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.
Response from provider
Hi Corinne,
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed and balanced reflection on your journey. Your honesty, insight, and perspective are incredibly valuable not only to us, but to future teachers who are seriously considering this path 💬🌍
We’re grateful to know that English Wizards helped make the complex move to Poland possible, especially with navigating legal, administrative, and logistical hurdles. Your story highlights both the highs and the real-world challenges, and that’s what makes it so meaningful. Teaching abroad is rewarding, but also demanding, and your reflections on the classroom, school expectations, and financial realities are spot on for anyone thinking long term.
We’re especially glad you found moments of deep connection, laughter, and cultural exchange that made the journey worthwhile. Those are the memories that stay with us for life.
Thank you again for being part of our community and for paying it forward with your experience. We wish you a joyful return to Poland, and hope your next chapter is just as impactful, maybe even more so 🇵🇱💙
Warm regards,
The English Wizards Team
