Justyna Kotlarczyk

I am a professional Russian linguist, but also have a wide variety of other interests. I love learning about new cultures, world views, and various ways of living. I believe in continuous learning and growing as a person. I gather memories, acquire experiences, and collect books - which all are at the same time my greatest strength and weakness. I follow my intuition and passion. I like Mondays.

Valentyna Kulinich

I came to Varia a few years ago as a Polish language student. I was preparing for the certification exam and learning Polish very intensively. I remember how much fun it was to meet my teacher and other Varia employees at school. It was a fantastic time that I often reminisce about.
When the opportunity to join the Varia team presented itself, I knew immediately, it was the right job for me. It all worked out! Now, I advise students which course to choose, motivate them to learn Polish, and have great conversations with them. I make sure that everyone, who comes to Varia, feels special here, just like I used to.

Magdalena DeVault

Since my family moved to Poland in 2018, we have started becoming a part of Varia. We have grown into it. We have gotten to know the people and the place.

My husband Ken and four children: Ela, Julia, Adam, and Daniel have started taking Polish language classes. I have begun getting to know the school, the students, and the teachers. Very informally, sometimes while having a cup of coffee, other times in a passing conversation. I liked this friendly, warm place. A few times I stayed late, and now I am working (although this is not the most suitable description, because mostly I enjoy being and give endlessly) at Varia. I implement the Varia mission - I create a place where everyone feels at home. Every day, I make our school the most friendly and comfortable place to learn and to teach. I take care of everyone and everything.

I relax while practicing yoga, discover myself by taking pictures of my surroundings, loose myself in good books. I constantly learn. I never say “no” to travelling or to a great cup of coffee. I indulge myself in shapes, colors, scents. I am learning to feel.

Justyna Browińska

I know Varia from two perspectives - a Polish language teacher and a project manager. With much excitement, I introduce various innovative ventures and enhance already existing projects. Thanks to my experience as a teacher, I know the needs of our students, and I also know how to develop their potential. I am constantly looking for solutions that make studying at Varia pleasant, painless and, above all, more than just learning. I want to make it an unforgettable experience, an opportunity to find friends for life, and also give you a chance to become a part of an amazing community. My involvement in the development of the school is my priority which makes working as a project manager extremely satisfying.

Justyna Browińska

I am always on my bicycle and fascinated by language and people. Every aspect of language captivates me. I love observing how language influences our perception of the world, how it shapes us, how it evolves with time, and how it co-creates our culture. For me, learning a language is like discovering a whole new world. It allows me to meet new people, develop my own personality, and … have fun. A bicycle trip to discover the local colour or a bonfire accompanied by long conversations with students about ourselves and our culture - that is what I love about my job.

Ania Stelmach

It is said that you can teach the workbook, the language, or the student. The last one is the most important to me, yet, the most difficult. It compels you to be attentive, constantly seek, and look for inspirations. I strive to conduct my classes in a pleasant and creative atmosphere, make them engaging, and avoid boredom. I hope my lessons are eagerly awaited by my students. After many years of teaching, I continuously enjoy my job. While during my work I give much of myself, I receive just as much.

Anna Winczura

I have been teaching Polish as a foreign language since 2005. My experience comes from teaching at universities in Poland, Czech Republic, France, and Germany. Currently, I teach online. I am passionate about foreign languages. Since I am continuously learning new languages, I can easily put myself in my students’ shoes and understand their needs. I am trying to design interesting and dynamic lessons filled with a variety of information about the Polish geography, culture, and society. In my lessons, I also use my personal interests and hobbies, including love for cooking, cinema, music, and board games.

Joanna Michalczyk

Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “the limits of language . . . mean the limits of my world.” As a Polish language teacher, I have been helping people from all over the world expand these limits. I enjoy teaching grammar because that is where the logic of a language lies. I sometimes work as a translator. I like photography, cats, knitted toys, and reading late into the night. I hope one day to learn Finnish, Japanese, and Icelandic.

