Teach in Poland

 

Start Teaching in Poland with Guaranteed Job Placement in the heart of Central Europe!

Teaching English in Poland means being a jack of all trades. Teaching a huge variety of students, typically highly-motivated young professionals, studious teenagers aspiring to apply to top universities, and excited kids looking to improve on their general English, an ESL teacher must be able to whip together a lesson plan about pretty much anything and everything. 

For experienced ESL teachers and newly qualified teachers alike, Poland offers one of the most lucrative job markets in the EU. Oh and did we mention, it’s an AWESOME place to live and work!

THE experience

You’ll fly into Krakow to begin the program with a 7-day-long Orientation Week, where you’ll get to know some of your fellow Wizards and get accustomed to life in Poland. And have some fun, of course! The magic of Krakow, Poland’s historical and cultural capital, will immediately make you fall in love with your new home.

Immediately following our orientation program, you’ll begin working as an ESL teacher at a language center or school. We have partnerships with some of Poland’s most well-known language centers, preschools, and primary schools to place teachers for this program

Demand to learn English with native speakers at the advanced level has skyrocketed in Poland recently, with more and more jobs, careers, and university programs requiring an advanced professional level of English to even be considered. 

The type of students you’ll be teaching is as varying as the industry itself. You might be teaching business professionals, your kids, energetic teenagers, or a combination of all of the above. Classes with kids and teens will often focus on preparing for competitive exams, such as the FCE and IELTS, while adult classes will usually be more practical and conversation-based. With the youngsters, most preschools take a very progressive “learn through play” approach.

If you’re working with older students, they will usually have an intermediate to advanced level in English. So, you won’t be teaching them how to say “apple,” but rather how to have political debates, negotiate contracts, and other intricacies of real-life English.

Expect to work 20 to 25 hours per week of classroom teaching, in addition to prep time and light administrative work such as marking written coursework. The schedule itself will be mostly afternoon and early evening hours, with the occasional mornings for teaching “in-company” classes. You’ll be paid a similar pay rate to your local colleagues, varying between 3500 and 8000 PLN per month depending on the job and how many hours you’re teaching. For full-time work, expect 5,000 PLN as the minimum monthly amount.

The Support

Nobody likes to feel alone when moving to a new country, and navigating the bureaucracy of visa processes and self-employment certainly isn't for everyone. To accommodate the needs of freelancers relocating to Europe, English Wizards offers a number of levels of support services.

Program fees for the Support and Placement packages can be accepted in installments with a non-refundable enrollment deposit of €500 required upon registration to secure your spot in the program.

A Note About Our Guarantee

 

Our ability to deliver the guarantee on the Placement Package is subject to a few conditions.

  • You must be available to arrive in Poland and start at or near the time of one of our scheduled Orientation Weeks as listed on this page.
  • You must hold the required qualifications and skills for this program, as listed on this page. We reserve the right to decline to offer this package and give a refund if we believe you do not believe you meet the requirements.
  • Due to the need to balance our number of teachers with the number of schools we work with, we can only guarantee one placement offer per teacher. While you are never forced to accept an offer, we cannot guarantee that a second placement will be available if you decline one.
  • Preferences, such as desired cities, age groups, contract types, and start dates, can always be taken into account, but cannot be guaranteed.

Apply if you

Z

Are a Native English Speaker

Or possess the same fluency as a native

Z

Have Professional ESL Teaching Qualifications

CELTA, Trinity TESOL, or another TEFL certificate

Z

Have Completed Secondary Education

High school, A-Levels, or your country’s equivalent

Z

Are Extremely Outgoing and Sociable

Teaching English is a serious matter, and requires you to be a sociable person.

Z

Are Capable of Working With Kids

Most language schools cater to all ages, including young kids (usually 7+). Is this okay with you?

Z

Are Competent and Professional

Teaching is a professional job, not a “McJob.” As such, you’ll need to demonstrate the necessary professional and academic competance.

Why Poland?

Poland is a gorgeous country filled with medieval castles and town squares, breathtaking mountains and lakes, picturesque cobblestone streets, and culture and nightlife that puts much of Western Europe to shame. Oh yeah, and did we mention…it’s affordable.

Not only is the country incredibly beautiful and full of culture, but it also ranks as one of the most livable countries in Europe. The infrastructure is modern and developed, the streets are safe and crime-free, and the population of major cities is largely proficient in English.

Poland's teaching job market is perhaps the biggest and fastest growing in Europe, with more and more language schools opening everyday and looking for qualified teachers. 

Just a warning: Many people come to Poland to teach for a semester and end up staying for years. It's just one of those places!

 

Start dates

What Are the Costs?

