| Teaching English in France is a fun and rewarding way | | | | (English as a second language - this doesn't apply in |
| for long-term travelers - and anyone else, for that | | | | France, since it's not an English-speaking country, but at |
| matter - to make money along the way during a long | | | | least you'll have some kind of qualification), ESOL |
| trip or simply enjoy France for a while. For some | | | | (English to speakers of other languages, mostly used in |
| people, a short stop to fuel up on French culture and | | | | adult education), TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign |
| food is more than enough. For others, this may mean | | | | language), TESL (Teaching English as a second |
| settling down for the long haul. | | | | language), TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of |
| Either way, these 5 essential tips should help you find a | | | | other languages), or CELTA (Certificate in English |
| job teaching English in France. | | | | language teaching to adults). The French are quite |
| If you're a citizen of the EU, there's no problem. You | | | | academic and will respect academic qualifications if |
| have permission to work in France, so all you need to | | | | they're serious ones. |
| do is to show up and find a job. It won't be | | | | Essential Tip #4. Translate your paperwork |
| instantaneous, but the tips below will be equally useful | | | | We often don't think about this - but your potential |
| to you. | | | | employer may actually not read English! While the |
| If you're not a EU citizen, it's harder, but not impossible | | | | French are making huge strides learning English - or |
| to find a job as a teacher of English in France. Your | | | | there wouldn't be any demand for English teachers - |
| potential employer will have to prove the skills he or | | | | foreign languages are still uncommon, especially among |
| she needs are simply not available in the country - a | | | | the older generations. So make sure you get |
| difficult case to make given all the British and Irish | | | | everything translated before you even attempt to look |
| job-seekers with the right working papers. | | | | for a job, or you might get some fluent arched |
| Still, there are some assets you can bring to the table | | | | eyebrows as the school's owners tries to wade |
| to improve your chances of getting hired, and these | | | | through a language she may not know. |
| tips should help you despite the highly competitive | | | | Essential Tip #5. Promote your specialty |
| nature of this market. | | | | Are you a specialist in health, business or technology? |
| Essential Tip #1. Practice your French | | | | Put that forward because specialists are more in |
| That's right. The French prefer dealing with people with | | | | demand than generalists. You'll have a better chance |
| whom they can communicate. Speaking French will | | | | of finding a job if you have something others don't - so |
| also help you network and take advantage of tips | | | | if you have a profession other than that of teacher, |
| from others. So if you have a bit of high school or | | | | squeeze it for what it's worth. For example, if you |
| college French, brush up on it. If not, at least learn | | | | have a good grasp of business terminology, you could |
| enough to show you care. You won't need much of it | | | | get a job teaching English to executives in a large |
| in the classroom, but a bit of French will help during the | | | | company rather than to students in a language school. |
| job search. | | | | Still concerned about finding a job teaching English in |
| Essential Tip #2. Did I say network? | | | | France? |
| That's right. Visit ESL forums and discussion groups. | | | | Don't despair. You could try teaching in small, |
| Visit expat forums. Join email lists. Get to know people | | | | out-of-the-way towns where fewer foreign teachers |
| who are already teaching English in France. Find out | | | | might want to go - after all, many of us yearn for the |
| what's out there. Timing is often everything and one of | | | | bright lights of Paris, the shores of the Mediterranean |
| the best ways to find a job teaching English in France | | | | or the sun-kissed hillsides of Provence. Or, if you're a |
| is to follow up on leads. If someone bails out of a | | | | student, there are special visas that may make your |
| teaching assignment a few days before the start of | | | | job search easier. You could perhaps become a |
| the school year, an employer might be desperate - | | | | Teaching Assistant, or get a Working Holiday Visa. |
| your walking in the door at that time might be the | | | | France is a magnet for potential English teachers, a |
| break you both need. But you'll only find out if you've | | | | romantic, gastronomic and visually stunning country, |
| been keeping your ear to the ground. | | | | filled with history and culture. Why wouldn't someone |
| Essential Tip #3. Get certified | | | | want to find a job teaching English in this wonderful |
| The more certificates you have, the better your | | | | country? |
| chances. These can include degrees, diplomas or | | | | I hope these 5 essential tips will help in your job search. |
| certificates in EFL (English as a foreign language), ESL | | | | Bonne chance! |