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[mesomorph]

Bonjour a tous

I have been living in France for four months now, learning French at the local university, dodging dog poopy and the traffic, etc...

I started an 'EFL' job with a local 'institute' of middlemen 'providing' English 'lessons' for businesses and other gullable persons.

I chucked that because I realised I could make more money freelance.

I have an MA in English (Literature) from a Scottish uni and a PGDE in Secondary School Teaching from another Scottish uni.

It has been my dream to do a PHD in my subject of literature and to become an academic (in a university) for some time now.

Is it possible for me to do a PHD in an English speaking country and then teach (English Literature, or anything else) in a French uni, or do they just prefer their own?

Merci beaucoup

Bonne soir�e

[lolwhites]

If you have a PhD, it's possible to apply to the CNU (Conseil National Universitaire) for permission to try for Ma�tre de Conf�rence positions. It helps to have teaching experience and a track record in publishing. Such positions are very highly sought after, however.

Another way in is to do the CAPES or Agregation, and apply for PRCE or PRAG job. These are more like teaching posts than academic jobs though; the teaching load is the same as for a school, which won't leave much time for research.

[mesomorph]

Merci Monsieur Whites

J'aime vous beacoup

[lolwhites]

Forgot to say, if you are a native English speaker and have a Master's degree, you would be eligible for a lecteur post. The contract is for two years max (though they're currently considering upping it to three), but it's a good way to find your feet while you prepare for something more permanent. That's how I did it, anyway.

Details on this thread:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=22416

If you've started a PhD you may be able to apply for a Ma�tre de Langue post too.

[Nmarie]

[lolwhites]

Hi Nmarie

My partner works in a university and is on various email discussion lists. I also recall being told about it when I was a lecteur last year. All I know is it's being talked about, I have no idea if it'll actually happen.

Apparently the problem is that languages are becoming less and less popular in British universities and the supply of people to exchange with is drying up.

Don't count on it happening any time soon though.

[mesomorph]

Thanks lol for your input. I appreciate it very much.

Some questions.

1.a. What qualifications do you have? What exactly do you do in your job as lecteur? How old are you? What are you doing next professionally? How much French do you speak?

1.b. Would I be eligible for a lecteur post with my qualifications?

Note - My degree is called an MA English (Hons), but it is only the same as BA English (Hons). Also is in Literature not Language. In other words my grammer is bad.

1.c. Would they consider my PGDE to be a Masters, considering it involved research and is a post-graduate course? (he he)

2. As you know I want to do a PHD in Literature and become an academic. So as I am living in France I suppose I want to be a Ma�tre de Conf�rence. I am enrolled at the local university learning French and start Beginner 2 in August. In reality I speak French, just badly.

What do you advise I do next?

Thanks again you are a great guy.

[lolwhites]

1.a. - I have a (four-year) MA + PGCE, so BAC+5. I was teaching Phonetics and conversation, but lecteurs normally just do speaking and listening. I now have the CAPES, am just finishing my stage and will start a PRCE job in the autumn. When I arrived, my French was high school level, which is fine for a lecteur. The level test I did for the French course I'd signed up to said I was C1 of the Common European Framework, which I thought was a bit generous.It's improved since then, though!

1.b. Your qualifications should be enough, as lecteurs aren't really expected to teach grammar. The only thing is most unis recruit through mutual agreements with universities in English-speaking countries. Some recruit independently, so it's worth making speculative applications - don't ask, don't get!

1.c. You'd need to find out from the unis themselves. I suspect the main thing will be how many years you've studied post BAC.

2. You won't even be considered for a Ma�tre de Conf�rence until you've got a PhD. If you can land a lecteur job, that'll give you an income and time to work out your next move - mine was getting my French up to scratch, then the CAPES via distance learning.

[lolwhites]

Of course, all this assumes you fulfill the right nationality/residence criteria. I can do all these things because I'm an EU citizen.

[mesomorph]

Thanks once again Mr Whites.

Your qualifications are identical to mine.

Yes I am an EU citizen also.

You have (alot) better French than me.

As it stands at the moment I plan to be studying French for one more year to get to level B2. Currently I am studying at A2. Oops.

At B2 I have 'full access' to the university. Which I presume means as a learner, in relevant areas. Although I had fancied a janitorial role.

After that I will study two French years of French masters.

Then three for my doctorat.

So in roughly six years I hope to be doing something worthwhile.

[mesomorph]

I think I meant to say my level in French is C2.

[Candoguy]

[mesomorph]

[mesomorph]