Teach English in France

If you have a passion for teaching and want to be part of an excellent education system, France is the place for you. Teaching standards are extremely high at private and public schools in France. But those aren’t the only reasons to teach English in France. Here are a few more:

• A good work life balance. Work weeks in France are usually capped at 30 hours per week, so you will have ample time to hang out with the Mona Lisa or cruise down the River Seine. 
• Good salaries and benefits. Salaries compare well with most countries in which you can teach English, but most English teachers will tell you that the culture, landscape, history and food is the big draw for living and teaching in France.
• Travel opportunities aplenty. France will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to travelling. From the French Riviera to the Loire valley and the harbour towns of Normandy, you’ll be dazzled by the stunning landscapes. The country is packed with history and picture-perfect villages.

Paris? Nice? Lyon? Where will you get started teaching in France? Here we have identified a few cities that are ideal for teaching English in France.

Paris

Ideal for culture lovers

Paris, the capital of France, is by far the most popular destination for English teachers. The city is full of history and culture with lots of famous landmarks to visit. You will never be short of things to do in Paris. But, unfortunately, the capital of France is one of the most expensive cities to live in and it is quite competitive to find a teaching job.

Marseille

Best for coastline lovers and island life

If you can see yourself lying on a beautiful beach during your days off, then Marseille is the place for you. Some of France’s international schools are located in Marseille. This city is bustling with markets and has beautiful coastal landscapes.

Lyon 

Great for art enthusiasts and food lovers

Lyon has become very popular for teachers wanting to teach Business English. The city is filled with galleries, museums, cafes and stunning architecture. Lyon is also known as the culinary capital of France, so you will definitely be spoilt for food choices –  bon appétit! If you are looking for something a bit more urban than Paris, but smaller than Marseille, then Lyon is the place for you.

Other popular places

Bordeaux is located in the southwestern part of France. Known for its wine-making, this city is great if you are looking for an environment that is filled with outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. 

Nice is the glamour capital of France. It is situated on the French Riviera and is filled with great food, art and sunshine.

Rennes is a unique city in the northwest of France. It is filled with medieval half-timbered houses that make Rennes truly unique. It has been voted as the top city in France for foreigners to live in.

If you are a EU citizen then you do not need a visa to teach in France. Non-EU citizens need a visa to teach in France. The visa process for non-EU teachers is quite lengthy and complicated,  but it’s not impossible.

There are three ways in which you can approach the visa process:

• A student visa: This takes about 12 weeks to process and you can teach part-time with this visa. On this visa you have to be enrolled on a study course in France for at least 20 hours a week to obtain this visa. This is a popular choice with teachers who want to learn French.
• Working holiday visa: This type of visa is only available for Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians. This visa is specifically for teachers under the age of 35 and allows certain types of employment in France for up to a year.
• TAPIF Program or similar: TAPIF and other organisations recruit teachers to teach in French public schools. The salary for teaching in a public school is less than at a private language school, but the organisers of the program will assist you with getting your visa.

Having prior teaching experience will definitely help you find a job in the competitive French teaching market, but you don’t need experience to teach in France. Summer camps, kindergartens and some private schools will accept teachers without teaching experience but it is important that you have a TEFL qualification.  

Even as a beginner teacher, you should have some experience on your CV from the practical teaching you did on your TEFL course. A Level 5 168-hour TEFL course from The TEFL Academy includes 10 hours of in-class instruction, during which you teach real EFL lessons. If you take The TEFL Academy’s Level 5 40-hour Observed Teaching Practice course, you can complete in-class teaching remotely.

Most public and private schools in France require you to have a TEFL certificate to teach English in France. The minimum is a 120-hour TEFL certification. If you are serious about teaching English in France then the best thing you can do is get yourself TEFL qualified with a Level 5 TEFL certificate. 

The TEFL Academy is the perfect place to get qualified and the first step to finding that perfect job in France. Our Level 5 168-hour Combined TEFL Course will put you on the road to teach at language schools, kindergartens, summer camps and even private tutoring positions.

A Bachelor’s degree is typically required for teaching English in France. The French education system has high standards and that is reflected in their hiring. However, your degree does not have to be in teaching. 

It is possible to find a job teaching in France without a degree, but this is likely to be a volunteer, summer camp, or other entry-level position. But France is known to favour youth and enthusiasm, so you will be able to quickly work your way up the teaching ladder if you are eager and keen to learn.

Unfortunately France does not have a digital nomad visa for online English teachers, unless you are an EU national. Hopefully soon!

Yes you can, but you will be expected to be fluent in English (native level). Teachers from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are preferred. 

Non-native speakers need to show proof that their English level is at an Advanced level or Level C1 on the CEFR. This can be shown by taking a test such as IELTS or TOEIC.

How much capital you need in France depends on how much champagne you are going to drink, whether you want to stay in the Four Seasons, and how often you’re going to shop at Chanel!

Just kidding, but as you can imagine, France is not the cheapest place in Europe. Plus starting out means a number of upfront costs. Start-up costs in France may include a security deposit and your first month’s rent, supplies to set up your apartment, transport, food, and entertainment. 

But let’s break it down:

• Accommodation costs: You will need rent for one month, as well as a security deposit.
• TEFL certification: A TEFL course can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the length and level of the course and the course provider. 
• Document fees: Any costs related to certifying and notarising your degree and TEFL certificate
• Flight ticket: Variable. 
• Visa application: on average, €99 ($110). There might be additional costs involved to certify or translate your documents for a visa.
• Living expenses: You will need one month’s worth of start-up capital of about €1,800 ($2,000).

In total, you are looking at costs between €1,800 and €3,300 ($2,000 and $3,500) to survive until your first paycheque.

