Gin Without the Tonic

Today we're starting a new feature. Every week, you'll get to read an interview with each of our teachers.

First up is Georgina!



So, I've noticed that you speak English awfully well. Where are you from exactly?

I was born in Chesterfield, which is in the north of England, and lived there until I was 18. Then I moved to St. Andrews (in Scotland) to go to university. But although I'm from England, I'm half foreign there. My mother's father was from the Czech Republic and my father's father was from Russia.

Sounds interesting! So, what is your favorite thing about your hometown?

To be honest, my favourite thing about Chesterfield is that I don't live there anymore; it's fairly boring. The church is quite interesting though--the spire is twisted because the devil was sitting on top with his tail around the spire. He turned around suddenly to watch a beautiful woman walk past, and his tail twisted the spire. (Actually, the wooden frame changed shape when building work stopped during the Plague and the half-built spire was left in the rain and sun for several months.) Also, the countryside around Chesterfield is very beautiful.

Well, with all that boring-ness and devil spires, I can't imagine why you would ever want to leave! How did you end up coming to Poland?

My friend met a Polish guy at a club and really fancied him. She decided she wanted to go to Poland on holiday, and I went too. I had such a good holiday that when I was looking for a teaching job a few weeks later, Poland was high on my list of possible countries. So, I was very happy when the first job I was offered was in Poland.

Well, we're really happy you took it! Now that you're here, what is your favorite thing about Gliwice?

The people, the Polish food, the Polish beer and vodka...many things! I also like the fact that Silesia has working coal mines because the north of England used to have lots of mines, but they are almost all closed now, which caused a lot of unemployment.

I've heard that you're an excellent cook. What's your favorite thing to make?

Cake. Any kind of cake, especially for parties. I love decorating them, as well. Since I've been in Poland, I'm fond of cooking very British food, too. Chicken pie, beef pie, toad in the hole, and sticky toffee pudding.

I know books are a passion of yours, so what is your favorite book and who is your favorite author?

I can't possibly choose one favourite! One of the hardest things about moving to Poland was choosing which of my books to bring. My favourite authors include Kate Atkinson, Evelyn Waugh, Aldous Huxley, Amelie Nothomb, Nevil Shute, John Steinbeck, and Dodie Smith. I also love "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", "The Hotel New Hampshire", and "The Master and Marguerita". And any kind of dictionary. If any student wants to borrow English books to practice, we have a selection in the staffroom which you can choose from!

Thank you, Georgina!