English Language Instruction

Field: humanities

Discipline: linguistics

Language of instruction: English

Professional degree you will be awarded after completing studies : master’s degree, English language instructor

Where and when your classes will take place?

Place: Classes are held in the Ksawerów teaching building at 22 Niepodległości Avenue in Warsaw, close to the Wierzbno and Wilanowska metro stations. Teaching placements are completed outside the University.

Time: Classes are held from Monday to Friday, between 8:00 and 20:00.

What kind of knowledge, skills and competencies you will acquire at ELI?

The English Language Instruction programme prepares you to work as an English language instructor. This means planning, teaching and assessing English language learning in a range of educational contexts.

The programme has a practical profile and focuses on teaching English to adolescents and adults outside the school education system and in higher education. It does not provide the teaching qualifications required to work in Polish schools within the formal education system.

During your studies, you will develop advanced proficiency in English and learn how to use it as a professional tool in the work of an English language instructor. You will also gain in-depth knowledge of general and applied linguistics, including second language acquisition, classroom discourse analysis and intercultural communication.

You will learn how to use this knowledge when planning classes, selecting methods, designing materials and assessing learners’ progress. You will also become familiar with tools that support face-to-face, online and hybrid teaching, including AI-based tools. We will teach you how to evaluate their usefulness in language education critically and ethically.

Where you can find a job after completingELI?

After completing the programme, you can work as an English language instructor in the non-formal education sector, including language schools, training centres, companies providing language training, and institutions offering language courses or certification.

You can also work in higher education, especially in university language centres. Other possible career paths include language tutoring, online teaching, hybrid instruction and freelance language teaching projects.

The degree prepares you for professional opportunities in Poland and abroad, particularly in international educational and professional environments.

Does ELI have different specialtiesorspecialisations?

There are no separate specialties or specialisations in this programme. All students follow one coherent study programme within which they study several connected areas: advanced English for professional teaching purposes, modern linguistics, language teaching methodology, research methodology, digital technologies in language education, intercultural communication, and selected issues related to the culture and literature of English-speaking countries.

What will you learnin ELI

The programme is four semesters long and has a modular structure. It includes language development, linguistics, English language teaching methodology, psychology and pedagogy, intercultural studies, educational technology, research training and professional practice.

At the beginning of the programme, you will build the foundations for further study. You will develop advanced English language competence, work on accuracy and pronunciation, and learn to use English consciously in academic and professional contexts. You will also be introduced to linguistics, English language teaching methodology and action research.

In the following semesters, you will develop more specialised professional competences. You will learn how to design classes and curricula, select methods suited to the needs of adolescents and adults, create teaching materials, assess learners’ progress and work in a range of contexts: non-formal education, higher education, online courses and hybrid classes. At the same time, you will prepare a master’s thesis based on action research.

The programme also prepares you to work in international and multicultural environments. It covers English as a language of global communication, the cultures and literatures of English-speaking countries, multilingualism and intercultural communication. Digital technologies and the critical use of artificial intelligence in language education are also an important part of the programme.

Will you pursue internship during ELI

Yes. Because this is a practical-profile programme, professional placement is an important part of the curriculum. The placement module covers a placement period, corresponding in total to 480 hours of total student workload.

Placements are not completed en bloc. They are organised gradually during the programme. First, you observe and analyse teaching practice. Later, you prepare teaching documentation, design materials, plan parts of lessons and teach them under supervision.

At each stage, you receive support from a placement tutor. Concurrent workshops integrated with the placement help you discuss your experience, analyse teaching situations you encounter and prepare for the next tasks.

Some placements take place in the academic environment, within classes offered at the University of Warsaw. Others are completed in non-formal education institutions, for example language schools or other institutions offering language courses and training.

Is it possible to study one/several semesters at other university

Yes. You may study for one or two semesters at another university through the Erasmus programme. The Centre cooperates with numerous partner universities in several European countries.

Where you can find more information about ELI

The programme of study is available in Polish and English in the University of Warsaw Monitor (scroll dow for the English version).

