France is perhaps the quintessential country of the world for the best in food, wine and romance, drawing in tourists for hundreds of years, revered for being home to many of the finer things in life. As well as having some of the finest cuisine, wine and champagne production, it is also at the heart of the fashion industry and the home of so many famous artists and philosophical movements, and has one of the world’s most fascinating museums in the Louvre, Paris. The French have mastered the art of living life to the fullest, and living and working in France is an invitation to join in with the national hobbies of coffee testing, wine tasting and people watching in the many cafe terraces spread around the country.
France has something for everyone, beautiful countryside, ancient history, cultural sophistication, infectious romance, and plenty of food, wine, art, film, theatre and music to tickle all your senses. Regardless of the time of year, there are so many regions of the country all worth visiting, each with their own unique twist on the much admired French lifestyle.
Teaching English in France
The French adore their own language, but despite their love affair with the French spoken word, France has become a key country in the EU, where English is the first choice language, and there are plenty of French students and adult learners wanting to learn the English language, with lots of TEFL teaching positions to be found.
The requirements for new TEFL teachers can be pretty high, most schools and universities will want their teachers to have a minimum of a university degree, as well as a recognised TEFL certificate, and some will prefer a master’s degree and 1 to 2 years of relevant experience.
Due to the increase in international business since the formation of the EU, current legislations mean French companies must turn over at least 1.5% of their payroll to employee training, much of which is spent on English language training, and there are thousands of private language companies in need of qualified TEFL teachers.
The average TEFL teaching wage for new teaches (for a typical week of around 20 teaching hours) starts at around €1,400 (approx £1.250 / $1,900), and there is also the opportunity to earn extra money through private lessons (at €10 to €20 per hour). In Paris and some of the other big cities, the cost of living can be quite expensive, but social opportunities are plentiful, whereas in the quieter towns and villages general day to day living can be very affordable, often cheap. Income tax in France for TEFL teaches is around 20%, and the best months for job searching are September and January.
TEFL Teaching hotspots in France
There are so many great locations in France for TEFL teaching, each with their own take on the French way of life. Here are a few of our favourites:
Paris is a dream destination for people all around the globe, ‘the city of lights’ is the home to romance, art, music and some of the world’s finest architecture, and at the heart of France in location and spirit. The city can be expensive and although there are plenty of TEFL teaching jobs available, there is also plenty of competition for jobs.
Lyon is one of Frances most important cities in terms of business and economy, making for good opportunities in corporate English teaching; those TEFL teachers who have experience in the business field might find themselves in high demand here.
The beautiful southern city of Montpellier is perhaps France’s fastest growing metropolis, with a large demand for English teachers, good rates of pay. It is also a great place to live with a vibrant mixed community and some decent nightlife, and an affordable cost of living.
Did you know..
France is currently the most popular tourist destination in the world: ahead of Spain and the United Sates.
Famous French artists include: Monet, Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Pissaro, Rousseau and Degas, to name but a few..
The French love film with passion. Every year they host the famous Cannes Film attracting the biggest names in film. The Palme d’Or is the Cannes equivalent of the Oscar award.
Kissing is the common way to greet family and friends, even between male friends. The number of kisses can be a bit confusing and depends on the region you are in. 1 kiss is typical in Brittany, whereas in Paris and much of the North up to 4 kisses are considered appropriate!
Famous French inventions include the hot air balloon, the parachute, the submarine, the ambulance service, photography, animation and cinema.
French people are the second biggest consumers of alcohol per capita in the Western world – after Luxembourg…
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