English Wizards

Moving abroad is always expected to be a complicated and challenging process. For me, that was not the case. I am very grateful to English Wizards for holding my hand throughout the entire process of moving to Poland. From the visa process to my arrival in Poland, the support has been tremendous. I don't feel like a foreigner at all in Poland. I feel right at home and have adapted to my new life a lot sooner than I expected. The only challenge is the language barrier, as not many Polish citizens can speak English and Polish is a very difficult language to learn. However, I am not letting that discourage me as I am learning the language with little progress so far. I honestly would be lost without the help and support of English Wizards. Whenever I need help or assistance with anything, they are quick to respond within 1 day. To think I almost gave up on their support because of frustrations with the visa delays at the Polish Embassy. Thankfully, I did not listen to that discouraging voice in my head because I feel at home in Poland, so much so that I have decided to stay longer than I initially intended. I highly recommend English Wizards for every English teacher planning to live and work in Poland. They are highly experienced and knowledgeable in this particular field. They are truly God-sent. Poland was never my first choice, so I feel that Poland picked me through English Wizards. God bless them for their hard work and dedication. Keep it up guys!

My time with English Wizards was a fantastic experience! The support provided was exceptional, transportation was convenient, and the students were an absolute joy to teach. The program set a strong foundation for success, though the initial workload and the need for more flexibility in scheduling were small challenges. Overall, it was a rewarding journey, filled with growth, meaningful connections, and plenty of opportunities to explore and enjoy Poland

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My experience with English Wizards was truly enjoyable! The love for Americans, fresh and amazing food, and the convenience of not needing a car made life in Poland delightful. Teaching was rewarding, and the support provided by the program was excellent. However, mixed friendliness in initial encounters, lower English proficiency outside city centers, and the long, dark winters were minor challenges. Overall, it was an incredible journey filled with growth, culture, and unforgettable memories!

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I have never had a more seamless experience with anything. From the moment I joined English Wizards, I had support every step of the way - all my questions were answered promptly, I was given step-by-step instructions for applying for my visa, getting health insurance, and taking care of legalities. I had an interview with a language school the first week and I was hired shortly after. Monika found a perfect apartment for me in just a few days. So before I had my visa, I already had a job agreement and an apartment lease. Two days after landing, Monika and Rob came up to Warsaw to meet me and get me set up with a phone number, a bank account, and the sole trader registration. I started work the following day and it was a phenomenal experience. Deciding to join English Wizards was the best thing I could have done - I felt always supported and it took away so much stress. I’m so appreciative of how much they did!!

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My time with English Wizards has been full of daily surprises and valuable experiences. The rich history and culture of Poland, along with the friendly people and supportive coworkers, made the journey enjoyable and rewarding. While there were challenges, such as differences in expectations and occasional lack of organization, the program provided a solid foundation for personal and professional growth. Overall, it was a unique and enlightening chapter in my teaching journey

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My journey with English Wizards has been a fulfilling climb towards personal and professional growth. The friendly people and super safe environment made it easy to settle in and focus on teaching. Adapting to a new cultural environment was both exciting and challenging, especially with the language barrier of not being fluent in Polish. Despite these hurdles, the program provided great support and opportunities, making it a rewarding experience that truly enriched my perspective.

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My experience with English Wizards was a rollercoaster of growth and discovery. I got to explore so much of Poland, taste incredible new foods, and educate people in communication—a truly rewarding journey. The program offered strong support and plenty of teaching opportunities. However, dealing with defensive attitudes from some locals and enduring the cold weather were challenges I had to adapt to. Despite the hurdles, it was an enriching adventure that expanded my horizons and left lasting memories

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My journey with English Wizards was the perfect way to begin my teaching adventure in Poland. I was welcomed with open arms and found plenty of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. The environment felt super safe, and the supportive staff made settling in much easier. Living in a small town came with its challenges, especially for dating life, but the overall experience was fulfilling. English Wizards truly provided the foundation for what feels like the start of something great!

