Teach English in France Without a Degree

Do you dream of working in exciting cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon but have always wondered, “Can I Teach English in France Without a Degree?” The short answer is, yes, you absolutely can!

But securing a job teaching English without a degree in the land of cafes, cuisine, and culture can be competitive. You might have to work harder than those with degrees to impress employers, make your CV stand out from the crowd, and think outside the box when it comes to teaching opportunities.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start! We’ve created this informative guide packed with everything you need to know to begin your teaching périple!

Do I Need A TEFL Certificate to Teach English in France?

First things first! If you don’t have a degree, you will need a TEFL certificate if you’re going to stand a chance at attracting potential employers. Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started. These are relatively quick and easy to get, and will also give you invaluable teaching skills you can use in your future lessons.

When you’re comparing TEFL certifications, you’ll want to consider two main factors. First, most employers ask for a minimum of 120-hour TEFL courses. However, especially when you’re applying for jobs without a degree, it’s highly advisable to consider taking a 140-hour or advanced TEFL course to give your CV an edge.

Secondly, it’s important to choose a highly respected TEFL provider whose courses are globally recognized. One such example is TheTEFL.org – the UK’s most accredited TEFL provider. They’ve trained more than 120,000 English teachers who work based all over the world so you know you’ll be in good company!

Other Requirements for Teaching English in France

Alongside a TEFL certificate, some employers will look for previous experience. If you’re hoping to work with young learners, highlight any childcare you have undertaken in the past on your CV. This can be as simple as a babysitting job or any volunteer work you’ve done.

Don’t panic if you don’t have a background in education or childcare — there are several things you can do to boost your chances of landing a job. It’s worth checking out some of the free online education courses offered by places like the University. These can give your CV a great boost, especially when combined with an advanced TEFL qualification.

Make your CV and cover letter as enthusiastic as possible! In the past, some French schools have been known to turn down more experienced applicants in favor of young, fresh TEFL teachers. Showing you’re motivated, adaptable, and willing to go the extra mile can make all the difference.

Another way to impress would-be employers is to learn some local lingo. Although not essential, employers tend to look favorably on those with French-language skills.  Dozens of free language apps can help you to pick up the basics before you start interviewing.

What Kind of Teaching Job Can I Get in France Without a Degree?

It’s true that, without a degree, many of the big schools and language academies are unlikely to hire you. But don’t despair – there are lots of other opportunities to teach English in France! Let’s look at a few in more detail below:

Assistant Language Teacher:

One of the best ways to start teaching English in France is by securing a place as an assistant language teacher. There are lots of assistant teaching programs that help place would-be teachers in locations throughout France, with contracts generally running from October to May. Although not particularly high-paying, many teaching assistants can boost their income with private lessons (more on that below!)

Summer Schools/Camps:

If you’re looking for a short-term position to teach English in France, a summer camp might be the perfect job for you. These hire from March to October with the peak months of July and August. Contracts can be as short as a week but generally last from one to two months.

Most will be based in the countryside and provide an immersive English learning environment for kids between 7-17 years old. Salaries run on the low end of the scale but you’ll receive bed and board making it possible to save at the same time as gaining invaluable English-teaching experience.

Live-In Positions:

One popular way to start teaching English in France is to become an Au Pair. You’ll usually live-in with a family and will be responsible for childcare alongside English tutoring. Although it can be daunting at first, live-in positions have great benefits including free bed and board and the chance to make real connections with your students. Placements usually last between six months to a year but vary between programs and families.

Freelance Tutoring:

While no one is saying that teaching English in France is going to make you a millionaire, many teachers can substantially boost their monthly income by offering private lessons. If you’re good at marketing yourself, it’s relatively easy to find students on your own. Alternatively, you can ask at a local study abroad centre if you need a little help getting started!

How Much Can You Make Teaching English in France Without A Degree?

Pay can vary greatly between programs, regions and roles but to give you an idea, we’ve provided some average wages examples below:

• Assistant Language Teacher –  €800-€1000 EUR (approx. £685-£850 GBP) per month
• Summer School/Camp – €1000-€1200 EUR (approx. £850-£1025 GBP) per month
• Live-In Au Pair/English Tutor – €10-€20 EUR (approx. £8.50-£17.15 GBP) per hour
• Freelance Private Tutor – €15-€25 EUR (approx. £12.85-£21.45 GBP) per hour

Depending on how many private lessons you choose to offer, English teachers in France can expect to earn in the region of €1000-€1800 EUR (approx. £850-£1540 GBP) per month.

Ready To Teach English In France Without A Degree?

With so many exciting career opportunities for non-degree holders, it’s easy to see why hundreds of teachers from all over the world say “Vive la France” every year!

And – now that you’ve read the complete guide to Teaching English in France Without a Degree -there’s nothing that can stand in the way of you joining them. So, what are you waiting for?

We’ll meet you in Paris, mon ami!