Teaching English in Vienne, France
Report submitted on 20 Mar, 2016 by Sarah.
Teaching English in Vienne, France:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Vienne, France?
Apply directly to private schools, or go through the French CAPES process (competitive exam and school placement).
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, teaching at private international schools, teaching at colleges / universities, teaching at companies, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.)
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
Native speakers with diplomas and experience can get low-paying jobs by applying directly to schools.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
To have tenure and better pay, you must have a master’s degree and take the CAPES exam.
What are the levels of payment?
15-25€/hour (approx. US$ 17-28) for private lessons, 42€/hour (approx. US$ 47) net for universities, 32€/hr (approx. US$ 36) net for elementary or middle schools.
How many teaching days a week is normal?
4 days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
18 hours per week.
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Many holidays: 2 weeks off: fall, Christmas, February, April. Summer: 8-9 weeks in July and August
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Vienne, France to teach English?
You can do it but it’s not easy.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Vienne, France?
People love Anglophone cultures and are interested to have your point of view, as well as expertise. The students also appreciate Anglo-Saxon teaching methods that get them speaking and include positive encouragement.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Vienne, France?
There is no equivalent for teaching diplomas and one must go through the French competitive exam to have a stable position.
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
Students are not used to speaking up in class.
Living in Vienne, France:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in France?
Non European citizens must have a “working visa” which can be acquired by the job contract, but is easier to get if you study in France or get married to a French citizen.
What is the cost of living like in France?
Quite high, though health care is mostly free.
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Apartments or houses. Some government contracts have accommodation included (Teaching assistant positions). It is difficult to rent without solid job contract.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Vienne, France?
The food, the metro, beautiful architecture, cultural events.
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Vienne, France?
People can be judgmental, tend to complain and take advantage of the social benefits (health care, aides, etc).
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Vienne, France?
Young teachers can easily get their feet wet using the Teaching Assistant program.
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
General friendliness.
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave France?
The food and the diverse regions (countryside, specialties).
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Birth certificate and diplomas (translate them from a “traducteur assurmenté” when you arrive), plain Cheerios if you have young children, apple butter, almond butter, fruit strips.
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Sarah
Nationality: American
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), university, adults.
Where I teach: Institution Robin, Vienne. Working here for 8 years.
My school facilities: Adequate. Teachers in France don’t have their own classroom so we cannot decorate, which provides lots of encouragement for the students.
They don’t have school libraries before the university level. Schools are very cheap but as a result there are little resources.
Do you teach English in France?
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