By learning, you will teach; by teaching, you will learn.
~ Latin proverb ~
If you are a native speaker of French, there are many opportunities to experience living abroad by gaining work as a French language assistant. In the same way, if you are learning French, you can continue your education for a year or more in a French-speaking country while you are teaching English. If you've already achieved a high level of French proficiency, there's nothing stopping you from teaching French abroad as well.
This article will explore the roles and expectations when you get a job as a French language assistant (as well as countries where you can apply for such jobs). While the focus is on French language assistants, the information is largely applicable to speakers of other languages as well.
What is the 'Alliance Francaise Australia'?
The Alliance Francaise is a global network, consisting of over 830 centres in more than 130 countries, all of which provide opportunities for cultural, artistic and language exchange. In Australia, there are thirty Alliance Francaise branches, with at least one located in every state and territory.
Each branch of the Alliance Francaise provides French classes for all ages from primary school and secondary school students through to adults, most often with a native French teacher. There are also cultural events, including cooking, films and festivals, which are open to the public with free demonstration classes and culture displays.
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In addition, each local branch of the Alliance Francaise employs French language assistants and communications staff for periods of up to six months — and they act as a support network for French nationals who may be living and working in Australia, either on a permanent basis or as language assistants in government and private school settings.
Who can be a French Language Assistant?
In general, to work with a French teacher as an assistant in a government or private education institution, French needs to be your first language. The aim is to provide a role model for students and give them opportunities to learn by speaking and listening to natural French. Some schools, such as Telopea Park school in Canberra, offer French immersion courses, where the French teacher and assistants were all born in France or another French-speaking country.
In most cases, job opportunities as a teaching assistant are taken up by university students in France (or a French-speaking country) who are learning English or another language and would like an opportunity to practise their skills in another country.
Benefits of being a language assistant
- In-country experience
- Training
- Career experience
- Improving skills and understanding
- Subsidised travel and accommodation
- Salary
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage is that assistant jobs are usually short-term and not permanent.
On a more positive note, the experience and skills you gain from these positions look great on your CV.
What Does a Language Assistant Do?
The most important thing to note is that language assistants do not replace the French teacher and are not expected to be in control of the teaching — your role will be to supplement the learning of the students and motivate them to practise and develop their communication skills and cultural knowledge.
The types of jobs you may find yourself doing in classes include:
- working with small groups of students to practise key skills or phrases
- taking informal conversation classes
- demonstrating or introducing cultural aspects
- assisting students to grasp grammar or improve fluency
- participating in school events with the students
- facilitating a communication exchange program with students in France
- teaching cultural activities
- working with individual students to help them prepare for external exams
- producing teaching materials and resources on anything from vocabulary to culture.
Of course, you may also suggest your own ideas, or the French teacher you are working with might have other activities you can assist with.
Countries Where French Language Assistants Can Work
There are always opportunities to work overseas as a language teaching assistant, and because French is so widely taught, your choices of country seem limitless. It is necessary to note, however, that your conditions and salary will vary greatly depending on where you go, as will your hours.
Here are a few countries to get you thinking about your dream destination.
Countries where German is spoken
The following countries generally accept French language assistants:
- Austria
- Germany
- Switzerland.
Countries that speak English
You may be more comfortable in a country where English is spoken, such as:
- Australia
- Canada
- India
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- UK
- USA.
Countries that speak Spanish
If you want to improve your Spanish skills, consider the following countries:
- Spain (of course)
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Mexico
- Peru.
Countries where Chinese is spoken
If you're learning Chinese, you might want to consider:
- China
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan.
Other countries accepting French language assistants
Maybe you're learning Arabic, Dutch, Italian or Portuguese, and would like to practise your skills. Try:
- Egypt
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Portugal.
Applying to be an Assistant
Application criteria vary from country to country, however, if you want to apply for a formal language assistant program in Australia, you will generally need to meet the following conditions:
- be a native speaker of French
- be between the ages of 20 and 30
- be a current university student, or recently graduated
- possess at least intermediate English skills.
Note that the age range, language requirements, education status and so on may be different in each country, so be sure to check.
You do not necessarily need to be aiming for a career as a teacher, however, if you can show that you are interested in teaching, you have a greater chance of being accepted.
Don't worry if you don't meet the criteria — it is possible to apply for positions as a teaching assistant independently.
Positions tend to commence either at the start of the school year, with applications open up to 6 months beforehand. Again, it is best to check each country individually as the start time varies.
Be aware that, if successful, you may be placed in a primary school, secondary school, college or a university — and possibly across more than one school setting. The position is likely to be full time, although you won't have the responsibilities of the teacher so will also have quite a bit of free time, as well as school holidays.
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Can I be a Language Assistant if I'm Learning French?
Generally, students who are learning French can not apply to be a teaching assistant with a French teacher. You can, however, apply to be an English teaching assistant (or whatever your native tongue is) in a French-speaking country. Essentially, you'll be helping an English teacher instead of teaching French, but you'll be immersed in French culture, which can only benefit your own learning.
Your university or secondary school may have exchange arrangements in place, or you can apply separately through one of the teaching assistants abroad programs.
In some cases, you can even get credits towards your degree.
Can I Get an Extension to my Contract?
In most cases, exchange teaching assistant jobs through official assistant programs are limited to anywhere from one term to one school year, depending on the country. In some cases, you may be allowed an extension, or have the opportunity to experience a different school setting or be located elsewhere in the country. Of course, if you apply independently, any extension will be negotiated between you and the school or education institution.
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Countries where you may be able to renew
- Argentina
- Austria
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- New Zealand
- The Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
- UK
Places where you generally cannot extend your contract
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- Costa Rica
- Ireland
- Ireland
- Mexico
- Portugal
- Taiwan
- USA
If you're concerned about the expense, some programs and universities offer financial assistance. Some programs also cover your accommodation and food expenses while you are working.
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Do You Have the Skills Needed?
You may feel that you need to boost your teaching skills a little, or brush up on your language skills — even if you are a native French speaker, you may need to work on being able to explain the grammar!
If so, think about getting some private tuition through Superprof. Tutoring tailored to your needs is available through group sessions, online tutorials and face-to-face tutoring.
You could get together a small group of others who are applying to be an assistant, share the cost of the sessions and work on common goals.
If you prefer one-on-one tutorials, these can be done either in person or online. These may seem more expensive, as you are solely responsible for the cost, but can often be more effective as the lesson is all about you and your needs.
After your teaching assistant contract ends, if you decide you love teaching, you might even want to become a private tutor.
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