Teaching English in France: Living in France
With its rich culture, magnificent landscape, and delicious food, France is a popular destination for ESL teachers and is bound to inspire every imagination.
France: At a Glance
France: Living in France
France: Teaching ESL in France
France: Financial Snapshot
What to Know About Living in France
Transportation in France
Language in France
Eating in France
Climate in France
Holidays in France
Why Teach in France
France is full of culture, history, renowned cuisine, and a need to learn the English language. From the "romance and fashion" capital of Paris to the breathtaking Loire Valley, France attracts millions of visitors each year. Bordered by some of Europe's major cities and surrounded by famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame de Paris, it is difficult not to 'tomber en amour' with France. Hundreds of famous artists were inspired by the country, including Claude Monet and Henri Matisse, and although born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh also produced the majority of his impressionist paintings in France. Brilliant writers like Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, Voltaire, and Alexandré Dumas have their roots in France.
France is a country in which many ESL teachers envision themselves teaching. Although France appears to be the ideal teaching location, due to its inclusion in the European Union, obtaining a work visa can be difficult for non-EU citizens as the process is quite lengthy. 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. The desire to teach English in France is popular, which means the competition is strong. It is important that those looking for teaching positions have the proper qualifications and are willing to be patient in their job search. Despite the limitations and difficulties in obtaining a working visa, those willing to undergo this process and attempt to secure a teaching position in France will have much to look forward to as the country has an abundance to offer.
What to Know About Teaching English in France
Housing
Due to its high popularity, finding a place to live in France can be very expensive and time-consuming. Very rarely will an employer provide accommodations, so it is up to English teachers to find their own living quarters. In addition, landlords tend to avoid renting to tenants they have not met in person; therefore, one option may be to hire an apartment rental service, although it can become expensive. As is the case with many European countries, cost and availability of housing depends greatly on the location of the apartment. Accommodations within the main cities will be tough to find and expensive to rent whereas rural areas will be more affordable. It is best to consider the location of the school, along with transportation options, to ensure you find housing that is suitable to your needs. Most rental contracts are for at least one year; however, a tenant can leave whenever they want as long as they give sufficient notice (normally three months). When securing an apartment, most landlords will ask for a two-month deposit. It is also common for them to ask for additional guarantors (usually parents) if a tenant's salary is less than three times the monthly rent.
In France, another important part of the rental contract is called 'un état des lieux' (initial and final inventory), which details the state of the rental and its contents when first moving in, as well as when leaving. Upon signing the agreement, the tenant must make sure that all damages and defects are noted in the inventory summary. Otherwise, they may be held responsible for them and lose part or all of a deposit.
Airfare
Like accommodations, the vast majority of employers will not provide airfare to their ESL teachers. Those wishing to teach English in France will be expected to arrange their own air travel to Europe. Setting aside some time to do research can ultimately turn into a great way to save money.
Health Benefits
The French are renowned for having one of the most successful and efficient public health systems in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the healthcare in France the best in the world in 2000, and every legal resident of France has access under the law of universal coverage, 'la couverture maladie universelle'.
EU citizens working in France are automatically included into the free basic healthcare and are given a European Health Insurance Card. Non-EU citizens residing temporarily in France will need to check with their insurance company to determine whether a bilateral agreement will cover teaching English in France. Typically, it is recommended that ESL teachers purchase additional insurance that will cover any health, prescription, dental, and any other medical expense which could occur while teaching English in France, or in any other ESL destinations.
Retirement Age
French workers are eligible to receive their pensions at the age of 60, regardless of gender or profession. Citizens of France can determine at what age they wish to retire. There is no mandatory retirement age in France. Since the turn of the century, statistics have shown that many of the French people are deciding to retire before they are of a pension-ready age, generally in their early 50's.
Technology and Advancement
North American ESL teachers will have no need to 'rough it' while teaching English in France. Like in America, the French have incorporated the use of high-speed Internet, cell phones, digital television and video players, and other modern conveniences into the daily routine, both at home and at work.
Usually North American cell phones work while in France, but the rates are typically quite expensive. ESL teachers will most likely want to reserve their cell phone time for emergencies only, or to purchase a French mobile phone and a matching plan (plans usually start at €15/monthly). Some of the more popular cell phone providers in France include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues. Going to a French electronics store is a good place to find a cell phone.
ESL teachers should be aware that any electronics brought from America will need a power adaptor in order to be plugged in. French homes are furnished with Type E wall outlets, which feature a circular wall plug with a pin sticking out of the outlet to serve as a ground. The same power outlets can be found in Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, and a handful of other European nations.
