Job Discussion Forums

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

I managed to find work pretty quickly.

I'd be interested in hearing from any other TEFL'ers in the region.

nfig77 · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 12:22 pm Post subject:

Me too, thanks.

i_morales · Joined: 21 Dec 2014 Posts: 11

Hi Van Gogh and Nfig77,

Would you both please share a little bit more about your experience finding work in France.

Are you Schengen citizens?
Are you working for universities?
How did you find out about your position?

A little about me: I'm an ESL teacher in Morocco with a year of experience (this summer 2015) and I'm interested in finding work in France this summer and or Fall.

I'm an American citizen without a French visa.

I understand that there are plenty of redlines to cross before I can get my official work permit and visa to work in France as a teacher so my concerns aren't so much about getting around this. Instead, my main question to both of you is, where, and, more importantly, how was your job hunt?

Any tips and advice is welcome!

How's Lyon?

Best

nfig77 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:06 am Post subject:

My understanding is that with a public-sector job, HR will secure the visa. So teaching at a French uni, for example, is possible for an American. Other situations could prove more difficult. Good luck!

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

Yes, any university can request an exceptional visa. The problem is that 'you' have to have qualifications and experience that no EU citizen who applied for the job has. Given that the market is quite competitive for such jobs (there are an astounding lot of related MA holders out there!) it's unlikely to happen for most people.

MuscatGary · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:24 pm Post subject:

I know several non-EU teachers who have managed to get work by going down the auto-entrepreneur route. Not easy, lots of paperwork involved and tricky if you don't have good French but possible.

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

IMHO finding a year's work in France is not so difficult for non Europeans as long as you are white and have some experience or a basic cert. Finding accommodation and getting a bank account may prove more difficult. For the first year you can get lost in the system, even for two years until it's time to pay taxes, then you leave. The pay is crap. Most schools pay between 18 & 20 euros for an hour after they take out social security payments and a dozen other small charges you may clear between 13 & 15. Some schools have a 45 day delay before paying after you put in your hours and travel invoice. Private work pays better, cash in hand is rare as everyone can claim a large percentage of money spent on training back from the government.

i_morales · Joined: 21 Dec 2014 Posts: 11

Great advice from everyone, thanks!

Abhorsen · Joined: 17 Feb 2015 Posts: 1

Hi everyone. I'm currently living in Lyon and will be finishing my TEFL very soon. I will be looking for work as an English teacher/tutor and am interested if anyone has any recommendations of places in Lyon?

I'm Australian/British so I'm an EU citizen thus I have no issues with needing a visa. I've been living in France for almost 2 years now so I have all the normal paperwork things (bank accounts, etc) set up. I have 2 university degrees too and I know some places ask for that.

I know there are a couple of businesses that specialise in English teaching, but I'm unsure as to whether I should apply to them or not. I've heard terrible things about Wall Street English; an ex-teacher told me the pay was horrible (like 9-10€ per hour) and that the environment wasn't supportive. As I'm going to be looking for full-time work I'd want to work somewhere where I can support myself financially, so with decent pay, but somewhere that's also supportive as well.

I'm just a bit concerned that I wont find anything because: 1) I have no teaching experience, and 2) I didn't do a CELTA (I did a 140hr i-to-i online TEFL).

If anyone has any advice it would be great to hear from you!

Thanks!

AGoodStory · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 738

Van Gogh · Joined: 12 Oct 2008 Posts: 71

AngloINFO Lyon offend has job offers, and there's a recording studio advertising for English speakers too. Check it out on the AngloInfo site.

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

Yes, in the dodgy overall spirit of encouraging people to work illegally, don't answer the question clearly.

They didn't get residence permits, guaranteed.