How to Teach English in France
Schooling standards are exceptional throughout France at both public and private institutions. English is taught at varying levels to children from as young as 9 months old to equip school students with basic conversational skills.
It’s important to take into consideration that the teaching day is a little longer in many parts of France, normally 9 am to 6 pm, although many schools have a day off midweek to encourage students to study privately and take part in extracurricular activities such as music lessons and sports.
French education authorities prefer to employ experienced English teachers. If you’re a citizen of an EU country, you do not need to arrange a working visa. If you’re from another region, you’ll need to be sponsored through an educational institution or program in order to gain a Frenchvisa.
Salary and benefits when teaching English in France
Licensed teachers working in French international schools are likely to receive a salary of around $2,000 USD per month, a figure which rises with responsibility and experience. English teachers are usually expected to arrange and cover the costs of their own accommodation and travel.
English teaching jobs in France are mostly hiring between June to August. The academic school year begins in September.
What you’ll need to teach English in France
Qualifications required to teach English in France
To teach abroadin a public or private school in France, teachers must hold a Bachelor’s degree in their subject of specialization, as well as hold an education certification, preferably a Master’s. English instructors are normally required to have a Bachelor’s degree and at least a year of relevant education experience and hold TEFL or CELTA certification.
Visas for English teachers in France
EU citizens are permitted to work in France without a visa. Citizens from outside the EU will find that obtaining a working visa can be difficult, but is certainly not impossible. Non-EU teachers will need to be sponsored by their workplace in order to apply for a visa to teach English in France.
Living in France
Being able to speak conversational French is huge advantage to anyone living and working anywhere in France. Although this is not essential, teachers should be willing and open to learning the language once they have arrived in the country.
Housing in France
The cost of rent varies significantly depending on the region. A basic apartment in central Paris can cost over $1000 per month – you could rent a small house for a similar price in Provence, for example.
Things to do in France
From rustic country hideouts, quaint coastal towns, to big-time ski resorts, teachers working in France are never without new experiences and places to discover. France has a surprisingly diverse culture, as its older regional customs have slowly melded to create a more unified national identity.
The French are known for taking their food and drink seriously, and regularly socialize either at home or out with a glass of wine.
Paris is a must-visit. The city is a hotspot for classic art, designer shopping, and a range of entertainment, as well as being the home of two of the most iconic structures in the world: the magnificent Eiffel Tower and l’Arc de Triomphe. France also serves as an ideal base for those who want to travel further around Europe, with most major cities having excellent transport links by coach, train, air and even ferry to most other cities in the continent.
OISE TEFL Certification for Private School Teachers
Many private schools in France require applicants to possess aTEFL certificate. The University of Toronto’s OISE TEFL Online Certificate can help you become a leading candidate for some of the top private school positions in France.
Apply to teach in France
Register for a teacher account to apply for teaching jobs in France
France at a glance
Country information
Capital: Paris
Language: French
Population: 66 million
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Government: Constitutional Republic
Quick facts
France is the world’s largest tourist destination, with over 82 million annual visitors!
France shares borders with Belgium to the northeast, Germany and Luxembourg to the east and with Switzerland and Italy to the southeast.
Over 400 different kinds of cheese are made in France.
The French are avid wine drinkers, consuming over 11 billion glasses a year.
The world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris was built as the entrance point for the 1889 World's Fair and is now one of the most visited monuments in the world.
After English, French is the second most studied language and is spoken by more than 300 million people around the world as either a first or second language today.
There is only one stop sign in the whole city of Paris!
