Work and Immigrate to France an English Teacher, Salary

With English now recognized as the dominating language of business, the preferred language of tourists, and the major language in this golden era of television, the French perspective toward English has altered drastically. As a result, many foreigners become English teachers in France.

For over a decade, France remained one of the most desirable destinations for English teachers because teaching English in France is a terrific method to obtain employment based on your talents while also giving you the freedom that many other occupations do not. However, before you immigrate to France as an English teacher, you must grasp the prerequisites for each type of teaching.

This essay will go over the many teaching possibilities available, how to become an English teacher in France, what degree you’ll need to teach, and if you’ll need a French work visa if you’re a non-EU citizen.

Table of Contents

What are the Teaching Jobs in France for Foreign Teachers?

In France, English teachers have various alternatives. You can work as a private tutor individually or via an organization that specializes in locating full-time or part-time opportunities as an English instructor. If you want to work more casually, you may get employed on a per-hour schedule at most institutions and high schools around the country. Because most colleges are government-funded, they pay higher wages than other locations where you could teach.

Private Elementary & Secondary Schools

Private elementary and secondary schools in France are competitive and have high expectations of their teachers. However, they provide an excellent atmosphere for further development because they are extremely well-resourced. The teaching staff is driven, students are engaged, and you have several possibilities to learn the French language.

Private English Language Schools

Private English language schools in France are more accommodating regarding qualification requirements. They would typically want you to have a Bachelor’s degree in any field, a CELTA certification, and appropriate job experience. You can still apply if you have a lesser teaching certification, but some institutions may refuse to accept it.

The easiest approach to getting a job at a language school is to email your CV. The ideal time to send CVs is in June and early July, before the start of the new academic year. Before the summer break, schools are constantly seeking fresh recruits. Also, check with the local town hall since many offer English classes. You will almost certainly require a visa before you can apply.

Universities

Universities in France might be excellent places to teach English because they pay more than other language schools. These jobs, however, are notoriously tough to come by. Colleges normally approach candidates through “word of mouth”; however, there are plenty of teaching positions in France for English speakers. Therefore, writing directly to the university’s language department is advisable. It is feasible to be an Adjunct, but you must be an “auto-entrepreneur” or have another full-time employment.

English-teaching adjuncts are paid 1-2 months after the semester ends for the complete semester of work, which can be a fantastic way to save but will not help you with your monthly expenditures. French colleges only sometimes sponsor visas.

Private Tutoring

For college students and anyone wishing to enhance their monthly income, private tutoring has been France’s favored method of teaching English. English tutors in France can advertise in their neighborhood, in the local café, and, of course, on social media.

The stronger your network is, the easier it will be to discover tutors. The rivalry in Paris is severe but considerably less so in other cities. There is also a steady need for English-speaking babysitters. To legally instruct or babysit in France, you will require a visa.

You’ll be paid by the hour, and Paris is typically more expensive than the rest of the country. Private sessions are another fantastic method to enhance your income, but ensure a cancellation policy permits you to get paid if your student cancels a class at the last minute.

Tutoring for the Workforce

The French Chamber of Commerce and significant private corporations hire native English speakers to train particular groups of employees. If you have specific skills in business, engineering, or medicine, you should pursue teaching English to adults in France.

Teaching Assistant Programs

Several organizations, like the Alliance Francaise, provide Teaching Assistant jobs that can last up to seven months. If you are a competent French speaker, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience France and determine if you love living in a culturally rich environment. This position is intended for recent college graduates and does not need any qualifications beyond a Bachelor’s degree, merely competence in French.

What is TAPIF?

Americans might apply to teach in France under TAPIF or the Teaching Assistant Program. The TAPIF in France allows you to spend 7 months in France teaching students of different ages. The French metropolitan area and the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion employ approximately 1,400 Americans each year as public school teachers.

