Hi Julie .... lovely to hear from you! No problems asking me about France.

And, welcome to France if you do end up coming.

I am sorry I don't know a lot about the alps regions in France ..... I teach in NE France, in Nancy. The one thing I have found, though, is that people always need english teachers, particularly native speakers. France has a scheme currently running that employers have to provide 20 hours training per year for each employee. The training can be on any employment-related subject, but most choose to brush up on their english. The financial crisis has slowed things a bit, but not too much (from my experience here, anyway). And employers are happy to encourage their employees learn / improve their english, as this can help their business in europe and other international zones.

Regarding speaking french, I teach here, and my french is deplorable, but improving. Lessons (particularly with professional business people) are completely in english, with only occassional french as a last resort. And I have enough for that .... most times!

If you want to know anything else about working here, I am happy to help where I can.

Neil

Hi Neil.

My name is Julie and itoi gave me your details to quiz your brains about working in France. I hope this is OK?

I have lived in the French Alps before and want to return desperately! What are the opportunities of working in the Alps? If there are none, what are the opportunities of working in France in general? Are there ample jobs, do  I need to speak French?

Thank you for any help you could give me.

Julie :-)

Hi Neil, thanks for keeping in touch.  Unfortunately, on this occasion, no news is not good news.  No luck on the job front as yet.  I'm just about to send a few speculative applications off to some of the companies offering cours a domicile and soutien scolaire.  Thanks for the offer of help.  We've no plans to move at the moment, but never say never!

Caroline, welcome to pick my brains anytime .... only hope there is something worthwhile there!! Yes, I am teaching adults in Nancy. Most of the private institutions prefer native english speakers, so have a CV and cover letter in english. If they want one if french, they will ask you for one later. If you can make some calls before you arrive, I'm sure you will be able to arrange a few interviews for when you arrive. Good luck, Neil.

hi neil, thanks for that, it is encouraging to hear something positive now and then! i'm not in France yet but will be arriving early March and then the job hunt begins properly. Are you teaching adults in Nancy? Would you have any advice as to how I should approach the schools, is it best to have a french CV and cover letter? I would love to have something lined up before i get there, but by the sound of it I think that maybe going in to places in person will be the most effective?

enjoy Nancy, and no doubt i will pick your brains again soon!

Yvette,

Happy to be on your friens list, however I'm afraid I can only help you with some of your questions ..... I don't teach at a school (for school children, that is), so can't really help with your questions there. I teach at a private institute that specialises in adult professionals, and regional groups of unemployed professionals. I can tell you that I get fantastic support from my employer, and from fellow teachers. I just love it ..... and because all of France is crying out for native-speaking teachers, you shouldn't have a lot of trouble. My french is pretty average, but I never use french in the classroom (in fact I tell the students I don't speak french at all), except for very basic vocab translations.

I do know that a lot of the colleges (for teenagers) have french-born english teachers, then engage native speakers for "conversation" classes, where you just encourage discussion, and correct their basic grammar / vocab errors. And it is NOT difficult.

For your application, I'd write a good covering letter accentuating your qualification, and a one-page CV. Did they ask for your application in english or french? The other thing you could do is to call all the language schools in your area, and tell them you are available. They are sure to at least get you in for a chat ....

Hope some of this helps.

Good luck!

Neil

Hello neil801,

I think I've just asked you to join my friends list, but I can't see anything that confirms it.  Hope you get it!

I'm a Brit living in France and have recently qualified via an I-to-I course.  I'm interested to learn about how you are finding the teaching here in France.  I wonder if there is much difference between you 'up North' and me down here in the Charente.  What support you get from your employer?  How good does your French need to be?  I'm told mine isn't bad, but I know that it's not great either.  I imagine that having a French spouse will have helped you understand the French education system.  I feel a little lost trying to understand the different levels, schools, colleges, lycees etc. 

Having just seen a job offer for 20 hours English teaching at colleges in the Charente, I'd also appreciate any tips on putting together an application.  If I don't get thrown out at the paper stage, am I likely to have to teach a class as part of the interview process?  If so, are you given the lesson objective or is it up to you to choose an objective appropriate to the age and level of the class?  So much to think about.  Sorry to ask so many questions in my first comment, it's rather cheeky!

Hope you're having a good day.  Regards, Yvette