How much can I earn teaching English in France?
France is the most popular tourist destination in the world with over 80 million visitors every year. Due to the country's many attractions, it also draws a large number of foreign ESL teachers. There is a strong demand for teachers in many parts of the country, although there is always plenty of competition for the best jobs in the most popular locations such as Paris and the French Riviera. If you have previous experience you will have a good advantage in these areas, while newly qualified teachers might need to be flexible when choosing a destination.
What are TESOL salaries in France?
How much you can potentially earn while teaching in France will be affected by the individual employer, the part of the country you are in, and the level of your qualifications and experience. In most cases, the figure will be somewhere in the region of 1,000 to 2,000 euro per month. If you are at the lower end of this scale, or you just want to earn extra cash, you might want to take on a few private students in your spare time to top up your earnings. Private tutoring rates are typically between 15 and 25 euro per hour. Most teachers should receive some paid holidays and health insurance cover, but benefits such as paid airfares and accommodation are rarely offered in France.
Who are the main employers of English language teachers in France?
Public schools and universities generally offer the highest salaries, however, to be eligible for these positions you will probably need to be fluent in French and have a high level of qualifications and experience. If like most teachers, you are not eligible for these options, you will most likely find work in a private language school. These can be found all over the country, with at least 500 in Paris alone. Salaries in language schools are typically less than with many other employers, but they do offer flexible working hours and a chance to gain valuable classroom experience. Taking on students for private tutoring is another popular option in France, either full-time or as a way of supplementing your main income. This option offers a great deal of freedom in terms of working hours and how much you charge, although it can take time to build up a strong client base.
Who else employs English language teachers in France?
Teaching business related English within private companies is quite common in France, as are English camps which generally pay well and offer short-term contracts during the summer months. If you have an American passport you can apply for the government-run Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). This is a popular option as it includes a long-term visa which is often hard to come by for non-EU citizens. The program is aimed at recent college graduates and includes a monthly stipend of 790 euro.
What is the cost of living for English teachers in France?
How much it costs to live in France will depend on your chosen location and your lifestyle away from the classroom. Typically, the figure will be in the region of 600 to 1,000 euro per month. If you choose Paris as your destination you will find the cost of living to be considerably higher than many other parts of the country. If you are set on living in the capital you will need to make sure you negotiate a good salary and be careful with your budgeting. The cost of housing is usually the biggest expense, with rents and utilities averaging around 600 to 800 euro per month for a one-bedroom apartment outside of the most popular areas. Most teachers in Paris, and in other expensive areas, choose to share an apartment with other teachers or rent a spare room from a local family.
