Category Archives: France

Teaching English in St. Amand Montrond, France

Report submitted on 19 June, 2014 by Monika.

Teaching English in St. Amand Montrond, France:

How can teachers find teaching jobs in St. Amand Montrond, France?
Well, in fact, I’m from Belgium but I’m married to a “Frenchman” and we have 2 children. In Belgium, we are used to hearing English all the time, even when we are watching TV, we hear the actors speaking and movies, even Walt Disney, are “subtitled” in Dutch. Here in France, it’s very different! And as soon I saw that my children didn’t get English lessons in primary school I went to the principal teacher and I asked her if I could help in giving English lessons! She agreed right away and that’s how I’m still at school but I’m not paid … because I don’t have a diploma as “teacher”…. (but I do it with “love”). Now, when my pupils are leaving primary school, their English level is soooo much better! It so sad that here in France they still don’t understand that you have to start English lessons when children are still very little! Normally, French teachers should give them “basic English” but I can assure you that is not what is happening! I also give private lessons at home, to earn a little bit money, and otherwise, I work with my husband….. I also worked for “L’éductation Nationale” but sadly enough, they think that French teachers are capable of giving English lessons……. Sorry to say, but their accent is just AWFUL !!! I think that in big cities, such as Paris, you can more easily find work as an English teacher…. if you have the right diploma!

The main English teaching jobs available are:
Private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).  I think there are English teaching jobs available but in big cities, maybe “private” teaching….at schools, universities, but here in France it is not so easy !! You need a special diploma.

What are the minimum teaching requirements?
In my case: experience, qualifications, and lots of good motivation.

What teaching requirements would you recommend?
It’s always the same: here in France it’s not that simple – you really need a higher diploma. They start very late giving English lessons, and little children don’t have a solid base in English.

What are the levels of payment?
Well, I’m not paid at all in school, but I receive lots of encouragements from parents, and they send older brothers and sisters to my house, so when people come to my house, I ask 10 euros / hour (high school level to college).

How many teaching days a week is normal?
3 days per week.

How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
8 hours per week.

I have 8 groups of children from 6 years till 11 years old. How many days? How many hours?  Easy to say: give them a solid base to go to college: 1 hour / week / group!

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to St. Amand Montrond, France to teach English?
France is a big country (when you compare with my little homeland!).

What are the positive aspects of teaching English in St. Amand Montrond, France?
I’m just somebody from another country, as well, and I just think that it’s more than urgent that France does something for people like us, who just want to help!

What are the negative aspects for teaching English in St. Amand Montrond, France?
The negative aspects are that it is a looong way to go, I suppose but be BRAVE! French children NEED English teachers!

What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
In my area (in the middle of France) parents think that it is not interesting to learn English, they say, “Oh, our children need to learn French first of all …”

Living in St. Amand Montrond, France:

Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in France?
I suppose so! If somebody wishes to come to France to teach and live in “my” location, I wish him / her GOOD LUCK!  But, yes it is possible: for universities, high schools….. no future for primary schools.

What is the cost of living like in France?
It’s okay! I have my family: my husband, a son (14 years) and a daughter (11 years) and myself, 3 dogs and 5 cats! My husband and I have a cereal farm, well, he “showed” me to do the work, because I always worked in foreign businesses, that’s why I speak several languages.

What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
I think you should go to see “l’éducation nationale” or universities, or colleges …

Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in St. Amand Montrond, France?
As I already mentioned before, France is a big country, so I think it must be more interesting to go to BIG cities! People from certain cities are very kind.

Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in St. Amand Montrond, France?
Here, where I live, my husband is French, but he is from Normandy (even our 2 children were born in Normandy) and people treat us like strangers, 7 years ago, when we arrived here (near Bourges).

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to St. Amand Montrond, France to live?
Well, I’m rather a positive person, I have already left my country (my family, friends, job…) for my husband, maybe it was not easy at the beginning, but I’m not the kind of person who stays in his / her little house all alone!

What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country (Belgium)?
CHOCOLATE! (Belgian chocolates!) and also to speak my mothertongue, to be able to say everything that you want, in your own language!

About Me and My Work:

My Name: Monika

Nationality: Belgian

Students I’ve taught in France: Pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years), high school (15-18 years).

Where I teach: School in St. Amand Montrond.

How I found my current job: By asking the principal.

My school facilities: Good – there are 2 kind of schools: private schools and public schools.  Private schools don’t get much help from the state but are catholic, parents help the school a lot. Public schools are not catholic and get lots of help from the state.

Teacher support at my school: None.

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