First, my appologies on not yet uploading my photo--I'll get on that. I'm new here. I've been in France for about 4 years now (this time) but have moved/visited back and forth between here and California for the last decade since I married my (French) husband.
I actually happen to be a teacher (high school French and English) in the US and out of just simplicity have always taught English here in language institutes or BTS type set ups. But I'd like to strike out on my own. I'm interested in being able to teach English classes that could be reimbursed by the DIF programs (I am very, very shaky on how this whole thing works). My goal would be to work with adults who want to learn English for professional reasons.
I see that I have to submit a 'dossier' with the direction regional du travail and that it must include the first contract etc. I looked at the explanation online and after reading the 17 page description feel I have no idea what it's talking about. Nowhere do they seem to provide a list of what must actually be sent in. I've tried calling our DRT in Marseille but haven't reached them yet (argh).
I'm also a little bit concerned about that accounting bit. It *seems* like it would be straightforward, but I don't want to assume and get myself into a mess of red tape. Should I be prepared to hire an accountant?
If anyone has done this, I'd love to know how it went, if you have pointers etc. I also was hoping to set up as an Auto Entrepreneur I've heard that's much less lucrative than before with the new charges in place, but I think I might still be better off than with an employer--and anyway, I'm tired---so tired of working for other people in this business. I don't have to make a ton of money, just want to work in a more professional environment.
Anyway, I thought I once saw a thread on this topic before but can't find it. Any info you have would be fantastic.
Thanks Louise. It sounds to me like the first contract is the tricky one. And yes, I've been thinking that the business contacts are going to be the key. I need to get out there and stay 'out there.' I had more business contacts before I started having kids!
I will check out your book a bit further. It's a nice idea to have written it--in fact, my big question is how to handle conventions, so it could be helpful. I suppose like any of the French paperwork. . .sometimes it can go surprisingly smoothly and sometimes you get the full bureaucratic nightmare. Mine will go through Marseille, so I kind of cring in advance.
It's a great help to have this as a trainer and if you have a lot of business contacts you can make a reasonble living as an English trainer. I use this and also work with Training Centres too.
Thanks James, I think the Rhone Alps site is more helpful than our local site. I've found quite a bit of paperwork online to fill in, and I got the impression it would be a nightmare, but I'm starting to feel reassured.
Do you find you have enough work in professional training to earn a living or is it more a side-gig for you?
my PGCE in MFL (French and Italian) gives me the equivelent to a capes for teaching in state schools but I can only do it as a remplaçant, or I would have had to pass the capes.
Good luck with your projects, family and professional.
I've done loads of different jobs but don't rally miss teaching, even if I do miss the holidays!
Ah ok for the FLE--I only have my US credential to teach French. As I'm questioning teaching as a long-term career option, not sure it's worth it at this point.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I've often wondered if I won't simply go into something completely different than teaching as you and your wife have--(once I no longer have a 3 year-old in school part time and a baby on the way) Sounds like you two made a good decision.
Good luck with your Tabac. I think working the long hours for yourself and your own business are probably quite rewarding--if exhausting at times.
It's a small world, Trish. We used to live in Decazeville, my son was born there (daughter in Rodez). I used to live in Aubin too, taught some English in one of the primary schools. the IUT where I taught was in Figeac. To teach FLE in France you really need the maîtrise FLE - it's the basic requirement that's always asked for. As for teaching in state schools, I turned down a replacement contract because it wouldn't have ever given me a CDI and I realised that I didn't really wasnt to go back to having classes of 30 odd teenagers who couldn't give a monkey's! Yes the 4 hour lessons are hard work, I used to teach the same class upto 6 hours in a day and that was really hard going!
I completely understand you not really wanting to jump through all the capes hoops, I'd have done it if I really wanted to stay in teaching, but I didn't!
Thanks again Andrew for the input. You sound somewhat like me in you French--although I don't have the maitrise. Maybe teaching FLE would be possible for me--anyway, I'm actually more used to teaching French grammar than English.
And I'm going to look around with the CCI just to see if they aren't more developed with their English than I think. . .or if they want to be.
I think the BTS thing is not for me. I don't like the 4 hour language classes or the teaching to the test. Did you ultimately decide to keep teaching or did you finally chose to go into another field?--- if you don't mind my asking.
I'm a teacher by training in the US, but I'm wondering if I'll have to give that up. It seems career prospects for me in France are kind of limited--unless I jump through the hoops to be a public school teacher, but I don't think I will. I wonder if you can really feel secure in your work and 'integrated' into the culture as an English teacher. . .
And yes. . .Aix and Marseille are so different. In Fact, it's the prospect of having to return to Marseille that keeps me from trying out the public school teacher certification in France. Ahem, we won't be moving back there any time soon. It's nice to visit, but I like life in the country.
Rodez is beautiful though. I did my very first year as an English Assistant in Aveyrone--Decazeville of all places.
PS Many found it really odd that an English bloke was teaching the chinese students French in a French IUT, but there again a German and French person where teaching English so where's the difference...!
Thanks for your reply! The CCI I think doesn't do English instruction much here--I *think* the market might be kind of underdevelopped. Not that there is a ton of demand, but we'll see.
It's interesting the idea of teaching French to foreign students. Someone mentioned that to me before but I blew it off thinking they'd never hire a non-native teacher to teach French in France. . .but I'm formally trained to do that. If you don't mind my asking are you obviously a foreigner when you speak French?--like me with an accent. I mean, my French is pretty good as I was a French teacher, but I'll never be a native French speaker.
As for being a salaried worker here, my experience is that language institutes and professional training centers have such strict contacts that I really have no benefits. It's very precarious and sketchy, but part of my experience was in Marseille so maybe I just have to find better work now that I'm in a new area.
Old post, I’m no longer teaching or living in Decazeville (buraliste living on the Aveyron/Tarn border since 2012) but happy to have a chat, fire away with your questions or PM me if you prefer
Hello Simran, it’s better if you don’t post your email to this public forum as anyone round the world can see it. You are likely to get spam. Better to use the private message system. Click on an_droo and a box comes up which has a blue rectangle in the top RH corner with “message” - click on that and you can have a private exchange of messages away from the public gaze. Good luck.
