Job Discussion Forums

[chica88]

I have heard France works a little different than other EU countries.

Is it at all possible to get ESL teaching work at language schools in France at age 35 for a US citizen?

Just wondering if its even possible?

[spiral78]

Age isn't a problem. It's an issue of 'wrong' passport, unless you've also got citizenship in an EU member country. A language school would not be able to get you an exceptional visa, and you won't qualify for university or international school jobs (which are rare anyway) unless you've got specialist, related qualifications which the school can claim no EU member citizen candidate for the job has.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=96376&start=0

[Fa'aitoito]

the assistant language teacher program has 30 as maximum age.

I missed that as well, something I regret greatly.


I think you are also too old for the working vacation visa, I believe the age cut-off for that is 30 for an American citizen. France upped that age to 35 for Canada, but I think it is still 30 for the US.

[Sublime]

Over the hill at 30. Christ!

What's the point in living another 50 years?

[PeterBar]

Well I've lived 30 + 32 years and had excellent teaching posts all over the UK, France, Russia, N. Africa and the Middle East.

My UK passport means I have the right to live/work anywhere in the European Union.
Either get an EU passport or choose to work elsewhere - the world is big !

The US has restrictions on who can live/work there - why are you surprised when other countries do the same thing ?

[Amalia83]

I dunno, I think that the replies here are unnecessarily doomy.

You have to take into account that the immigration system in France is a complete shambles. Quite often, when faced with a particularly intractable dossier (which is to say, all of them) actually advise people to stay in the country illegally until the problem sorts itself out.

You can come in on a tourist visa, work on the black for a while (everyone does this, including all the French - you won't be noticeable) and try to find a legit employer who'll write a job ad specifically targeted at you (to get round the "no EU citizen could do it better" clause).

[Sashadroogie]

I'd be very wary of doing that. There are penalties that can be applied for breaking the law, in France just like anywhere else. True, one may never be caught, but if one is, then one can expect deportation and EU-wide bans etc.

Sorry 'bout that.

[spiral78]

[PeterBar]

And now I'll set myself up for a backlash from all the non-EU hopefuls:-

If I find myself working with an "illegal" I'll first talk to my employer and then I'll talk to the authorities.

Let me work legally in your country and I'll let you work legally in my (adopted) country.

[spiral78]

Legally Adopted PeterBar

[PeterBar]

Legally entitled to live/work/love in mainland Europe because of my pretty UK passport. Not adopted, just accepted.

You showed the way, Spiral. With intelligence and perspicacity you married a "local" and avoided all the difficulties.

Somewhat seriously though, the laws against a 'marriage blanc' are severe. A relationship has to be seen to be working for 3 years before any right to residence is permanently acquired.

[spiral78]

Yeah, I've got already about 15 years of EU mileage out of my EU spouse
Hoping for many more as well!

[Sashadroogie]

What are EU miles? Are they different to kilometres or imperial miles?

[Bassington]

[PeterBar]

@Bassington

I don't disagree at all (as demonstrated in my previous posts).

However, after marriage a couple would have to demonstrate that they have lived together as a couple for 3 years before the 'foreigner' has the right to her/his own permanent resident's visa.

The laws against a "marriage blanc" are severe.