English Language Teaching Assistant in France

Currently, I am a first year language assistant places in Marseille, FR. When applying through TAPIF (the US/Canadian branch) the application is very simple, and once accepted the next steps are very clear, especially when applying for the visa. Personally, I am having a fantastic experience both living and teaching, because my host schools are fantastic. My teachers are caring, appreciate my experience and ideas in the classroom, and are willing to help me. Furthermore, I have gotten to know other assistants in the city which has made socializing easy. The experience truly depends on you and your placement schools but it's a fantastic opportunity to teach, work, and live abroad.

I'm currently thrilled to be part of the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), where I am teaching at a middle school in the Versailles region just outside of Paris. This program is a fantastic way to fully immerse yourself in the French language and culture while making a positive impact on your student's education and language learning journey. My decision to join TAPIF stemmed from a mix of personal and professional goals. These included improving my French, gaining classroom experience to explore teaching as a potential career, networking with people globally, experiencing life in a big city (notably Paris), taking advantage of cultural opportunities like museums, researching graduate schools, and exploring Europe on a budget. In just three months, I've made progress toward many of these goals. Living and working in France has provided me with a genuine understanding of the language, customs, and daily life, going beyond the typical tourist experience. Further, Working in the classroom has given me unique insights into French teaching methodologies—a valuable experience for someone like me, who is interested in pursuing a future in the education field. Additionally, being so close to Paris, there is an unlimited amount of beautiful sights, activities, museums, and people to meet. Despite the geographical distance, TAPIF excels in creating a sense of community through various channels of social media, webinars, WhatsApp groups, podcasts, and an alumni network. The orientation webinars were particularly helpful in alleviating pre-departure concerns and building connections with fellow TAPIF participants. Once in France, make sure that you join your academy's WhatsApp groups to meet the other language assistants in your academy and town. Also, ensure that you participate in all of the social gatherings once you arrive as many of the other language assistants are also looking to make new friends. While the 12-hour workweek may seem light, you should also consider your commute time and lesson planning. Even considering this, the role is still part-time which offers flexibility for participating in online Master’s programs (or applying to programs), babysitting, tutoring, and travel. Admittedly, living independently in France poses unique challenges, including navigating bureaucracy, adapting to a new educational system, overcoming language barriers, budgeting, and finding housing. With a low income, do be sure to prepare by saving up money to better enjoy travel, eating out, and cultural activities. These challenges, though, contribute to resilience and personal and professional growth, provided you approach them with adaptability and patience. Exploring France and Europe was a key goal for me in joining TAPIF. The program generously allows for travel during weekends and school vacations, providing opportunities to discover the diverse beauty of France and Europe. In conclusion, regardless of where you are placed, TAPIF is a remarkable program that offers a realistic experience of living, working, and learning in France. It not only allows you to contribute to the education system but also serves as a transformative journey that enriches both personal and professional aspects of life. I highly recommend TAPIF to anyone seeking a meaningful cultural and educational adventure. And with any program, your experience is what you make of it. So be sure to put yourself out there and go explore.

I’ve had a pleasure working at the college and primary school level in Caen, so far. To be honest, I really lucked out with my school placement. The other staff and teachers have been incredibly welcoming, and so are the students. I’ve had a great time teaching them about American culture alongside our study of English. While the housing process was a tad difficult, and I’ve only made a couple of friends so far, seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when I arrive for work simply makes my day! I hope to inspire them all to continue with English. The other teachers have made my transition a smooth and enjoyable one, guiding me step by step into becoming more competent as a new teacher myself. My goal each day is for the students not only to learn something, but to have some fun. As an American born and raised, too, I’m aware that my country doesn’t have the best reputation globally, and I want the students to have a positive experience with someone from my country, and I’m happy to be here to make that happen.