How to Begin Teaching in France

Exquisite Wines and Vineyards

The EFL Business English sector has many opportunities.

France is a popular destination for those wishing to live and work abroad. With exquisite wines and vineyards, over 400 official cheeses, beautiful architecture and stunning nature, France has everything.

From the peaks of the Alps and Mont Blanc, to the Spanish border of the Pyrenees, down to the Mediterranean and the delight of St Tropez, over to the west coast of Brittany and to the vineyards of Bordeaux, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Exquisite skiing, hiking, biking and swimming, make this an ideal location for those who love the great outdoors. If all of this is not enough, France has Paris, the capital of romance. Paris boasts such sites as the Eiffel Tower, Bastille, Notre Dame, Champs Elysee, as well as many cultural figures, who are known throughout the world, Balzac, Sartre, Camus, Simone de Beauvoir are to name just a few.

French culture has a delightful balance between work and free time. The leisurely hours are as precious as those spent at work. This healthy love for life among the French means that there is time to travel, to while away time at a cafe drinking espresso, or to spend long hours conversing over a delicious meal. The people are intellectually engaged and philosophical, regardless of the job that they do. You will have deep and meaningful discussions. Foreigners who try to converse in English, without even trying to use French, will be met with a stony silence. Even if, your French is bad, the French will become willing to help you in English, if you make the first move in French.

Teaching Opportunities

It has taken the French government and the people time to warm up to the idea of English as the language of global communication. There are sometimes new laws against the use of English words. Due to a change in the law where businesses are now required to provide business English classes, the EFL business English sector has many opportunities, as does the general English market. The main centres to find jobs in France are Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier and Paris. Smaller cities will also have opportunities, if you look for them. The cost of living in Paris is high, so this must be considered when applying for a job here.

The French expect high quality and will not settle for less. This means that you will need to have a 120-hour TEFL certificate alongside your degree. French employers do not seem to post so frequently online. The best course of action is to research various language schools in your home country and show up with your CV in the country. The peak time to find work in France is in September and January. It is possible to find fixed contracts for 9 -12 months with paid vacation. Those on 9-month contracts can supplement their income through summer camp teaching programmes.

Teaching Requirements

Degree Requirement	Typical Contract Length	Peak Hiring Seasons	Visa Info	Typical Students	Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency	Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

BA/BS required

9 – 12 months

September and January

EU citizenship or work visa

Business professionals, children

1,000 – 1,700 EUR (837 - 1,423 GBP)

1,295 – 2,000 EUR (1,100 - 1,675 GBP)

Degree Requirement

BA/BS required

Typical Contract Length

9 – 12 months

Peak Hiring Seasons

September and January

Visa Info

EU citizenship or work visa

Typical Students

Business professionals, children

Average Monthly Cost of Living in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,000 – 1,700 EUR (837 - 1,423 GBP)

Average Monthly Salary in £ GBP & Local Currency

1,295 – 2,000 EUR (1,100 - 1,675 GBP)

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