Job Discussion Forums

[Femmeprof]

Hi there fellow ESLers!

I am looking to move to Paris in February and I was hoping you could shed some light on what it takes to succeed there.
Specifically:
1. What schools are there and which ones do you recommend? Can I find a database of all schools? Can I reach out to them before I go and will they hire before I arrive?
2. I am an attorney with 4yrs practicing with a CELTA certificate as a teacher. I want to teach legal and business English. Any recommendations about going about that to ensure my success?
3. Is there anything that I should prepare for now that may be unforeseen? I am hiring an attorney to get me a competences et talents card.
4. What is the best strategy to find good housing? Do you recommend the 11th and 16th arrondissement for their Anglophile spots?
5. What is the best way to make friends as I know the French are more guarded about that?

Any other useful information or help would be greatly appreciated! Thx!

[grahamb]

Just checking: do you hold a passport from an EU member state? You'll need one if you want to work legally and register with the French social security.

I doubt that anyone will offer you a job before you arrive, so bring plenty of money to see you through the first few months. I suggest 2,000 Euros per month.

I can't shed any light on the job market in Paris.

If you don't already speak French, start learning now; you won't be able to get by without it.

[Femmeprof]

Hey thanks!

I am a US citizen but my attorney says that he can get me a carte du competences et talents and if not definitely a self-employment visa. Will that work for social security purposes?

Do you recommend 5 months of savings for the move? What is baseline for that?

I speak French fluently having taken it for 15 years.

Thanks!

[grahamb]

I don't know how the carte du competences et talents relates to the social security system.

Three months' money should be plenty, but if you can afford five, so much the better.

If you search Google using the keywords "expats Paris" you'll find lots of websites where you'll find detailed answers to your questions.

[Femmeprof]

Thanks so much! Youre the best!!

[grahamb]

Glad to help.

[Shelby]

I am confused. In another thread the OP said that one of the websites suggested is in French as though this is a problem but now she says that she speaks fluent French.

[Dedicated]

As far as I'm aware, to secure a ' carte de sejour competences et talents'
you need to present a credible project , meeting the criteria set by the National Commission, which will make a significant, lasting contribution to French society or economy.

I don't see how teaching legal or Business English would fall into that category.....

[grahamb]

Yes, that's what I found when I looked it up on the web. I hope the OP's attorney isn't leading her down a blind alley.

[Dedicated]

It is now over a week since the OP first posted. I hope her attorney has not misled her....

If not, we would all appreciate an update on what has happened.