Poland is an incredibly affordable country for all. However, it is incredibly important to be realistic and keep in mind the costs of living. Nobody like surprises, so below you’ll find the average costs of living in Poland:

Accommodation

Rent in Poland can be as low as €200 per month for a room in a shared flat, or even a private studio in a smaller city.

A private apartment in a big city like Warsaw will cost between €400 and €600 per month.

Transport & Services

Public transport is excellent in Poland, so there’s no need to have a car. A monthly pass is around €25.

A mobile phone plan costs less than €8 per month, and home internet plans start at €15 per month.

i

Startup Costs

To join either the freelance teaching or digital nomad pathways, be fully legal to live and work in Poland, non-EU citizens are required to have:

  • Type-D Visa  €60 – €80  
  • Program Joining Fee   from €295

General Expenses

After housing and commuting costs, a reasonable budget for living and having fun in Poland is between €300 and €800 per month depending on your spending habits.

Taxes and Administration

Personal Income Tax in Poland is between 8.5% and 19%, depending on your income level and line of work. Most English teachers, as well as those in most creative professions, pay the lowest tier of income taxes. 

If you are required to pay into Poland’s social security and national healthcare system, the cost of this is between 300 and 850 PLN (about €70 to €200) per month. In return, you’ll receive full access to public healthcare and social services in Poland and the entire European Union.

English Wizards takes care of accounting, invoicing, and tax management for our teacher who are hired on freelance contracts.

Our ongoing monthly fee for this service is between 300 and 350 PLN (about €70) per month. This includes and covers:

  • Invoice Creation & Management
  • Monthly & End-of-Year Tax Filing
  • Social Security Registration & Management
  • Dedicated Community Manager & Support

You are also welcome to utilize the services of your own accountant, however this rate is fairly standard for the Polish market. Feel free to read more about the administrative costs of being a freelancer on our blog.

For teachers hired on employment contracts, administration is managed by the school so there is no additional cost, though the tax rate on this type of contract is considerably higher, so you can expect a lower “take home” pay rate.

 

Want to come teach in Europe?

Do I have a choice over which city I'll be working in?

Yes absolutely!

There is a demand for English teachers all over Poland, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding work no matter where you go, whether it be a huge city like Warsaw or a smaller town or city.

If you’ve opted for the Placement Package, bear in mind that we cannot guarantee that every teacher will get their first choice of cities, so you may have to be flexible. 

Where in Poland does the program take place?

You will fly into Krakow for our Orientation Week. Wizards who opt for one of our Accommodation Packages will be housed together at a guesthouse within walking distance from the city center.

For the job placements, we work with schools all over Poland, so you may or may not end up working in Krakow.

Will I have to interview directly with the school where I'll be teaching?

Yes. All of the language centers that we work with for this program like to speak directly with our teachers. Most interviews are conducted via Skype or Zoom in the months prior to the semester’s start.  You may also be asked to conduct a trial class at the school when you arrive.

In the unlikely event that you are not offered a job, your Community Manager will continue to work with you to find a suitable school through our network.

If I have to interview directly with a school to be hired, how can you guarantee me a job?

Although schools will always make the final call on who they hire, the schools that we work with trust our program to provide quality teachers. Our Community Managers and program directors have many years of experience in the Polish ESL job market, and know how many job openings to expect each semester at our partner language centers. We accept only a limited number of teachers to match the expected job openings.

It is important to note that our job guarantee provided with the Placement Package only applies only to teachers who meet our program requirements, as listed on this page. We reserve the right to refuse to offer this package and give a refund if we believe (at any point) that you do not meet the listed requirements.

Do I have the opportunity to work at a regular public school or university instead of language center?

Unfortunately, this is very difficult. To work at a public school, the Polish Ministry of Education requires teachers to hold Polish teaching credentials, which includes being fluent in the Polish language and completing a licensing course in Polish. For this reason, the overwhelming majority of foreign teachers in Poland work at language centers.

If you are interested in a more “ordinary” school teaching experience with the classic daily school routine, we do offer placements at private preschools and primary schools. 

Finding work at a university is possible if you are highly experienced and qualified. They will typically want to see at least a Master’s Degree in English or a related subject and a few years of experience. Some teachers have found this type of work through with our Freelancing Visa, however, due to the highly specialized nature of this type of work, we do not offer such placements as part of this program. 

How long will my contract with the school be?

Almost all schools in Poland will expect you to commit to working with them for the entire academic year (until late June). We require this in order to deliver our placement guarantee for the Placement Package. Teachers looking for shorter term options can come in the winter hiring season and find half-year contracts, though schools will typically give preference to teachers who show interest in staying longer.