For more information about the programme and studying at the Centre, visit: http://cknjoiee.uw.edu.pl/

Admission rules for candidates with Polish diplomas

Candidates applying for admission to the first year of full-time second-cycle studies must hold a Bachelor’s, Engineer’s, Master’s or equivalent diploma obtained in any field of study and must document their English language proficiency at a level of at least C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Only candidates who submit a document recognized by the University of Warsaw as confirming English language proficiency at the required level will be admitted to the selection procedure.

Elements of the selection procedure

The selection procedure takes into account the result of an interview confirming:

• English language proficiency at a level of at least C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• aptitude for the profession of English language instructor.

Interview

The interview is conducted in English and consists of the following parts:

1. Candidate’s self-presentation

The candidate briefly presents their previous education, educational and/or professional experience, and general orientation in the field of English language teaching, in particular basic knowledge of selected methods and forms of teaching used in English language instruction.

2. Reflection on the work of an English language instructor

The candidate answers questions in English concerning the specific nature of the work of an English language instructor in diverse educational contexts.

The questions may concern, in particular:

• advantages and challenges connected with the work of an English language instructor;
• work with teenagers and adults;
• functioning in an international environment;
• professional flexibility and mobility;
• motivation to develop teaching competences;
• readiness to reflectively improve one’s own professional practice.

3. Situational task related to English language teaching

The candidate draws two situational tasks related to the work of an English language instructor in diverse educational contexts, chooses one of them, and presents a proposed course of action with justification.

Members of the committee may ask additional questions concerning the proposed solutions, their relevance to learners’ needs, the character of the group and the educational context.

The committee assesses the candidate’s ability to formulate coherent and justified responses, react to additional questions, present their own position, and communicate clearly, appropriately and precisely.

4. Sample topics for the second part of the interview

1. Working with learners in different age groups, including teenagers and adults.
2. The importance of interpersonal communication in educational, professional and social situations.
3. Adapting communication to the interlocutor, group, situation and cultural context.
4. Educational and professional mobility in the context of English language proficiency.
5. The impact of cultural diversity on communication and cooperation.
6. The role of technology in education.
7. Challenges connected with communication and learning in face-to-face, online and hybrid modes.
8. Learners’ expectations regarding English language classes and classroom communication.
9. The social, educational and professional importance of English language proficiency.
10. Communication in English in an international environment, with attention to linguistic, social and cultural differences.

5. Scoring and final result:

The interview is conducted in English and is assessed on a scale from 0 to 100 points.

The maximum score for the interview is 100 points. The final result is the sum of points obtained in the three parts of the interview. The minimum score required to qualify is 50 points.

Admission procedure for candidates with foreign diplomas

The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas.

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification [more]

The admissions criteria are the same as for candidates with Polish diplomas. 

Checking candidates' competence to undertake studies conducted in the English language

Citizens of Poland or citizens of EU/EFTA and the United Kingdom with diplomas issued in EU/EFTA/OECD or recognized as equivalent on the basis of an international agreement or through nostrification

Candidates applying for studies conducted in English are additionally required to confirm their knowledge of English. Candidates’ language competence is verified in accordance with the rules specified in the relevant Resolution of the Senate of the University of Warsaw and Appendix No. 4 thereto.

Candidates who are not listed in Appendix No. 4 will have the opportunity to confirm their English language proficiency at a level of at least C1 during the interview.

A positive result in the selection procedure is equivalent to confirmation of the candidate’s competence to undertake studies conducted in English in this programme.

Failure to confirm English language proficiency at a level of at least C1 results in the candidate receiving 0 points for the entire selection procedure and being disqualified.

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Foreigners with foreign diploma from outside of EU/EFTA/OECD/unrecognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Important! C1 level is required

Foreigners (does not apply to citizens of EU/EFTA) with foreign diploma from EU/EFTA/OECD/recognized on the basis of international agreements or through nostrification

Information on requirements concerning confirmation of the English language proficiency at a level of at least B2 is available here

Important! C1 level is required

Deadlines

The exam: 14th of July, 2026

Announcement of results: 22st of July, 2026

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 23rd-24th, 27th of July, 2026
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 28th-29th of July, 2026
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 30th-31st of July, 2026

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information 

Find us on the map: Centre for Foreign Language Teacher Training and European Education