Search for “online Polish course” and you will find dozens of offers that look similar at first glance. The differences only show after a few weeks of learning. To avoid surprises, ask the school these 10 questions before you sign up. The answers will tell you more than any advert.
1. How many students are in a group?
This is the most important question. In a group of 12, each student speaks for a few minutes in a 90 minute class. In a group of 3 to 6, you speak many times in every class. And a language grows when you speak it, not when you listen to others.
2. Who teaches the classes?
Ask about the teacher’s background. Being a native speaker is not enough. Teaching Polish as a foreign language is a specialisation of its own, which covers how to explain cases, aspect and pronunciation to people for whom Polish is a completely new system.
3. How long is a class, and what does “an hour” mean?
Many Polish schools quote prices and course length in lesson hours of 45 minutes. Others count classes of 60 or 90 minutes. When comparing offers, always convert to real clock time. A “30 hour” course may mean 22.5 hours on the clock.
4. What does an hour of learning really cost?
Divide the course price by the number of clock hours, and keep the group size in mind. A cheap course in a large group often turns out expensive once you count how many minutes you actually speak.
5. How does the school assess my level?
A good school does not place you blindly. It talks to you before you start, checks what you already know and asks about your goals. The wrong level is the most common reason people quit a course.
6. Is there a clear programme with levels?
Ask what the learning path looks like: are levels split into smaller stages, such as A1.1 and A1.2, and what exactly will you be able to do after each one? A programme based on the Common European Framework of Reference (levels A1 to C2) makes progress easy to measure.
7. Is there homework and feedback?
Class time is only part of learning. Ask whether you get tasks between lessons and whether the teacher corrects them. One corrected essay teaches you more than another hour of listening.
8. Does the school prepare students for the B1 exam?
Even if it is not on your mind today, you may need a certificate in a year, for example for a citizenship application. A school that runs exam preparation knows the format and the marking criteria. Read our guide to the Polish B1 exam.
9. Do the classes fit my schedule and time zone?
Online learning gives you freedom, but only if the group meets at times that suit your day. Ask about morning and afternoon slots and what happens if you miss a class.
10. What are the payment terms?
Check whether you can pay in instalments, in which currency, and whether the price is fixed for the whole course. Clear terms are also a sign that the school takes its students seriously.
Quick checklist
- ✓ Groups of 6 students or fewer
- ✓ A teacher trained in teaching Polish as a foreign language
- ✓ Class length given in minutes, not just “hours”
- ✓ A conversation before enrolment to set your level
- ✓ A clear programme with stages
- ✓ Homework with corrections
- ✓ B1 exam preparation on offer
- ✓ Transparent payment terms
How does Go For Polish answer these questions?
- groups of 3 to 6 students, never more, or one to one lessons,
- classes taught by Dorota Więckowska-Turek, a philologist from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań with postgraduate qualifications in teaching Polish as a foreign language,
- every class lasts 90 minutes, and a group semester is 45 hours of learning,
- levels A1 to C2, with stages from A1.1 to B2.2,
- always a conversation with Dorota before you enrol, with no separate test,
- a dedicated B1 exam preparation course,
- prices in Polish złoty and euros, with instalments available.
See prices, explore courses for adults or get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Is learning Polish online as effective as in a classroom?
Yes, if a qualified teacher leads the class and the group is small. Online, what matters most is how much each student actually speaks. In a group of up to 6 people, everyone is active in every class.
How long does one level of a Polish course take?
It depends on the school. At Go For Polish, each stage of the general course lasts 45 hours: 30 classes of 90 minutes over a semester. The B1 exam preparation course lasts 8 weeks.
Can a language app replace a Polish course?
Apps are good for vocabulary and daily habits. They do not give you conversation, pronunciation correction or feedback on your writing. Use them alongside a course, not instead of one.