Assistants are given 12 hours of teaching per week that can be split between up to three different institutions. Classes are held in English. The teaching assistant may manage all or part of a class, generally guiding English talks. Duties may include:

Acting as a reference person in group discussions.
Conducting small group tutorials.
Presenting speeches in English classrooms about American studies.

The TAPIF in France has some downsides:

You get paid 780 euros per month, and you cannot officially do other jobs, which is very tight to pay for accommodation and living costs in France, especially if you are in Paris.
You do not choose the town; you could be in a small town.
You have to have savings for set-up costs; for example, you must pay two months’ rent in advance (caution) when you take an apartment here in France.
You only work 12 hours a week, but they are spread out over the week; you do get plenty of holidays, though
You are alone and need to get by with French bureaucracy.
It is best for travelers who need pocket money but not suitable if you need to earn a living and support a family.
I.t is exclusively available to persons aged 20 to 35.

How to Immigrate to France as an English Teacher?

Now it is time to answer the question ” how to become a teacher in France? To secure a job teaching English in France, you must first investigate the position’s requirements. You may also create an excellent resume and cover letter showcasing your work experience and credentials.

Step 1. Find an English Teaching Job in France

Most jobs are posted online. If you want to teach English at a firm, you may also reach out to the French Chamber of Commerce. It may connect you with a local group looking for a tutor. When applying online, you can plan to provide certified versions of your degrees, which a phone call or Skype interview will follow.

Step 2. Apply For an English Teaching Job in France

Schools in France will determine their future teacher needs in the year’s first quarter, with advertisements for teachers running throughout the summer. The school year starts in September. Suppose you want to work at a private English language school or as an English business teacher. You may approach employers at any point throughout the academic year because they are always looking for new teachers. You should give yourself at least six months to complete the procedure.

Step 3. Collect the Required Documents

The French education system is held to high standards, as seen by the qualifying requirements. To teach in a French elementary or secondary school, you must have a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree and a teaching license in your country are desirable.

To work as a TEFL teacher, you must have:

A four-year bachelor’s degree in any topic
English proficiency (native level)
At least two years of relevant work experience
Your CV
A CELTA, TEFL, or comparable qualification
Your clear criminal history
A valid passport

The CV or Curriculum Vitae is a critical component of practically all application procedures. You should prepare your CV before applying for any paid work, including teaching English in France.

Even if you write your CV in English, French employers, institutions, and colleges may demand you to adhere to French CV writing rules. So without a doubt, send a CV in French.

Step 4. Get a French Work Visa

As in most other European nations, EU citizens are the primary choice for work in France. This is because if you are from the EU, you do not need a French working visa. However, if you are not from the EU, you must get sponsorship from an institution or program to receive a French work and teaching visa.

While this was previously difficult due to the large number of British and Irish EU nationals searching for work in France, Brexit may provide a chance for English-speaking non-EU people to get sponsorship. You should, however, be prepared for a protracted procedure.

If you do not already have a passport from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you will need to seek sponsorship from a French institution or an employer, then apply for a work visa at a French embassy.

On the other hand, there are other approaches:

A Student Visa will be provided if you are accepted into any university program. This enables you to work part-time (20 hours per week) while your spouse can work full-time. Some organizations, particularly private and international schools, will assist staff in obtaining a normal work visa.
More independent travelers with additional means of income can choose the “Competences et Talents” visa, which is valid for 1 to 3 years and can occasionally be renewed for a longer period.
You can get a “Passeport Talent.” This four-year, renewable visa is designed to bring to France some of the brightest brains in their respective disciplines. Another visa option is for recent graduates who can demonstrate a particular degree of expertise and artists and entertainers who want to make a substantial contribution to French culture.

Note: Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian citizens may be permitted to teach on a student visa. Those between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply for a working holiday. Contact your nearest French consulate or embassy for further information on student visas and working vacation options.

