Everything you wanted to know about teaching English in Grenoble but were afraid to ask
October 11th, 2008 | Published in Features, Info & Advice, Work | 41 Comments
by James Dalrymple
Grenoble, a vibrant student city and self-styled Captial of Alps, is France’s second biggest city for English language training after Paris. The high number of international companies in Grenoble – principally from the scientific and technological sectors – means there is also a large ex-pat community. In a globalised world – and in an increasingly globalised France – where English is the language of business communication, the demand for in-house English training has escalated. The fact that companies in France are obliged to spend a percentage of their budgets on training for their staff also contributes, as does every employee’s legal entitlement to a certain number of hours’ training for every year of work (known in France as the DIF – Droit Individuel à la Formation/Individual Right to Training). English is a popular choice for people claiming training hours under the DIF – those who recognise the value of learning English both in the workplace and for travel – but many more employees are obliged to undertake English training in order to effectively carry out their duties.
In Grenoble the English training contracts are competed for a by a number of ‘schools‘ which are essentially agencies that send (normally) native English speakers to train staff ‘in-company‘. With the exception of the Wall Street Institute – an American franchise with three centres in the Isere region that adopts a largely computer-based, self-study method – these schools ultimately differ little in their product. The company pays the agency a fee which covers the school’s administration costs, the teacher’s salary and transport fees. Some of the schools insist the teacher follows a particular book with his or her students but generally the teachers in Grenoble have quite a free role. Most companies insist on a certain amount of by-telephone training, a popular requirement easily and willingly provided by the schools. Furthermore, schools who send teachers to train clients ‘in company’ often need their staff to be able to drive in order to visit two (or occasionally more) companies in one day. It is highly unlikely a car would be provided – although I have heard of a school in Lyon doing this – but teachers are normally compensated, sometimes generously, for petrol.
From my experience in Grenoble these schools find it difficult to find suitable candidates who are settling in Grenoble for the long term. The majority of English teachers fall into two broad categories: ex-patriots with husbands or wives working in the city and former University students looking to extend their stay in the city. There are few experienced CELTA or TEFL-equivalent trained teachers coming to Grenoble to teach in the way that such individuals are attracted to the Far East, South America or even other Southern European countries. This may be because the schools in Grenoble rarely advertise on the popular ESL job forums that feed the market, because France does not offer the cheap living of the developing world and partly because Grenoble is not a particularly easy city in which to find accomodation. Furthermore, few schools will entertain recruiting a teacher from abroad. Being here is the single biggest advantage when teaching needs can be urgent.
While France’s administrative complexity and high cost of living may deter some career EFL teachers, it is also one of the few countries that can offer a decent salary with the full social security entitlements that come with it. Teaching salaries vary between approximately 1,500-1,800 euros per month which, while not a fortune, is very much a livable wage and in the environs of the national average. What is also very attractive about teaching in France is the possibility of obtaining a permanent contract or CDI (contrat à durée indéterminée) which is virtually an iron-cast job-for-life guarantee in a country with extraordinarily protective laws benefitting workers. While many teachers may get a temporary contract or ‘CDD’ (contrat à durée déterminée) in the first instance, companies can only offer two such contracts consecutively before becoming obliged to offer a permanent one if they want to keep the teacher on. In my experience, schools in Grenoble generally reward hard-working teachers with CDIs eventually rather have to look for new ones after having given out two CDDs. My impression is also that there is not enough competition for places in English teaching agencies. Teachers are often recruited without the qualifications (CELTA, TESOL etc.) or experience demanded elsewhere in the world.
There are other opportunites to teach English at Université Stendhal as a Vacataire or Lecteur/Lectrice posts which command large hourly wage (50 euros plus!). To fuly benefit from being a vacataire, teachers are not normally paid for preparation time and are obliged to have what is known as a ‘principal employer’ to avoid paying oversized social security contributions. In most such cases the teacher will work part time for one of the schools offering company training and part time in faculty. Lecteur and Lectrice posts, while paid very well, are normally only given as one or two-year contracts. As far as I am aware it is impossible to obtain a permanent post such as this. Similalry, the Ecole de Management offers a range of programmes in English for which a University degree and teaching experience often suffice. Again, the need for a principal employer applies. With the Projet Géant at Europole there are also plans to massively expand the university and open a new business school. Therefore the opportunties to teach English in the city look primed to increase rapidly.
With the numbers of British taking French at school in decline theoretically the number erasmus year students is dropping also. However, relaxed working VISA rules for Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders are starting to compensate. While some schools may prefer candidates already settled or planning to settle in Grenoble long-term, shorter stay candidates may also prove advantageous for schools which prefer to offer temporary (CDD) contracts when possible.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to present yourself to potential teacher employers in Grenoble.