Magda Król

I work at Varia because I like people and here you can meet the entire world. I like enthusiasts because if it were not for them, who else would learn Polish? :) I like irrational variety, even absurdity - there is always something interesting, but unexpected similarities may hit close to home. My motto is: “Having fun with Polish” - this can be accomplished while teaching grammar as well as having conversations. Welcome to my lessons!

Monika Barańska

I strive to teach in such a way to create the feelings of fulfilment and success in my students. I derive great pleasure from inspiring conversations and encounters with people. I also enjoy spending time with nature and admiring all its wonders, reading and winter sports (especially skiing.)

Nicola Agier

I became a teacher because working with people motivates me. I like learning about new cultures, especially about their scents and flavours. My students surprise me with their language discoveries and their fresh look at any cultural differences. I love Krakow, its romantic, narrow streets, and crowded cafes. I also like walking in the rain. I am interested in modern literature - you can often see me sitting on my balcony with an interesting book and a cup of coffee. My favourite writers are Italo Calvino and Matei Visniec, while ma favourite word is “flanowanie”, which means a spontaneous wandering around town and sightseeing without a map or a guide but focused on getting to know the residents.

Klaudia Mucha - Iwaniczko

I love travelling and teaching Polish as a foreign language. From my students I learn a lot about the cultures, flavours, and colours of the world. What I like most about my job is getting to know the other person by teaching him the language. I teach children and adults. I also conduct studies on the inherited language in the Polish youth living in The British Islands. In my free time, I like reading contemporary literature, watching TV series and movies, and developing my culinary skills.

Beata Zaręba

My adventure with the Polish language has started a long time ago, and it still continues. It is a never-ending journey through various parts of the world, cultures, traditions, and customs. I enjoy getting to know new people, their countries, personalities, and life stories. I am glad when I can offer my students the tools necessary to discover the whole new world – the world of the Polish language.
During my lessons I create nice and friendly atmosphere. There is plenty of laughter and fun. I want my students to feel comfortable and not be afraid to speak Polish.
I am inviting all explorers - desiring new adventures – to embark on the train called the Polish language and to start a new inspiring journey. Who knows? Maybe a life-long journey?

Ewelina Sasin

I love infecting people with my love for the Polish language. My students inspire and motivate me. I am a Polish language teacher, a musician, and a cultural expert - I use all this knowledge during my lessons.
The biggest advantage of my job is meeting people from all over the world, which in turn creates my desire to travel. I have been fascinated with the Middle East region, especially its customs, religion, music, and languages. I am an avid walker – I like to travel the world on foot while listening to music or audiobooks. I am addicted to books, chocolate, coffee, and Turkish tea.

Gabriela Kwaśniewska

I love languages and because of them I can achieve my dreams and life goals. I can travel (mostly hitchhike;) and meet new people, learn their stories and different life perspectives. I also become familiar with the cultural heritage of their countries. I am a Polish and French philologist. I love speaking French (mostly about food), but the only language I love reading in is Polish. My passion for languages has two faces and I don't know which one of them I prefer - to learn languages or to teach them :) In both cases it's a great adventure!

Patrycja Pałka PhD

I am a linguist. Teaching the Polish language has been my hobby for many years, and I like to share this passion with my students. I teach not only the foreigners at the Varia school but also the Polish language students at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. I am interested in many aspects of the Polish language – persuasion and manipulation techniques, the regional Polish language, and of course the Polish grammar. In my free time, I like to travel, meet up with friends, go to the movies, and practice yoga.

Anita Ławrynowicz

After many years of working as a teacher and therapist, I am very proud that I can use the best of my experience in teaching Polish as a foreign language.
I know that the only effective way to support children in their learning is a combination of many educational and therapeutic approaches.
I rely on the direct method. It is a way of learning a language based primarily on speaking and listening only in the foreign language. Instructions are given by the teacher in a foreign language, and the child learns the foreign language similarly to a child learning his or her first language. The listener first hears the words, then utters them imitating the pronunciation of the teacher, and only then learns the spelling: he reads and writes. I am certain that it is possible to teach a language starting from conversation, and not from complicated grammar content.
It is very important for me to get to know well the language level of the course participants. The lesson materials must be well suited to the abilities of the students.

