Language Assistants

WHERE CAN I GO?

Austria

Belgium

Canada

China

France   

Germany

Italy

Latin America

Spain

Switzerland

map of france       

French Tourist Office       

languageassistants-ela-success-stories-catherine-palmi.htm   SEE WHAT PREVIOUS ASSISTANTS SAY   

France

Become an English language assistant in France

Why should I choose France?
France provides an astonishing variety of landscapes, architecture and food. Moreover, there is the opportunity to integrate into the local community in rural areas or to experience life in one of its many captivating cities.

What are the terms and conditions in France?
Posts in primary and secondary schools (collèges and lycées) are available to undergraduates and graduates of any discipline . You must have AS-level, Higher Grade or equivalent in French to apply.

Dates of appointment:
1 October – 30 April (primary and secondary schools)

Hours: 12 per week
Pay: around €964.88 per month gross, approx €800 net (17% social security deduction)
Age limit and passport requirements: the French authorities are only able to consider candidates under the age of 35, who hold a UK or EU passport.
Other benefits: You are entitled to national healthcare.

For all posts in France, undergraduates take priority over graduates.

Where can I go in France?
You can be posted anywhere in mainland France as well as Corsica and outre-mer (Guadeloupe, Guyane Française, La Réunion and Martinique).

You should be aware of the following before making your regional choices:

• Posts in the académies (regions) of Aix-Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier and Toulouse are often in small towns in rural areas where public transport may be limited.
• It is extremely difficult to find accommodation in Paris and schools are usually unable to assist. We recommend that you do not apply for Paris unless you have contacts who will be able to help you find accommodation.
• The south of France and Paris are the most popular first-choice regions, so competition is particularly tough.
• The cost of living in outre-mer is higher than in metropolitan France but your pay will be approximately 40% higher.
• If outre-mer is your first choice, you must also be prepared to accept a position in metropolitan France and must choose two other académies as well.
• If your reason for choosing an area is that you have contacts and possible accommodation there, you must provide the name of your host and address of the accommodation for us to consider your request.

We recommend you research the different regions of France thoroughly before applying.

You can also find out more about what it is like to be a language assistant in France by reading the case studies from previous language assistants

Candidates for France have the following regions on offer. If you wish to express an area preference, you must choose one from Group A, one from Group B, and a third from any of the groups.

GROUP A    Amiens  -  Créteil  -  Lille  -  Nancy-Metz  -  Reims  -  Versailles

GROUP B    Besançon  -  Caen  -  Clermont-Ferrand  -  Limoges  -  Nantes  -  Orléans-Tours  -  Poitiers  -  Rennes  -  Rouen

GROUP C    Aix-Marseille  -  Bordeaux  -  Corse  -  Dijon  -  Grenoble  -  Lyon  -  Montpellier  -  Nice  -  Outre-mer  -  Paris  -  Strasbourg  -  Toulouse

Please note that the areas listed above refer to regions and not to towns or cities, although the name may be the same. Candidates who are allocated in one of their three area preferences should expect to be allocated anywhere within the given region.

Will I be interviewed?
Some candidates may be assessed by telephone interview where areas of their application need to be followed up. These telephone interviews are likely to take place in February and March.

Will there be an induction course?
You will be invited to an induction course arranged by the local education authority in France at the end of September or early October.

When will I hear?

You will receive an email from us confirming receipt of your application by early January.

Early April - you will find out if your application has been forwarded to our French partner organisation   
Late April/early May - you will find out if your application has been successful and the name of the académie to which you have been allocated   
June - September - you will hear from the académie directly regarding the location of your post    

Please also see our lifecycle document for more information.