1) Submit your CV in Engish and French. Not all of the schools are managed by native English speakers, so making an effort with this should ensure a bigger response.
2) Make an effort to communicate in French. Being able to speak French is an advantage but not crucial to teaching English in Grenoble. Having the capacity to liaise with human resouces managers (for in-company training) will be a big advantage. Brushing up on your school French will also benefit you in beginner classes.
3) Give the impression you want to stay in Grenoble long-term. Turning up at an interview with a backback or snowboard will not go down well. Schools want people with a professional attitude and a genuine interest in pedagogy – if you give the impression you are just looking to fund your favourite winter sport you will be shooting yourself in the foot.
4) Get a car. The majority of English teaching work in Grenoble is in-company training. Schools often require their teachers to be mobile, often expecting them to teach classes in up to three different companies in one day.
December 24th, 2008 at 5:01 pm (#)
wow thanks for all the information! Its really nice when someone takes the time to actually help others. I am toying with the idea of moving to Grenoble to teach english, I have no French background, only Spanish (I am in spain at the moment on a study abroad program), but I am a quick study.So I have left my email with you, if you could get back to me that would be great.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:01 pm (#)
Thanks for your comments Pamela – I hope to be able to publish some more contact information for the various schools in Grenoble soon. I know many people – including myself – who have found work without a background in French so don’t let this deter you. I have even heard of schools with clients who prefer their teachers to be ‘pure’ English speakers – ie., unable to speak French – although obviously having a bit of French is clearly an advantage.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:54 pm (#)
Hi James,
Thank you so much for your article that set my heart to go to Grenoble. My partner, a Frenchman, is supposed to go to Grenoble in 2010 as his company is sending him there to develop a part of the business. However, our resources are little (€1800 a month for my partner)and me finding a job is an absolute requirement to be able to make a living for ourselves and our little daughter. I have to let go a good job for the move to happen.
My partner is very happy to go as he comes from the Alps (Briancon). I am too, but I was also scared as my French is not very good (understanding OK but speaking weak). Your article makes me feel that it is possible to find a job in Grenoble or around. We’ll be moving with a view to settle. I’ll have my TEFL by then, so it is even better.
I have a few questions though that remain…. Is October 2008 the date you wrote the article ? When is the best time to move in order to find a job teaching English (I suppose period like September and January should be privileged) ? That’s all, for the rest, your article is perfect, a great help, really!
The key thing I found was : “Being here is the single biggest advantage”. Indeed, I ve found it extremely hard to even find a lead at a distance. So, I suppose this is something one finds out once one has moved already. Now, I’m excited!!!!
Thnaks again James and who knows, maybe here is the start of another career ?
February 12th, 2009 at 10:11 am (#)
Hi Dana,
Yes, I wrote the article in October 08. I imagine the best time to get work is in September, when people get back to work after the summer holidays. Normally the schools have a better idea of their teaching needs then. However, being available to meet employers for interviews over the summer period is obviously advantageous.
I’ve been meaning to post some contact information for schools and do much more work on this site. I hope to do this soon – I’m sorry it’s taking so long !
James
February 16th, 2009 at 4:47 pm (#)
Great article, exactly the kind of succinct local info I was looking for!
Thanks, Chris
February 25th, 2009 at 2:01 pm (#)
hi,
I am abhinav from India who is about to intern in one of the labs in grenoble from 10th may to 24th july09.
the problem is that I am getting funds for accommodation and travel but not for the living expenses.
I can easily teach English to the beginers but i will pursue the job only on weekends.or (maybe a hour or two in the evening each day)
Not only English I can easily teach maths, physics to the students who are about to enter college(upto this level preferably not to exceptionally bright students that are probably in the top 1% of France.anything less than that I can manage.). (That too on weekends or evenings)
Infact, I am looking for any suitable job from babysitting to restaurant jobs;literally anything to support my food expenses.
What is the best source to find such a job??
I will be highly obliged by your help.
Cheers,
abhinav
February 25th, 2009 at 6:00 pm (#)
Hi Abinav,
Thanks for your comments. I have now posted contact information on some of the teaching agencies here: http://www.grenoblelife.com/?p=105#more-105
Of course most of the in-company training takes place during the working week (which definitely does not include weekend in France). However, I would recommend advertising locally or at the university as a private tutor – I’m sure you could find work this way.
Thanks,
James
May 21st, 2009 at 8:31 am (#)
Hi,
I have a degree in French and a TEFL but wasn’t sure if it’s best to qualify as a teacher in the UK before trying to teach English as a FL in France. I have a place starting in September to train as secondary French teacher in the UK, would you advise that this is a good / useful / necessary qualification to have before embarking on teaching in France? Can you teach in state schools with a PGCE?
