English teachers who are able to find a position in France can expect to make around 1,000 to 2,000 EUR per month and spend around 10 - 30 hours per week in the classroom (in addition to preparation time). It is important that those looking for teaching positions have the proper qualifications and are willing to be patient in their job search.
Peak ESL Hiring Season in France
The French school system follows a similar schedule as in the United States. Because of this, the peak hiring seasons for an English-teaching position are usually around the start of the school year in September and again in January, after the Christmas break. Some teachers may choose to leave their contract during the Christmas break due to homesickness or other reasons, making it a favorable time for prospective ESL teachers to apply for a job.
There are rarely summer teaching positions in France, as most students use the summer months for other activities. However, there are some summer language camp positions available.
Public School System
The French public school system is divided into five sections: ecole maternelle (kindergarten, ages 3-5), ecole primaire (primary, ages 6-10), college (middle school, ages 11-14), lycee (high school, ages 15-18), and enseignement superieur (higher education).
English courses are part of a child's regular course load in a French public school, but the classes are usually delivered by local French-speaking teachers. There is less of an emphasis on hiring English teachers solely based on their native English abilities; preference is given to qualified teachers who have previous teaching experience and to those with knowledge of the French language. Additionally, those with an EU passport in hand and the above qualifications will have a much greater chance of securing a position.
Private Language Schools
Teaching at a private language school is an option that many future ESL teachers consider. There is a wide range of students attending private language schools, from school-age children who need extra help with their English homework to French CEOs looking to improve their English conversational skills. Many French companies often devote large amounts of money toward the English education of their employees.
Universities and Colleges
Since finding a job teaching English in France is not an easy task for non-EU citizens, finding work teaching at a French university or college is understandably more difficult. At least one university degree, work/teaching experience, and excellent communication skills in French are "must haves" for those interested in finding work at a post-secondary institution in France. Typically, schools are more likely to hire an American with education and experience in a niche high-tech or business profession.
Private Tutoring
Another option for English teachers hoping to make a living for themselves in France is to offer private lessons. Unfortunately, Americans working as freelance ESL teachers will still need to obtain a French visa before being able to legally earn money. Those who choose to offer private lessons tend to find that popular ESL markets, such as Paris, have too much competition and work can be scarce. Teaching English in smaller cities and rural regions can be a way to gain more students and bank more money from the decreased cost of living.
How to Find Jobs Teaching English in France
It is much harder to find an ESL teaching job while outside of of the country. Therefore, it is highly recommended that those interested in teaching English in France travel there to perform a job search. That said, ESL teachers must be sure that they understand what is required of them should they need to apply for a work visa. It may be that they will have to return to their country of origin in order to submit the application.
Although finding a position in another country can be overwhelming, there are many resources to aid in the search for an ESL position. While experience with the French language will greatly help with a job search, there are still numerous English sources available online. Many of these resources offer information about living in France and its many attractions, and provide guidance concerning finding an English-teaching job that fits. In addition to providing factual information, the Internet is a great resource for reading about the experiences of other ESL teachers working in France and there may even be options to interact with those already established in the country.
Our English Language Schools Directory is the most comprehensive online database of ESL and international schools in France and is a great place to start.
In addition, the following websites offer plenty of information on living and teaching in France:
- Oxford Seminars ESL Teaching Resources
- Teach Abroad - https://www.teachabroad.com
- French Government's Tourism Page - http://us.franceguide.com/
- The Connexion - http://www.connexionfrance.com/
- Dave's ESL Cafe - http://www.eslcafe.com/
- Transitions Abroad - http://www.transitionsabroad.com/
Largest Chain Schools in France
There are a number of international ESL chain schools operating throughout France. Finding work at one of these schools can be a little less challenging than finding a job within the French public education system. That said, the same visa obstacles will exist regardless of whether or not an ESL teacher is teaching in a public school or a chain school.
