Hello my name is Ken Dagenais.

I am a 27-year-old Canadian from Renfrew Ontario, which is near Ottawa. After graduating from business college and then International TESOL in 1998, I traveled to Poland to teach English and haven't looked back since. I have experienced the wonderful historical side of Poland as well as its modern day potential. From the beautiful Tatra Mountains where you can slip back decades in time to modern day Warsaw, everyday has been interesting and exciting. The people of Poland have been extremely hospitable and Poland has offered me the possibility to learn another language. I went from being your Basic English teacher to school director, with the possibility to expand into other countries. Poland also introduced me to my wife, Malgorzata, who will also help me to show you the great rewards of living in her Motherland.

Hi, my name is Malgorzata Hoffmann and I'm a native of Poland.

I graduated from Teachers College here in Poland. I am a former German teacher. Presently I'm a student of International Relations finishing my Masters program. I have years of experience with organizing different international events throughout Europe. I spend every summer in Canada and I love the people and the culture. At the moment I operate a company specializing in teaching corporate English here in Lodz. I also assist International TESOL graduates get jobs in Poland.

TESOL graduates! If you are looking for employment, I'll help you to find your way!

COME JOIN US IN LODZ! An extraordinarily hospitable city!

Why Lodz?

Lodz is the second largest city in Poland (with almost 800.000 population), the capital of a large province situated in the center of the country!

History of Lodz is unique in comparison with the history of larger European cities. The first references about the village called Lodzia date back to 1332! The turning point for the Lodz region was the abolishing of tax on trade with Russia in 1850, which triggered off visible exports to the eastern markets. Lodz as an industrial city was gradually becoming one of the biggest centers for the textile industry throughout the whole continent. Lodz was for many years the object of literary and journalistic favor. Reymont created the most interesting and flattering image of Lodz in his novel " The Land of Promise". Written in the late 1800s while the atmosphere and multinational character of the city was at its peak. At this time Lodz citizens provided a diverse perspective on multiculturalism, whether they were German, Jewish, Polish or Russian. Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches and synagogues were built beside each other and the citizens lived in harmony. Word War I brought the dynamic development of the city's industry to an end. A loss of eastern selling markets, forfeiture of capital deposited in Russian banks and devastation of factories undermined the economy. World War II changed the city entirely. German occupation, enormous wave of Nazi terror marked with mass graves, arrests and camps, the holocaust of Jews and the exodus of Germans ruined the multinational nature of Lodz. After the war, as the destruction of Warsaw was great, the capital was informally and temporarily transferred to Lodz. This resulted in establishing central institutions, intelligentsia groups pouring in and further development of Lodz metropolitan functions.

In recent years the city's visage has changed a lot. After the end of cold war, the reconstruction of economy resulted in a collapse of many old textile factories; new trading partners which provided the foundation for the launching of modern day Lodz. The facades of tenement houses are more and more beautiful, and old factories had given way to new entertainment centers. In Piotrkowska Street, one may admire the renovated houses and have a rest in a pub or in a summer garden, and then a rickshaw ride in the beautiful central park. While riding or walking a visitor may have a look at old but renovated facades, which will surprise you with their unique beauty and take our thought back to the distant epoch of the "Land of Promise"!

Why come to Lodz as a teacher?

Lodz is also a significant and fast developing academic center. There are over 80.000 students in 19 local universities! It has the most famous film school in Europe, with such graduates as Roman Polanski and Andrzej Wajda. Demand for English in this developing city is endless. You're more than welcome in every single school in Lodz (private or public)! The students are very happy to get an opportunity to be taught English from native speakers (there are only a few native speakers of English, teaching in Lodz- only a handful of Canadians!). In those public schools and orphanages you'll be the first one to touch their lives, to motivate and change them! To be the inspiration for them to learn a vital tool to ensure their future. You will enjoy your challenge teaching English in Poland! This will be an unforgettable experience, an experience of a lifetime.

Whom will I teach?

You will be teaching 3 hours a day to children in public schools and orphanages, students ranging in age from 6 to 18. Depending on your preferences you are also welcome to teach university students preparing for a variety of English exams on different levels. Also English Philology students and students of North American Studies or International Relations students would love to find out more about Canada from you!

How long can I stay?

To come to Poland you have to obtain a tourist visa from the Polish Embassy in Ottawa. You will get a 3-month tourist visa, for the price of $75 CAN. If you would like to stay longer we'll assist you with any help you may need including finding a job and applying for temporary residency.

What is provided in the program?

You will become accredited in International TESOL you will receive full assistance from us from the moment of arrival at Lodz airport. Airport pickup and delivery on departure is included. You will be living in a Polish four-star hotel in downtown Lodz. 2 meals a day are included (mainly Polish cuisine). You will have the opportunity to visit many of the fantastic restaurants in Lodz at very reasonable prices. You will teach the Children of Poland for 20 credit hours per week for two weeks. You will receive upon arrival a full information package (colorful albums about Lodz) You will be introduced to Lodz and area by professional tourist guides You will be introduced to and have a meeting with local government officials, and the local media. You will be invited to participate in lectures in English at Lodz Teachers College, or attend lectures about European integration and Polish modern history involving Polish culture talks with English students You will receive Polish cooking lessons, participate in sports: (soccer group activities) and receive Polish language lessons.

During the third week you will journey across Poland in the accompaniment of professional tour guides visiting Krakow, Warsaw and the surrounding countryside.

Accommodation will be provided for 6 nights and 7 days, all meals will be included meals, professional tourist guides.

All national transportation will be provided.

During this tour you will be invited to the Canadian embassy in Warsaw, and meet with the Canadian circle in Warsaw to discuss Canadian and Polish relations You will visit and fall in love with Krakow one of the Europe's oldest cities And you will enjoy magical days surrounded by traditional mountain culture. Every single day in Poland will be a new adventure!!!

What Will It Cost?

Your accreditation in International TESOL, 2 weeks practice teaching in Lodz and a tremendous adventure across Poland will cost you $3,250. Cdn. This includes accommodations for 20 nights, 3 meals a day for 21 days, all travel and all cultural adventures.

You will ONLY need to buy your airline ticket.

When Will It Happen?

This Experience of a Lifetime - teaching the children of Poland is offered from  September  September 12 to October 3,2004. You will need to arrive at the airport on September 11 between 12 noon and 6pm for transport to your Lodz home for the next 2 weeks.

How Do I Register?

Call us at 1-866-837-6522 NOW. There are only 15 spaces available

WHY POLAND?

In a NUTSHELL

Poland offers:

• numerous teaching opportunities, this is a great demand for Native Speakers,
• a great and interesting history,
• architectural wonder,
• medieval, modern and historical Middle, Eastern European cities as well as scenic mountains, forests, sea, lakes and rivers,
• warm, friendly and hospitable people,
• motivated and opened minded students,
• a rich variety of nightlife (a Nation that likes to have fun),
• location in the heartland of Europe,
• travel opportunities (it's inexpensive to travel to neighboring countries of Poland)
• plenty of business opportunities in general.

For more on Poland click here.

Back to Experiences

©2003 International TESOL