Job Discussion Forums

JRCash · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 91

I'm embarking on a CELTA course in January. When I am qualified, I thought, I would like to work in France next year. I love the country and the Rugby World Cup is on there next year, and as a rugby-nut I'd love to be there for it.

However, I have heard so many horror stories about France I am totally put off. Is it a terrible place for a tefl teacher or have I just been unfortunate to read more bad stories than good?

craftynick · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Sunny Barca

hi

i am currently teaching in Barcelona but am thinking about moving to France - the 2 main reasons for this are that i speak French much better then Spanish and i have tickets for the Rugby World Cup in Sept & thought that maybe i should move there soon

any advice on this would be gratefully appreciated

nicola x

medusa · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 50 Location: France / India

There will always be TEFL horror stories, regardless of the country but I have to admit, France has perhaps more than it's fair share....

This is partly because the largest employment secteur for tefl is the private. Language schools catering for business professionals. If you've looked through some of the previous threads you'll see that the pay is not top, and the hours variable, from one week to the next with minimum guarantees, not however a minimum you can live off!!!!!

Many tefl teachers in France juggle various positions in different companies, day time business classes, evening school support, cash in hand top up lessons. If you are lucky enough to get a place as a lecteur at a University you'll have few hours for a decent pay and universioty holidays. You can always have another job in the private part time too. If you want to earn money to pay off debts, or save for the future, then France isn't the place to come, but if however, you want to just scrape by, have nough for a nice small flat, and sit on cafe terraces watching the world go by, then it's not a bad place....................
Depending on your level of french, more doors will open for you.......
Check out vacataire "supply" teacher positions in the education natioanl: nicely paid although limited to 200hrs per annum. Again, it complements another part time job.

There are lots of efl teachers who team up with bar work, hotel jobs etc. It may not be the ideal career move but if yo just want to come for a year and enjoy yourself, its a good way to meet people too!!!
Enjoy the rugby!!!!
ps dont hesitate to pm me for more info Smile

sherrymole · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 14

Not to be a complete b*tch, but I don't think I'd want to learn English from someone who says, "[they] speak French much better then Spanish..."

craftynick · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Sunny Barca

sherrymole · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 14

Oh, I guess I can forgive you.

It's just that I used to have a friendly acquaintance who would make the same mistake all the time (even when she was completely sober)...and she is a native English speaker and was taking graduate TESOL classes.

craftynick · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Sunny Barca

sherrymole · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 14

Sorry to hear that. Didn't realize the French played rugby...

JRCash · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 91

sherrymole · Joined: 18 Apr 2004 Posts: 14

I was just kidding. Very Happy

Sorry to hear about Ireland's loss, though.

PeterBar · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 145 Location: La France profonde

Johnny, go to any of the other places that seem to interest you.

You and June would be happier there.

Maybe Folsom would suit you