Home / Teach English in Poland the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

Tefl Jobs In Poland

Would you like to teach English in Poland? Poland is one of the most sought-after TEFL destinations in this region of the world, with some of the best living circumstances in Eastern Europe. The country itself has a lot to offer, from stunning architecture to mediaeval towns and a plethora of theatres and museums to explore. Winter sports, as well as roller skating and cycling in public parks, are popular activities. Poland is a fantastic place to enjoy outdoor activities, with mountains, lakes, and the sea. Weekend vacations to places like Slovakia or Hungary, where you may visit hot baths, are popular trips for those who enjoy getting away further afield. Tempted to teach English in Poland? Read more and we will tell you other tips about this beautiful country. 

So what are other perks to teach English in Poland? Cities’ public transportation is inexpensive and simple to use, making it an excellent method to visit all the sights. Food and drink are significantly less expensive than in Western Europe, so take advantage of this and try all of the local delights! The Poles are pleasant and warm-hearted people that are eager to learn English and treat their teachers with respect. Overall, Poland is an excellent place to begin your career as an English teacher in another country.

Although the need for properly trained TEFL teachers isn’t as high as it once was, finding a job to teach English in Poland should still be reasonably easy. The surge in international investments and other business initiatives done in English is partly to blame for the rising demand for English classes. In addition, students in Poland who intend to pursue a career in business must pass an English proficiency exam mandated by the government. However, in recent years, there has been a focus in Poland on teaching English to younger children, and while most Polish schoolchildren will study English until they reach secondary school, many will now have had exposure to it as early as kindergarten.

Teach English in Poland: Types of jobs

Because English is increasingly widely spoken, you will be able to teach in a variety of settings. Unless you work at a summer camp, you will normally work 20-35 hours per week for the whole school year. If you teach private lessons, you may be able to work longer hours. For enthusiastic teachers, Poland offers a variety of teaching opportunities.

In-Company

Because the majority of commercial transactions are now conducted in English, corporations will pay people to teach “business” and general English to those working in the worldwide market. Many businesses provide classes after the usual workday has ended, resulting in work in the late afternoon or evening. Pay is typically lower than that of a regular teacher, and work is more difficult to come by.

Private Language Schools

Private school teaching jobs are often less regimented than public school teaching employment, both in terms of teachings and benefits. Private school classes typically last 45 to 50 minutes, and pupils range in age from young children to middle-aged people.

Primary & Secondary Schools

Though public schools rarely pay as much as private schools, the benefits they provide more than compensate for the pay gap. You will be exposed to a bigger part of the community as a teacher in a public school than you would in a private school. For many expats, being engaged in the local community is an important part of the experience of living abroad, especially if they choose a smaller city or rural location.

Language Holiday Camps

Holiday camps will cover all aspects of English understanding; it is critical that these classes be entertaining and interactive, rather than one-way lectures. There is only a brief time investment required. The majority of camps last two to four weeks. The longest term is usually 12 weeks, which coincides with the end of the school year. The programme covers the cost of field visits to local attractions. There is no charge for food or lodging.

Where to teach English in Poland?

Krakow

Krakow, in southern Poland, is well-known for its stunning architecture. The city’s Old Town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. English teachers will have plenty of career chances in the city’s second-largest metropolis.

Warsaw

The capital, Warsaw, is an excellent location for English teaching jobs in Poland. With a blend of old and contemporary, you may experience history and culture while still taking advantage of modern conveniences and a burgeoning arts scene. Also noteworthy is the fact that, despite being a landlocked city, you can enjoy a beach right in the city!

Lodz

Lodz, Poland’s street art centre, is ideal for art aficionados due to its central location. You’ll be sure to appreciate a bohemian ambience while living and teaching in Poland, with ancient factories converted into artist spaces and fashionable cafes. It’s also the third-largest city, so you’ll find plenty of work options as well as an international community.

How to find a job teaching English in Poland?

It is difficult to obtain a job online or over the phone, therefore it is recommended that you visit schools as soon as possible to see what roles are available. It is recommended that if you want to offer individual classes, you first fly to Poland, establish yourself, and then seek out to locate opportunities.

Teaching programmes, such as the ones listed below, might assist you in finding a job before you arrive in Poland. This can provide invaluable peace of mind to those who are concerned about migrating to Poland without a job lined up.

When to apply to teach English in Poland?

In Poland, teaching opportunities are typically advertised in the months preceding up to the start of school, particularly in August; however, some schools advertise as early as May and June.

Although some academies hire on a rotating basis, visa processing can take anywhere from 6 to 3 months, so hopefuls should apply early and plan ahead.

Visa/ Work permit

Before travelling to Poland, non-EU teachers will need to apply for a D-type visa. However, arriving in Poland as a tourist and applying for a Temporary Residence Permit is conceivable. The residence permit is valid for three years and the D-type visa is valid for up to a year.

To work as a teacher in Poland, teachers from the EU or those with working rights do not require a visa or work permit.

Culture in the classroom and at work

A teacher in Poland is likely to dress similarly to a teacher in the United States. In any educational situation, you are expected to be well-dressed and well-groomed. Private classes allow for a little more freedom, but don’t come across as if you just got out of bed!

Polish students are notoriously tough and can tell if you are unprepared, especially now that English is so commonly spoken. In any teaching situation, it is vital to be on your game at all times, and Poland is no exception.

