Everything You Need To Know About Teaching English In France

Lots of TEFL teachers start out teaching English at summer camps. These positions are not necessarily easier to secure than any other teaching job in France – they may well have the same requirements as other teaching jobs. However, teaching at a summer camp is a good option if you’d like to test out teaching in France before signing up to something long-term.

Teaching programmes are another way to get into teaching English in France. Lots of TEFL teachers use the TAPIF programme to get a job as a language assistant at a public school. Americans aged 18-35 can apply for the French American Chamber of Commerce’s trainee programme. And volunteer teacher positions and internships are another good way to get some teaching experience in France.

Finally, if you have lots of experience and great qualifications, you can apply to be an English teacher at a university!

To teach English in France, you’ll typically be expected to have at least a Bachelor’s degree (of any subject) and a TEFL certificate. However, for many positions, applicants need a Bachelor’s degree, a CELTA, a teaching license and teaching experience. And some schools and universities even request applicants with a Master’s degree.

It is technically possible to teach English in France without a degree, but you will need to be extremely experienced and it helps to be an EU citizen.

If you’re an EU citizen, you can legally work in France without a working visa. If you’re from elsewhere, you’ll need a job offer from an employer willing to sponsor your working visa. Although this is possible, it can be very difficult to find a company that will sponsor you, as lots of institutes choose to hire EU citizens who don’t need working visas. The visa process may well take up to six months in total.

Lots of non-EU citizens legally teach English in France part-time on a student visa. To obtain a student visa for France, you’ll usually need to sign up for French classes at a school recognised by the French consulate/embassy and apply for the student visa from within your home country. Of course, this means you’ll need to attend regular French lessons while you’re in France, but this is a great way to test out life in the country as well as learn the local language!

Americans aged 20-35 can apply to teach English through the TAPIF programme, which assigns candidates to work part-time in schools for a monthly stipend. And citizens from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan and Uruguay can apply for a working holiday visa (Permis Vacances Travail) in France. In most cases, you’ll need to be between the ages of 18 and 30 (31 for Australians and 35 for Canadians) and the visa is valid for one year (four months for Russians). Keep in mind, you’ll need to apply in advance and it can take a number of weeks or months the receive the visa.

Other non-EU citizens choose to teach under the table on a tourist visa, but bear in mind, this is actually illegal and can have consequences!

Paris is the number one choice for teachers who care about style being home to famous fashion boutiques and Paris Fashion Week. The city is also fantastic for those who enjoy the high life, including luxurious bars, classy restaurants and quality entertainment. Marseille is ideal for those who enjoy life by the water, a major port city known for its abundance of colourful yachts and boats, Calanque de Morgiou – one of the best beaches in the country, and a swathe of new, interesting museums. Lyon is the perfect place for culture lovers, boasting a UNESCO World Heritage Site old town, a number of art galleries with extensive collections, and a handful of Michelin Star restaurants. Other great locations for teaching English in France are: Bordeaux, Le Havre and Toulouse.

One of the main challenges of working in France is the lengthy visa process for non-EU citizens. Securing a working visa requires lots of patience and perseverance, with the process taking up to six months. It’s also more difficult for non-EU citizens to find teaching work in France as employers tend to choose applicants that don’t need a working visa – though it’s certainly not impossible!

Another challenge of living in France is learning the local etiquette. The French have very specific ideas about good manners and will expect you to follow suit. This may present itself in many ways, from frequently using common polite French phrases to giving double kisses to every member of staff in the office.

On the whole, France is one of the more expensive TEFL destinations to live in. The average cost of living comes in at less than the Netherlands or South Korea but more expensive than Hong Kong or Finland.

In Paris, a monthly gym membership costs about $50 per month, a cinema ticket is $13, a meal at a restaurant is $30 or more, a beer is $6, and a coffee is $4. Prices are slightly cheaper outside of the capital, though the main difference in cost is the price of accommodation.

As a TEFL teacher, you can expect to be offered a salary that matches the local cost of living in the city you work, but generally not enough to come away with savings. Though, most teachers move to France for the lifestyle rather than the money – which is arguably worth the cost!

