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English Teaching Jobs in
France

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English Teaching Jobs in France

France is a massively popular destination, and for good reason – so how can English teachers find jobs there?

As France is the most visited country in the world, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that there are loads of English teachers trying to find teaching opportunities there. Modern France has a demand for high-quality English language instruction coast to coast. From Normandy to Corsica, you’ll find teaching jobs in state schools, elite institutions like international schools and universities, and loads of eager students who want private lessons.

Teaching English in Paris is a major attraction, but it’s far from being the only city worth exploring in France. Major metropolitan areas like Marseille, Lyon, Nice and Bordeaux are excellent places to teach English. The options are plentiful, and that’s before getting into the idyllic towns and villages where you can find teaching opportunities. 

From the bustling streets of major cities to the tranquil countryside and sun-drenched coastlines, France's varied regions provide a wealth of experiences for English teachers seeking a unique blend of culture, history, and modern living.

This guide to finding teaching opportunities in France will tell you everything you need to know about the teaching requirements, the salary range, where to find work, and more.

Quick facts about France

  • Capital: Paris
  • Official Language: French
  • Population: 68 million
  • Currency: Euro (€)

Download our teaching English in Europe guide

English teaching opportunities in France: an overview

Teaching English in France is, as you might expect, an incredibly popular choice. One of Europe's most sought-after TEFL locations alongside Italy, Spain and Germany, France is full of exquisite culture, beauty, and rugged, rural terrain. Big and varied enough to cater to various teaching styles and tastes, there’s plenty to explore for TEFL teachers in France, from the most elite international schools in Nice to under-funded high schools in Saint-Denis.

English proficiency isn’t as high as in other European countries. Historically, the ability to speak English hasn't been especially highly valued in France. However, there is significant interest in learning the language, especially among younger people. 

While French is a critical language worldwide, there’s still recognition of how helpful English is, especially in business, education, and culture. Therefore, if you want to teach English in France, there's never been a better time to start your job search.

The job market can be competitive. While a TEFL certificate is extremely valuable, and a degree helps (especially for higher-salaried teaching jobs), experience isn’t always necessary. (And, depending on the role, newer teachers are often preferred). Summer camps and teaching programmes are also worthwhile routes for newer ESL teachers who want to gain teaching experience. 

Requirements to get English teaching jobs in France 

To teach English in France, you’ll need:

  • A bachelor's degree (preferably in English/Education) is usually preferred
  • TEFL certification (you must take a TEFL course with at least 120 hours of training)
  • Previous experience (preferred) 
  • A clean criminal background check
  • If you’re a non-native speaker, you will also need an English proficiency certificate like IELTS or TOEFL
Additionally, it’s worth taking advanced TEFL certification courses. TEFL courses like Business English, Teaching Young Learners, and English for Academic Purposes will help you find teaching jobs in France. Career-motivated adults, school pupils and university students will make up most of your client base.

Visa & work permits

One of the most significant barriers to teaching English in France is obtaining the correct visa. Unless you are an EU Citizen, you will need a visa to live and work in France as a TEFL teacher. There are a small number of exceptions (for example, Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians may be able to apply for a Working Holiday Visa). Still, for most teachers, this will mean working on a student visa. 

Here are the main visa options for English teachers hoping to work in France:

Student visa

  • You must enrol in an academic course at a French institution, with over 10 hours of study per week.
  • These visas allow for part-time English teaching in France.
  • Student visas take about 12 weeks to process.
  • You’ll require proof of finances, accommodation, and health insurance to apply for a student visa successfully.

Working holiday visa

  • The working holiday visa is open to citizens of Canada, Australia and New Zealand aged under 35.
  • The working holiday visa allows eligible candidates the option to teach for up to one year.
  • You’ll require proof of ample start-up costs (usually about €2,500-€3,000) and travel insurance.
  • Working holiday visas take about 4-8 weeks to process.

TAPIF programme

  • The TAPIF programme is a teaching assistant programme in public schools, administered by the French government. Successful candidates can gain a visa through this programme.
  • To be eligible, you must be aged 20-35, hold a bachelor's degree and have B1 French proficiency.
  • The TAPIF programme provides a competitive stipend and accommodation assistance.

Standard French work visa

  • To gain a standard work visa for France, a job offer from a French institution is required. The employer has to prove that an EU/EEA citizen couldn’t fill the job.
  • The employer does a lot of the groundwork by applying for authorisation.
  • As an English teacher, you apply for this visa at the French consulate.

