I’m an American who is currently living and working as an au pair in France. I’m supposed to be returning to the US in a year or two and I want to go to school to become an English teacher in France one day. I was thinking a double major in English Education and French Language.
However, I figured that since I am already living in France, that I could possibly look into schools in France and not have to learn to pursue my degree.
I am 100% sure that this is the path I want to take education wise but I’m still a beginner in French and I’m not sure what schools to look into. Location in France is not very important but I’m currently living in the Île-de-France area so it would be nice to stay here!
If anyone has any advice or can lead me into a good direction, please let me know! Not any prestigious or expensive schools as this is not possible for me.
Anyway, tagging @MYOS1634 (one of the CC experts on this) who will have better info than I do, but in general, while you may be 100% sure that you want to teach English in France, afaik the only school that would be realistic for you w/ beginning French would be the American University in Paris, which is (imo) a lot of money for not a lot of degree. I would be also be surprised if you can find a university degree in English Education and French Language in France.
My guess is that a US university with a really strong study abroad program is going to be your best option.
I honestly don’t know what the options are to study English in France, or to study French in the USA.
It should not be too much of a surprise that there are some universities in Canada which are very strong in both English and French. There are a rather wide selection, so which makes sense might depend upon your GPA and test scores and budget, as well as how large a school you want and what sort of location you would prefer.
Another issue is how to get certified to teach in France. I am wondering if you should contact schools in France to ask them.
How well you speak French now and how well you are going to speak French a year from now might be two completely different things. I would expect you to pick up quite a bit over time.
Your host family is required to register you feel language courses a few hours a week. As your agency’s for advice if they don’t or for recommendations.
In order to teach English in France you have two possibilities:
One is a degree in English with some French literature/history UE (classes). You’d need to be excellent at French and the history/literature classes would teach you how to format the essays. Be ready for a lot of failing grades at first because it’s a very rigid goat that is taught in high school so it won’t be taught in college. Then after 5 years of study you take a competitive exam (translation, linguistics, literary analysis, history) and if you’re lucky you are a teacher. If not you can be a teacher with a temporary contract.
The second way is for you to learn as much French as possible right now (watching tv*, reading literature in translation and, as soon as you’re able, easy reading like Le Parisien and Marc Levy). Return to the US, get into a college with a strong French program. Major in French (the higher level you’ve reached at your French language school, preferably certified, the higher up you’ll start at college and the easier it’ll be to complete the major) + English or American studies or history minor + education minor. Then, get an assistantship position for a year. Then you can apply for a temporary contract job.
There may be visa issues but if you’re enrolled in a posr BA French university program you’re legally entitled to 20 hours of work ie’, teaching.
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