Iga Figiel

I am interested in people, I am fascinated by how individuals are different from each other, and how many ways there are to reach people. I discover other people's worlds through conversations, books, art, and travel. In my free time, I am learning to recognize wild edible plants and I also practice Slavic gymnastics. My way of relaxing is walking, coffee and books.

Małgorzata Drąg

Learning foreign languages is a quite the pleasure for me, so I share it with others. During classes, I try to smuggle knowledge about Polish culture, history, customs, people - then the language comes to life, it ceases to be just a set of rules and words. And let's be honest, learning Polish always comes with a lot of laughter and fun, in no other language there are so many surprises and revelations:)
I spend my free time in the water; I swim, row, dive. Sometimes I like backpacking. I cordially greet all potential and future students!

Paulina Zięba

I am a Ukrainian philologist by education and passion, with my heart torn between Krakow and Kiev – while being in one city, I always miss the other one.
I started teaching Polish in cooperation with Polish organizations in Ukraine, helping to prepare candidates for the interviews to obtain the Pole's Card. Over time, I began to specialize in teaching people from the East Slavic language area: knowing Ukrainian and Russian, I understand well what problems my students may have. The best part about the work of a teacher, apart from the satisfaction from passing on the knowledge, is that I constantly have new opportunities to meet interesting people and dialogue with them, exchange thoughts, ideas, and energy.

Beata Romaniuk

When I am not at work, where I explain the secrets of the Polish language and promote my native culture, I fulfill myself as a Russian language translator. I am interested in contrastive grammar, teaching methodology, and cultural determinants of communication. Outside of work, you can meet me at a museum, on a bike path, and in a bookstore.

Agnieszka Markova

I graduated in Bulgarian philology, and now I teach Polish. In my free time, I like to travel, especially to Istanbul and the Balkans. I am passionate about cinema, fashion, Polish folklore as well as the forgotten stories and legends. My favourite place in Krakow is Planty - any time of day, any time of year.

Agata Lesiak

Later, I became a Polish language teacher and a lover of linguistic simplicity and correctness. When someone uses properly szedłem, włączać, or wziąć, my heart melts. I love linguistic flavors and the secrets of etymology. I like teaching younger and older students, especially those who are motivated to learn. I feel great when biking, spending time among flowers, or I am singing in harmony with others.

Aleksandra Brzuzy

I love animals, books, and the Low Beskid mountains. I like various types of traveling. You can meet me both on a bike in Romania or hitchhiking somewhere between Tbilisi and Istanbul. On the lawn by the Vistula River and on the sand in Brighton Beach - I find something for myself just about anywhere :) I am a Polish and Russian teacher, a translator of Ukrainian literature, but privately a happy mother of Agra, the dog, and Maszka, the cat.

Aleksandra Kozłowska

I specialize in online education, and I always try to make my lessons interesting, practical and, above all, tailored to the individual needs of students.

Agnieszka Jeżyk

I worked at several universities, in publishing houses, for online portals, and in an American corporation, as well as ... in a Polish community theater. I have lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto. I love Polish rainy summers, good poetry, music festivals, camping horrors, movies and spontaneous trips. I have been teaching Polish as a foreign language for over 10 years because I like people and I learn a lot from them when I teach.

Ewelina Bednarz

Unofficially - I like talking and finding a common language with everyone, especially adults, because I specialize in teaching adults. I focus on developing communication skills by introducing the necessary grammar and adapting the curriculum to the specific needs of each student.
I love traveling and thanks to my work and students from all over the world, I travel with them to far away places! I live in Warsaw, so I teach online.