The Teaching Assistant Program in France is a joint initiative of the French Ministry of Education, the Centre international d’études pédagogiques (CIEP) and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. The program's goal is to strengthen English-language instruction in the French educational system through the establishment of a native speaker presence. The program also provides American Francophiles and future teachers of French in the United States with excellent teaching experience and first-hand knowledge of French language and culture. The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages. Each year, over 1,100 American citizens and permanent residents teach in public schools across all regions of metropolitan France and in the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion.
Specific Eligibility Criteria
- CITIZENSHIP: Candidates must be American citizens or foreign nationals in possession of a U.S. Green Card. Foreign nationals with a Green Card may only apply if they are nationals of one of these countries. French nationals and French-American dual citizens are not eligible to apply.
- AGE: Candidates must be between 20 - 30 years old on the start date of the program (Oct 1).
- EDUCATION: Candidates must have completed at least two years of higher education by the beginning of the program.
- BACKGROUND: Candidates must have completed the majority of their elementary, secondary and university studies in the United States.
- LANGUAGE SKILLS: Applicants must be proficient in French. Language skills are essential to facilitating work in the classroom and integrating into a new community. A personal statement in French and letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s French skills, attitude and work ethic are required. If the applicant does not have proof of French courses taken or does not have access to a French professor to complete the language recommendation, he or she can submit scores from a standardized French language test (TCF, TEF, DELF, DALF) available through the Alliance Française. Applicants must have their test results before the application deadline, so it is important to research testing dates WELL IN ADVANCE. For more information, contact your local branch of the Alliance Française.
The selection process favors applicants who have experience teaching or working with children, adolescents, and/or adults. Such experience is not necessarily required, however all applicants should demonstrate at least an interest in education.
Candidates must also possess the skills to promote cultural understanding between France and the United States. Previous experience living, working and/or traveling abroad is helpful in demonstrating this ability and appreciation of other cultures.