Side Jobs: Working Part Time in France
Making use of your time off Working as an English Teacher at a university in France, teaching classes or workshops, can be a really great job. If you're working as a Maitre de Langue or Lecteur de Langue ...
Learn how to Move to France and Teach ESL!
If you have a university degree and a basic understanding of French, moving to France is a lot easier than you'd think. I'm here to help guide you through it. Want to know more? Send me an email with your questions, I'm happy to help.
Hi there! My name is Alex V. Woods, and I'm an American ESL teacher who has taught English for 10 years. In 2018, I moved to France with my wife Helena - just two Americans who've always had a dream to move abroad. We wanted to live in a place that prioritized a balanced work-life mentality, find a more affordable healthcare system, and escape some of the more divisive politics of the U.S. For the last five years, I've taught English to students in different Universities across France. I've combined my language skills (I'm fluent in four languages) and cultural understanding to guide those who also dream of living in France, whether it be for one year or indefinitely!
If you need some advice on what jobs to apply for, how to apply and prepare for interviews, how to deal with visa paperwork, or how to find a place to live in France, I'm here to help.
Applying for a job is never easy, especially if you need to write it in a second language! If you want to make sure you're putting your best foot forward, I can help you with that.
If you're good at sending in applications but a bit rusty with on-the-spot responses, I can provide some questions that you can expect to hear.
“I highly recommend these workshops and services. I learned so many details about the pathways available in a very short time….Alex is knowledgeable and experienced; he will give you direct advice on what to pursue (and what not to pursue). Any question, no matter how large or small, will be answered! Whether you are dreaming of living and teaching in France for the first time, or you have previous experience navigating the French educational system, you will come away as better equipped to pursue your goals to live and teach in France.”
–Joanna
“Alex spelled out the steps I would need to work and live in France. He went through my experience and lifestyle preferences, and together we determined what teaching jobs would be the best fit for me. Alex has a wealth of knowledge on the topic; he answered all my questions patiently, and with extra detail that I didn’t think about. It was good to know about some (not so obvious) pitfalls, along with ways to make myself stand out in the French system. I feel confident in my understanding of how to become a maître de langue, including ways to improve my resume. I now have a playbook that I can refer back to when I start applying to jobs in France!”
–Deneque
“Very professional, punctual and informative. Very helpful. Alex has a great rapport and was very generous with his time. I was curious about the application process, and what institutions require. Alex gave me specific information regarding this. It became clearer what I needed to provide and how I should prepare my CV. He even provided spreadsheets for prospective places hiring teachers! It was helpful in how to get an apartment and what is required. He also provided helpful information about the cost of living.”
-Bonnie
“I had an excellent session with Alex! He answered all my questions and shared his life experiences with me. Because Alex knows both countries and cultures, he is the best person to help me. The language barrier is the biggest challenge for me to start my new life in France. Different from tourists, who care most about food and sightseeing, moving to France is a much more serious and complicated process. The unknown can add lots of anxiety and stress. To have someone who can give insights is extremely helpful. For example, Alex shared his learning for mobile device and internet access. It’s so important to stay connected with family members and to search for information in a new country. Alex is knowledgeable and compassionate about sharing his French living experience with others. I was so glad to find him. After the session, I felt much relieved and excited about the coming new chapter. Overall it was a great session. If any suggestions, I will say, email Alex your questions before the session. So he can tailor the consultation to your needs.”
–Lilly
Making use of your time off Working as an English Teacher at a university in France, teaching classes or workshops, can be a really great job. If you're working as a Maitre de Langue or Lecteur de Langue ...
Have you dreamed of leaving the United States and moving to France to teach English? Is the idea of getting a job abroad in Europe tiresome and confusing? If you're like me, the idea of applying for a job ...
If you live in the United States or Canada where Halloween can be rather ubiquitous, you might wonder: do the French Celebrate Halloween? The short answer is yes, the French celebrate Halloween, but it's not as ...
· In: Blog
Making use of your time off Working as an English Teacher at a university in France, teaching classes or workshops, can be a really great job. If you’re working as…
· In: Blog
Have you dreamed of leaving the United States and moving to France to teach English? Is the idea of getting a job abroad in Europe tiresome and confusing? If you’re…
· In: Blog
If you live in the United States or Canada where Halloween can be rather ubiquitous, you might wonder: do the French Celebrate Halloween? The short answer is yes, the French…
· In: Blog
When I’m asked where I live, answering is hard Whenever I go back home to the United States and people ask me where I live, it’s hard not to say…
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When I first saw the salary on a job posting for an English teacher at a University in Strasbourg, I almost passed up applying for the job. That’s because at…
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There are many misconceptions that people have when they think about moving to France to teach English. I’ve found six major misconceptions that people might have about moving to France…
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The two terms are very similar, and can easily be confused. Some people don’t like the term expat, and prefer to use the word immigrant universally. Others think we should…
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There are many misconceptions on how to teach English in France. Many websites online will tell you that you need a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). This…
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The first step to getting a job is knowing what jobs are out there and if you’re qualified. I didn’t know what jobs I’d find when I got my Masters…
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Before moving to France, I had taught English as a Second Language (or ESL) for about seven years in the United States. So I knew the industry well from the…