Ola asked us to write a couple of words about her – it´s very hard to write briefly about her.
Varia team
We are a close-knit team of interesting people.
Among us, there are the fans of cats and passionate fish keepers, those with a sweet tooth and those obsessed with a healty lifestyle, calm readers and intrepid adventurers, volleyball and ballet fans, talented choir singers and creative gardeners... And even though we are so differnt, we all like each other as well as our work, regardless if we are just working on the curriculum, preparing the workshops, making sandwiches for our parties or simply sharpening crayons.
Aneta Kawa
Katarzyna Hoffmann
Magdalena Bielańska
I have been singing since I was four and it has remained so until today.
I have been singing since I was four and it has remained so until today. By education I am a musician - vocalist specialising in opera singing. Just like classical music, I love film music. Recently I have discovered a passion for house plants and I try to make every corner of my home „green”. I love cooking and experimenting 😊, especially with recipes from the Tasty portal. My recipe for a perfect chillout? Earl Gray tea and a good book in fresh air, with the background music by Howard Shore.
Maria Krawczyk
I am a businesswoman and a diplomat by profession, by passion - a ballroom and ballet dancer.
I am a businesswoman and a diplomat by profession, by passion - a ballroom and ballet dancer. The emotions that accompany me during every performance or tournament cannot be compared to anything else. Apart from dancing, I love books, especially historical, biographical and adventure. And flowers – all of them, without exception. In my free time I like going for long walks, travelling, visiting theatres, museums and art galleries, as well as painting on porcelain. Ideally, when I'm accompanied by my favourite classical or film music.
Ola Gołdyn
Ola asked us to write a couple of words about her – it´s very hard to write briefly about her.
An extraordinary friend, an attentive and patient listener, helpful, joyful and highly authentic – that's how she is. A combination of positivism and romanticism, rather the ones in life than in the literature.She is open-minded and talkative, thanks to what she finds a common language with her students without the smallest problem and she can be a great inspiration for them. Her classes always have an excellent atmosphere, in which the students learn and make friends among themselves. She's a professional. She has been teaching Polish for more than ten years and she constantly finds passion in it. She trains other teachers and also educates herself continuously – not only in the field of methodology. Ola will respond to almost every question related to the Polish Film School and gothic churches, most willingly having at the same time a strong and aromatic coffee.
Magda Król
I work at Varia because I like people and here you can meet people from the whole world.
I work at Varia because I like people and here you can meet people from the whole world. I like enthusiasts, if it was not for them, who else would learn Polish? :) In general, I like otherness, even the absurd – at least it´s not boring, and you can look for similarities. My motto is “Having Fun With Polish”, you can have fun teaching both conversations and Polish grammar. This way, I invite you to my lessons.
Magda Górna
At Varia my "field of expertise" is on-line classes.
I have been working as a Polish teacher for several years, first in the Ukraine, then in Ireland and now in Krakow. At Varia my "field of expertise" is on-line classes. My students live in all corners of the world, and thanks to them I "visit" Manchester, Tokio, or a town in Provence. In the real world :) I meet my students at semester and summer courses. What is my recipe for a successful class? Enthusiasm and energy, combined with a well-balanced portion of grammar, all dipped in a pleasant and informal atmosphere. Apart from that, I'm a reliable companion in traveling, friendly chit-chatting and... eating chocolate.
Magda Mielimonka
What do my students say about me? “A terrorist”. :)
I have a soft spot for Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, I love the smell of freshly mowed grass, people with a good sense of humour, and red wine. What do my students say about me? “A terrorist”. :) But this is what must happen when you teach Polish grammar…And what do I say about my students? A good material for hostages. ;) They are disciplined and obedient. The classes with them are always very interesting, it’s also great fun. All the fearless are invited to my lessons!
Kamila Dąbrowska
My hobbies, apart from languages, are also biking, swimming, hiking, and lately – skiing.
Being a teacher and a guide is a long tradition in my family. In my case, teaching is not only a continuation of this tradition, but most of all – a great passion.
