Activity 2: Learning Polish

Knowledge of Polish helps at work, in public offices, at the doctor’s, at school, when speaking with an employer and in everyday life. For this reason, Polish language courses and conversation meetings are an important part of the “INTEURO Profession” project.

The second activity of the “INTEURO Profession – a programme for the professional and social activation of foreigners” project focuses on learning Polish and developing practical communication skills needed at work, in public offices, at school, at the doctor’s and in everyday life.

Knowledge of Polish helps people adapt to life in Poland more quickly. It makes it easier to speak with an employer, prepare for a job interview, communicate with customers, deal with administrative matters, use public services and build relationships with other people.

For this reason, the project includes Polish language courses, conversation meetings and conversation clubs. Classes will be adapted to the participants’ level and to their professional, educational and social needs.

Why is Polish so important?

Effective communication in Polish helps not only at work, but also in everyday life. Better language skills make it easier to ask about employment conditions, understand instructions at work, write a message to an employer, speak with a customer or deal with a matter at a public office.

For many foreign women and men, the language barrier is one of the main obstacles to entering the labour market. Even people with professional experience, education or specific skills may find it difficult to demonstrate their competencies if they do not feel confident communicating in Polish.

For this reason, language learning within the project combines everyday communication with the language needed at work. It is not only about grammar and vocabulary, but above all about using the language in practical, real-life situations.

What support is available?

Polish language courses

Polish language courses are intended for people who want to organise and consolidate their knowledge, improve their communication skills and develop the language needed at work and in everyday life. Classes will be adapted to the participants’ level, from beginner to more advanced.

During the course, participants will develop their Polish listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Everyday communication will be an important part of the classes, together with language useful at work and when dealing with institutions.

The course may include conversations in typical everyday situations, writing simple messages, understanding information, completing forms, preparing for a conversation with an employer and practising expressions used at work.

Conversation meetings and clubs

Conversation meetings are a practical complement to language courses. Their aim is to help participants overcome the barrier to speaking and practise Polish in situations similar to those they may encounter at work, in a public office, shop, school, clinic or during everyday contact with other people.

During the meetings, participants will practise conversations, asking questions, responding to typical messages and describing their situation, professional experience, plans and needs. The classes will help them build confidence in using Polish in practice.

The meetings may cover topics such as job interviews, contact with an employer, conversations with customers, dealing with administrative matters, making appointments, asking for directions, describing a problem, writing short messages and responding in everyday situations.

Polish at work

The language needed at work plays an important role in the project. This includes vocabulary and expressions that may be used during a job interview, on the first day at work, when speaking with a supervisor, colleagues, customers or labour market institutions.

Participants will be able to practise presenting their experience, describing their skills, asking about employment conditions, arranging work schedules, reporting absences, understanding instructions, responding to requests and explaining simple problems.

Confirmation of Polish language proficiency

As part of the project, participants may receive information about opportunities to formally confirm their knowledge of Polish. This includes certification examinations in Polish as a foreign language and assistance in choosing the level appropriate to an individual’s situation.

A language certificate may be useful for employment, education, formal procedures or the further planning of a person’s residence and development in Poland. The project does not replace the state examination, but it can help participants better understand the process and how to prepare for it.

What can you gain?

Who is this activity intended for?

The activity is intended for foreign women and men who want to improve their knowledge of Polish and, as a result, function more effectively at work, in education, in public offices and in everyday life. Support is available both to people who are only beginning to learn Polish and to those who already know the basics and want to speak more fluently.

This is particularly important for people preparing to enter the labour market, change jobs, begin or continue their education, communicate with institutions or simply feel more confident in Poland.

The support is provided by

Integration Europe – East Association

as part of the public task entitled

“INTEURO Profession – a programme for the professional and social activation of foreigners”.