Living and working in a foreign country is never easy at first. I have just returned from a three month contract as a teacher of English as a foreign language in central France and I would like to share what I have learned with other people who plan to teach there.
EFL is extremely popular in France at the moment, especially within companies. English is not introduced to school until quite late in high school, so there is a lack of fluent English speakers in the workplace. Now that business is growing in Europe, English is often the necessary language for communicating with foreign clients (in addition to German).
While in France, I worked for a private company teaching EFL to management, sales executives and administration. This is commonplace and there are several language schools that offer workshops to different companies. (They definitely need more ESL teachers, so this may be an interesting avenue to explore!)
The following are some things I wish I had known before I went to France:
1) Taxes – I will not try to explain the French tax system to you (as it would be practically impossible!). Approximately 23% of my salary was deducted in taxes that include health and pension. I think 1,300 euros is roughly the gross minimum wage per month, so you can use that as a measure of how well you are earning. (Salaries in Paris, of course, will be higher).
2) Medical: You will probably have to undergo a medical check-up to make sure you are fit to work. Once you are working, you will be entitled to health benefits, although you will have to pay in advance and be reimbursed later.
3) Cost of Living – Generally cheaper than the UK, possibly 25-35% according to some sources. The food is very reasonable and the French often eat a full meal for lunch rather than a quick sandwich on the go like in the UK. However, this will mean that they will work overtime to make up for lunch breaks etc.
4) Property: French property is classified as T or F (which means apartment or house) with a number next to it indicating the number of rooms (plus kitchen and bathroom). For example, a T2 could be a 1 bedroom apartment, with a living room, kitchen and bathroom. If you’re only staying for a short period of time, you may want to consider making a B&B deal or staying with a host family (which in turn will help you improve your French too!)
5) Private classes – If you plan to give private classes in your free time (they are in great demand) in addition to your main job, you can ask for about 20-25 Euros per hour. I was lucky enough to live with a family and, in exchange for food and accommodation, I gave their 3 children English lessons every week.
6) Travel – Make the most of France when you are there, it is an incredibly beautiful and varied country! Trains are relatively cheap and frequent. You get cheaper deals when you travel at certain times and days, so keep that in mind when planning a trip. If you are in the north of France, near Paris, you can also go to Brussels (2 hours) or Amsterdam (4 hours). You should definitely try visiting the southern Ardesche region. It is a popular tourist destination, but it is worth visiting, especially in summer.
The French (despite the stereotypes of the people) are very friendly and know how to enjoy life. Working there will be an unforgettable experience on a professional, social and gastronomic level!
Good luck!
