Quick answer: You can teach English in Paris through the official language assistant programme, as a substitute teacher with the Paris School Board, in private language schools or as a freelancer. Global English graduate Row did it via the assistant route, and her advice is clear: get proper TESOL training, plan your lessons well – and keep the classroom in English as much as you can.
This week we have been discovering what life is like living and teaching English in France from Global English graduate Row.
Row works in the mainstream school system in France, and has taught all levels of English, starting out as a language assistant. She’s told us about some of the challenges of working within the French system, and how important it was to try to use English as much as possible in the classroom.
Here’s her advice to anyone considering living and working in France.
How did Row start teaching English in Paris?
Hi Row, where are you in France and what do you do?
I am currently in the Paris area working as a substitute English teacher with the Paris School Board.
I replace teachers who are on long-term leave, usually for a few months but possibly up to the whole academic year. The School Board places me wherever they have a need, so the school I am sent to and the levels I teach change all the time. After working a year at the middle school level, I requested to teach only at the high school (lycée) level.
Tell us about your first teaching role - how did you get it? Can you remember the interview you had?
I started as a Language Assistant through a government program (based on a partnership among various countries) that places native speakers of a language in foreign classrooms. There was an extensive application process, a bit like a university entrance application, including a personal statement, but no in-person interview.
I was chosen and assigned to a small town in the northern part of France, in two elementary (primary) schools working with all the levels (years 2-6/grades 1-5). I was put in contact with an alumnus of the program for general guidance and was given some basic tips and instructions on how to prepare beginner-level sequences based on themes.
I was lucky that the teachers at the schools were friendly and helpful, and I watched and learned from them. The whole experience was an ideal introduction to teaching, which allowed me to see what was involved in the work without having a full load of responsibilities. I decided that I wanted to pursue it further and looked for some proper training options.
What course did you take with Global English and what was the most helpful thing you learned from the course?
I took the Premier 120-hour Level 3 course with Global English. The most helpful thing for me was learning about lesson planning - how to effectively present the material, organize the learning and practice of the students, and solidify their knowledge. I remember the videos of the lessons were particularly informative in demonstrating how to get students engaged and speaking. I continue to use these techniques today, and from what I can tell, they make for more interesting and lively classes.
What are the challenges of teaching English in France?
What are some of the challenges of teaching and living in France?
Despite having worked at pretty much all levels of the school system in France (up to year 13), I still regularly have trouble figuring out when it is appropriate to teach what, i.e. points of grammar, parts of speech, verb tenses, etc. I have textbooks to work off of, but the focus is often on the cultural content and very little on the technical aspects of the language and proper usage. This problem may be specific to France. And so, I often have students who may be able to understand parts of a document but unable to formulate correct sentences to express their thoughts or answer questions.
Basic mistakes occur all the time and then I think that I have to review all the grammar with them, but there is, of course, limited time and I also don't know what is most important to tackle first. Another general challenge in two words: Google Translate.
Do you need to speak French to teach English in Paris?
Do you speak French and if so how essential would you say this was to being successful there?
I do speak French and might be considered fluent, but I feel most comfortable avoiding it in class. I certainly don't feel as confident if I have to use very specific terminology. Early on, a colleague once told me that I shouldn't worry about speaking French to the students and that has worked quite well so far.
At the lycée level, I have been able to keep it all in English in class, which also makes the students communicate with me in English and gives them more practice. I will provide them with the French translation of a word here and there (or ask a student to offer it) if it is a particularly important thing I want them to understand. However, previously, when I worked with lower-level classes and especially with troublesome groups (i.e. rebellious adolescents), French was essential to communicate instructions and explain content.
I have met another language teacher who speaks very limited French and she seems to be able to manage her classes fine, as well as navigate the school system/administration so if one is properly trained in education, perhaps it's not essential.
That's great Row, fantastic to hear how you have made a new life and career for yourself in Paris. Thanks so much for sharing!
À plus tard!
What are the main routes into teaching English in Paris?
Row’s path – assistant first, then qualified substitute teacher – is one of several ways in. Here are the main options at a glance:
| Route | Who it suits | How to start |
|---|---|---|
| Language assistant programme | Recent graduates and first-time teachers wanting a supported introduction | Apply through the official assistants de langue programme run by France Éducation International |
| State school substitute (Row’s route) | Qualified teachers happy to move between schools and levels | Register with the Paris School Board – see the Académie de Paris website and its recruitment page (in French) |
| Private language schools | Teachers who prefer adult and business English classes | Apply directly with an accredited TESOL certificate; business English is in strong demand in France |
| Freelance teaching | Experienced, self-starting teachers building their own client base | Read how Maggie built a freelance career in Toulouse |
Whichever route appeals, start with our full guide to teaching English in France for the visa and work-status picture, and check the UK government’s foreign travel advice for France for current entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do I need to teach English in Paris?
An accredited TEFL/TESOL certificate is the standard requirement for language schools and gives you credibility in the state system too. Row took the 120-hour TESOL Premier course and rates its lesson-planning training as the thing she still uses every day in Parisian classrooms.
Do I need to speak French to teach English in France?
It helps but is not essential. Row is fluent yet deliberately keeps her lycée classes all in English so students get maximum practice; she only used French with younger or more challenging groups. She also knows a working teacher who manages fine with very limited French.
How much can I earn teaching English in Paris?
Pay depends on your route – assistant posts, state substitute work, language schools and freelancing all differ, and Paris living costs are high. Compare cost-of-living data on Numbeo and see our top 5 best-paying TESOL destinations for how France compares internationally.
Do I need a degree to teach English in France?
The official language assistant programme is aimed at university students and graduates, and state school posts expect degree-level education. Private language schools and freelance teaching are more flexible, but a degree plus an accredited TESOL certificate opens far more doors, especially for non-EU applicants who need visa sponsorship.
Where next?
Find other stories of people living and working in France:
Jane in Normandy Normandy >>
David in Southern Brittany Southern Brittany >>
Maggie in Toulouse Toulouse >>
Gary in rural France
Are you living in France and thinking of teaching English? Or hoping to travel and live their one day? Have a look at the dedicated teaching English in France page >> and browse current openings on our TEFL jobs board. Weighing up your options? See how France compares in our top 5 best-paying TESOL destinations.
If you are a Global English grad and you'd like to share your story like Row has done, get in touch today to info@global-english.com. We'd love to catch up with you!
What English teachers earn in Paris
Typical 2026 figures: language-school (académie) contracts pay roughly €1,400–€1,800 net per month full-time; business-English trainers on freelance (auto-entrepreneur) status commonly charge €25–€45 per hour; the TAPIF assistantship pays a fixed stipend of around €800 per month for a 12-hour week. Private one-to-one tutoring in Paris averages €20–€35 per hour. Rent is the deciding variable - most new teachers share (colocation) at €600–€900 per room.
Visas: the honest picture
EU/EEA and Irish citizens can work freely. For everyone else the realistic routes are: the TAPIF assistant programme (its own visa), a student visa with part-time work rights while studying French, the working-holiday visa (Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and others aged 18–35), or sponsorship - which Parisian language schools rarely offer to new teachers. Many non-EU teachers build a Paris CV via TAPIF first, then convert.
Can I teach English in Paris without speaking French?
Yes for the classroom itself - immersion teaching is the norm and many schools prefer English-only lessons. Daily life and admin (banking, housing, prefecture appointments) are far easier with basic French, and business-English clients appreciate it.
What qualification do Paris language schools ask for?
A 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate is the standard screen; business-English experience is the differentiator in the Paris market because corporate training is where the money is. Our 30-hour Business English specialist course exists for exactly that.