Teaching English in Paris: 5 Reasons Why It Could Be For You

If you’ve ever dreamed of calling France home, teaching English in Paris may be the career for you. 

English teachers are in demand in France, and in particular, teaching English in Paris to children is a great career move. 

The Paris Teachers Club is made up of past and present English teachers of children in Paris. We love singing the praises of this gorgeous city and educating others on what a career teaching in Paris can offer. 

These are five of the biggest benefits of teaching in Paris and why you should consider this unique career. 

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1. Teaching is a rewarding, in-demand career

Teaching is a rewarding career. But teaching English to children in Paris arms the city’s younger generation with essential skills that will last them a lifetime.

As English is so widely spoken, many French people consider it of paramount importance to learn. And it is the young that are learning this second language at the highest rate. 

In France, only 4 people of every 10 speak English. However, this average is slightly higher in Paris where, due to the tourist-heavy nature of the city, as well as more educational opportunities, many locals now speak English.

Children are language sponges and learn second or even third languages with ease. This is why children’s teachers in Paris are in demand, and why you should consider this fulfilling career for yourself. 

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2. Paris offers an exciting city lifestyle 

Few cities have the “wow factor” that Paris does, and not a week goes by that even the most long-term expats here don’t marvel at how the city surprises and delights them. 

Have you ever imagined walking by the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe on your way to work? Trawling the weekend markets in Montmartre? Summer days spent picnicking on the banks of the Seine? Snowy winter days people watching with a hot coffee from a chic Parisian cafe?  

Paris has it all, and no two days are the same here. That’s what makes it such an exciting place to call home. 

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3. Paris has a large expat community 

France is the most visited country in the world, and it’s hard not to fall in love at first sight with the city that is home to over two million people. 

In fact, according to Expatriate Group, there are currently 22,000 foreigners living in Paris, and over 4 million in France overall. 

That is a very large community of expats and foreigners who have navigated the same uncertain waters you will naturally also navigate as a newcomer to this busy city. 

But don’t fret! There are many groups in Paris organised by people just like you, who offer catch-ups, outings and events for expats in Paris. Networking and putting yourself out there is important to feel at home and settled in here. If you’re looking for support from fellow Paris expats, there’s a large community out there. 

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4. You’ll enjoy top healthcare and job security  

France has one of the world’s best healthcare systems, and their job security is renowned as well. 

French healthcare is free for citizens and legal residents, and expats can apply for healthcare after three months of living in the country. This entitles you to a reduction in your healthcare costs of between 70%-100%. 

If you manage to find a job in Paris that offers a permanent contract (contrat à durée indéterminée) – great work! This means that after a set trial period, your job is very secure. Your role, hours, salary, days off and place of work are usually set in stone in this contract, which provides stability.

Of course, many expats in Paris instead opt to instead undertake temp roles, casual work or self-employment. 

There are a range of ways you can stand out from the competition while job hunting in Paris. These include working on your French (this will get you a long way), connecting with recruiters to find the right job for you and networking with other expat teachers (or those in your desired line of work). Ensuring that your resume is a standout goes without saying.

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5. There are endless travel opportunities 

Paris is perfectly positioned to explore so much of France on your days off, but the rest of Europe is also right there on your doorstep when you call Paris home. 

The Eurail network is one of the best in the world, and services most major destinations across Europe. It is extremely easy to jump on a train at one of Paris’ major stations and to travel in comfort across France and beyond. London is just two hours on the Eurostar, and if you board a train at breakfast time you could be in Amsterdam by lunch. 

If you want to maximise your travel time, flying within Europe is extremely easy. Many inexpensive flights leave from Paris’ two main airports, Charles de Gaulle (or CDG) and Orly. Leading destinations like Rome, Prague, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and Dubrovnik are all around two hours flight away. Incredible locations like Iceland or the Greek Islands are just over three hours by air. 

If you would rather stay closer to home, you can easily get the train, bus or plane around France. Driving through the villages, cities, countryside and along the coast of France is also unmissable, especially in the warmer months.

From Paris by car, you could be paying your respects to fallen soldiers in Dunkirk in just three hours, sipping wine in the vineyards of Bordeaux in six, or unwinding in Nice on the French Riviera in just over nine hours. The opportunities for travel are endless when Paris is your base. 

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Are you a children’s English teacher in Paris? Whether you’re a Paris local or an expat, we want to hear from you! 

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