Culture and Etiquette Tips

With a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and a smile, greetings are guarded and courteous. Even if you have known someone for a long time, wait to be invited to use their first name when doing business. Poles tend to appraise people based on their personal characteristics, and they value honesty and straightforward communication in their interactions.

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LIVING COSTS

The cost of living in Poland is enviable when compared to Western Europe, but it is pretty evenly distributed across Eastern Europe. Locals must balance a low cost of living with low salaries, and while they may get by on less, it takes a skilled shopper to identify the best discounts and take home savings at the end of the month. Expat incomes are typically greater than local ones, so if you budget carefully, you can live comfortably in Poland.

Even in more popular regions, housing is easy to come by and reasonably priced, but since many jobs include free or low-cost housing, this may not be an issue for you. Young individuals in Poland are likely to be able to communicate in English and possibly other languages, but older generations in smaller towns are likely to be illiterate in English. Poland’s people are diligent, and the work environment can be stressful. People also want to relax and have fun, so there’s plenty of nightlife and entertainment to keep you entertained.

Although Polish cuisine is not well-known around the world, there are many regional delicacies that are easy to fall in love with. Pierogi are sweet or savoury dumplings that will soon become a favourite snack, bigos is a hearty winter stew, and potato pancakes are a carb-filled delicacy you won’t be able to resist.

For more cost of living figures please refer to Numbeo.com the world’s largest cost of comparison website. 

  • Accommodation: £471–£790/€576–€956
  • Utilities: £95/€115
  • Cost of typical visit to a GP: £26/€31
  • Monthly transport pass: £21/€25
  • Basic dinner out for two: £13/€15
  • Cappuccino in expat area: £2.37/€2.80
  • A beer in a pub: £1.98/€2.12

Tefl Jobs In Poland : KEY POINTS

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AVERAGE SALARY

£400–£700/€470–€840

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EDUCATION NEEDED

Bachelors Degree

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TEFL CERTIFICATE NEEDED

120-hour TEFL qualification

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MAIN JOB TYPES

Government Schools, Private Language Schools, Private Tuition, Teacher Training Colleges, University, Holiday Language Camps, Freelance.

KEY FACTS

  • Popular locations for TEFL jobs: Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdansk, Łódź, Poznan, Silesia
  • The average salary for EFL teachers: The basic monthly salary for a full-time position at a language school is likely to be in the region of 2,000–3,500 zloty (£400–£700/€470–€840) per month. Freelance rates are around 50 to 90 zloty per hour (£10–£18/€11–€21) but hourly cooperate gigs will likely pay more.
  • TEFL qualification requirements: A 120-hour TEFL qualification will be required for most positions
  • Prerequisite university degree: A degree is typically required to teach English in Poland.
  • Term times: The school semesters in Poland start in September/October and in February. July to September and January are when the majority of teaching positions will be advertised.
  • Currency: Polish Zloty (PLN)
  • Language: Polish
  • Teaching programmes: Government Schools, Private Language Schools, Private Tuition, Teacher Training Colleges, University, Holiday Language Camps, Freelance.
  • English Teaching Job Age restrictions: None
  • Previous teaching experience: Some jobs require years of experience, and while most jobs want at least a bit of prior experience, some positions will value the personality and character of a teacher over years of experience.

The majority of English teaching contracts in Poland are for one year, or a 9 to 10-month academic year. However, if you apply in the middle of the academic year or with summer schools, there are options for short-term English teaching contracts in Poland. September or January are the ideal months to apply for TEFL employment in Poland. Depending on your institution, teaching hours range from 20 to 30 hours a week, with class sizes ranging from 5 to 50 students.

One of the best aspects of teaching English in Poland is that practically every school provides free housing, Polish language classes, paid vacations, and job and visa permission support to its teachers. While the pay appears to be poor, when you consider your free housing, it’s a wonderful deal. Teaching English is possible in both the public and private sectors and institutions, government schools, and large enterprises. Major cities provide the best-paying jobs, but competition is fierce. It will be considerably easier to obtain work in smaller towns (such as eastern and southern Poland), where living costs are much lower.

While pronunciation can be an issue, Polish students are open, friendly, and eager to learn. While pronunciation can be difficult, they are happy to speak but maybe bashful in larger groups. Rather than focusing on more formal usage, conversation classes frequently focus on real-life situations, such as how to buy food in a restaurant or have a casual conversation with a colleague. Companies often hire a tutor to give in-house lessons in Business English; however, students’ enthusiasm for these classes can vary because attendance is not optional!

Private instruction teaching English in Poland can be lucrative, especially if you reside in a small town where word of mouth is important, and your good reputation will spread. However, because students can be unreliable, it’s a good idea to have them sign up for a block of pre-paid courses.

Facts about Teach English in Poland the Complete Guide for TEFL Teachers | Reviewed May 2022

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LANGUAGE

Polish

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POPULATION

37 Million

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TEFL TEACHER DEMAND

High

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CURRENCY

Polish Zloty (PLN)

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CAPITAL

Warsaw

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OUR POLAND TEFL RATING

4/5 Stars

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Tefl Jobs In Poland : FAQS

Q:

How much can I earn teaching English in Poland

 The basic monthly salary for a full-time position teaching English in Poland at a language school is likely to be in the region of 2,000–3,500 zloty (£400–£700/€470–€840) per month.

A bachelor’s degree is typically required to teach English in Poland.

Popular locations for TEFL jobs in Poland include Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Gdansk, Łódź, Poznan, Silesia.

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