Transportation in France
Commuters in France have a lot of travel options for both long and short distances. The French transportation system allows for ESL teachers to easily plan a long-distance trip throughout the French countryside, or to simply get around town and to work with city transit. The combination of roadway, rail, metro, and bus access makes France an easy place to explore, regardless of location.
Public Transportation
- Taxi
There are many French taxi drivers that speak English, but be sure to write down in French any destination before getting into a cab just to be on the safe side. Taxi rates vary depending on what time of the day it is: rates in the day (7:00 am to 7:00 pm) tend to be less expensive than those at night (7:00 pm to 7:00 am). There are extra fees when a taxi takes a customer to the airport. Taxi rates also increase if a customer calls the cab company directly, and the extra cost varies depending on how far the car needs to travel to get to the pick-up location. The most affordable way to hire a taxi is to simply wave one down, or to find a taxi stand (usually located at a busy shopping area).
- Train and Subway
With France's central location in Europe, the French rail system is not only a great way to get around France, it is also an excellent way to travel to other European nations. Commuters on the French railway are able to travel to Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. With the completion of the Chunnel in 1994, ESL teachers can now use the Eurorail service to travel from France to England without the hassle of transferring.
In addition to having 31,840 km of railroad, the nation's urban dwellers are able to ride one of the seven French metro systems. There are subway systems in the following French cities: Paris, Laon, Lille, Lyon, Marseilles, Rennes, and Toulouse. Since 1900, the Paris Métro has been transporting the citizens of Paris throughout the city. Today, the Paris Métro is one of the busiest metro systems in Europe, with only the Moscow Metro experiencing more daily European traffic.
There are plenty of subway stations in Paris. On average, commuters can find a station every 500 metres. There are nearly 300 metro stations located in Paris alone.
- Bus
Although not as comfortable as the other options, the bus is an affordable alternative of transportation in France. The bus systems can be somewhat confusing, as each region and town has its own network. For ease of use, asking employers ahead of time for the addresses of the major stations near the school will help in acquiring maps and transit schedules once in country.
The Paris bus system operates from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm; main routes usually stay open until 12:30 am. A ticket to ride the bus is roughly €1.50. Many Paris commuters prefer to take the metro, or a hybrid of both when travelling.
Other Modes of Transportation
Other modes of transportation that are available for ESL teachers include:
- Bicycle
The idea of riding a bicycle around the countryside of France is a popular notion for some foreigners. In addition to being a way to take in the French scenery, a bicycle is a cheap and excellent way to get around a French city. Bicycles can be either purchased or rented.
- Motor Vehicles
European drivers are generally known for striking fear into those expatriates who decide to get behind the wheel, and French drivers are no different. Driving in France will take some practice, but eventually most people find that they grow accustomed to fast speeds and bumper-to-bumper traffic jams.
Drivers are able to drive for up to one year with their Canadian driver's licence, but once an ESL teacher has been in France for 365 days, they may only drive with a French driver's licence. ESL teachers from the following provinces, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, can simply trade their provincially-issued license for a French version. Residents of other provinces will need to go through a testing process before being issued a French driver’s license. For more information please visit the Canadian Embassy’s website.
The Chunnel
In addition to linking France with the United Kingdom, the Channel Tunnel ("Chunnel") is considered to be one of the world's finest manmade creations. The idea for an underground tunnel linking France and Britain had been in discussion since the late 19th Century, but was stalled due to political concerns and the World Wars. After six years of construction, the Chunnel, which spans over 31 km, was opened to the public in 1994. The Chunnel allows those teaching English in France the ability to travel to the UK with relative ease. Because of the Chunnel, many Brits have made their way to France to teach English. With an EU passport they have a much easier time finding jobs than those without an EU passport.
Preparing to Teach English in France
Many recent TESOL graduates find that researching France is an excellent way to learn and grow familiar with their teaching destination before even stepping onto a plane. There are plenty of online resources that 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 experiences other ESL teachers have had teaching English abroad in France - there may even be options to interact with those already teaching in the country.
Take a look at the websites listed below: these links are ESL teaching resources that we believe to be useful.
- Oxford Seminars' ESL Teaching Resources
- Teach Abroad - http://www.teachabroad.com
- French Government's Tourist Page - http://us.franceguide.com/
- The Connexion - http://www.connexionfrance.com/
- Dave's ESL Café - http://www.eslcafe.com/
- Transition Abroad - http://www.transitionsabroad.com/
Language in France
French may be a language not that foreign to most, since many have taken at least one class in the language during their schooling. Brushing up on or learning the following day-to-day phrases will be of great help while in France. Many ESL jobs require that the applicant have some understanding of the French language:
- My name is______.