Of course, there’s nothing to say you can’t stay longer than a year! Many teachers have stayed with their schools for many consecutive academic years, and others have gone on to work elsewhere in Poland through one of our freelance work visa.

Can I apply alongside a friend or partner?

Absolutely! We love to welcome couples and/or groups of friends to our program. If you’re coming with the Placement Package, we cannot guarantee that you’ll be placed at the same school as your friend or partner, though we do our absolute best to accommodate the natural desire for couples and groups of friends to work in the same city.

I am currently traveling/working/studying abroad! Can I join this program without having to go home first?

Absolutely! We love seeing applications from teachers who have already made the jump into life overseas. However, if you are not an EU citizen, you may not be able to get a visa before you arrive, as it is not always possible to obtain a Polish visa in a third country. Check with the Polish embassy in your current country to see if it will be possible to obtain a visa without having to return to your home country.

I do not have a Bachelor's Degree. Am I still eligible?

Yes! A Bachelor’s Degree is not requirement for this program.

Though you will be working as a teacher, which means you must be able to demonstrate a level of academic and professional competence which schools and students will be expecting. If you do not hold formal education, then we will ask you to demonstrate in your interview and application that you can speak, write, and work at the equivalent level of an education person.

You must have completed high school/secondary education, as this is a requirement for the visa.

I do not have a TEFL Certificate. Am I still eligible?

Candidates without a TEFL certificate or other recognized ESL qualification will only be considered for this program if they possess significant prior ESL teaching experience.

Do I have to have teaching experience?

While teaching experience isn’t required, it is a huge plus. Most Polish schools want to see that you’ve had some sort of experience in the classroom. Maybe you’ve been a sports coach, academic tutor, or lead corporate training sessions. While not a hard requirement, this is the type of stuff we’re looking for on your application, especially if you are interested in our Placement Package.

Are there any nationality restrictions to participate in this program?

Our program is open to all nationalities. It is not your passport that’s important, but your English proficiency.

Though we will never outright reject a candidate on the basis of nationality, if you come from a non-English-speaking country and require a work visa, please see our visas page for more information, as there may be some visa complications.

Are there any age restrictions to participate in this program?

You must be a legal adult (18+), but there is no upper age restriction. Age discrimination is illegal in the European Union, and any school advertising a preference for teachers of a certain age is breaking the law.

What are my odds of being accepted if I am not a native English speaker?

This depends on how fluently and clearly you can speak English. If your level of English is anything below perfectly fluent or if you have a clearly noticeable non-native accent, we unfortunately cannot accept you on this program. Poland, like the rest of Europe, has a very high level of English proficiency. There is no shortage of local teachers who can speak C1 or even C2 English with have advanced degrees and loads of teaching experience. For us to be able to consider you, you must offer something that no Polish teacher can offer: a native comprehension of the English language.

If you can speak English with a native proficiency and a neutral accent, and can prove it in your interview, we will gladly accept you regardless of your nationality and linguistic background.

Where will I live during the orientation week?

We provide a simple option to book accommodation for the Orientation Week shared with other Wizards through our Accommodation Packages. With these packages, you will share a hostel or guesthouse with other Wizards, within walking distance to the city center.

If you want to book accommodation independently, there are numerous options available in Krakow. We recommend using Airbnb, Hostelworld, or Booking.com.

Where will I live for the duration of my job placement?

Our support staff will work with you to find suitable accommodation near your school as soon as you are placed. In many cases, your school director will be able to recommend places based on where their teachers in the past have lived.

We highly recommend sharing an apartment to cut down on costs. Many teachers make friends with others on the program and split an apartment together, while others find shared apartments with local students or other young working professionals. No matter what, our staff is here to help you find a good deal.

How will I get to work and get around?

Just like the locals, of course! Navigating Polish cities is very easy, as all have well developed and reliable public transportation systems, with buses, trams, and in the case of Warsaw, a metro. Cities offer transit passes for around €20-30 per month depending on the city.

Some Wizards who choose to live near their school are lucky enough to be able to walk to work.

Will it be hard to have a social life in Poland?

Not at all! Not only do all Wizards on the program quickly bond with each other during the pre-course orientation week, but you will also quickly get to meet the other Wizards working in your city through our Facebook group and regular social events.

All cities in Poland where we have Wizards working in are very cosmopolitan and have vibrant expat scenes. These communities of fellow foreigners are usually very friendly, with Facebook groups and regular meetups to welcome newcomers to the city. The Polish people are also very friendly and welcoming to foreigners, just make a few trips to a social bar or cafe and you’ll see for yourself! The level of English spoken by Poles is very high, so the language barrier is rarely a problem when meeting locals. In many cities, Community Managers also organize language exchanges and other social events, which are a perfect opportunity to mingle with locals, expats, and fellow Wizards.

