might prefer to hire candidates specifically from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Background Check While a…

The ESL market in Poland is strong especially in the bigger cities of Warsaw and Krakow however, the Polish tend to have high standards of education and are typically looking for teachers who have a bachelor’s degree, which is preferred, but not required. Most employers and schools are also looking for teachers who have a TEFL certification as well. It is also pretty common to see quite a few schools in Poland prefer that teachers already have EU citizenship or legal working rights in Poland. However, there are schools that will hire non-EU citizens and help them get a work permit to work legally in the country. Most jobs in Poland will be through private language schools that cater to adult learners or business professionals. However, there are some opportunities to teach children through summer camps and after-school programs or classes. Most teachers will find themselves working between 20 and 30 hours per week. Some might even take on hours in more than one school, or find students to tutor privately on the side to bring in more income. The need for qualified English teachers in Krakow, Warsaw, Lodz, Gdansk, and many other cities throughout Poland is high. Teachers can expect to make enough money to live comfortably and travel throughout the country and the whole of Europe. Private Language Schools Private language schools are privately-run and typically for-profit language training centers that can cater to students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Many school-a…

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you in Poland, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Poland, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Poland Timeline , as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, you can submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review if you’d like them to review it for you. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in a bustling city …

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Poland and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Note: If you notice anything missing from the contract that you were promised by the employer, or if something isn’t up to the standards detailed below, reach out to your employer to have your contract updated before signing. Negotiations are not unheard of, especially if you have previous teaching experience and desirable skills. Some schools may have preset salaries and benefits based on location and experience, so you may not be able to move the needle much — but it won’t hurt to try! Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Poland is between 2,800 PLN (Polish Zloty) and 4,000 PLN per month. Check out this handy currency converter to see what that would be in your country’s currency. Anything significantly lower or higher than that salary range should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like housing is includ…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Poland. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Poland consulate or embassy to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! In addition to the information below, we have a great article on our main website that gives an overview of what visas look like for teaching in Poland. Visa Types Work Visa What is it? A work visa is available to English teachers once they have accepted a position with a school in Poland and are typically valid for one year. The employer will be responsible for filing the paperwork for your work visa. Once the employer obtains the visa paperwork, it will be sent to you (the teacher) who can then apply for the work visa in your home country at your nearest Polish embassy or consulate . However, it is also possible to obtain your work visa after arrival in Poland as well, if you secure your teaching job on the ground. How do you get one? In order to apply for a work visa, you will need to prepare and submit the following documents: (The documents necessary may vary depending on the Polish consulate that you are applying through, so be sure to refer to their page as …

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home in Poland? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Poland, health insurance is not provided by your school as a part of your teaching contract, though some contracts will include it. Even then, depending on your contract, you might have to pay into this insurance and split the cost with your school. If this is the case, your portion will likely be automatically deducted from your paycheck each month. Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more! If health insurance is not included in your contract or if you want to supplement your school’s health insurance plan with a more comprehensive private…

You have finally made it to the end of the Poland section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month based on your intended departure date for Poland. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Poland to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack for applying for jobs in advance in Poland. Remember that the peak hiring months for English teaching jobs in Poland are September, October and January. The month of August and the Christmas holiday through the second week of January are traditionally slow hiring times. Take your desired start date and subtract from there for an idea of your personal timeline for Poland, and make sure you’ll be applying for positions near the peak hiring periods. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 4-6 months before departure: Begin your research ___ Decide which schools you might want to apply to use our Poland School Finder . ___ List out your preferences and priorities. ___ Chat with ITA alumni , read about alumni experiences , and watch Instagram takeovers in Poland ___ Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new …

I found a fairly good job here in Poland. I work anywhere between 22 and 28 hour per week, with a 22 hour guarantee. My pay is 35 zloty per hour (approximately $10 USD) after taxes. Because the cost of living in my town is rather low, I'm able to live in a nice apartment, eat well, and travel every weekend, and still save between 300 and 500 zloty a month. Without a roommate, the cost of living in Zory is about 2,500 zloty per month (approximately $700 USD) - with a roommate, it's about 1,500 zlotynn (approximately $420 USD). I'm working for a private language school, which caters largely to adults. My students range in age from 6 years old to 65+, as well as business professionals. There is no vacation time built into my contract, but, because I'm paid by the hour, I can request time off without any problem. Rebecca S. Zory, Poland There is plenty to do in Gliwice such as explore the city center where there is a good, but small, night life with pubs and restaurants. The alcohol is quite cheap as well. There is great Czech and Polish beer and of course Polish vodka, as you will surely find out soon upon your arrival! There is so much history in Poland. There are museums and places to visit in Gliwice. It is also very easy to travel to other places. Katowice, the next big city, is just 30 minutes away, and you can get to all major cities in Europe from there (airport, bus, trains) The location is great! The food is great, including a lot of meat dishes, cabbage, potatoes, soup…