TEACH ENGLISH IN POLAND

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About Teaching English in Poland

In order to teach English in Poland, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is preferred but not required. Native English proficiency is also expected to find a TEFL job. The average salary for an English teacher in Poland is about $750 - $1,050 USD per month.

One of the great post-Cold War success stories, Poland represents one of the fastest-growing job markets for teaching English in Europe. English teachers in Poland are constantly in demand. Teachers typically find work towards the beginning of September or October, and again in January. Most contracts end in late June. For those looking to teach through the summer, opportunities at summer English language camps are sometimes available throughout Poland and the whole of Europe. Positions in summer camps typically start in late June and early July.  

Qualified Americans and other non-European Union (EU) citizens can interview and line up a job in advance from their home countries, while EU citizens can often line up an English teaching job locally in Poland. Many English teachers share an apartment with co-workers or other English teachers in Poland.

Group of TEFL teachers in Poland English teacher in Poland

Some schools in Poland will sponsor a work visa for Americans and other non-European Union citizens (teachers will also need to get a residence permit upon arrival).  While some non-EU citizens may work on a tourist visa "under the table", this is not common or recommended in most cases.

A good hourly wage affords English teachers to live a comfortable life.  Schools typically offer around 20-30 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore.

Top job markets for English teaching jobs in Poland include Warsaw, Poznan, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and Kraków.

How to Teach English in Poland: Requirements

TEFL Certification for Teaching English in Poland

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Poland. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. 

Teachers typically interview for jobs in advance from their home country, therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

You do not need to be a native English speaker to teach English in Poland. However, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.  

Degree Requirements for Poland

A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required to teach English in Poland. Please note that your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

TEFL Jobs in Poland

Type of English Teaching Jobs in Poland

The most common teaching jobs in Poland consist of:

  • Teaching adults in private language schools.
  • Teaching Business English to adults.
  • Private one-on-one tutoring.
  • Limited opportunities to teach children in Summer Camps.
  • Teaching English Online.

Finding TEFL jobs in Poland: Hiring & Visa

Poland represents a more challenging job market for any teacher who does not already have citizenship from a qualified European Union (EU). It is pretty common to see quite a few schools in Poland prefer that their teachers already have EU citizenship or legal working rights in Poland. However, there are schools that will hire non-EU citizens and will help them get a work permit to work legally in the country.

English teachers can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September, October, and January with an expected downtime in August and from Christmas through the second week of January. Most Americans and qualified non-European Union citizens interview over the phone in advance from their home country, while EU citizens can interview and gain employment locally in Poland.

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Poland?

Teaching English Jobs in Poland: Hours

Language schools in Poland offer approximately 20 to 30 hours of classroom work per week plus additional hours for prep time. This allows for plenty of time to travel and explore. 

Teaching Polish Students

It is most common that your students will be adults and business professionals.  

Teaching English in Poland Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs will range from $900 - $1,800 USD (3,450 – 6,900 Euro). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Poland until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 

English Teacher Salary in Poland

A modest salary enables teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while in Poland. Teachers can expect to make $750 - $1,050 USD per month (2,500 - 3,600 Euro).

There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.

Teacher salary in Poland: Cost of Living & Savings

The average monthly cost of living ranges from around $750 - $1,000 USD per month (2,500 - 3,400 Euro).

English teachers in Poland can expect to break-even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you should not expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.

 

What Does Teaching in Poland Look Like?

Watch ITA grad, Olivia Olsen, show us a day in her life living and teaching English in Krakow, Poland.

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Poland could look like!

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Teaching England in Poland FAQs

Do I need a degree to teach English in Poland?

To teach English in Poland, make sure you understand what is and is not required:

Required:

  • A TEFL certification.
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available.
  • Savings for start-up costs.

Not Required:

  • A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required.
  • While EU citizenship is preferred amongst many employers, there are schools that will hire non-EU citizens and help them get work permits to help them work legally in Poland.
  • You do not need to be a native English speaker, but you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs. 

How much can I earn teaching English in Poland?

English teachers in Poland can expect to make $750 - $1,050 USD per month in Poland (2,500 - 3,600 Euro). There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided by your school either. Overall, ESL teachers in Poland can expect to break-even month over month. 

Is there a demand for English teachers in Poland?

English teachers in Poland can expect to find jobs during the peak hiring months of September, October, and January with an expected downtime in August and from Christmas through the second week of January. The majority of English teaching jobs in Poland are found in private language schools & institutes but the market for private English lessons throughout Poland is extensive.

What type of visa do I need to teach English in Poland?

Once a teacher accepts a teaching position, the employer will file for visa paperwork in Poland. Once the employer obtains the initial visa paperwork, it will be given to the teacher who can then apply for a work visa. Teachers typically secure positions in advance from their home country and visit the Polish consulate in their country of origin to process the visa, however it is possible to process a work visa after moving to Poland. 

Work visas are typically valid for one year. In addition to a work visa, foreigners who are planning to stay in Poland for a period longer than 3 months may apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland. A temporary residence permit is granted for a maximum period of 3 years.

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Poland?

Does Poland need English teachers?

Yes! English teachers with a TEFL certification are in demand in Poland. Language schools in Warsaw and every major city in Poland are in constant need of qualified teachers.

Recommended TEFL Courses for 
Teaching English in Poland

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  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
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  • 4 Weeks Full-Time (40+ hours per week) - required class time typically 6-8 hours daily
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
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  • 10-Hours Live Practice Teaching (Virtual) built into the course
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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Do TEFL in Poland

Kaya Rawa

Taught English in Poland

Kaya Rawa

I took ITA's Online TEFL Course. My instructor was very helpful and supportive. She provided thorough feedback and encouragement. The tasks were a pleasure to complete and useful practice for future lesson planning. The culture in Poland is fascinating. Warsaw is a very cultural city with people from all over the world. It has a good, very clean public transportation/ Subway system and it's generally easy to get around. It has fantastic restaurants with all types of food. 

Liz Rippon

Taught English in Poland

Liz Rippon

I chose ITA because they were so helpful in my research process. They never made me feel like they were pushing it on me to sell something and actually encouraged me to research other options. My TEFL instructor was very helpful during the course and the life long job search guidance has been a great resource! I would absolutely recommend teaching in Poland! It is a great place and the people are amazing. It is also really affordable, which is an advantage compared to some of the other Western European countries. Lastly, the location is GREAT because it is so close to other countries, so travel is easy!

Rebecca Sparagowski

Taught English in Poland

Rebecca Sparagowski

I thought ITA's Online TEFL Course well organized. Even though it was online, I still had access to an instructor should I have any questions. Because it was online, I could continue to work while taking the course. The practicum was my favorite part of the course. I found a fairly good job here in Poland. I work anywhere between 22 and 28 hours per week, with a 22-hour guarantee. Getting a work visa was fairly simple for me - my boss applied for work papers for me from the local government and found a place for me to live.