I see that there are multiple start dates listed for each semester. Does it matter which one I choose?

Not really – our program is the same for all Orientation Weeks.

Most Wizards choose an orientation week based on what best suits their travel plans and the semester start date. Every school has a different start date, and we recommend choosing an Orientation Week starting 2-3 weeks before your school asks you to begin teaching.

Occasionally we may ask you to attend one particular orientation week (due to space availability), but most of the time you can choose which week to attend based on your arrival plans and teaching schedule.

How much will I get paid?

This varies slightly from job to job, but the typical salary for an ESL teacher in at language schools Poland is around 35-55 PLN (about €8-11) per hour after tax, and the jobs through this program are usually no different.

Depending on how many hours you teach, you’ll typically earn between 3000 and 5000 PLN (about €500 to €800) per month, which is more than enough to live on in Poland as a young professional. Most interns supplement this with private tutoring or part-time teach elsewhere.

How does payroll and taxes work?

Pay and salary matters are discussed directly between you and the school, so we at English Wizards can only provide advice and estimates.

Language schools generally pay on an hourly rate, with full-time salaries landing between 3500 and 8000 PLN per month before tax. The standard tax rate in Poland is 17%, however depending on a number of factors, your rate may be slightly higher or lower. Payroll is almost always processed monthly, with taxes taken out before payday.

We understand payroll matters can be a bit complicated when you move to a new country – but don’t panic! Once you’ve been offered a job at one of our partner schools, our support staff will be happy to look over everything to make sure you’re not getting ‘tricked’ anywhere and there are no hidden surprises in your contract.

What kind of support will I receive before departing to Europe?
From the minute you’re accepted, we’ll put you in touch with your future instructors and program directors who can help you prepare for your departure. 
If you require a work visa, we will also prepare all the required documents, and give you detailed instructions on how to obtain a visa from your nearest Polish consulate. For more about what is required for your visa and the support we offer, please see our visas page.
What kind of support will I receive while I am in Poland?
Your first week in Poland will be a fun-filled and information-filled week where you’ll learn all about day-to-day life in Poland and check off all the “necessities” needed to settle in comfortably. Our support staff will give you an introduction to the city and assist you in opening a bank account, finding an apartment, getting a phone plan, using the public transit system, and much much more. Our staff also organize social events to give Wizards the opportunity to meet each other and socialize with locals. Remember we choose our staff very carefully – they are fun-loving people just like you, not boring office administrators.
For ongoing support, you’ll have a dedicated Community Manager whom you can reach out to for support at any point of the year.
In the rare event that you require assistance beyond the capabilities of our support staff, our main office is also never more than a quick phone call or email away.
What kind of hours will I be teaching?

As you will be primarily teaching adults, teenagers, and kids at language centers after their ordinary work or school hours, your work hours will typically be in the late afternoon and early evening. You may also have to work some mornings for “in-company” classes, as well as the occasional Saturday. Most interns will work between 15 and 25 classroom hours per week, with additional time necessary for preparing lessons, marking coursework, and light administrative duties.

If you get a placement at a preschool or primary school, then hours will typically resemble more traditional school hours, and you’ll likely work Monday to Friday.

I would like to stay longer than one academic year. Is this possible?

In most cases, yes.

While the guaranteed placement on this program only lasts until the end of the academic year, if your performance has been top-notch and you would like to stay for another academic year, the vast majority of schools will be happy to let you return. Alternatively, many Wizards who choose to stay in Poland longer will transition to the Freelance Program for their second academic year.

There are no additional program fees to stay an extra year (or longer!), and extending your legal residence in Poland can be done from within the country.

I hate my job! Can I quit and find another?
Not exactly. By signing up for this program and accepting a job with one of our partner schools, you are agreeing to work with them until at least the end of the academic year. The reason schools choose to work with our interns is because we have an excellent track record of delivering quality teachers through our training program. By leaving early, you are not only leaving your students without a teacher for the rest of the year, but also putting our reputation and the job prospects of future interns at risk.
That being said, we also hold our partner schools to a very high standard in terms of how we expect interns to be treated. If you genuinely believe that your school is not upholding our program standards, let us know and we’ll do our best to resolve the issue. In the absolute worst-case scenario, we’ll do our best to find you a new job for the remainder of the program.
Will I get holidays?

Yes, the Poles love holidays! Most schools will typically have 1-2 weeks off around Christmas time, as well as 2-3 weeks off in February as fall semester ends and spring semester begins. There are also usually 1-2 weeks off in April around Easter.

Keep in mind that most schools pay hourly, and thus you’re only paid for the hours you teach, so remember to factor in days off when planning your budget.