Polish for offices – understand the letter and sort out your matter at the counter
The “Polish for offices” course teaches the language you need for formalities in Poland: at the voivodeship office, in the MOS system, at ZUS, NFZ and when signing a tenancy agreement. It is 4 lessons in a small group and a glossary of the most important words and phrases. We teach the language – understanding letters, filling in forms and talking at the counter – not legal procedures. The glossary stays with you and will help with every future matter.
When this course will help you
The course is for foreigners at level A1 to B1 who have a matter ahead of them at an office or who have received a letter they do not understand. Official language is difficult even for people who cope well in everyday conversation – letters use words and constructions that you do not hear in a shop or at work. The course is also useful for people who are only planning to rent a flat or to make a first visit to a clinic.
What you will learn
The most important skill is recognising in a letter what the office wants from you and by when. That is why we start with the words that appear in letters most often and with phrases you can use to ask about them.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Example of use |
|---|---|---|
| wniosek | a formal request to an office | Chcę złożyć wniosek o wydanie zaświadczenia. |
| załącznik | a document attached to an application or letter | W załączniku przesyłam kopię umowy. |
| wezwanie | a letter in which the office demands something from you | Dostałem wezwanie do uzupełnienia dokumentów. |
| termin | the date by which something has to be done | Termin mija za siedem dni. |
| pełnomocnictwo | a document in which you authorise someone to act on your behalf | Czy mogę przyjść z pełnomocnictwem zamiast żony? |
| zameldowanie | entering your address of residence in the register | Jakie dokumenty są potrzebne do zameldowania? |
| najemca / wynajmujący | the person who rents a flat / the owner who lets it | Czy jako najemca muszę wpłacić kaucję? |
| numer sprawy | the reference of your case at the office | Numer mojej sprawy to… |
You will find more words in our free glossaries – for the office and for renting a flat.
What the classes look like
A lesson lasts 50 minutes and takes place on Google Meet, in a group of up to 5 people. We work on models of real forms, letters and agreements – without personal data – and act out scenes at the counter in which the teacher is the official. The teacher explains harder words in English, Russian or Spanish.
Example from a lesson – a conversation at the counter:
– Dzień dobry, przyszedłem w sprawie wezwania. Mam tu pismo.
– Proszę pokazać. Brakuje kopii umowy o pracę.
– Czy mogę ją dosłać mailem, czy muszę przynieść osobiście?
– Osobiście albo pocztą, w ciągu siedmiu dni.
– Rozumiem. Czy mogę prosić o potwierdzenie złożenia dokumentów?
The teacher draws attention to polite forms: to an official we say pan or pani, not ty.
The course programme – 4 lessons
- The voivodeship office and MOS – the vocabulary of forms and letters in residence matters, dates and deadlines, how to ask about the status of a case.
- ZUS, NFZ and the clinic – insurance, registering with a doctor, a conversation at the reception.
- Housing – a tenancy agreement, a deposit, bills, registering your address, talking to the owner.
- Letters and phone calls – an email to an office, a phone conversation, a simulated visit at the counter.
The limit of the course: we teach language, we do not advise on procedure. We do not fill in applications for you and we do not assess the chances in your case – for that you need help with residence matters.
Lessons and materials included in the course price
- 4 lessons in a group of up to 5 people.
- An official-language glossary with example sentences.
- Models of an email to an office and of phrases for a phone call.
- Questions to the teacher via WhatsApp – for example when you receive a letter with a word you do not understand.
Have a matter waiting at an office?
Book a trial lesson and tell us what matter is waiting for you – we will match the vocabulary to it. If you need help sooner than in a few weeks, we can go through the same programme in individual lessons.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a letter from an office to the lesson?
Yes, but cover the personal data and the case number in it. The teacher will help you understand the language of the letter – and does not give legal advice.
Is the “Polish for offices” course for complete beginners?
Yes, from level A1. Beginners get more ready-made phrases, and people at B1 get more work with real letters.
After the course, will I cope at an office without an interpreter?
In simple matters – usually yes. In a complicated case or with an important document it is worth having support, but after the course you understand what is being discussed and can ask a question.
Vocabulary and conversations for the immigration office, ZUS, NFZ and renting a flat. Start with a trial lesson.
See also
- Polish at the officeNames of offices, words from letters and forms, ready-made phrases and dialogues at the counter.Read →
- Renting a flatDeposit, rent, utilities, notice – terms from the agreement, the advert and the conversation with the landlord.Read →
- Polish at the doctor’sReception, symptoms, the doctor’s instructions and prescriptions – a glossary and two dialogues.Read →