Visa requirements

  • Bachelor's degree and TEFL certification (minimum 120 hours).
  • Native English proficiency (for non-native English speakers, an IELTS or TOEFL is required).
  • French language proficiency (B1 level preferred).
  • Apostilled and notarised documents, including criminal record checks
  • Health insurance

Read our France Country Guide for info about salaries, living costs & requirements

Guide to Teaching English in France

Types of English teaching jobs in France

Knowing the kinds of job opportunities for English teachers in France will help you make a more informed decision. While finding English teaching work in state education can be difficult, it’s far from impossible, and there are also a range of different institutions where you can find rewarding work. Here are the types of job you’ll find as an ESL teacher in France.

Public schools

While finding work teaching English in state schools across France is not necessarily impossible, it is difficult. Usually, French teachers who speak English will be hired for these kinds of roles and be entitled to the benefits of working in the French public sector.

However, suppose you’re already living and teaching English in France, and a local state school job arises. In that case, it’s worth applying if you have a bachelor’s degree, TEFL certification and some teaching experience. 

English is taught in France from early education through to secondary school.

Salary & benefits

English teaching jobs in France, like those in the rest of Europe, don’t tend to come with a suite of generous benefits, but salaries contrast nicely against the cost of living. Salaries tend to be higher in major cities like Paris and Marseille.

Country Avg. monthly salary Degree required Start of term Teaching experience Housing & flights included Suitable for non-native English speakers Age restrictions
Teach in France
€2,439
£2,057 GBP
$2,647 USD 		September Preferred None

Salaries

The salary for teaching English in France varies depending on several factors, including location, type of school, and qualifications. However, TEFL teachers generally earn an average salary of around €2,439 (£2,057 / $2,647) monthly for full-time work. Tutors can earn around €15 - €25 (£13 - £23 or $16 – $27) per hour.

Benefits

Benefits depend significantly on the kind of job you have teaching English in France. State school jobs, which are hard to attain for non-French nationals, will provide public holidays, paid sick days, health insurance and training. 

Tip: To earn benefits beyond those in the public sector, narrow your search to private and international schools. These schools are more likely to offer accommodation, travel assistance, performance bonuses and other considerable benefits.

How to find English teaching jobs in France 

For English teachers, it’s crucial to know where to look for teaching jobs in central Paris or a picturesque rural setting. So, where are the jobs? Let's take a look.

Teaching programmes in France 

Teaching programmes are a great way to integrate yourself into French education. The two main programmes for TEFL teachers are TAPIF and Centre International D'études Pédagogiques

The most straightforward way for an American ESL teacher to get a job teaching in France is through the TAPIF programme, also known as the Teaching Assistant Program in France. The TAPIF programme places Americans (between the ages of 20 and 35) as teaching assistants in elementary and secondary schools throughout France on 7-month contracts. 

TAPIF is an incredibly popular programme for teaching English abroad, and with only 1000 places each year, it can be very competitive. To apply for a place, you’ll need to be able to show that you meet the following requirements: 

  • Be an American citizen between the age of 20-35
  • Have a degree (or are currently studying towards your diploma) 
  • Demonstrate a proficient level of French (equivalent to level B1 on the European Framework of Reference for Languages)
  • Have previous teaching experience and/or experience working with young learners
  • TEFL qualification (while not a strict requirement) can improve your chances of acceptance.

Centre International D'études Pédagogiques

The Centre International D'études Pédagogiques has thousands of assistant teacher roles for undergrads or graduates (ages 20 to 35) who can work a short academic year (about 7 months) in a primary or secondary school. Assistants require a working knowledge of French, boosting your chances of employment for any TEFL role in France!

Job boards and websites

At The TEFL Org Jobs Centre, we regularly have openings for teaching positions in France. Whether you're looking to teach English in France or anywhere else, we've got fantastic teaching abroad opportunities being updated daily!

If you know which city you want to work in, search online for ‘Écoles de Langues’ along with the name of your city to find TEFL positions in that locality.

The best place to find information about French language schools is the Yellow Pages.

For those seeking professional, full-time and higher-level positions rather than freelance opportunities, a membership to TESOL-France is invaluable. For an annual fee, you will be added to a mailing list receiving a weekly digest of exclusive jobs, such as university positions. You also get access to workshops, The Teaching Times magazine, and networking with other professionals.