Thanks
Imogen
May 21st, 2009 at 11:08 am (#)
Hi Imogen,
This is an interesting question that requires a rather lenghty answer. Warning, my answer contains ridiculous acronyms !
I’m afraid that the PGCE is not recognized by the French state school system. To work in a French school, still a very desirable and secure job with good long-term benefits, requires a competitive exam called CAPES (Certificat d’aptitude au professorat de l’enseignement du second degree/ Certificate of aptitude for teaching at secondary level) and then a year’s training at the IUFM (Instituts Universitaires de Formation des Maitres). During the training you would be paid a full salary.
The competitive exams, which take place annually, feed the empty places in schools nationwide, so the number of people passing the exam is dictated by the number of vacancies available. As an example, this might mean that only the top ten percent of people taking the exam will pass. Given the advantages for working for the state in France, this can create rather a bottle neck – most people have to take the test more than once.
The other disadvantage is that if you pass you will then be posted to a school with a vacant post. You are then asked to choose a number of preferred académies – an educational zone, a bit larger than a French département – where you would agree to work but you don’t have a great deal of final control over where you will end up. If you already have a family or a partner working in a particular département, I think that you can then insist on a post there.
If you have a degree in French and a TEFL, this should certainly be sufficient to find work teaching English as a Foreign Language in France. Teaching experience is certainly an advantage, but not always essential in cities where demand for language training is increasing all the time.
Alternatively, the British Council organises part time language assistant posts within the state system. Although this would not lead to a full-time, fully-qualified job, it would certainly be great experience and give you some of the tools you needed to embark on a teaching career.
Finally, there are also some international schools dotted about France that teach foreign curricula. There is an American school in Grenoble, for example, which has teachers who don’t have French teaching qualifications, or necessarily the corresponding certificate in their own country. Thus it may be possible to find such a job and avoid some of the more intimidating aspects of the French training and educational system.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:11 pm (#)
Hi James,
Thanks for this interesting site and information! Are there any institutes in Grenoble that offer CELTA? Are there language schools that would “sponsor” an experienced, qualified TESOL teacher, that was to be in Grenoble for a two year period?
Looking forward to your reply
Kind regards
Shonah
May 29th, 2009 at 2:15 pm (#)
Hi Shonah,
I’m afraid I’m not aware of anywhere that you can do the CELTA in Grenoble. I did mine before I came to France.
When you say ’sponsor’ I assume you mean that you are not from the EU and face working Visa restrictions. In that case I would say it is more difficult, but if you are an experienced teacher, actually settled in Grenoble and ready to work, it is certainly possible. The problem is that the procedure for sponsoring a working Visa takes time (and could be refused), and the company would have to REALLY want to hire you to invest in the administrative time and effort rather than take another candidate with the necessary papers.
At the same time, needs must, and if a school have urgent teaching needs then they might try and get you working while they get the bureaucracy rolling. Never say never.
James
June 9th, 2009 at 1:52 pm (#)
Hi James,
Thank you for your reply and information.
Your assumption is correct – AND also I am a qualified(CELTA for personal goal!)experienced and enthusiastic teacher of English as a second (or other) language AND I will definitely be living in Grenoble for two years, come September so…
NEVER SAY NEVER!
Kind regards,
Shonah :->
June 10th, 2009 at 9:02 am (#)
Hi Shonah,
‘Never Say Never’ sounds like a good philosophy to me.
Don’t hesitate to post your availability for work at our free classified ads section when you arrive.
Stay in touch,
James
June 13th, 2009 at 2:18 pm (#)
Hi James,
Thank you – I will do that.
Also now following you on twitter, so sure to stay in touch!
Kind regards,
Shonah
June 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm (#)
Absolutely. Grenoble twitterers can follow us at http://twitter.com/grenoblelife
June 17th, 2009 at 3:10 pm (#)
Hi
I am hoping to move to Grenoble towards the end of the year. Since my French is poor, I think my only chance of getting employment would be teaching English. So now, I am looking into getting a TEFL qualification in London before I move. This is proving difficult as there seems to be so many different courses on offer with a great deal of difference in the price.
I was wondering whether you had any views on what type of certificate I should get in order to give me the best chance of getting a job. It seems that CELTA is the most recognised but it is also the most expensive. Is it really that much better than all the other TEFL certificates some of which are a quarter of the price?
I would also be interested to hear how Dana has got on with her move to Grenoble and whether she has managed to find a teaching job (and with what qualifications).
Any comments will be gratefully received!