Teaching English in France can mean teaching at universities, public schools, private tutoring or working through a government program.

Universities

As French universities open up to more foreign students and expand their English programs, the market for English teachers at universities has grown. The requirements to teach at university level are quite strict, but if you are a qualified teacher in your home country, have a Master’s degree, are fluent in French and have several years of experience this will be the perfect fit for you. Salaries are higher in this sector and the institution assists you with sponsoring your visa.

Public schools

Placements at public schools in France are mainly done through a teaching program like TAPIF. As the French education system has very high standards they expect teachers who teach in public schools to be qualified teachers in their home countries, have one or two years of teaching experience, hold a Bachelor’s degree and a TEFL certificate. It will also count in your favour if you can speak French.

Private lessons

In France private tutoring is popular with adults learning Business English and toddlers just beginning to speak their native language. The French Chamber of Commerce and other organisations hire English teachers to tutor groups within the workforce.

Update your CV. Once you have found a job you want to apply for, write a cover letter specifically for that job. Send that email, hold thumbs and hope for the best! Bonne chance!

Okay, so there are a few things we could tell  you to help you find a job teaching English in France. Here are our top tips:

• Most teaching jobs in France are advertised online. Make sure you understand and research the requirements for the job you are applying for.
• The French Chamber of Commerce is a good place to start if you are interested in a Business English position.
• Be on the look out for positions in March or April. Schools might not be very responsive from mid-July to August due to holidays.
• TAPIF applications open in autumn (September to November) and close in January for the following school year.
• Be financially prepared to carry your own costs for the first four to six weeks of your stay in France. Most schools won’t pay you upfront.
• Market yourself as a private tutor. 1:1 lessons are popular in France, both in-person and online.

There are a lot of opportunities available to teach English online to French students. Online jobs range from teaching conversational lessons, teaching small groups of children to tutoring business professionals. 

To find online French students, go through the usual suspects like Preply, iTalki, SkimaTalk and Cambly, and advertise yourself on social media.

Before you choose what kind of job you want in France, it’s important to consider the different salaries. 

• On the TAPIF program, you earn €790 ($870) a month. 
• In private language schools you can earn  €1,000 – €2,000 ($1,100 – $2,200) a month.
• As a private English tutor you can charge €15 – €25 ($16 – $27)an hour.

The rate for teaching English online is from €10 – €20 ($11 – $22) an hour.

As a teacher in France your biggest benefit will definitely be a good work-life balance but here are some other benefits you can look forward to:

• Health insurance : Teachers teaching at public schools and universities can expect to get health insurance.
• Holiday: On average you will get 25 days paid leave a year.
• Housing and transportation: Some schools assist teachers to find accessible accommodation and reimburse teachers for transportation costs getting to and from the school.
• End-of-contract bonus: After completing your one-year contract, you will receive an end-of-contract bonus. This amount differs from school to school.

In France you have to pay for the French health insurance system. You can do this by covering yourself through the French public health care system. The average cost of health insurance in France is €40 ($45). If you are placed through the TAPIF program or any other similar program you can expect to receive health insurance.

There is probably no better place than France to live out your English teaching dream. You will have flexible work hours that allows you to explore the beautiful country and immerse yourself in French culture. Teaching salaries may not be the highest in Europe and the cost of living might be high, but the real reason for choosing to live and teach in France must be the cultural experience which only France can offer.

Here are some of the usual costs for living in France – but bear in mind, these can vary quite a lot depending which region or city you are in:

Accommodation

• One-bedroom apartment in city centre in Paris: €1,000 ($1,100) a month
• One-bedroom apartment outside city centre in Paris: €800 ($880) a month

Utilities

• Electricity, water, and gas: €150 ($160) a month 

Groceries

• Monthly shop: €300 ($320) a month
• Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €15 ($16.50)

Travel

• Monthly travel pass: €80  ($85)
• One-way ticket:  €1.70 ($1.80)

Internet 

• Unlimited: €20 – €30 ($20 – $30) per month

Phone

• Average monthly cost: €30 ($30)

Entertainment 

• Cinema, gym, etc: €150 ($160) a month

Like with most jobs, your salary, lifestyle and location will influence how much you are able to save in France. On a TEFL salary in France you will be able to live comfortably and even be able to travel. Compared to Asia, where salaries are higher and cost of living is lower, you won’t be able to save as much money in France. But it’s the experiences you will have during your time in France which will make it worth it.

• Living and working in France will give you the opportunity to explore a new culture, learn a new language and make friends for life.
• Don’t be caught off guard by culture shock. Even though French society may seem familiar to you, it will definitely be a big adjustment to live and work in France. Prepare yourself to experience a variety of new things that might make you feel uncomfortable.
• It’s best to learn some French. Many TEFL teachers in France say that things became considerably easier for them once they learned the language. Even though you can get around speaking English in big cities, you will most likely need to know some French phrases if you are venturing out to rural areas in France.
• The teaching environment is serious. France prides themselves on their high standards for education. The French school day is long, from about 9 in the morning to 5 or 6 in the afternoon. French students are well behaved and supported by their families in their education. This might cause some conflict as high engagement from parents can interfere with teaching.
• Ooh la la the food! French food falls in a class of its own and you should make a point to eat like a local during your time in France. Cassoulet, creme brûlée, croissant – oui, s’il vous plaît!
• Effortless public transport. It’s easy to get around in France. France has a well developed railway system and the bus is a cheap option to get around as well.

Living and teaching in France can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. Sign up for a TEFL course with The TEFL Academy and start practicing your excuse-moi’s as you gear up for your TEFL adventure in France.