Background: 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.  American teaching assistants with a superior record of performance may apply directly to their school districts to renew their teaching contracts for a second year. Assistants may participate in the Teaching Assistant Program in France a maximum of two times.

The Scholarships: Teaching assistants receive a gross monthly salary of approximately €965. Mandatory deductions for health insurance and French social security are taken, resulting in a net monthly salary of roughly €780 (approximately $1,099). Due to the higher cost of living in the overseas departments, assistants placed in these Académies receive an additional salary allowance of 30% to 35%. The stipend provides enough money to live the lifestyle of a typical French student. Assistants do not receive any additional support for travel to France or to support dependents. Personal funds are needed for the initial period of the contract.

The Application: Applicants must be proficient in French. Language skills are essential in 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 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.

Who Should Apply: 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.

Campus Procedure: Students interested in applying should contact the chair of the French Department; and see the program website.

Recommendations: Yes, see application. 

Application Deadline: January 15.

The Process: Selection notification sent out beginning of April.

For More Information: Students interested in applying should contact the chair of the French Department; and see the program website.

Recent Davidson Teaching Assistants:  Rachel Gulotta, Sam Plumer, Amanda Vredenburgh (2012); Tyler Atwood, Karen Kirk (2011).