Programme description

The studies are intended for graduates of at least undergraduate programme in discipline of humanities with philological specialities (Polish philology and foreign philology) and of cultural studies who want to obtain qualifications in Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language.

Students gain in-depth knowledge in foreign language teaching: they know the methods of teaching foreign languages and their didactic, psychological and linguistic foundations, and they know how to teach individual subsystems of language and language skills. They gain professional experience during pedagogical internships in Poland (f.e. School of Polish Language and Culture of the Jagiellonian University) as well as abroad (f.e. the University of Oslo, Department of Literature, Area Studies and European Languages).

This programme is an opportunity to obtain professional teaching and linguistic education and start exciting career in Poland and abroad. Every year our graduates participate in the "Lektorzy" programme of the National Academic Exchange Agency and travel to foreign academic Polish language teaching centres in various parts of the world.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Polish Studies has the category A granted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. In 2018 two students of the Faculty of Polish Studies were awarded during 'Studencki Nobel 'contest for the greatest Polish students, talented students of the Faculty are winning the prestigious Diamond Grant programme. Study programmes at the Faculty of Polish Studies give a great chance for individual development under the supervision of the masters of modern Polish studies. The Faculty of Polish Studies has been collaborating wit institutions concerned with culture and art, especially from Kraków and Małopolska province, for many years. Students engage in various activities of the Kraków Festival Office, theatres of Kraków, cultural centres and museums. The JU students’ Linguistics Research Society organizes the Month of First Language – a regular project that includes the Kraków Dictation, advertisement contest, "commentary and pitch” and linguistics workshops in schools. Particular fields of studies collaborate with companies from the media sector during realization of traineeships programme – the Faculty signed agreements with publishers, web portals and magazines, and is responsible for edition of 12 prestigious publications and 7 academic journals.

The Faculty of Polish Studies consists of 17 Chairs, as well as the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, where the study programme is conducted, and the School of Polish Language and Culture.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Scientific category B+ in the main discipline of Linguistics awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations operate at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences, and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are many student associations at the Faculty of Polish Studies.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+, Utrecht Network, bilateral exchange programmes, European university Una Europa, or the domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• Student associations at the Faculty of Polish Studies
• Student Government of the Faculty of Polish Studies

From our students

Gabriela
The study programme is not only a well-designed curriculum but, above all, professional care of academics and a phenomenal workshop for the future Polish language teachers, multiculturalism instructors or foreign language teachers.

Michał
Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language programme allowed me to combine and develop didactic, intercultural and practical skills. Teacher competencies are also highly developed. During studies, you will learn how to deal with the challenges of teaching and interdisciplinary tasks. You can explore the whole world or invite the world to you!

Anastasia (Ukraine)
Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language programme is demanding, but at the same time, it is a source of invaluable professional knowledge for many talented lecturers. After the first year of studies, we were aware of the activities performed during language lessons. There was an awareness of how language acquisition occurs, how to organise the teaching process, and how to check students' language skills. As graduates, we are prepared to work as a language instructor in any part of the world, prepare teaching materials, participate in examination committees during certification examinations, etc.

From our lecturers

prof. Anna Seretny
The Head of the School of Polish Language and Culture
Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language is an exceptional study programme. It is the only university glottodidactic in Poland that introduces students to the secrets of Polish as a non-native language. In these studies, we look at the Polish language and various aspects of Polish culture through the eyes of foreigners. It is an unusual and fascinating experience, an adventure during which you can meet people from all over the world. Due to studies’ interdisciplinary nature, it is also essential that our studies allow us to go far beyond the language horizons while giving us a reliable preparation for its teaching in various contexts.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

Graduates of Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language take up work as a language instructor in the country or abroad. They participate in the "Lektorzy" programme of the National Academic Exchange Agency and travel to foreign academic Polish language teaching centres in many countries: Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Estonia, China, Croatia, France, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, United States, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Italy…

Graduates can find employment as:

• teacher/lecturer of the Polish language as a foreign language in foreigners' education centres in the country and abroad,
• Polish language teacher of foreign children in Polish schools,
• teacher of the Polish language as a second/foreign language in Polish-speaking education,
• a cultural and educational employee in Polish cultural centres abroad,
• methodological advisor in language training centres,
• an examiner during state certification examinations in Polish as a foreign language.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School in the Humanities
• Post diploma programmes
• Second-cycle programmes

What alumni say about us

Michalina
Studying Teaching Polish as a Foreign and Second Language is, above all, excellent preparation for the profession: a solid dose of theory and countless hours of practice make us graduate from university as competent lecturers or teachers. Then there are plenty of career opportunities – I chose a language course at a foreign university. For five years, I taught Polish at the Parisian Sorbonne, and since 2021 I have lived and worked in Brazil, in Curitiba, where the only Polish studies are taught in whole South American. The choice of this study programme turned out to be one of the best decisions in my life: thanks to them, I can not only do the work I love but also travel, sharpen my knowledge of foreign languages and discover the world.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, a unit of the Faculty of Polish Studies. The Center is located in the historic centre of Kraków. For more information, please contact:

dziekanat.wpuj@uj.edu.pl

ul. Grodzka 64
31-044 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 663 18 13

igp.polonistyka.uj.edu.pl
polonistyka.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Polish Studies—Teacher Training (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Polish Language in Social Communication (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• Polish Studies for Foreigners (Faculty of Polish Studies) – programme in Polish
• English Studies (Faculty of Philology) – programme in Polish