Teaching English in Poland - Glenn's Story

Posted by Amy Hanson - 16:46 on 29 November 2011

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Teaching English in Poland - Glenn's Story

Glenn swapped office life in London for teaching English in Poland at a friend's recommendation. He is putting his TEFL England qualification to use teaching business English and offers some tips to other would-be English teachers.

Name/age

Glenn / 26

What did you do before teaching English?

I was a Recruitment Consultant working in Central London

Why did you decide to take a TEFL course?

I took the TEFL course as a friend of mine had done the same thing and was (still is) teaching in Ibiza. The course had been recommended to me, and after researching my options, I decided that TEFL was right for me.

Where are you teaching at the moment?

I am teaching business English within various companies in Bielsko Biala, Poland.

How has your TEFL course helped you?

More then anything else, TEFL gave me the confidence to walk through the door at my first lesson. My course had coached me through everything that I needed in order to build a lesson, how to conduct myself and how to inspire confidence within my class.

Interesting classroom experiences?

My most interesting experience to date was being moved by security into a tiny room. I didn’t protest too much as the previous week’s class had consisted of 3 students. However, the week that I was moved, 9 students arrived and basically had to sit on each others’ laps.

What is your new country like to live in?

Poland surprises me every time I walk out of my front door – it is the most consistently beautiful country that I have been to, and the locals are very friendly.

What are your plans for the next year?

The plan for next year is more of the same, teaching, meeting new people and continuing to prove to myself that anything is possible. I just need to get through the winter first!

How would you sum up your experience as a TEFL teacher?

My experiences to date as a TEFL teacher have been at times bizarre, but always wonderful.

Do you have any useful pieces of advice to give to anyone wanting to travel abroad to teach English?

Teaching English in Poland For anyone traveling abroad, I would recommend planning a much as you can do before you arrive. It sounds obvious but planning it imperative to ensuring that you can interview and begin work as early as possible.

Also, have confidence. Learn a lot on whichever TEFL course you decide to take and don’t be afraid to ask questions. In my case, I have found that asking where my students where their language skills need attention allows me to easily formulate an effect lesson plan week in week out!

Inspired?

Are you interested in teaching English in Poland or any other country?

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