Inlingua
Inlingua is one of the largest international ESL chain schools in the world and with their presence in France, they catch the interest of many ESL teachers. Inlingua is based out of Paris, but has locations scattered throughout the country. All candidates interested in working for the company must be 25 years or older.
http://www.inlingua.com/centers-countries.asp?RefCtr=7
Jobs Teaching English in the Summer in France
France's school system is similar to the United States in that school starts in September, ends in June, and there is a two month break in the summer. Be aware that August is typically a bad time to accomplish anything in France. Most of the French take the month of August off as vacation.
Tips for ESL Teachers in France
- Most English teaching jobs in France require applicants to have a good understanding of the French language. It may be worthwhile to take some time and enroll in French lessons before applying for teaching positions.
- A citizen from outside the European Union will have a difficult time getting a French visa. It is recommended to work with outside advisors such as a lawyer or a travel agent specializing in French visas to help with the application process.
- Those able to travel to France to apply in person will have an advantage when searching for an ESL teaching job, as opposed to those who apply from their home country.
- There is more competition for ESL jobs in Paris. Working in a smaller city or rural area of France will increase the odds of finding an English-teaching job, while living in a more remote area of France usually provides a much lower cost of living.
- France has a prominent role in the worldwide fashion scene. The way one dresses and presents him or herself in France holds great importance to the way one is judged.
Visa Requirements for ESL Teachers in France
American travelers entering France are granted a tourist visa at the airport that lasts for 90 days. Foreigners with tourist visas are not permitted to work in France. After staying in France for 90 days, a foreigner is no longer considered a tourist and will be required to have another form of visa that will allow extended stay.
Anyone from outside the EU wishing to teach English in France will have a few things against them.
- Being a member of the EU allows French schools the ability to hire native English speakers from the neighboring United Kingdom and Ireland with little paperwork.
- With English being the international language of business, there are many French citizens with an excellent understanding of the language.
- In order for American ESL teachers to obtain a visa they would need to prove that they can offer skills that no applicant from France or the EU can offer to a position. Therefore, teachers who have been educated, taught, or worked in a specialty field typically have a slightly better chance of gaining a work visa.
- During the visa review process, French officials will take into consideration the applicant's understanding of the French language, unique competencies that could help with the teaching position, and the applicant's education and work experience.
French Work Permit/Visa Requirements
French employers will prefer to hire a French citizen for any position, including teaching English. The next preference would be given to a citizen of another EU country. If there are no qualified applicants, they would consider sponsoring a visa for a citizen of a non-EU nation. If they choose this route, they must first obtain authorization from the French Ministry of Labor (DIRECCTE). Once this authorization is granted, it will be sent to the Immigration Bureau (OFII) for transmission to the appropriate French consulate. The teacher applicant can then book an interview at the consulate. If accepted, the applicant would be granted a visa long sejour (long-stay visa) and the ability to live in France, but not work. Those who have been granted a visa long sejour can then apply for a titre de sejour(residence permit) once in France, allowing them to legally work in the country. Without an application first filed by a French school or company, an American cannot apply for the necessary visa.
Teachers who have managed to find a French company or school willing to sponsor a visa long sejour will need to bring the following documentation to their local French consulate (see further below for French embassy and consulate locations). As visa guidelines can change without notice, applicants should confirm these requirements with their local consulate prior to the interview:
- Passport valid at least three months after the expiry date of the visa.
- Three photocopies of the photo page in the passport.
- Proof of current address.
- Two copies of a driver's license or state ID
- Two copies of a French visa long sejour application that have both been signed in ink.
- Two passport-size photographs
- Letter from an insurance company stating that the applicant has insurance valid in France for at least $40,000 USD.
- All visa application fees must be paid in full. It is best to call the local embassy or consulate in advance to find out the exact fees and the acceptable methods of payment.