Summer camp positions are another good way to access the country and gain experience. American Village Camps is a popular provider of camps for children in France. ESL classes take place alongside fun activities and pastoral duties.

Networking and word-of-mouth

Networking and word-of-mouth are invaluable tools for finding TEFL jobs in France. In a competitive job market, personal connections made during TEFL conferences or through online networking can often lead to opportunities that might not be advertised publicly. Online networks such as English Teachers in France on Facebook and the r/TEFL subreddit are great ways to meet other teachers, find answers to questions and generally research opportunities.

Engaging with other teachers can provide insights into job openings and give you the inside scoop on the teaching landscape in France.

Best cities and regions for teaching English in France

France offers a distinctive, rich blend of historic charm and sleek modernity, greeting millions of visitors yearly - and with good reason. 

France is home to a number of distinct regions and paces of life. Northern France is extremely varied. Paris, the iconic capital, hosts incredibly popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre and much more. Further north, Normandy and Brittany offer picturesque coastlines and a less hectic style of life. The east, encompassing Alsace and Lorraine, offers a blend of French and other European influences. Major cities like Lyon and Lille hold immense appeal, while there are also plenty of charming villages and scenic landscapes perfect for painting. Finally, Southern France is most famous for the French Riviera, with its gorgeous Mediterranean climates and glamorous cities like Nice and Cannes. 

Here are some of the top destinations for TEFL-qualified teachers in France this year:

Paris

From the Champs Elysee to Boulevard Saint Michel, Paris has history and culture in every inch. Every avenue and alley has its own unique past. A birthplace of language, theatre, and music - there’s no place like Paris, so it’s little wonder that many TEFL teachers want to live and work there.

Paris is a city brimming with opportunity. It’s also a city where curiosity and education are rewarded, and having something unique to offer is utterly crucial. 

Be warned, though: the competition for English teaching jobs is intense. Even the most qualified candidates with excellent teaching experience face challenges finding full-time, permanent jobs.

Lyon

A vibrant city with a rich history, Lyon is best known for its Michelin-star restaurants and beautiful architecture. With a mix of urban life and access to natural beauty, France’s financial capital has much going on.

Nice

A glamorous city on the French Riviera, Nice is spoilt for stunning coastal views and landscapes. If you’re seeking a more relaxed lifestyle with access to beaches and a vibrant cultural scene, Nice will do nicely.

Toulouse

An underrated TEFL destination, Toulouse is a modern, dynamic city known as "La Ville Rose" due to its pinkish brick architecture. It's a hub for aerospace and technology, offering a modern lifestyle with a rich historical background.

Get started teaching English in France 

Does teaching English in France sound like the route for you? Here are some of the main takeaways for ESL teachers looking to move to France.

  • The average salary for teachers in France is about €2,439 (£2,057 / $2,647) monthly for full-time work.
  • Teaching programmes like TAPIF and Centre International D'études Pédagogiques are great routes to finding work in France.
  • Fantastic teaching locations in France include cities like Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, Nice and - of course - Paris.
  • To teach English in France you’ll needa bachelor's degree (preferably in English/Education), TEFL certification (at least 120 hours of training), a clean criminal background check and, if you’re a non-native speaker, an English proficiency certificate like IELTS or TOEFL. Experience is preferred.

More on English teaching jobs in France

Explore job opportunities in France

Summer Camp

France

English Language Camp Counselor in France

Posted: 5 days ago

Since 1994, we've been offering English immersion programs for French children aged 8 to 15 across the beautiful French countryside.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. Are English teachers in demand in France?

    Across private schools, language schools, international schools and universities, there is a demand for qualified teachers with TEFL certification to teach English in France.

  • Q. How to get a job as an English teacher in France?

    To teach English in France, you’ll need at least a TEFL certificate, with 120 hours of TEFL training. Depending on the employer, you may also need a degree and some teaching experience.

  • Q. What is the salary of an English teacher in France?

    An English teacher in France can expect to earn an average salary of around €2,439 (£2,057 / $2,647) monthly for full-time work.

  • Q. Which country has the highest demand for English teachers?

    China has the highest number of English learners per capita. Still, countries like Spain, Japan, South Korea, and regions like Latin America have considerable demand for English teachers.