How to Get a Job Teaching English in Paris: A Step-by-Step Guide

Teaching English in Paris can be an exciting and rewarding experience, offering a chance to immerse yourself in French culture while gaining valuable work experience. The demand for English teachers is strong, and our club is made up of many teachers who have taken the leap that you are considering now!

Understanding the steps required to move to Paris to teach English can be complicated, so we’ve compiled the following step-by-step guide on how to successfully make the move!

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1. Check Your Eligibility Requirements

There’s a few eligibility requirements you will need to tick off your checklist before seriously considering a move to Paris. These include eligibility requirements for a working visa, but also teaching qualifications.

Visa/Work Permit: If you’re not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you’ll need a work visa to teach in France. Popular options include the Long-Stay Visa for Employees or the Working Holiday Visa (if eligible). EU citizens do not require a work visa to live and work in France.

Qualifications: While it’s not always mandatory to have a degree in education, most employers prefer candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or equivalent certification. Some positions might require a CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification. But don’t let this put you off. If you don’t have qualifications but have a true interest in teaching or getting experience in teaching, there is a role out there for you!

Language Skills: Although not essential, speaking some French can be very helpful, especially for understanding cultural nuances and interacting with colleagues and students outside class. Many of the members of the Paris Teachers Club moved to Paris not speaking a word of French, and have since become fluent!

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2. Choose Your Teaching Setting

There are a range of settings that teachers in Paris can educate students in.

Language Schools: Many language schools in France hire English teachers, especially in big cities. These schools offer group classes, private lessons, and corporate training sessions.

Private Tutoring: Many people in France prefer private one-on-one English lessons, and this can be a flexible and lucrative way to teach. You can advertise your services through websites like Superprof or Voscours.

Public Schools: Teaching English in public schools (middle or high school) is a highly-regulated process and usually requires a specific qualification such as the Capes (teaching certification in France). This is typically for those who are interested in long-term, government-funded positions.

Business English: Many companies in France offer English lessons to their employees to improve communication skills. These positions are typically offered through language schools, but some companies directly hire freelance English instructors.

Assistants de Langue Program: A popular way to teach English in France is through the English Language Assistant Program, where you work as an assistant in French schools. This program typically does not require a TEFL certificate, and the pay is modest but allows for a more immersive cultural experience.

One of the many benefits of joining the Paris Teachers Club is the work opportunities you will have access to within our private Facebook group!

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3. Research Teaching Opportunities

There are a range of places you can research and apply for teaching roles in Paris.

Online Job Portals: Websites such as TEFL.com, The Local France, Glassdoor, and Indeed list teaching positions in France. Make sure to filter your search to show only teaching or ESL-related positions.

Language Schools: Many established language schools like Berlitz, Wall Street English, and English First hire teachers year-round. If you have experience with children, check out language schools like Le Bus Anglais, specialized in teaching English to children. Visit their websites to check job openings.

Recruitment Agencies: Some agencies specialize in placing English teachers in schools and businesses in France. Agencies like Angloinfo or English Teachers in France can help with finding work.

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4. Prepare Your CV and Cover Letter

Putting together an exceptional CV and cover letter are a crucial first step towards scoring the teaching job of your dreams in Paris!

Tailor Your CV: When applying for teaching jobs in France, tailor your CV to highlight relevant teaching experience, language skills, and qualifications. Include any teaching certifications like TEFL, TESOL, or CELTA. Emphasise your experience with teaching English, working with different age groups, or teaching business English, if relevant.

Cover Letter: Write a professional cover letter in English (or French, if possible), explaining why you’re interested in teaching in France, why you’re qualified, and what makes you a good fit for the role. Many French employers value personalised, thoughtful applications.

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5. Network with Other Paris Teachers and Expats

There’s so many expats and English teachers in Paris that have been right where you are now! Meeting and networking with them is key to finding your footing in a new city.

Social Media and Forums: Join Facebook groups or online forums for English teachers in France. These communities often share job postings, tips, and advice for newcomers. Examples include The English Language Assistants in France group on Facebook or The France Expats Forum.

Local Meetups: Attend local networking events or language exchange meetups in your area. These can help you connect with other teachers and locals, and sometimes even lead to job opportunities.

The Paris Teachers Club exists for this reason! We provide support, advice, teaching opportunities and catch-ups for English teachers in Paris, and have been doing so for almost three years and counting! Join us today – it’s free! That’s our happy campers on a recent night out below!

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6. Apply for TeachingJobs

Now is the exciting part! Time to apply for teaching jobs in Paris! There’s a number of ways you can do this.

Direct Applications: Once you’ve found jobs you’re interested in, apply directly to the employers with your tailored CV and cover letter.

Language School Interviews: Many language schools conduct interviews via video or phone, especially if you’re applying from abroad. Make sure you’re prepared to discuss your teaching experience, your teaching philosophy, and why you want to teach English in Paris.

Public School Jobs: If applying to teach in public schools, note that you may have to go through a more formal process. For the Assistant de Langue Program, you’ll need to apply through the French Ministry of Education’s official website.

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7. Understand Your Contract and Pay

Woo! You’ve scored your dream teaching role! Now for the paperwork…

French work contracts are notoriously detailed, but offer job security that many other countries don’t. Going over your contract with a fine tooth comb is important.

Salary Expectations: Salaries for English teachers in France can vary widely depending on the type of position. For language schools, you might earn between €1,200 and €2,000 per month. As a public school assistant, the monthly stipend is around €1,200. Private tutoring rates can vary but are typically between €20–€40 per hour.

Working Hours: Teaching hours are usually between 15–25 hours a week, with opportunities for private tutoring or additional business English lessons to increase your income.

Social Security and Benefits: If working as an employee, you’ll be entitled to social security benefits and health insurance, which are part of the French employment system. Freelancers may need to arrange their own insurance.

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8. Secure Accommodation In Paris

You’ve got your visa, your work contract and you’re all set to jet off to Paris – but where will you live? Finding accommodation in the French capital can be a little tricky, but there’s a wide variety of resources to help you secure it.

Accommodation in France varies greatly depending on the region and your budget. In larger cities like Paris, housing can be expensive, but smaller cities and towns may offer more affordable options. Many language schools and recruitment agencies can provide guidance on finding housing, or you can search on websites like Le Bon Coin or Paris Attitude for rentals.

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9. Prepare for Life in France

The final items on your moving to Paris checklist are important. Preparing yourself for the lifestyle changes of a new country is key, as are some final pesky pieces of paperwork.

Cultural Adaptation: Understanding French culture and workplace expectations will be key to success in your new home. Familiarise yourself with the French education system, etiquette, and some basic French phrases if you’re not already proficient in the language. Check out our blog detailing 15 lifestyle changes to expect when moving to Paris.

Banking and Legalities: Set up a French bank account and make sure you understand the tax system, particularly if you’re a freelancer. Many teachers are eligible for the Auto-Entrepreneur status, a simplified tax scheme for self-employed individuals.

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Moving to Paris to teach? You need the Paris Teachers Club!

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Browse our other blogs for lots more about France, moving to and living in Paris and much more!

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