Teach English in France: Financial Snapshot

English teachers that are able to find a position in France can expect to make around €1,400 - €2,000 per month and spend around 10 - 25 hours per week in the classroom.

Expected Apartment Costs in France
Banking in France
Food Costs in France

Expected Apartment Costs

A small one bedroom apartment, located within or near Paris, can start at €1,500 per month and work its way up. On the other hand, an apartment just outside the city can cost as low as €300 - €500 per month.

Utility costs are sometimes included in the rent, but not always. It is important that ESL teachers looking for an apartment keep this in mind. Typical utilities for a French apartment include heat, electricity, water, and possibly other services.

Banking in France

Setting up a French bank account can make the life of a French expat much more convenient. With a French bank account, ESL teachers can pay their bills (rent, utilities, Internet, etc.), have their paycheque cashed, and perform other routine tasks. Every French bank requires different documentation from ESL teachers hoping to start up an account, so it is best to call the bank before arriving to both arrange for an appointment and find out what paperwork and identification are needed. Typically, ESL teachers will need to provide a valid photo ID, start money, and possibly a letter stating why they are opening a bank account. A French bank account generally includes the use of a debit card and a chequebook. It is often difficult for North Americans to get French credit cards, due to the fact that banks typically do not offer credit to foreign citizens.

Food Costs

Aldi, Cora, Lidl, Metro, and SPAR are some of the supermarket options located within France. There is an emphasis on having fresh ingredients in French cooking. Many French shoppers lean toward the traditional method of purchasing their produce from the outdoor farmer's market, meat from the butcher, baked goods from the baker, milk from the dairy, and cheese from the cheese shop.

Below are some examples of typical French food prices.

• 1.5L bottle of Coca Cola
  €0.72
• 1 kg of fresh peaches
  €2.00
• 1.5L of Evian bottled water
  €1.76
• Box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes
  €1.36
• 200g can of Nescafe coffee
  €3.25

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