Location

Poland has been described as a microcosm of Europe – a land of dramatic contrasts: historic cities, sleepy villages, Old World traditions, as well as New World comforts and conveniences. You can gaze at majestic, snow-covered mountains one day and bask on sunny Baltic beaches the next. You can sleep in a classic historic palace or castle and dance the night away in a swinging nightclub. Poland has it all.

Situated in central Europe, the Republic of Poland borders on Germany in the west, the Czech and Slovak Republics in the south, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine in the east, while its northern border is delimited by the Baltic Sea coast and Russia (Kaliningrad district). Warsaw is Poland's capital and the largest city, located upon the longest Polish River, the Vistula. Major Polish cities include Cracow (Kraków), Gdansk, Lódz, Katowice, Poznan, Szczecin and Wroclaw.

Our Polish TEFL center is in Wejherowo is in the north of the country, in the Pomorskie province, or Pomeranian as it’s known in English. The town, home to 47,000 people, is in a quiet valley nestled between the Reda and Łeba rivers, surrounded by picturesque forested hills. The area is a paradise for all who love nature. From here, it’s a twenty-minute train ride to the coastal towns and cities of Gdynia, Gdańsk, or Sopot – all located along the Baltic Sea, featuring beautiful sandy beaches that invite all visitors to sunbathe and relax.

Not too far away, the Old Town of Gdańsk is rich in history and beautiful architecture. Gdańsk, as the senior city of the tri-city team, boasts all the amenities of a modern European metropolis. Gdynia is equally well equipped, with cinemas, restaurants, libraries, etc. Sopot is the posh party town of Poland, where the rich and famous come to let down their hair; a fantastic, lively, vibrant, busy city with many places to entertain.

In winter, snow falls on Wejherowo. The area becomes a winter wonderland with everything winter sports fans are looking for, including skiing and skating. You can build a snowman and reminisce on your childhood. How about a horse-drawn sled tour through the winter forest with beautiful, snow-covered trees bending under the mass of snow? Enjoy a cup of tea or hot chocolate after the ride while warming your hands in front of a fire place at a nearby restaurant.

Getting around town is easy. The transportation system in Wejherowo is excellent and gets you to your destinations quickly, no matter where you live. Taxis are relatively cheap and available 24/7.

Poland Climate

Poland’s climate is seasonal, exhibiting varying aspects of a maritime and a continental climate. Winters are sometimes mild and sometimes cold. Similarly the summers are cool and rainy or hot and dry. Generally, summer is usually warm and the most pleasant time to visit, but the plentiful sunshine is mixed together with rain. Spring starts in March with temperatures varying from -1 to +20 °C, until about April or May. July is the hottest month, but the rest of the summer is also quite warm with temperatures from 21 to 32 °C. The month of September is initially warm, soon after, the days become colder until December, when winter begins, and the temperature drops to below zero. Winter lasts from December to March and includes shorter or longer period of snow. In the mountainous regions, snow often lies until May.

About The School

The TEFL International teacher training center in Wejherowo is operated in conjunction with a leading TEFL school in the region. The school is located in the center of the city, close to the main town square and in close proximity to local pubs, the bus station and the suburban train station. The building contains a number of classrooms, a main office and a small lounge. The TEFL training center teaches mainly local non-English-speaking students who are used for trainees’ teaching practice. The students are extremely enthusiastic, and enjoy coming to classes regularly; ideal students for a TEFL teacher-training course. There is a staff member available at all times during the TEFL teacher training course.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Wejherowo is in private apartments, which is the most cost-effective way to live in Wejherowo for the four weeks while attending your TEFL course. You will probably pay around $250 to $350 per month for a fully-furnished apartment of approximately 33-45 square meters.

Your apartment will probably consist of a living room with a fully equipped kitchenette, one bedroom, and a private bathroom. All apartments can be provided with cable TV and internet access for an additional charge of approximately 100 PLN per month. All apartments are located in safe areas, in proximity to the school. The TEFL International center will be happy to provide support in obtaining them.

Course Dates

• 5 January - 30 January 2009
• 2 February - 27 February 2009
• 2 March - 27 March 2009
• 3 April - 1 May 2009
• 4 May - 29 May 2009
• 1 June - 26 June 2009
• 29 June - 24 July 2009
• 31 July - 28 August 2009
• 4 September - 2 October 2009
• 9 October - 6 November 2009
• 9 November - 4 December 2009

Course Fees

• US$ 1990 (£) (excluding accommodation)
• Accommodation: US$ 250 (£) to US$ 350 (£)

Wejherowo, Poland - Map: Click here for the map