Teach English in France

Overview

France is a country that has a lot to offer anybody who is an English speaker because they are in high levels of demand. The educational system is always looking for qualified English teachers who want to teach English in France. This is a good way to build up your skillset and develop vital experience working abroad.

France has come a long way with regards to its attitude towards international languages in recent years, and now there is a thriving culture of people learning English, as it is the way in which France helps to connect itself to the rest of Europe and indeed the world. Many people routinely travel between Paris and London, as it is one of the most accessible weekend getaways available, so they need to speak English.

Any individual who has a TEFL qualification, an appropriate degree, and some teaching experience will find that there are many different jobs in France where they can teach English as a foreign language. There is the ability to cater to any age, subject, or ability, so you do have quite a lot of choice. With that being said, it is important to recognise that an overabundance of qualifications can actually be detrimental to one’s chances, as many French schools prefer the chance to take someone who is new and untrained and then form them into a specialist. 

The French education system is searching for knowledgeable but highly motivated teachers of English who are prepared to adapt their preferences when it comes to teaching. At the end of the day, too many qualifications suggest rigidity and being set in one’s ways. When you couple this with the fact that there are many French schools that prefer to recruit teachers on a freelance basis rather than employing someone full-time, you will quickly begin to discover that the market for seeking positions is incredibly competitive. Consequently, there’s a lot to gain if you have the skills and the talent to get in. 

Types of Teaching Jobs in France

You’ve got a couple of different options when it comes to teaching jobs in France.

Private Elementary Schools and Secondary Schools

Private schooling in France is pretty competitive. These kinds of schools have access to a lot of resources, which makes them tough for teachers who want to get in. However, the environment for a teacher is one of the better ones.

Private Language Schools

Private English language schools are a little bit more relaxed when it comes to admissions, simply because they accept any kind of bachelor’s degree as well as an appropriate qualification for teaching English to speakers of another language. You also need to have relevant professional experience.

Tutoring

Interestingly enough, the French government often hires people to tutor. If you have specialist knowledge of a certain industry, then you can get a job teaching English to people in that industry, like engineering and mathematics.

Teaching Assistants

There is a selection of teaching assistant programs available for people who want to teach in France for up to 7 months at a time. This means that if you speak French well, and when I get some relevant experience, then you could very easily do so.

Popular Destinations to Teach in France

Paris is, first and foremost, the most popular destination for people to visit to teach. However, it’s also the most expensive city in the country. Therefore, other teaching opportunities further afield in places like Lyon and Bordeaux are becoming increasingly popular.

The places that you choose to go will directly influence the kind of people that you teach. If you go to Lyon, then you are more likely to wind up teaching adults, whereas those who are interested in teaching students would go to somewhere like Bordeaux and other areas owing to a diverse range of work opportunities and lower living costs.

TEFL France: Visa & Sponsorship

Citizens of the European Union are given the first priority when it comes to seeking a place in France. A working visa will be required if you’re not from the EU. If you are outside the EU, you also need sponsorship by an educational institution.

Work Culture in France

The French education system places high expectations on its teachers. After all, French education is known to be exceptionally robust, but this does facilitate high levels of expectations in return. You will expect to work long days, and you may have to work evenings and weekends on a regular basis. However, this is contrasted by the fact that the French educational system is a rather fulfilling career.

It’s common for teachers to take long vacations in France, but you also have to make sure that your income allows for this. Tutors, for example, are expected to travel frequently for their careers.

When to Apply for TEFL Jobs in France

It’s customary in France for most schools to determine the future needs of their teaching staff during the first quarter.

Advertisements for teachers run during the summer months, and the school year begins in September.

However, if you are a teacher wishing to work in a private language school, you can contact an employer at any point during the academic year, as new teachers are simply put on as needed. In order to complete the Visa application process, you have to be able to budget for at least six months.

The Average Salary for an English Teacher in France

Teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in English may expect to earn up to $1600 per month, depending on their abilities and experience. In the vast majority of cases, travel, housing, and lodging allowances don’t come as part of the wage packet. Well, it is true that you might get paid lower in a private language school, the rate should never be less than $1000 per month.