Working Abroad in France: TAPIF

This blog is about working abroad in France.

Working abroad has always been a goal of mine. I spent my junior year of college abroad for the whole year, and it was amazing! I knew I didn’t want to stay in the USA after college, and was constantly dreaming about which country I would travel to and work in.

But, I didn’t know how…

I spent my senior year researching different working abroad programs. Most of the programs were teaching English in a foreign language. I was not an English or teaching major, but I knew this was going to be the easiest way for me to reach my goal of working abroad. I was studying French and spent a semester in the South of France. That semester was one of my favorites of all time and I was hoping to recreate something similar.

If you’re thinking about working abroad and teaching English in France – this blog is what to expect before you get on that plane (the good and the bad)!

The TAPIF Program

I applied for the Teach English Program in France (TAPIF) in 2019. They place around 1,300 Americans in French public schools to work on English. It’s a part-time job, where you only have to work 12 hours a week and get paid around 1,000 euros a month. Sounds amazing – right?

Well, it was both a hit and miss for me. You don’t get to choose where in France you live, you can give some preferences, but ultimately they will decide for you. I was placed in Bergerac, France, a small town in the southwest of France with only around 27,000 people. Being originally from New York City, this was definitely a big adjustment for me. There were only two other Americans who were placed in Bergerac. There were other towns and cities nearby like Bordeaux & Périguex that had more than 5-10 American teaching assistants.

Luckily, I was able to meet other Americans who were teaching assistants in Bordeaux & Périguex and was able to make friends! I would often travel to each city during my off time and hang out with the other assistants. I also made friends with the two girls who were staying in my town.

How do you apply?

The application process is pretty easy! You have to be age 20 – 35 to be eligible for the program, a USA citizen, be fluent in English, be proficient in French, and completed three years of high school. You have to send in a personal statement in French and have a recommendation from a French teacher.

For more information about the application process click here.

When does TAPIF Start?

It is a seven-month program that can be renewed twice (consecutively), and we started in late September. Before you start working as a teaching assistant, they do give you some training! I was working with elementary children, so our training was to teach them colors, numbers, and simple phrases.

The actual work wasn’t that challenging, but it was nerve-racking for me because I never taught anyone before and my French was sub-par at best. I was spread thin working between three different schools, and didn’t really have the chance to connect with the French teachers I worked with. Plus, I was the only teaching assistant teaching elementary in my town.

Understanding the Education System & Work-Life Balance

French schools were both similar and very different. Since teaching assistants only work 12 hours, I didn’t have to be there all of the time. I mostly came in before my classes and would be able to go home whenever I was done.

One thing I miss about the French culture was that no matter what, we would always have a two-hour lunch break! I couldn’t believe it when I first found out, and all of my friends back in the States were super jealous. The French really believe in their downtime and have a slower pace of life than the States. We also were given two-week breaks every six weeks! The schools would shut down and the kids would go away on holiday. This was perfect because I would be able to travel to Paris or another country and have time to explore.

My friends and boyfriend would also come out and visit and it was so nice to see them, because even though the program was great and I made friends there, there were times it did feel really lonely. Seeing some familiar faces helped me get through those times.

Language Barriers and Communication

Definitely make sure that you have the basics down when speaking French and don’t be afraid if you mess up or aren’t perfect! That was my biggest mistake. My French wasn’t that great, but I didn’t get better because I was embarrassed by my accent and not sounding perfect. Eventually, I stopped trying!

Don’t do that.

Practice before you go, watch your shows in French, listen to music in French, read in French, turn your phone to the French settings – just completely absorb everything French! When you’re in France, talk to as many people as possible! There are even programs outside of the classroom you can join practice French with a native speaker while they practice English.

Legal and Administrative Realities

You’ll need to apply for a visa in your state before you go! Also, when you arrive you’ll need to secure housing and open up a bank account. These two steps are really important and can be a hassle. The French have a lot of paperwork and it can get really confusing. Definitely ask a teaching assistant to go with you, or you can see if one of the people from the TAPIF program can help you.

It’s daunting and you probably will get frustrated, but try to do it as soon as possible to get it out of the way. Also, when you leave the program, you’ll need to close your French bank account. I’m not sure if this has been updated, but when I did it, I had to send a letter with my signature. Always triple-check with your bank.

Living in France

Living in France had its ups and downs. It was much cheaper than the overall cost of living in the States. I would still recommend saving at least $5,000 before you leave in case you want to go traveling, shopping, or not have to be so frugal when you’re there. Groceries are very cheap and so is the wine! Definitely take advantage of all of their farmer’s markets because you can get great produce for a steal.

To find a room to live in, I would recommend Facebook. There should be a TAPIF group with recommendations for all housing and lodging. You can stay with other teaching assistants or live with other foreigners who are working in France. It can be a bit hectic, but try to plan ahead. No matter what, you will find a place to live!

Challenges

The biggest challenge for me was my confidence and my lack of French skills. I had a routine, I loved being able to travel, and made really great friends, but overall it wasn’t the right program for me. During the winter break, I had to decide if I wanted to stay or leave. It was an extremely hard decision, but in the end, I decided to cut my time short.

I was sad to leave my friends, but I knew I was making the right choice. Surprisingly, the program would end up being cut short for everyone, because two months after I left the whole world was shutting down from Covid.

Final Thoughts on Working Abroad in France

Now, that it’s been almost five years (omg) reflecting on this experience, I see it in a more positive outlook. I would still highly recommend this program to anyone serious about improving their French, who loves (or at least likes) teaching, and who wants to challenge themselves.

I had friends who loved the program and got to know themselves better because of it. Even though I cut my time short, I’m really grateful that I was a teaching assistant.

Now that you’ve heard the pros and cons of being a teaching assistant in France – is this journey for you? Let me know in the comments!

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