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My experience with English Wizards was a fantastic start to my teaching journey in Poland. The schools were well-equipped, and the structured support made adjusting smooth and stress-free. I felt welcomed by the friendly community and enjoyed exploring the vibrant local culture. Although there were occasional challenges, like adapting to new teaching styles, the program provided great resources and opportunities. It was a bright beginning to what I hope will be a long and rewarding adventure!

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EW has been a great help in assisting with some difficult processes here, helping make things a lot more possible than they would be otherwise. The staff have been really helpful and quick to respond!

My journey with English Wizards in Krakow was both exciting and eye-opening. The city’s international friendliness, accessibility to daily needs, and abundance of convenience stores made life incredibly convenient. Teaching through the program was well-organized and engaging, and the support from staff was consistent. However, navigating the TRC over a Type-D visa was challenging, and being an extrovert sometimes felt limiting in certain social settings. Overall, a fulfilling and unique experience!

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My time with English Wizards in Poland was an exciting dive into a whole new culture. The low cost of living, warm and friendly locals, and a strong sense of safety made the experience fulfilling. Teaching offered its own rewards, though challenges like the language barrier and the unpredictable weather kept me on my toes. The supportive school environment and engaging community made it worthwhile, despite a few hurdles. It was a memorable and transformative journey overall.

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My experience with English Wizards in Poland was a journey of contrasts. The beautiful weather and low cost of living made daily life comfortable, and I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and friendly the younger generation was, often bridging the cultural gap with ease. However, the challenges of navigating Poland’s bureaucracy and dealing with the language barrier required patience and persistence. Despite the hurdles, I gained valuable skills and memorable experiences that I’ll carry forward

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Teaching in Poland through English Wizards was a truly transformative experience! Drawing on my project coordination and caregiving background, I appreciated how well-organized the schools were, with great resources that supported my teaching style. Finding housing had its challenges, but the sense of independence it brought was rewarding. The community was vibrant and welcoming, making cultural immersion a delight. While support services could have been more consistent, the overall experience allowed me to combine my passion for helping others with teaching—a perfect blend of personal and professional growth

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My experience with English Wizards in Poland was an adventure full of surprises! The school facilities and resources were great, making teaching enjoyable. Finding housing took some effort, but the affordable options were worth it. Compensation was fair, and the support team was incredibly helpful, always ready with advice. Day-to-day life was lively and engaging, though the community took some time to get into. Overall, a memorable journey with a mix of challenges and plenty of laughs!

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My experience with English Wizards in Poland was fantastic! The school setup and resources were top-notch, making teaching smooth and effective. Living options were great, affordable, and included everything I needed. The compensation package was generous, though support services could improve a bit. The daily routine was fulfilling, with healthcare and safety easily accessible. Plus, the community was welcoming, with lots of chances to engage socially. It’s been a wonderful adventure overall, with so much personal and professional growth!

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Teaching in Poland through English Wizards has been a rewarding experience! The host school was well-equipped, and I felt supported with resources and guidance in the classroom. Living arrangements were comfortable and reasonably priced, though finding ideal housing took a bit of research. The support services were a real highlight; the staff was timely and insightful, which made my day-to-day routine smoother. I enjoyed connecting with the local community, making new friends, and engaging in events. Overall, I feel grateful for the opportunities and growth this program has provided!

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I was ready for a change. I had a good career that was winding down, sold a home I had been anchored to for decades, and wanted to see more of the world. After I received my TOFL certification, English Wizards made it easy for me to get a work permit and a one-year visa to Poland. I also received helpful assistance from EW staff in arranging a temporary apartment in Krakow. When I arrived, they helped me get a pezel (Soc. Sec. #) and set up an account with a good Polish Bank. Although I had the apartment for two weeks, I had 3 job offers in the first 3 days from schools I had applied to before leaving the USA. On day 5, I started work at a private school in beautiful Bielsko-Biała. The first night I was invited to an English Speakers' meet-up at an outdoor cafe and met 37 friends, a couple of whom became very good friends. I enjoy the sense of community, pedestrian-friendly city, great public transportation, and easy access to the nearby forests and mountains. Poland has a great quality of life and cost of living aspects--I have no regrets!