Polish language lessons give me an opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people from different parts of the world. I’ve been working as a Polish language teacher for almost 10 years now. During this time I had the possibility to teach students of various ages and professions. When it comes to the methodology, I’m a fan of a direct method. That’s why I do my best to create the environment of natural language acquisition. Cutting a long story short: it’s all about speaking, speaking and speaking. :) In my private life, I’m a mother of two adorable girls. I love to spend my free time with them, especially in an active way. My hobbies, apart from languages, are also biking, swimming, hiking, and lately – skiing.
Justyna Klyszcz-Bochniak
In my day-to-day life I teach Polish and French, I ride through the city on my bike and I face freakish weather.
In my day-to-day life I teach Polish and French, I ride through the city on my bike and I face freakish weather. I could spend my whole free time lying in the sun and reading contemporary prose (especially Polish and French) and have breaks to visit cinema and theatre (both as a member of the audience and an actress on stage, because I really enjoy acting). I’d also save some time for jogging and riding my bike. From time to time I’d go to a foreign country as well, just to make it less foreign. And to have the strength to do all that, I’d eat delicious Italian pasta and Japanese soups (made by someone else, as I hate cooking). For dessert – tea and apple pie. Polish style please. :)
Agnieszka Zięba
I’ve been promoting the Polish language and culture for a couple of years now.
I’ve been promoting the Polish language and culture for a couple of years now, not only here, in Poland, but also abroad: I’ve spent the last four years as a Polish teacher in Bulgaria. I’m constantly looking for inspiration for my classes, even while on vacation. I travel whenever I get the chance to, usually to Istanbul and the Balkans, but my biggest wish is to visit Asia. My passions include cinema, folklore, forgotten stories and legends (especially the Cracow ones), fashion, museums and flea markets. My all-time favourite place in Cracow is the Planty Park.
Joanna Michalczyk
"Someone once wrote, 'the boundaries of my language are the boundaries of my world'
Someone wrote once: ‘the boundaries of my language are the boundaries of my world’. I am a teacher of a Polish language for a several years now. And as such, I believe to be helping people from all over the world to stretch those boundaries.
I enjoy teaching grammar as its base is logic of a language. Besides, I'm a translator, I like photography, cats, knitted toys and reading until late at night. I dream that one day I will learn Finnish, Japanese and Icelandic.
Ania Stelmach
It is said that as a teacher you can concentrate on material or on a student
It is said that as a teacher you can concentrate on material or on a student. For me, the latter is the most important. However, also the most difficult, as it forces you to be always attentive and to seek for inspiration. I do my best to organise classes in a way that there is a lot going on in a friendly and creative atmosphere; there is no chance that the routine could sneak in! I want the lessons to be a meetings that are awaited! Despite many years of work, I still enjoy teaching, because I know that giving a lot means getting a lot.
Monika Barańska
I am a virtual teacher. :) At VARIA I teach on-line classes, and every day I “move” to a different corner of the world.
I am a virtual teacher. :) At VARIA I teach on-line classes, and every day I “move” to a different corner of the world. In this way I have already met students from … 30 different countries: from United States, Iran to Japan and Australia.
My lessons? A mix of various cultural information and interesting facts about the Polish language, phonetic exercises, grammar and above all - communication. Always in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere!
In my spare time I read, travel, walk through the oldest volcanoes in Europe, work on improving the makeup techniques and I let myself to a slight addiction to watching TV series.
Agata Szybura
Constantly on the run! A little scatty, a little chatty,
Constantly on the run! A little scatty, a little chatty, usually with a big smile from ear to ear.
I have been teaching Polish for several years now. At work I am 200% committed, because I love my job and my students!
I like when the lesson is cheerful, buzzy, intensive and effective. That's the reason why my students, after graduating from the course, do SPEAK Polish.
Privately I'm a mum of two lovely girls. After work, or rather in between work and home, I write a PhD thesis, in which I study learning process of foreign children in Poland. Most often than not, you can find me sitting in one Krakow's cafes devoted to reading a book and savouring aromatic coffee.
Natalia Wójcik
"The true journey of the discoverer is not about finding new landscapes, but about finding new eyes."
My favourite writer, Marcel Proust, used to say: "The true journey of the discoverer is not about finding new landscapes, but about finding new eyes." These words has become my motto in a private and a professional life.