Mon nom est __. - How are you?
Comment allez-vous? - I am from _____ .
Je suis de ____. - Thank you/You're welcome.
Merci/De rien. - Where is the bathroom?
Où sont les toilettes? - How much?
Combien? - I am hungry.
J'ai faim. - Can we go there by bus?
Pouvons-nous y aller en bus? - I am sorry, I don't speak French.
Je regrette, je ne parle pas français. - Please help me.
Veuillez m'aider.
These are just some of the basic French phrases that English teachers may wish to practice before arriving to France. Many areas in France will speak English; however, as part of the experience it is worth learning the language.
Eating in France
French Cuisine
French food will most certainly be one of the many fond experiences English teachers will have in France. There are a wide variety of familiar dishes to choose from, as well as some that may seem quite peculiar. The French have a great passion for food and it is best to take advantage of the experience and try the local dish. To get a better idea of what restaurants and bistros are worth going to for dinner, it is best to ask the locals what their recommendations are. Some of the most popular dishes among foreigners are listed below:
- Bouillabaisse - Fish cooked with saffron. This dish can be quite expensive when ordered in a restaurant.
- Confit de Canard - "Duck confit" is made from the legs and wings of a duck cooked in grease.
- Foie gras - The cooked liver of a duck or goose.
French Wine
When it comes to fine dining experiences, French wine must certainly come to mind. The French are famous for their many varieties of wine. There are seven to eight billion bottles of wine produced each year in France, and is enjoyed both within the borders of France and in wine cellars around the globe. In some areas of France, it can be easier and cheaper to purchase wine than water.
Climate in France
Metropolitan (mainland) France has an area that is smaller than the size of Texas, but it is the largest country in the European Union. There are four seasons in France, and these seasons vary from region to region. Heavy rainfall and milder weather occur in the western area of France due to weather coming from the ocean. France’s coldest weather is typically found in the Alps. The mountain range and popular skiing destination is situated on the border France shares with Italy.
Natural Disasters
The risk of ESL teachers being exposed to a serious natural disaster while teaching in France is slim compared to other parts of the world. Like many European nations, the 2003 European heat wave devastated France. The death toll in France was much higher than any other nation with 14,802 people losing their lives due to the heat. Many experts claim that the French population were not accustomed to such heat and do not have the experience of how to cope with it. The heat wave was especially harsh to the elderly population, as it was reported that many victims of the disaster were dehydrated and many French homes and retirement facilities have no form of air conditioning. Since the disaster, many more homes and residences are equipped with air conditioning.
Holidays in France
On these dates, banks, government offices, schools, and shops will be closed. Labour Day is the only French holiday which is a paid day off. Other paid holidays are negotiated between a employee and employer.
- January 1st - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) - Like in North America, New Year's Day is a celebration of the first day of the calendar year.
- Held on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 - Easter Sunday (Pâques) - A Christian-based holiday celebrated in similar fashion to North America.
- The Monday following Easter Sunday - Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques) - Easter Monday is the conclusion of the Easter weekend.
- May 1st - Labour Day (Fête du travail) - A day to celebrate the accomplishments of French workers.
- May 8th - WWII Victory Day (Fête de la Victoire 1945, Fête du huitième mai) - Also called VE-DAY (Victory in Europe Day), it is celebrated with great passion all over Europe.
- Forty days after Easter - Ascension Day (Ascension) - A holiday based on the Christian faith.
- 49 days after Easter - Pentecost (Pentecôte) - Also known as Whit Sunday, it is customary to blow trumpets to recall the sound of the wind which accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit.
- Monday after Penecost - Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) - Part of the Pentecost holiday (see above).
- July 14th - Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) - Celebrated in commemoration of the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, a symbolic act of revolution that triggered the complete overthrow of the French monarchy.
- August 15th - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption) - A religious holiday centered on celebrating the Virgin Mary.
- November 1st - All Saint's Day (La Touissant) - A day to pay tribute to all Saints of the church collectively, it is also the day when many people in France visit the graves of loved ones with flowers and small gifts.
- November 11th - Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) - A day marking the end of the First World War.
- December 25th - Christmas Day (Noël) - A French Christmas is very much like in the United States and Canada.
Along with the national holidays listed, France also has French school holidays which occur four times a year. The schools in France are divided into three separate zones, entitled A, B, and C, which celebrate their holidays on different weeks to avoid an influx of tourists and travel in the country. Regardless of the region, English teachers will have an autumn break in October, two weeks off over Christmas, a break in February, and a break in the spring. English teachers should note that tourist sites and transportation methods will be quite busy during these periods.
