English Wizards

Program Reviews

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Lydia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sir Walkalot

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. Thanks again to English Wizards for making this whole journey as seamless and smooth as possible.

What was your funniest moment?
There were times where I was talking to my students and they would look and talk back to me like they understood but they didn't! This one time we had to use hand symbols and this situation became even more confusing! We got there in the end.
Pros
  • all of the support
  • transportation
  • students were great
Cons
  • flexibility with schedule
  • work load from the begining
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Simon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lovin' It, Great Time!

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! Thanks English Wizards!

What was your funniest moment?
I lost my phone on the train lines and when I went to pick up my phone, everyone around me jumped to save me thinking I would be in trouble. I then managed to be told what time the tracks would be closed to I could get my phone and knowing I couldn't be without it, I found broom stick and tried to get it again, only to make it worse! The end result was that I managed to come back on another day and the platform manager had my phone.
Pros
  • They love Americans
  • Food is fresh & amazing!
  • No need to have a car!
Cons
  • Mixed bag of first encounters with friendliness
  • Further away from city centres, the worst English proficiency
  • Its gets super dark soon in the winter!
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Joel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Everyday Surprises!

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 and I can't wait for the next adventures.

What was your funniest moment?
When I went to go buy passport style photos, I went into this shop and this lovely old lady, who was dressed in old fashion clothes and ordered me in simple English to do things to get the photos. Just how this old lady ordered me around was so cute and funny.
Pros
  • history & culture
  • friendly people
  • Supportive coworkers
Cons
  • differences of expectations
  • lack of organization in general with Polish businesses
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Shereen
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Stuff Happens!

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

What was your funniest moment?
We had a class where we had to make sock puppets and then act out a play. So to hear all the kids in their little voices acting it out was so funny and cute!
Pros
  • Got to see a lot of Poland
  • Experience new foods
  • Got to educate people in communication
Cons
  • Defensive people
  • Cold weather
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Joel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The start of something great!

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!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I went over to a Polish friends place to have dinner with their family. The father was offering me DZIK, which I now know to be wild boar. In South Africa, the pronunciation of this word means something totally different! A truly funny story with cultural differences!
Pros
  • Welcomed with open arms
  • Lots of opportunities
  • Super safe
Cons
  • Dating life in a small town
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Dylan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Krushin it in krakow!

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!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Being a sports fan, I went to the local football match between the local teams and it was incredible! The chants and cheers, the atmosphere I've never experienced! And more, the people that were leading the chants and drums were all kids and teenagers!
Pros
  • internationally friendly
  • accessibility to daily needs
  • convenience stores everywhere
Cons
  • Challenging for an extrovert
  • Getting TRC over Type-D
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VICTOR
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Balancing Act in Poland

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

What was your funniest moment?
When I went to the supermarket and I finished my shopping and I was about to pay and I couldn't understand the lady! She was pointing to something and saying something so I took cash out which she said something in Polish. The guy behind me helped me and I felt so silly!
Pros
  • weather is good
  • cost of living
  • friendliness of the younger generation
Cons
  • bureaucracy
  • The language
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Stephanie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thriving! I can afford to eat! yay!

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!

What was your funniest moment?
I tried to say in Polish that I couldn't speak Polish, but I messed it up! Haha, so that was my proof!
Pros
  • cost of living
  • food is clean & easier to be healthy
  • high level of English with school staff
Cons
  • bureaucracy
  • currency conversion
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Zene
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ups & Down Made Me Grow!

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!

What was your funniest moment?
One of the funniest moments in Poland was when I saw a bunch of things left outside and thought it was one of those “take what you want” setups. I started sorting through items, deciding what to take, when the owner suddenly appeared, looking at me in total confusion. Turns out, they were just moving! The awkwardness was real as I quickly apologized and backed away, trying to explain the mix-up
Pros
  • Having a job before I arrived
  • Made the entire visa process easy
  • As a solo traveller I didn't know anyone so it was like having a second family
Cons
  • It took a while for some Polish people to warm up and accept me
  • Not a big international food variety at supermarkets
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Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New life in Poland

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!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have come sooner. I would have stayed in touch with English Wizards in my second year and applied for my temporary residency sooner. I would also not depend on getting immigration information only from the school I had been working at. Getting temporary residency has been a slow 2-year process, in part from a naturally slow bureaucracy, plus an influx of Ukrainian refugees, and my life changed during the application process (requiring updated docs).
Pros
  • Poland make it pretty easy for an English speaker to get along day-to-day.
  • I feel safer and have more affordable healthcare here. The people have good integrity.
  • The infrastructure, water, accomodations, and access to nature are great.
Cons
  • Language issues come out mostly when dealing with government agencies and hospitals.
  • Polish is a challenging language to tackle.