Your Guide to Teaching English to Adults in France

Dreaming of a life in France, fueled by croissants, culture, and conversation? Combining this dream with a passion for teaching English to adults is a fantastic way to build a meaningful career abroad. While exciting, the move requires careful planning. Let’s break down the key steps to turn this aspiration into your new reality.

Finding the Right Teaching Opportunity

Your first mission is to secure a job. For teaching adults, you have several promising avenues:

• Private Language Schools: France has many centres de formation and private academies catering to business professionals and adult learners. Companies like Lingueo, Wall Street English, and Berlitz often hire. Local, independent schools in larger cities are also excellent targets.
• Corporate Training: This can be lucrative. You might be hired directly by a company or through a training organization to provide in-house English lessons to employees.
• Universities & Grandes Écoles: These positions are more competitive and often require a Master’s degree, but they offer stable contracts.
• Freelancing: Many teachers build a client base of private adult students. This offers flexibility but requires hustle to manage administrative and marketing tasks.

Pro Tip: While a TEFL certificate isn’t always legally mandatory, it is a significant advantage. It demonstrates your methodology and commitment, making you a stronger candidate.

Navigating the Visa Maze

This is the most crucial administrative step. You cannot move to France and then look for work. You need a job offer first.

• The Process: Your future employer will provide documents to support your application for a long-stay work visa (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour or VLS-TS salarié).
• Your Role: You apply for this visa at the French consulate in your home country before you depart. The employer’s support is essential.
• Key Document: Be prepared for the OFII procedure after arrival, where your visa is validated by the French immigration office.

Start researching the specific requirements on your local French consulate’s website early. Requirements can vary slightly.

Settling In: Home & Practicalities

Once you have your visa and job contract, the next adventure begins: daily life.

Finding Accommodation

• The rental market, especially in Paris, is competitive.
• Start your search on sites like Leboncoin, Seloger, and PAP.
• Be ready with a dossier: copies of your passport, visa, work contract, and often proof of income. Having a French guarantor can be a hurdle; some employers may help, or you can look into services like Garantme.

Knowing Your Way Around

• Administration: Be patient. Opening a bank account, getting a French SIM card, and navigating health insurance (la sécurité sociale) are key early tasks. Your employer should guide you through the health insurance registration.
• Language: While you can survive in big cities with English, learning French is non-negotiable for integration, bureaucracy, and building a local life. Start with basics before you go and commit to lessons upon arrival.
• Community: Connect with other expat teachers through Facebook groups or local meetups. They are invaluable sources of tips and support.

Embracing the Adventure

Moving to teach abroad is a blend of professional challenge and personal growth. There will be frustrating paperwork and moments of confusion, but these are far outweighed by the rewards.

You’ll gain incredible cross-cultural experience, deepen your teaching skills in a real-world context, and build a life surrounded by France’s unparalleled art, cuisine, and joie de vivre. With thorough preparation and an open mind, you’re not just getting a job—you’re launching a transformative chapter.