Become an IELTS or TOEFL Instructor in France

With the rising globalization of global employment markets and an increasing number of French students studying abroad, there is a growing demand in France for English proficiency certifications from reputable institutes such as IELTS or TOEFL. Preparing students for these tests is a job that, if located in the correct place (near universities, high schools, etc.), is nearly a sure bet for consistent employment.

You must have an IELTS or TOEFL teaching certificate to teach at authorized institutions. Furthermore, because these tests do not evaluate broad English skills but follow a specific framework, you will need to provide specific training to equip students to do well.

Do You Need a Working Visa as a Non-EU Citizen?

Teaching at a recognized IELTS or TOEFL college implies you’ll be under contract and need a working visa. A working visa may not be required if you work as a private teacher and solely work to augment your income.

Become a Business English Teacher in France

The French Chamber of Commerce organizes most business English lessons in France. Teaching might take place in a classroom setting or in the company itself. For example, you may be teaching engineers, technicians, accountants, or salesmen in a business English class.

Contact the French Chamber of Commerce to find out about business teaching opportunities. In addition, private enterprises such as inlingua frequently hire English teachers for other businesses.

Do You Need a Teaching Certificate to Immigrate to France as an English Teacher?

CELTA certification is required for teaching in schools and universities. You must enroll in an authorized facility to take the CELTA.

The most respected language qualification is CELTA, however depending on the position you apply for, you may be permitted to start working with another certificate in TEFL or teaching English as a foreign language. These are categorized into many types: 100-hour courses, 120-hour courses, and 140-hour or longer courses.
Certificates with fewer than 120 hours are unlikely to be accepted.
The more hours a certification course needs, the more likely you will get to work in France.
Employers frequently do not recognize online TEFL certificates as genuine, and certifications received through regular classroom training are given greater weight in the application process.

Things to Know Before Getting TEFL Jobs in France

Read your contract carefully. Important facts about your working circumstances will be outlined in your contract. Pay close attention to factors such as your income, holiday pay, whether you’ll be compensated for the preparation process, and how many hours you’ll be required to put in. Check if your school or supporting institution will cover any travel expenses you pay for while in France. Insist on including these critical facts in your contract. Accepting verbal affirmation of a certain working situation in lieu of a black-and-white statement in your work contract is not suitable.
Your monthly take-home pay is 1,200 Euros in Paris. You can live with less than this salary in other parts of the country.
Your monthly compensation will cover school holidays if you work for a salary. Some businesses (and even a few private institutions) will not pay you if you do not teach over the holidays.
Understand your commute. Paris and its neighboring Île-de-France area are rather large. Most businesses and educational institutions do not consider how much time you will spend going around the city and into the suburbs. It is not uncommon for a new instructor to spend three hours commuting for a one-hour lesson. Remember that your travel time and rail fare are not frequently reimbursed.
Find out more about the institution. Before going to and taking a position at a certain institution, learn everything you can about it. Request that friends or family in the neighborhood check it out for you. Check internet forums and comments for the school to see if it’s a decent workplace. If a school contacts you about a career opportunity, ask for a current English teacher’s email or phone number. Talk to this individual about their experience to learn more about working at the school.
Arrange your housing. Your institution or employment agency may give or assist you in obtaining accommodation. However, your living status may be fully in your hands. If you already have friends or colleagues in France, you might request to stay with them. Instead, you can stay in a hostel for a few weeks while you look for an apartment near your workplace.

Do You Need to Learn French to Become an English Teacher in France?

You must have intermediate French knowledge to teach English through a government program. You should be able to interact in ordinary circumstances, execute daily duties, and engage in meaningful conversations in French. Take as many French classes as possible in high school and college to enhance this skill. Even if French is optional for your profession, learning the language is a smart idea because you will be living in France for the period of your teaching contract.

Some employment will need you to be fluent in French. There are different major techniques to demonstrate your fluency in French. The job you apply for will tell you how to demonstrate your command of French.

