Job Discussion Forums

Paris teacher · Joined: 17 Jun 2016 Posts: 38

I currently work for a language school in Paris where I have been employed for over three years now. I have a permanent contract, but my salary has remained the exact same since I started (20 euros per hour). The problem is my rent eats up about 60% of my net salary overall.

The other problem is that the school has me travelling all over Paris and there is no compensation for travel time, nor do we get Tickets Restaurants as some schools provide.

I am just getting by earning survival wages and I am starting to suffer from burnout.

currentaffairs · Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828

I would probably head to the Middle East to make some money. Korea, Japan or China also options depending on your preferences and the jobs you can get.. Many places in Europe pay really low wages unless you are well qualified and have the connections.

Paris teacher · Joined: 17 Jun 2016 Posts: 38

Current Affairs,
Yes, I am seriously considering Saudi Arabia for next year. I do love Paris, but think it too tough to get by as a single English teacher here. A married couple teaching English could do it, but on one's own, one just get by.

I have been teaching since 1997, have a B.A. in English literature, M.Ed. in post-secondary TESOL, a second B.A. in Spanish, and my M.A. in Spanish literature.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

riverboat · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 117 Location: Paris, France

Have you asked for more money? I think that based on the fact you are experienced and know what you're doing you could ask for a bit more.

However I don't think anyone's ever going to earn big bucks in Paris. People who I know who are doing the best work mostly outside language schools, and do a mix of private teaching and CDD part time gigs at universities, grands ecoles and companies. But you have to be super organised and willing to put in a lot of hours to make that work, I think.

To be honest I have a cushy gig in Paris (full time CDI) but even I am sick of the total lack of career progression opportunities now. I'm retraining completely next year and changing professions. I think there's only so long you can be an English teacher in Paris unless you really love the work and are totally unmotivated by money.

danshengou · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2017 9:35 am Post subject:

Riverboat, where would you recommend working in Paris or France for that matter?

Btw, I also tried to PM you, but the message just stays in my outbox.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

PMs remain in your outbox until opened by the recipient, I think.

danshengou · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:15 am Post subject:

After a bit of inspection, that does seem to be the case, thanks!

enterthedragon · Joined: 11 Nov 2017 Posts: 45

Tax is also high in Paris/France isn't it? One gig a long time ago at WSE was paying 1500 euros a month gross but when I checked the NET salary it was only around 1100 Euros. And sharing a flat in Paris is not cheap. It was around 500 euros a month just to rent a room in a flat. so i didn't bother in the end.

I think as someone says, people earn money in Paris freelance doing 10 hours here and 10 hours there but @ 60 euros per hour (NOT 20). sometimes you have to wait to get paid too I believe.