Job Discussion Forums

[stickerdom]

I'm thinking of registering at a French university in order to work in France. As one is limited to 20 hours of work per week on a student visa, I would have to get a lot of private English teaching work to support myself.

Is this realistically possible for someone with a TEFL certificate and a bachelor's? I'm aware that lots of people try to teach English under the table, so I'm wondering if there's enough demand to go around.

Also will French consulates in the U.S. be suspicious of someone in their late 30s aiming for a student visa? Thanks for any replies.

[bsjess]

Dear Stickerdom,

20 years ago I would have said your idea sounds like a clever one. But bear in mind that universities have grown more strict with people who sign up as students and never attend classes. I've heard of cases where students have been found out and sent back home.

As for finding enough work to support yourself, this could take at least a semester or two before you find any (France has a very strong referral-based culture so you would have to stay long enough to develop contacts who can vouch for you). Another reason is the ELT market in France isn't what it used to be in the 1970s. It's much more difficult to find work these days, even in Paris. So you would need money set aside to support yourself in the event you don't find enough part-time positions.

One more thing: language schools are starting to get pickier about teacher qualifications. They are asking for a CELTA, DELTA, Trinity Certificate or an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Good luck with your search.

Bethany Cagnol
TESOL France President

[stickerdom]

That's some good info, thanks