France enjoys a variety of scenery and sights, from quaint countryside spots to giant ski resorts and quiet seaside towns to glittering cosmopolitan cities. Although there are diverse cultures and customs, the French rules of etiquette seem to be nationwide. Socialising is also key to life in France with a glass of wine or two usually coming as part of the package. The majority of must-see landmarks can be found in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Palace of Versailles and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Historically, French culture comes from a mix of ancient tribes and people, namely the Celts, Franks and Gallo-Romans. These days, Parisian culture is known for its modernity and style, especially when it comes to fashion, art and cuisine. However, outside of the capital, French culture is much more traditional. Important values include pride and equality, and the French are known to be passionate, both in anger and romance!

Catholicism is the most practised religion in the country, and French is the dominant language spoken – though there are several other dialects used around the country, especially near the French borders. Incredible art from various eras can be found across the country, particularly Gothic, Neoclassic, Rococo and Romanesque styles. And the French care about their fashion – with Chanel, Dior and Hermes calling Paris home – though they aren’t particularly showy dressers and tend to prefer neat, sophisticated outfits.

The French are serious about top-quality cuisine and freshly-made food. Any Francophile will have tried just-baked croissants, famous frogs’ legs, divine crepes, and snails served with garlic. French cuisine also includes lots of smelly (but delicious) cheese and great local wine – which seems to be poured into recipes almost as much as it’s drank!

A few popular French dishes include coq au vin – literally translating to rooster with wine, cassoulet – a classic French casserole that includes white beans and a variety of meat, and boeuf bourguignon – also known as burgundy beef, this is a beef stew that uses red wine. As you can see, lots of French dishes centre around meat, but there are plenty of delicious vegetarian and pescatarian meals too, such as ratatouille – a hearty vegetable stew, and salade niçoise – a salad with anchovies, boiled eggs, olives and tomatoes.

Almost as important as delicious French food is the culture and traditions behind the cuisine. Visiting the boulangerie (bakery) to purchase fresh bread is a daily routine for many French locals, wishing others a good meal – bon appétit! – is a frequent occurrence, and complicated preparation is key to many delicious homemade dishes.

The standard of accommodation in France is generally high, with modern fittings and furnishings in both big cities and small towns. Accommodation is rarely provided with English teaching jobs in France, though you might receive help from your employer to arrange rent with your landlord.

The cost of accommodation in France can be high, especially in Paris. In fact, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the capital can cost almost double the amount of one in Lyon. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre of Paris can cost $1,000-1,550 per month, whereas an apartment outside of the centre can cost $800-1,100 per month. On the other hand, an apartment in the centre of Lyon costs roughly $650-900 per month and an apartment outside of the centre costs $500-750.

Setting up can be particularly costly, with some landlords asking for three-month’s rent as a deposit. You may also have to provide references and proof of employment from your school.

Located in Western Europe, France is surrounded by Germany, Spain and Switzerland – to name a few, as well as the Atlantic Ocean, the Channel, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The country enjoys typical European weather with milder weather in the west and warmer weather in the east. However, with several different land borders, sea borders and mountain ranges to its name, France can have quite changeable weather.

Paris is at its coldest in December and January – dropping to a low average of 3°C, and at its warmest in July and August – with an average high temperature of 25°C. Rainfall is fairly steady throughout the year, varying between 16mm and 26mm per month with the least rain in September.

Marseille has a much more Mediterranean climate than the capital, enjoying a hot summer with plenty of sunshine and occasional rain. At the height of summer, you can expect the average temperature to be 24°C with peaks of 29°C. And in winter, you can expect an average temperature of 7°C with lows of 3°C. Rain is heaviest in October with up to 70mm of rain over the course of the month, and the least amount of rainfall is in July with only 10mm falling. Nearby Toulon is both the sunniest and windiest city in the country.

Lyon has a more continental climate than Marseille or Paris with somewhat unpredictable rainfall. Summer bring comfortable temperatures and relatively low humidity with an average temperature of 22°C in July. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 3°C. April and December are the rainiest months of the year receiving 60mm of rain per month, and January and February are the driest months receiving as little at 20mm of rain per month.

Please note: The information in this guide is accurate as of the time of writing. However, the laws and requirements to teach abroad can often change. Make sure to check the latest advice from the local authority of the country you plan to work in.