If you’re planning on spending a substantial amount of time (more than 3 months) working in France, search for a job well in advance. International placement agencies are often the easiest way to find employment abroad, especially for those interested in teaching. Although they are often only available to college students, internships are a good way to ease into working abroad. Many say the interning experience is well worth it, despite low pay (if you’re lucky enough to be paid at all). Be wary of advertisements for companies claiming to be able get you a job abroad for a fee—often the same listings are available online or in newspapers. Some reputable organizations include:
While some elite private American schools offer competitive salaries, let’s just say that teaching jobs abroad pay more in personal satisfaction and emotional fulfillment than in actual cash. Perhaps this is why volunteering as a teacher instead of getting paid is a popular option. Even then, teachers often receive some sort of a daily stipend to help with living expenses. In almost all cases, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree to be a full-fledged teacher, although college undergraduates can often get summer positions teaching or tutoring. Because many bosses require that employees take English classes, demand for teachers is fairly high, despite France’s resilient pride in its language.
Many schools require teachers to have a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate. You may still be able to find a teaching job without one, but certified teachers often find higher-paying jobs. The French-impaired don’t have to give up their dream of teaching, either. Private schools usually hire native English speakers for English-immersion classrooms where no French is spoken. (Teachers in public schools will more likely work in both English and French.) Placement agencies or university fellowship programs are the best resources for finding teaching jobs. The alternative is to contact schools directly or to try your luck once you arrive in France. In the latter case, the best time to look is several weeks before the start of the school year. The following organizations are extremely helpful in placing teachers in France.
Au pairs are typically women (although sometimes men) aged 18-27 who work as live-in nannies, caring for children and doing light housework in foreign countries in exchange for room, board, and a small spending allowance or stipend. One job perk is that it allows you to get to know France without the expense of traveling. Drawbacks, however, can include mediocre pay and long hours. In France, au pairs are paid between €50 and €75 per week. Much of the au pair experience depends on the family with which you are placed. The agencies below are a good starting point for looking for employment. There is also a database for au pair agencies at www.europa-pages.com/au_pair/france.html.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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