Job Discussion Forums

sandinista445 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 136 Location: 世界

I plan on teaching English in France next year and was wondering which cities I should be looking into. I won't be making a lot, so Paris is probably out of the question, but I'd like to teach in a fun, historic, pretty city in France, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I was also wondering what people's experiences teaching in France were like.

I would also really like to try and teach in Spain or Portugal after. I'm not worried about finding a job in France, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me the likelyhood of a Canadian without an EU passport getting a job in one of these countries, preferably Spain (would teaching in France for a year first and being able to speak a bit of Spanish help?)?

I'd appreciate any help you could give me

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Hey, do you already have a job offer in France?? Unfortunately, it seems it's really difficult for non-EU people to get a job there too... Without experience and a fair grasp of the language (and probably also some sort of further degree), you might find it hard landing a job.
However, as far as France is concerned, why not try the Savoie region?? I don't know about jobs up there, but it's a stunning area!!
Good luck...

sandinista445 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 136 Location: 世界

I'm looking at the teaching assistant position available to Canadians. I have a pretty good working knowledge of French (French immersion when I was younger), and will soon have a bachelors + a TESL certificate.

Thanks for the advice about Savoie, I'll definitely be looking into it.

Sekhmet · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 329 Location: Alexandria, Egypt

Thats cool - with knowledge of Frnech you should be able to go much father!! I'm hoping to spend some time in France too - thankfully, I'm from England, so I don't have your worries. Personally though, I can't understand the reason for the "EU passport only" thing - there are good and bad teachers from anywhere... Maybe it's all about airfare...?
Good luck, and let me know how it goes with Savoie!!!

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Spain is ok for illegals, but the money is rubbish here. I�d go to Portugal.

sandinista445 · Joined: 30 Oct 2004 Posts: 136 Location: 世界

I don't really want to try working ilegally. Can you get work in Portugal without an EU passport?

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

You�ll be illegal anywhere in Europe unless you can swing a work permit (very complex: sponsorship etc.) It�s pretty strict here, but then again, as anyone who�s tried getting work permits in the USA/Canada lately, or even just getting in, it�s all reciprocal! By the way, Toulouse is a good laugh, a student/rugby type place - French aren�t really big party animals though, (more dinner party there)

amandajoy99 · Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 63 Location: Brazil

I second the Toulouse idea - the whole southwest is a beautiful region, and the people are friendly. Cost of living is quite low. You'd also be an easy train ride from Spain and from hiking and skiing in the Pyrenees.
If you're doing the assistant program you don't need to worry about work permit/visa - they get one for you. One of the programs attractions. But, if you do that then you won't have much control over where you go. When you apply, you can list three regions (academies) of preference, and they may or may not place you in one of them. They also pick the city and the school.
I worked as an assistant in Albi, smallish town an hour outside of Toulouse, last year, so if you have any questions about the program I'd be glad to help. Also let me know if you find out anything further about Portugal, I'd like to go there too!

the_p0et · Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 52

Why not use one of these? I've used them before and it all worked out flawlessly. Us Canadians can obtain a Working Holiday Visa for France, Holland, Germany and Sweden very easily and very quickly. (same day processing is available)

My wife and I are 23 and are considering teaching English somewhere in the above 4 mentioned countries next year. We are currently half-way through a TESL contract in Taiwan. The only problem is that this 1 year contract seems too long of a stay. This may not be a possibility, but are there any shorter contracts then 1 year?

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

Sekhmet

The "EU passport thing" is not just to keep Americans or Canadians or Australians (or any other nationality) teachers out of Europe - it relates to all occupations, all social protection issues and all health care issues.

The 25 countries that form the EU have mutual agreements so that all people from each of those countries can live, work, get educated, move, travel, receive medical tratment etc etc within any of the member countries.

People from non member countries do not have the same advantages as people from member countries.
In fact, each member country has reciprocal arrangements with every other member country.

People from outside the EU do not have these benefits because their home countries do not offer similar opportunities to EU nationals - try entering the USA and finding legal work or free health care, or unemployment benefit etc etc

The EU is not keeping other nationalities out (there are few if any visa requirements for example) - it is merely offering people from 25 countries the opportunity of living and working in any of those 25 member countries.