It may also be useful for applicants to obtain an official French translation of their birth certificate as well as additional photocopies of all documents mentioned above. Be aware that the application process for getting a French visa is not a fast one, so expect to wait a couple of months to hear if it has been accepted or denied. If the visa long sejour is accepted, ESL teachers should apply for a titre de sejour immediately upon arrival in France. The titre de sejour application process is also known for taking a long time, but this document is needed to legally work in France. Once the application is submitted, however, a temporary permit will be issued allowing work to be performed while the official titre de sejour is being processed. Applicants of a titre de sejour are typically required to have a French medical assessment and an interview (sometimes used to test an applicant's understanding of French).
For more information about teaching English in France and obtaining a French visa, visit https://www.ambafrance-us.org.
Requirements for EU Citizens to Teach English in France
As France is a member of the European Union, citizens from other EU nations have the opportunity to work within the borders of France with little red tape. There is a preference towards hiring native French citizens to be ESL teachers, but candidates from other EU nations will still have good prospects.
Embassy and Consulate Information
American Embassy and Consular Offices in France
(Please not that full consular services are only provided in Paris and Marseille)
American Embassy in Paris
2 avenue Gabriel
75382 Paris, Cedex 08
Phone: 33 1 4312 2222
Fax: 33 1 4266 9783
Email: citizeninfo@state.gov
Website: https://fr.usembassy.gov/
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Marseille (Consulate General)
Place Varian Fry
13286 Marseille Cedex 6
Phone: 33 4 9154 9200
Fax: 33 4 9155 5695
Email: citizeninfomarseille@state.gov
Website: https://marseille.usconsulate.gov
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Bordeaux (American Presence Post)
89 quai des Chartrons
33300 Bordeaux
Phone: 33 5 5648 6385
Fax: 33 5 5651 6197
Email: usabordeaux@state.gov
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Lyon (American Presence Post)
1 quai Jules Courmont
69002 Lyon
Phone: 33 4 7838 3688
Email: usalyon@state.gov
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on appointment
Rennes (American Presence Post)
30 quai Duguay-Trouin
35000 Rennes
Phone: 33 2 2344 0960
Fax: 33 2 9935 0092
Email: usarennes@state.gov
Toulouse (American Presence Post)
25 allee Jean Jaures
31000 Toulouse
Phone: 33 5 3441 3650
Fax: 33 5 3441 1619
Email: usatoulouse@state.gov
Website: https://toulouse.usconsulate.gov
Nice (Consular agency)
7 avenue Gustave V
06000 Nice
Phone: 33 4 9388 8955
Fax: 33 4 9387 0738
Email: usanice@state.gov
Website: https://fr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/marseille/
Strasbourg (Consulate General)
15 avenue d'Alsace
67082 Strasbourg Cedex
Phone: 33 3 8835 3104
Fax: 33 3 8824 0695
Email: usastrasbourg@state.gov
Website: http://strasbourg.usconsulate.gov
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on appointment
Lille
VPP Lille
American Embassy
2 avenue Gabriel
75008 Paris
Email: usalille@state.gov
Canadian Embassy and Consular Offices in France
Canadian Embassy in Paris
35 avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris
Phone: 33 1 4443 29000
Fax: 33 1 4443 2999
Website: www.france.gc.ca
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Consulate of Canada in Lille
36 avenue Emile Zola
59800 Lille
Phone: 33 3 2014 0578
Fax: 33 3 2014 3696
Email: consulat.canada-lille@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to noon
Consulate of Canada in Lyon
17 rue Bourgelat
69002 Lyon
Phone: 33 4 7277 6407
Fax: 33 4 7277 6509
Email: consulat.canada-lyon@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Consulate of Canada in Monaco
Palais de la Scala
23 rue Emile de Loth
MC 98000 Monaco
Phone: 377 9770 6242
Fax: 377 9797 5709
Email: consulat.canada-monaco@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Consulate of Canada in Nice
