IH Torun

Torun, Poland

Opened in 1993, IH Torun has approximately 14 teachers, and 450 students in and out of school and some in-company. Ages range from 5 to adult, divided into 3 age streams. Mostly it is general English, but there are special classes such as Cambridge exam preparation and exam club (First, Advanced, Proficiency). The school also has a branch in the small town of Inowroclaw, where some teachers spend two afternoons a week.

The school is situated 5 minutes walk from the old town. It boasts its own computer room with internet access, a small teachers' kitchen, and two teachers' rooms. There is a popular social programme for staff and students including pub quiz nights, karaoke evenings and kids' parties.

The school has a friendly, open atmosphere and offers daily teacher support from experienced staff. There is also free Polish lessons once a week for our teachers.

There are weekly teacher development sessions led by senior staff and regular teacher observations to help you improve your teaching. The management is always approachable and helpful, operating an open-door policy.

Every year, we organise the IH Torun Teacher Training Day which attracts participants from all over Poland and eastern Europe as well as some big name EFL presenters. Past presenters include Adrian Underhill, Jon Hird, Katherine Bilsborough, John Hughes, Hugh Dellar and Marjorie Rosenberg. This year we look forward to welcoming Scott Thornbury to IH Torun!

53.018222, 18.602944

Life in and around Torun

Torun is very beautiful and really is a home away from home. Situated on the banks of the Vistula river, it is an historic medieval town with a population of about 240,000. It was the birthplace of the astronomer Nicholas Copernicus, and is famous for its local speciality – pierniki (gingerbread). Unusually for Poland, Torun survived World War II intact, and the pedestrianised old town (centred around a magnificent medieval town hall and square) is full of stunning Gothic (and some Renaissance) architecture. Cobbled streets and medieval red-bricked walls are the norm here. The town is on a very human scale, so it’s a very pleasant place to stroll around. During the warmer months, it’s lovely to join the crowds walking, chatting and reading on the river bank. There is an attractive forested park on the edge of town, and more forests and lakes are a short bike ride away. Most distances are easily covered on foot, and for places further afield there are excellent tram and bus links. Taxis are also cheap and very reliable.