The Top Programs For Teaching English in France

Teaching English in France isn’t just about building your resume—it’s a chance to fully immerse yourself in one of the most iconic cultures in the world. From sipping espresso on a Parisian terrace to hiking the Alps on the weekend, France offers an unbeatable blend of lifestyle, language, and adventure.

The country also has a steady demand for English teachers, especially in schools, summer camps, and business settings. While TAPIF is the best-known program for Americans, it’s not the only route. Whether you're a recent grad, certified teacher, or simply someone with wanderlust and a TEFL cert, there are multiple ways to start your teaching journey here.

This guide explores the top programs and options available—structured and independent—so you can choose the one that best fits your experience and goals.

🇫🇷 TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France)

What It Is

TAPIF—the Teaching Assistant Program in France—is a government-run initiative that places American citizens in public elementary and secondary schools across the country. Participants work as English language assistants, helping French teachers lead lessons, improve pronunciation, and bring cultural flair into the classroom.

You’ll work 12 hours per week, usually spread across several classes and sometimes multiple schools. That light schedule leaves plenty of time for travel, language study, or side gigs like tutoring or online teaching.

Who It’s For

TAPIF is designed for:

• U.S. citizens aged 20–35
• Holders of a bachelor’s degree in any subject
• Applicants with basic French proficiency (intermediate or higher preferred)

You don’t need prior teaching experience, but the application is competitive, so having relevant experience—like tutoring, volunteering, or a TEFL certification—can help your chances.

Perks and Considerations

TAPIF comes with a monthly stipend (~€790/month), a work visa, health insurance, and an official placement from the French Ministry of Education. However, you’ll need to arrange your own housing, and placements can be in small towns or rural areas—not just Paris or the Riviera.

Still, for those seeking cultural immersion, professional development, and a chance to live legally in France, TAPIF is an ideal entry point.

Best for: Recent grads, Francophiles, or aspiring teachers looking for a low-pressure, high-reward way to live and teach in France.

🏫 Teaching at Private Language Schools in France

Overview

Outside of TAPIF, private language schools are a major employer of English teachers in France. These schools cater to a wide range of learners—from high school students preparing for exams to adults looking to boost their business English or conversational skills. You'll find them in major cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and increasingly in mid-sized towns with growing international demand.

Schedules can vary—some schools operate mostly in the evenings or weekends, while others offer full-day intensive courses. The teaching content often focuses on conversation practice, grammar refreshers, or corporate English training.

Requirements

To land a job at one of these schools, you’ll typically need:

• A TEFL or CELTA certificate
• A bachelor’s degree, though not always in education
• A work visa (unless you're an EU citizen)

EU passport holders have a much easier time getting hired due to fewer visa restrictions. If you're a non-EU citizen, some schools may still hire you if you're already living in France under a student visa or working holiday program.

Best For

Private language schools are best suited for:

• TEFL-certified teachers looking for more flexibility
• People who want to live in a city, engage with adult learners, and have a varied schedule
• Those open to building a freelance teaching schedule across multiple schools or clients

It’s a great way to combine urban living, language immersion, and hands-on classroom experience, especially for those who aren’t eligible for TAPIF or want to extend their time in France afterward.

🎓 International and Bilingual Schools

What to Expect

For experienced educators or licensed teachers, international and bilingual schools offer a more formal and long-term teaching pathway. These schools typically follow the British, American, or International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, and they cater to the children of expats, diplomats, and globally minded French families.

Jobs here are full-time and salaried, with structured academic calendars, professional development, and sometimes even relocation support. Positions are primarily in large cities and international hubs like Paris, Nice, Lille, and Toulouse.

Who They're For

These schools usually look for:

• Certified teachers with a license from their home country
• Candidates with experience teaching the IB, British, or U.S. curricula
• Advanced English teaching credentials like CELTA, DELTA, or even a master’s in education

Fluency in French is not always required, but being bilingual is definitely a bonus.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Higher salaries and benefits (healthcare, pension, vacation)
• More structure and stability than language schools or TAPIF
• Opportunity to build a long-term teaching career abroad

Cons:

• Competitive hiring process, especially for desirable cities
• Requires formal qualifications and experience
• Usually involves long-term contracts

Best for: Professional teachers looking for a well-compensated, career-oriented teaching role in France with a stable lifestyle and international community.

🎒 TEFL Course + Placement Providers in France

Overview

If you're starting from scratch or want a structured introduction to teaching abroad, taking a TEFL course in France is a great way to ease into the job market. Cities like Paris, Nice, and Lyon host in-person certification programs that combine classroom training with practical teaching experience and local job placement support.

These courses typically last 4 weeks and cover methodology, lesson planning, classroom management, and real-world teaching practice. Upon completion, many providers help graduates connect with language schools, tutoring clients, or freelance opportunities in France or across Europe.

Ideal Candidate

This route is perfect for:

• First-time teachers who want to gain confidence and credentials while already living in France
• Career changers seeking an immersive, supported transition into TEFL
• Travelers who want to live, study, and work in the same country without juggling too many logistics

Some well-known providers include International TEFL Academy, TEFL Toulouse, and The Language House TEFL. These programs offer a valuable mix of training, job access, and local orientation.

🌐 Online and Private Tutoring Opportunities

Online Teaching

Thanks to France’s solid internet infrastructure, teaching English online is a viable and increasingly popular option—especially for those who want flexibility or are ineligible for in-person work visas. Many teachers live in France on student visas, working holiday schemes, or as digital nomads while teaching on platforms like:

• Cambly
• Preply
• iTalki

Online teaching allows you to earn in foreign currencies, maintain your own schedule, and live anywhere from Paris to a remote mountain village.

Private Tutoring

There’s also a strong market for private English tutors, particularly in larger cities and affluent suburbs. You can find students ranging from school-aged children preparing for exams to adults wanting conversational or business English.

These gigs are often arranged informally through networking, Facebook groups, or local expat circles, and can pay anywhere from €15 to €40 per hour, depending on your experience and the location.

Pro tip: If you're not legally able to work in France, keep in mind that many tutoring roles are cash-based, so you'll need to navigate that with care and discretion.

Whether online or in-person, tutoring offers a low-barrier, flexible way to earn money—especially useful if you're pairing it with another program or studying in France.

🎯 Choosing the Right Path to Teach in France

With several different entry points into the French teaching market, the right choice really comes down to your goals, background, and lifestyle preferences.

• New grads or Francophiles?
  → TAPIF is a great launchpad, offering visa support, cultural immersion, and teaching experience.

• Certified or career-focused teachers?
  → Head straight for international or bilingual schools, where credentials are rewarded with better pay and long-term opportunities.

• Want flexibility or part-time work?
  → Private language schools or freelance tutoring let you build your own schedule in France’s liveliest cities.

• Need support and training?
  → Consider a TEFL course with job placement, ideal if you're new to teaching or transitioning careers.

• Already remote?
  → Combine your location independence with French lifestyle by teaching online while living anywhere from Bordeaux to Brittany.

No matter your starting point, there’s a path that matches your ambitions—and makes living in France a realistic, rewarding goal.

🌟 Teaching in France Is More Accessible Than You Think

While TAPIF might be the headline program, it’s far from your only option. France offers a diverse landscape of teaching opportunities, from formal classrooms to casual cafés, bustling cities to rural villages.

Whether you're aiming to build a long-term teaching career, enjoy a gap year with purpose, or simply experience life in France while earning an income, there's a route that fits your vision.

With the right planning and mindset, teaching English in France can be more than a job—it can be the start of a life-changing adventure.