I love travelling and during each trip I really try to "see" other cultures. My work and passion is to teach those who set out on a trip to Poland and settle down there for a while - I help them to find "new eyes" in Polish reality. I cannot get bored, I like riding a bike, practicing yoga, buying cool clothes and talking to people!
On my lessons you can have fun and a lot of homework :), because the success gained by hard work brings real joy!
Paulina Stawarz
I’m trying to teach in such a way so that my students can have a feeling of „fullfilment” and success 😊.
I’m trying to teach in such a way so that my students can have a feeling of „fullfilment” and success 😊. I take great joy from joint meetings and inspiring conversations with my (fantastic! 😊) students.
In addition to teaching, I also enjoy having contact with nature, admiring the wonders of nature on all continents, reading interesting books and winter sports (especially skiing).
Małgorzata Wilkosz
I’ve already tried many things in life, but for several years teaching Polish as a foreign language has become my great passion and main job
I’ve already tried many things in life, but for several years teaching Polish as a foreign language has become my great passion and main job. I was a freelancer once, having a start-up specialised in online teaching. I quitted it for Moscow, where I’ve been actively promoting Polish culture and language at the State Pedagogical University, in the Polish Institute and as an examiner of the Polish Language Certificate.
Being a polyglot, I can appreciate my students’ efforts and having in mind my own experience, I help to find them a right way. I share my methods to memorise things quickly and to find analogies between the languages, which could help to understand some of their aspects. In my opinion, while teaching one mustn’t forget what is like learning a language: what we would feel, think, have difficulties with, when we used to study a foreign language because this helps to understand them.
Anna Winczura
I teach Polish as a foreign Language since 2005.
I teach Polish as a foreign Language since 2005. I have gained experience in working as a lector both in Poland and abroad - at universities in the Czech Republic, in France and in Germany. Currently I’m teaching online lessons.
My passion are foreign languages. Because of the fact that I am still learning a new language, I can perfectly empathise with the role of a student and understand his needs. I try to make my lessons diversed, dynamic, with information about Poland – its geography, culture and society.
Private passions, including passion for cooking, cinema, music and board games, I transfer to my lessons in a natural way.
Marta Plak
A Polish language lesson is a remarkable and fascinating adventure! 😊
A Polish language lesson is a remarkable and fascinating adventure! 😊 We meet, we talk, we get to know interesting people and other cultures… That’s why I like teaching so much 😊! I am a philologist of Polish language, speech therapist and teacher of Polish as a foreign language, which is why my students are not only adults but also children. In my free time I can be seen on walks in parks of Kraków or on dance floors – I’ve been learning how to dance west coast swing lately 😊. When I have a free weekend, I like to go on mountain trips to my beloved Beskidy and Bieszczady 😊.
Aleksandra Barczyk
I grew up in the family of teachers and I was always surrounded by foreign languages, as well as music.
I grew up in the family of teachers and I was always surrounded by foreign languages, as well as music. Over time, I decided to study philology and for several years now I’ve been following my passions as a teacher of Polish and Russian. My area of expertise is pronunciation and intonation. At work, I share my passions and skills, I like helping students to break down linguistic barriers and I heard that my good humour is contagious 😊. Privately I love theatre and I'm passionate about the borderland of Podkarpacie. I sometimes sing and in my free time I like to ice-skate.
Małgorzata Vailleau-Wołczyk
Learning foreign languages has always been my great passion!
Learning foreign languages has always been my great passion! Now I find this passion in teaching Polish language and I want to enthuse my students with it. The opportunity to meet people from all corners of the world is one of the biggest advantages of my work.
Privately, I love cats, traveling and good movies. I spend my free time on culinary experiments and catching up on cinematic backlogs.
Karolina Bogacz
When I was a child, I loved playing school...
When I was a child, I loved playing school. After several years, the teddy bears that I taught as a girl were replaced by people from all over the world! What fascinates me in being a teacher is the contact with other people, looking at how unique each of my student is. I am excited about electing methods and materials for students so that they can achieve their goals without any problems. I especially like teaching grammar - showing students in intresting ways, that there is no need to be afraid of it, and that knowing grammar can make everyday communication much easier. I also love talking to students about the similarities and differences between their cultures and Polish culture. I usually spend my free time at the pool or in the mountains as well as on long talks over coffee.