You may be requested to provide your university transcript to demonstrate your marks in French courses.
You may be required to compose a personal statement in French.
It’s also conceivable that you’ll require a letter of reference from a French language professor or an Alliance Francaise evaluator.
You could take a conventional French language exam if you have yet to take many French courses. Although it is seldom compulsory, passing an exam such as the TEF, DELF, or DALF might benefit your application.

What are the Best Cities to Teach English in France?

The most apparent city that comes to mind when considering relocation to France is Paris. It’s no wonder, given the city’s proximity to world-class museums and restaurants, as well as the number of schools and institutions and European headquarters of large multinational organizations and corporations.

However, if you want to teach English, Paris is a competitive marketplace. You could have greater luck finding work in smaller towns like Lyon, France’s gourmet center, or farther south in the Mediterranean climates of Montpellier or Nice.

Lille, Dijon, Toulouse, Le Havre, and Bordeaux on the Atlantic Coast are excellent choices for teachers who prefer smaller cities. Mountain enthusiasts should consider Strasbourg. One thing is certain: wherever you go in France, a good dinner and a breathtaking view are never far away.

How Much Do English Teachers Make in France?

The average income of an English teacher in France ranges from 19,700 EUR to 57,800 EUR. The essential factor in deciding remuneration is the amount of experience. Naturally, the more years of experience you have, the greater your salary. We discovered this after breaking down English Teacher wages by experience level.

A teacher with less than two years of experience may earn around 22,300 EUR per year.
A teacher with two to five years of experience is predicted to earn 30,000 EUR per year.
A teacher with five to 10 years of experience earns 38,900 EUR per year.
English teachers with ten to fifteen years of experience earn 47,100 EUR a year.
If you have fifteen to twenty years of experience, you can earn 51,500 EUR a year.
Teachers with more than twenty years of professional experience earn 54,200 EUR per year.

What are the Benefits of Becoming an English Teacher in France?

You may expect to receive the following advantages as an English teacher in France:

Health insurance. You must pay into the French healthcare system. You can obtain coverage through the public system if you do not have private health insurance.
Paid vacation. You will receive 25 days of paid vacation each year and other holidays on your working schedule (Christmas, Easter).
Paid sick days. If you miss work due to illness or family obligations, you will be paid at least 20% of your regular wage. However, this is limited to 750 euros monthly in average yearly income.
Transportation costs. Transportation expenses linked with getting to work will also be repaid at certain points during the year based on the number of days worked during that time.
Housing. It is not commonplace for English instructors to be provided with accessible accommodations while living in France.
End of contract bonus. If both parties fulfill all contractual duties, you will receive a bonus of 10% of your monthly gross wage at the end of the contract. The maximum end-of-contract bonus figure is one month’s gross compensation (before taxes).

What is the Classroom & Work Culture in France?

The French school day is fairly lengthy, especially for older kids, lasting from 8 or 9 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m. Most schools, however, have breaks during the day for an hour or two, and some even take a break during the week, allowing students to devote a day to extra activities. Again, however, this is entirely dependent on the specific school.

French pupils are polite and diligent, and families support their children’s success. But unfortunately, this also implies a high level of parental involvement, which can make life tough at times.

You must know that the French have their norms and social customs. So if someone does something you typically do at home, don’t get irritated! They most likely have a different method of doing things than you are used to.

Greetings. When in a commonplace, especially when entering a business, you’ll be required to greet everyone with “bonjour” (hello) BEFORE requesting or asking for aid from a service worker. A kiss on both cheeks indicates your openness for each other while welcoming acquaintances.
Language. The French are extremely proud of their history and culture. Attempting to engage in French conversation, even if it’s as simple as asking “parlez-vous Anglais?” (Do you speak English? ), would go a long way.
Timing. Except for commercial meetings when punctuality is anticipated, it is advisable to come after the suggested time when given time to attend a gathering.
Fashion. Dressing formally while meeting with customers or attending a business occasion is necessary. Men often dress in suits and ties, while ladies dress in attractive yet modest attire.