2 Place Franklin
06000 Nice
Phone: 33 4 9392 9322
Fax: 33 4 9392 5551
Email: consulat.canada-nice@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Consulate of Canada in St Pierre et Miquelone
B.P. 4370
97500 St Pierre et Miquelon
Phone: 508 41 5510
Fax: 508 41 5510
Email: consulat.canada-stpierreetmiquelon@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Consulate of Canada in Toulouse
10 rue Jules de Resseguier
31000 Toulouse
Phone: 33 5 6152 1906
Fax: 33 5 6155 4032
Email: consulat.canada-toulouse@amb-canada.fr
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to noon
British Embassy and Consular Offices in France
British Embassy in Paris
35 rue du Faubourg St Honore
75363 Paris Cedex 08
Phone: 33 1 4451 3100
Fax: 33 1 4451 3109
Email: public.paris@fco.gov.uk
Website: http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
British Consulate-General in Paris
16 rue d'Anjou 75008 Paris
postal address:
British Embassy, BP111-08
75363 Paris Cedex 08
Phone: 33 1 4451 3100
Fax: 33 1 4451 3127
British Consulate in Bordeaux
353 boulevard du President Wilson
33073 Bordeaux Cedex
Phone: 33 5 5722 2110
Fax: 33 5 5608 3312
Email: postmaster.bordeaux@fco.gov.uk
Normal Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
British Consulate in Marseille
24 avenue du Prado
13006 Marseille
Phone: 33 4 9115 7210
Fax: 33 4 9137 4706
Email: marseilleconsularservices.marseille@fco.gov.uk
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to noon, 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
British Trade and Investment Office in Lyon
24 rue Childebert
69002 Lyon
Phone: 33 4 7277 8170
Irish Embassy and Honorary Consulate Offices in France
Irish Embassy in Paris
12 avenue Foch
75116 Paris
Phone: 33 1 4417 6700
Fax: 33 1 4417 6750
Email: public.paris@fco.gov.uk
Website: http://www.embassyofireland.fr/
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to noon
Honorary Consulate in Cherbourg
Gare Maritime Sud
50100 Cherbourg
Phone: 33 2 3344 1111
Fax: 33 2 3323 4440
Email: shamrock@wanadoo.fr
Honorary Consulate-General in Antibes/Cannes
St. Michel
69 avenue Roi Albert
La Californie
06400 Cannes
Phone: 33 6 7769 1436
Honorary Consulate in Monaco
Le Prince de Galles
5 avenue des Citronniers
98000 Monaco
Phone: 377 9315 7000
Fax: 377 9315 9516
Honorary Consulate in Lyon
158 avenue Roger Salengro
69100 Villeurbanne
Phone: 33 4 3728 1864
Fax: 33 4 7889 6420
Email: irishconsulat@gmail.com
Australian Embassy in France
Australian Embassy in Paris
4 rue Jean Rey
75015 Paris Cedex 15
Phone: 33 1 4059 3300
Fax: 33 1 4059 3310
Website: http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
New Zealand Embassy in France
New Zealand Embassy in Paris
7ter rue Leonard de Vinci
75116 Paris
Phone: 33 1 4501 4343
Fax: 33 1 4501 4344
Email: embassy.nz.fr@gmail.com
Website: http://www.nzembassy.com/france
Normal Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm to 5.30 pm
Embassy and Consulate Information Outside France
French Embassy and Consular Offices in the United States
Embassy of France in the United States
4101 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 944 6000
Fax: 1 404 495 1661
Email: info@ambafrance-us.org
Website: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Consulate general offices are located in major cities and offer full services including consular services. Honorary consulates offer a limited range of services. A full list of French consulates in the US can be found at: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/.
French Embassy and Consular Offices in Canada
Embassy of France in Canada
42 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K2P 0T8
Phone: 1 613 789 1795
Fax: 1 613 562 3735
Email: info@ambafrance-us.org
Website: http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/
Normal Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Consulate general offices are located in major cities and offer full services including consular services. Honorary consulates offer a limited range of services. A full list of French consulates in Canada can be found at: http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/.