I didn't have any major problems with English Wizards ("EW"). They did everything they promised to do and, not speaking Polish, I doubt I could have navigated the system on my own. EW's service - assistance finding a job. interview assistance, help with residency permit, accountant, finding housing (tho my employer helped me with this), medical insurance - not cheap, but couldn't have done it by myself. Help with setting up as a Sole Proprietor = US Independent Contractor, You pay your own taxes, medical, and pension out of your hourly earnings. I worked near Wrocław, Poland for 18 months and loved it 90% of the time. I'll always treasure the experience and am going back now, actually, to visit. I taught ages 9 to adults in group and 1-on-1 classes. I miss some students immensely: their boundless optimism, friendship, determination, affection, and energy made it all worthwhile. But I also had students and classes that I dreaded: some unruly, highly distracted, and rude kids. I'm sharing my own experience in my school and what other teachers told me about other schools. The job - Don't think that just because you're a native speaker, you can just sit around and chitchat randomly and call that working. The work is intense, protracted, and under conditions that can be far from ideal. Class size (either too big or too small), uncooperative students (they either won't speak or won't listen), and disparities in ability (struggling students get further behind and act up; advanced students act up if you simplify the lessons). You might dislike the lesson plans or even hate them, but you're often told you cannot modify them or use your own material. We all had the same problems. You might complain to Administration, who often turned it back on you: you're not being energetic enough, not engaging enough, you're boring, students don't respect you, you're too strict, you're too easy-going, etc. I thought 12-14 students was too many in my classes but one teacher had ~40 in her school. FINANCES: I had pension income from the US. I emphasize: Without that outside income, I could not have done it unless I worked a whole lot more. I worked 16-20 hours/wk (not counting prep!) which usually (not always) paid my rent and Polish taxes; occasionally some of my food costs. My roommate worked 30 hours/wk, sometimes 12 classes a day, plus her own online students, and she still had to ask parents for money. You will want to go home for Christmas or for the summer and I know of no schools that pay any airfare. Vacations - Poland has many holidays and group classes would have 1-2 wk breaks every month or two. The adult individual classes, though, would still be on and my vacation time would not be approved unless I could get another teacher to substitute. I'd do it all over again, but it's expensive. Again, I emphasize, I could not have afforded it without outside US-dollar income. So many of my students had very funny, witty senses of humor. During my stay in Poland, I laughed like I hadn't laughed so hard in years! Every day! Pros: * Beautiful country and I loved the proximity to Europe and Middle East. I traveled to 12 countries and many cities. * The fascinating conversations were the best part! * When I'd have a good day with my favorite students, life was wonderful and I wouldn't trade my job for anything. * Unique cultural experiences, met interesting and unforgettable people who warmly accepted and often admired me. Cons: * The cost of living is much lower in Poland (about 30% of my US cost), but so was the pay (about 25% of my US pay). * No paid holidays (there are many) nor sick time. Rent+taxes= ~$850. Working 4 wks/mo. at ~20 hrs, NEARLY paid my rent + taxes. But when we had 2 wks vacation and could work only 2 full wks/month = ~$400/month and I needed to withdraw money from my US bank. * Cancellations - Individual adults especially are busy and often cancel. If they cancel "on time" in my school we didn't get paid for the class. I heard this was typical. So you can't always plan on individual-class income. The apartment situation was tight (2022-2023), in part due to the situation in Ukraine. One fellow teacher shared an apartment with 5 other women and spent a LOT less on rent than I did. But she had no control over who her roommates would be, they all shared one kitchen, one bathroom. She had a tiny bedroom. She made ends meet but hated it. Some Polish landlords will not rent to non-Polish speaking tenants. You're not going to take them to court, like you would in the US. My school had to find me an apartment; I don't think this is customary, though.

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Moving to a different country and learning a completely new culture has been emotionally taxing and very difficult, however Rob and his team ensured that from the day I arrived here my transition has been very smooth and really enjoyable! All the small but major things I never thought of (like a new sim card, ?) were catered for. It has been a less than a week since i arrived, but i feel so comfortable and confident that im about to live my greatest life yet ? ? i am eternally grateful and my investment has been well worth every penny.