Teaching English in Paris, France
Report submitted on 27 Feb, 2017 by Preeshymite.
Teaching English in Paris, France:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Paris, France?
Normally through the internet and expat websites and expat Facebook groups that share jobs around.
Or promoting yourself around Paris with flyers or French friends (if you have any!).
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Part time English language school positions, agencies (send teachers to different locations), private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).
Business English through private school are very popular. Most young French are looking to learn English, but in particular all ages are desperate to learn Business English!
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
Having a TEFL certificate is great, but being a native speaker/fluent of English or if you’ve grown up in an anglo-taxon country is generally enough to teach. However, if you want to teach in bilingual or international schools, a teaching (*sometimes* require from France) degree and fluency in French is necessary.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
To have ease and a less stressful experience teaching English in a foreign country, I highly recommend doing a TEFL course to get you into the mind frame of a teacher, the workload and expectations required of you. Especially if you’ve never taught before (like myself). It’s much more work than you think!
In France, you are likely to be asked to apply for a “Entrepreneur Status” so you can work as a sole trader for yourself and not an agency or school.
What are the levels of payment?
Generally you can charge between 25-40 (approx. 26 – 42 US$) euros an hour, depending on your experience of teaching and confidence to teach!
How many teaching days a week is normal?
Not too sure – you can work 5-6 hours a day if you like Monday – Friday days per week.
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
No idea, I don’t work a “normal” job hours per week
What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
Generally the school holidays are your holidays.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Paris, France to teach English?
Get a TEFL certificate and try and observe some classes in your home country. Either adults, teens or children. The more experience you have seeing how teaching is done, the less scared you’ll be when you arrive.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Paris, France?
If you don’t have a great level of French yet – your student will undoubtedly teach you some new things, naturally. So you benefit from each other and it’s fun learning about different cultures and exchanging cultural differences with your students. They want to know all about anglo-saxon culture!
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Paris, France?
It’s not a very secure job, and you can be out of pocket for a few weeks if it’s holidays. There are also lots of scummy jobs that exploit foreign people and they’re very sneaky (and nice) about trying to keep you in the job, so be aware of your rights in France!
What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
The language barrier has been a little difficult so far, especially teaching children under 7, as classroom management get really tough if you can’t express yourself in their native language. But you’re here to teach them English and I believe speaking English should be the main focus, not explaining things in French. Although it requires a lot of patience!!
Living in Paris, France:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in France?
As an Australian and being under 30 – France and Australia have a special visa for Australians: Working Holiday Visa which entitles you to live and work in France for up to 12 months.
What is the cost of living like in France?
Paris…well is Paris. It’s expensive regardless. Living IN Paris, meaning inside the “Périphérique” you’re looking at 500-800 (approx. 529 – 847 US$) euros a month in a shared apartment or 700-1000 (approx. 740 – 1058 US$) euros for a studio.
Food is reasonably priced in France. A Metro pass a month can range from 40-73 (42,50 – 77,50 US$) euros depending on the zones you need to travel, but some work places offer reductions on these too as well as give you restaurant tickets which you can use anywhere during lunch time and get 7 (approx. 7,40 US$) euros off your meal.
Depending on the arrondissement you go out to and hang at – a coffee can cost 5 (approx. 5,30 US$) euros (TOO EXPENSIVE) or 1-2 (approx. 1,10 – 2,10 US$) euros at others. Same goes with pints of beer!
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
I’m in a unique position as I live with my partners family, but most young people share or “coloc” as it’s called in France. If you can afford a studio – -mad props to you!
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Paris, France?
Paris is a very historical place, with amazing culture and great food. Everywhere you turn there is something new to discover and be in awe about.
But seriously…THE FOOD! *drools*
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in scenery, France?
It’s Winter here at the moment….whilst in my home country of Australia, it’s the beautiful Summer…I miss the sun the most so so so much! The weather can really affect your mental health too, and being away from family and not sharing the same language can make you feel isolated – so make sure to learn French whilst your here!
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Paris, France?
Learn French, connect with expats currently living in France, get a TEFL certificate, be ready for French Bureaucracy….it’s a nightmare sometimes and processes of things can take a long time (much longer than what I’m used to in Australia), get ready from an amazing culinary experience (be adventurous! and please don’t eat frogs legs…most Frenchies find this so unethical! Yes times do change) and finally don’t be afraid to make mistakes (especially whilst speaking French), it’s better to attempt speaking French first before you launch into English. The French appreciate it (even if they don’t show it, they really do), but if you don’t make the effort, they’ll be less inclined to help you 😛
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
THE SUNSHINE!
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave France?
The transport system hahah the metro is amazing!
The food…mmmm boulangeries
The cheap wine and beer
The cultural / historical events/buildings and cinema
The sound of French being spoken everywhere of course!
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Surprisingly it’s easy to get Vegemite and Tim Tams these days….except they’re like 4 euros and under….pretty pricey but for a slice of home 🙂 it’s nothing.
I love Lemon Myrtle the scent and mixed in tea – it’s unlikely to find native Australian things like that here (obviously). Plus Australian items are super expensive here and are seen as a luxury item (hot thing to have)!
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Preeshymite
Nationality: Australian
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, business.
Where I teach: … Teaching for 2 months.
My school facilities: Good. Classroom and teaching resources are good.
Do you teach English in France?
Tell us about your experiences – click here to submit your report about teaching English in France.
