Pracujące Poniedziałki: Starting Again – Studying Polish at Klub Dialogu, Nowy Świat, Warszawa

“It’s never too late to make a brand new start” – Paul Weller.

The first news is that I am back studying, my website is back working and I am learning Polish again!!! Depression dominated my life in the last year in the wake of meeting travel friends who were nasty and lied to me and GuruGods who stalked my family and friends and poached my contacts for their benefit. When all of that affected my days, I stopped learning Polish despite being on a roll with it in Gdansk, Poland with my teacher Pani Alina at Learn Polish in Gdansk. I let others get in the way of my own studying and my new life here since quitting long term backpacking in 2016.

“Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on my parade” – Barbara Streisand.

So, in March 2017, it was finally time to move myself up a grade and get back to learning Polish. Having had so much fun in Gdansk in 2016 learning Polish with Learn Polish in Gdansk and my teacher Pani Alina, I made the move from an A0 student to an A1 student. By now, I was in Warsaw though so I had to find a new school to learn Polish at. It was an easy choice to make for me – I chose to study just off Nowy Swiat (part of Warsaw’s Royal Mile) at the popular Klub Dialogu. I got in touch with Dorota who runs the school and she found a suitable group for me to join. I will report on my progress through the two month A1 level course, from April to June 2017. I have since attended these events with the school and continued to A2 level:

• Northern Irish Evening
• Ukrainian Evening
• Shakespeare Spectakl
• Maria Slodowska Film Evening
• Campfire by the Wisla River
• Anniversary Party

Location of Klub Dialogu, Nowy Swiat, Warszawa
On Warsaw’s Swanky Nowy Swiat (call it their Royal Avenue, Golden Mile or Oxfy S) take a left hand turn (heading away from the Old Town/Stare Miasto) and you will find Ulica Ordynacka, head down it and take a right at number 13 through the alcove. Ring the bell for number 5 flat and in you go…

It is a perfect location, in the heart of Warszawa pulse. Nowy Swiat is the same street for the famous Adam Topolski once professed that he wanted a kebab on my return to the beautiful streets of unblemished Warszawa. Yes, Topolski of “Kebab King Fame“. And if you need a kebab before or after your studies, a brace of Kebab King locations are nearby. But I’m here to learn Polish, not stuff my gob with kebabas.

So I got enrolled into a class and met my fellow students – Rob (from England), Egle (Lithuania), Jing Wei (China) and Angel (India). I also studied with a Ghanaian lady for a few lessons but now we just have 5 of us. It’s a tidy group and I like it. I didn’t yet ask their permission to use their photos, nor do they really know I’m a long term travel writer, but here are some photos of the classroom instead and my teachers.

Benefits of Studying at Klub Dialogu, Nowy Swiat, Warszawa

There are some amazing benefits of studying here. As well as a well organised system, here are some of my favourite reasons to study here:

• A free trial lesson
• Discounts for regular students
• Invites to events
• Free tea, coffee, water and biscuits (every lesson)
• Free levels test of language
• Free call with the teacher on the course
• Attractive prices of courses
• They have their own book

During classes, Klub Dialogu use their own manuals – START, created by their methodologists. START is considered to be a cutting-edge for the acquisition of the Polish language and covers all standards of teaching Polish as a foreign language. I love having my own book and knowing that it was designed here in this school for the students.

Studying at Klub Dialogu, Nowy Swiat, Warszawa
I currently study Polish for around 8-10 hours per week including my “Praca Domowa” (Homework) time. This is still tough as I have a busy life here with two jobs, still websites to run and still trying to catch a game of football. Mostly I study from 13.00 – 14.30 pm on weekdays. The school at Klub Dialogu is not open at weekends. I also teach Business English to companies in Warsaw, I work as a travel writer still (despite that nasty liar trying to ruin my business in 2016) and I go to watch Legia Warsaw and other local football.

“You will be back in Warsaw, Jonny Blair” – Rafal Kowalczyk (2007).

Events at Klub Dialogu, Nowy Swiat, Warszawa
As well as being a language school, Klub Dialogu also organises many events. A good example was my recent Ukrainian Evening attendance and I have also since been invited back to Kashubia for Horse Riding. I also attended the school’s recent birthday party, organised a Northern Irish evening and went to a Shakespeare performance.

My plans at Klub Dialogu, Nowy Swiat, Warszawa
I am studying here until June 2017 and then I hope to pass the A1 level and continue onto A2. Sure it’s a busy life and I reinvented myself again, but life must go on.

I will keep you all updated on my progress at Klub Dialogu, Warszawa!!

If you want to learn Polish in Warsaw, please please get in touch with them!