Job Discussion Forums

[Mapleleaf]

Can someone help me understand what a vacataire is in France? I've really seen lots of posts for 'vacataire d'anglais'. Thanks

[PeterBar]

A vacataire is a temporary replacement teacher

[lolwhites]

Here's a blog I found, in French, about life as a vacataire:
Vacataire(s) en col�re

[medusa]

Hello Maple leaf,

Yes, a vacataire is basically a supply teacher in a school. There are many references on this France link posted by other teachers who have worked as a vacataire.
Basically, there is a maximum number of hours you can do per year as a vacataire, once they are up, you have to wait for the next academic year before being able to begin again. The hours do not cover a full year or a full time position.
Vacataire can be good if it's either for a short period of time, working 18hrs a week (paid about 35euros per hour brut if my memory is right), or only a few classes a week while supplementing another income.
Depending on the school it can be good, be beware of the SEGPA or ZEP classes. They are full of troubled kids who really don't want to learn English. You either see it as a challenge or a really stressful time!

Often, the vacataire is given the classes nobody else wants!

[lolwhites]

Vacataire work in universities pays around 40 euros per hour, but there are a lot of bureaucratic hurdles: unless you are self-employed or under 28, you will need a main employer who has to give written permission, you have to wait months for the money and you can be pretty much hired and fired at will.

It's a good way to supplement your main income so long as you don't need the money urgently!

[bsjess]

When I got my first vacataire position, I was euphoric. I told all my friends and family back home in the States that I, little girl from the south, was now going to work in a French university. At the time I had no idea what vacataire really meant. Now I call it, "being a pee-on."

Vacataire, or university sub-employee, tends to be a very precarious status. You are generally well paid but can be fired easily. Teachers generally take on vacataire positions to earn some extra money on the side, and there is no shortage of vacataire positions. Some can take on two or three vacataire positions while juggling a 20-hour teaching week elsewhere. To be a vacataire, one must already have a permanent teaching position, or be a free-lance self-employed teacher with his or her own company, or in some cases, be retired.

The up side is vacataire positions are usually paid better than a CDI contract (as little as 11 euro an hour) or CDD contract (between 15 - 30 euro an hour). Vacataires are generally paid around 40 euro an hour but I've seen it get up to 60 in the more prestigious universities.

The major down side is some universities pay a whopping six months late!!! How they are able to get away with this is beyond me. So, check on that before you sign. If you think this is the opportunity of a life time and are willing to wait six months, go for it. If not, don't forget there are plenty of vacataire positions out there from universities that say they pay the following month.

I know TESOL France will be organizing a discussion on being a vacataire in March 2008. A good opportunity to learn more about this odd status.

[medusa]

The last two posts have mentioned Vacataire positions in Universities. There are however vacataire positions in all the Education Nationale schools, first , middle and high schools. These pay monthly, like any normal job would, and you don't need to have another job. They generally ask for at least a Licence (Bac plus 3) in English for non natives, or proof that you are a native speaker.