Many thanks,
Annelie
June 19th, 2009 at 8:25 am (#)
Hi Annelie,
I think CELTA is probably the best course of its type because it is internationally standardised/accredited. You can be certain that the trainers will be of the highest quality and experience. However, Trinity College London provides recognised TEFL / TESOL courses which are based on similar methodology and are notably cheaper.
That said, I know plenty of teachers in Grenoble who do not have any type of qualification. Although I would recommend doing some kind of training – just so you have engaged with some ESL theory and technique – it is not always requested. As someone who did the CELTA myself, I can’t recommend it highly enough, but I would also say that cheaper alternatives would be sufficient to find work here. If you do opt for a cheaper option, though, be sure that it involves teaching practice with peer review. Purely online TEFLs do not prepare you for life in a classroom!
I will try to alert Dana to your comment!
Regards,
James
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm (#)
Hi Annelie,
Thanks for your interest. However, I’m not moving before 2010 (probably in August to put my daughter in school in september). So far, I’m in the process of getting my TEFL. So no real news really. I have been looking at renting accommodotions in Grenoble or around (paruvendu seems the best for location “rent”) in order to have a good idea of availability and prices.
Still very much up for the move. More than ever actually, as the idea has grown in my head bigger and bigger. Among other things, this is thanks to this website!
Dana.
August 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm (#)
Hi James (and anyone else who reads this!)
I have just completed my TEFL certificate and I will be moving to Grenoble in September (my partner is from Grenoble and there already looking for a job…!). Anyway I have applied to 4 schools so far with 1 coming back to say they have no vacancies at the moment but will keep my CV on file as they think I am an interesting candidate due to my experience (10 years in finance in dublin). I am in Ireland at the moment but will be in Grenoble next week as I was hoping for some good news! I have already handed in my notice to leave my currect employer in ireland but now I’m worried that I may have jumped the gun and won’t be able to find a job….
I suppose I’m just looking for a little reassurance that it is possible to find a job… and what kind of recruitment vibe there is there at the moment?
Thanks a lot!
Louise
August 8th, 2009 at 12:16 pm (#)
Hi Louise,
The school where I work have just recruited and September definitely is the time to find work. I think the disadvantage is that you are applying from Ireland. When you arrive I would suggest recontacting those schools and others to confirm your availability. I think being here and ready to work will make you a much more marketable candidate. There is always a lot of work in Grenoble for teaching but recruitment happens on a needs must basis and schools probably won’t look at CVs sent from abroad over those sent by candidates already based in the city.
Hope this helps,
Let me know if you have any other questions,
James
August 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm (#)
Hi James,
Finally have arrived in this beautiful city and move into a little (well big compared to our Parisien home) place in Corenc on Monday! Thanks for all the great articles between then and now,to keep me continually excited!
Just a quick question – and still looking into visa situation. In general, are companies here receptive to people walking directly off the street to give CV’s and have a chat? I don’t want to be too offensive straight off! I have already emailed (and had positive responses – however those positive responses needed a visa already) some places, but just thought that now I am here I can go and approach people with my halted French!
Thanks again for all your help and great articles up to now.
Kind regards,
Shonah
August 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm (#)
Hi Shona,
I think the direct approach is always best – it shows guts and enthusiasm, and gives an employer an immediate taste of what you’re made of, if you know what I mean. Don’t be put off if not everyone you meet doesn’t seem to be demonstratively warm – the Grenoblois can be a little reserved!
Good luck and let us know how you get on,
James
August 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am (#)
James,
Thank you so much for your speedy reply! I will put my “brave” hat on and hit the streets!
Will keep you posted…
Shonah
October 14th, 2009 at 8:16 pm (#)
Great website! I will try to be brief. I don’t think you have had these questions exactly before. My wife and I are Americans and she is going to be living in Grenoble, France, while she is acting as a consultant to the University of Grenoble for six months, starting in mid-Febuary, 2010, so I will be living there too. I have little French myself so I will be taking a French class of course(any advice on where?) but I would also like to tutor/teach English even it is only as a volunteer. I have never taught ESL but I have an MA in English and have taught writing and literature at American universities so perhaps I should try to teach that instead, but as I say volunteering is ok as this is a sabbatical for me. I do love teaching though so that’s why I am imposing these questions on you. Will my being an American (not EU) make it impossible to even formally volunteer let alone be paid? Perhaps I should just be happy with tutoring one on one and being paid in return by help with learning french?
October 15th, 2009 at 8:43 am (#)
Hi Marc,
I don’t think there will be anything stopping you volunteering or offering private tuition, or doing language exchanges, for which you could advertise your services here on Grenoble Life.
As your wife is working at the University it would be worth your while enquiring over there about the possibility of teaching work. As Shonah Kennedy recently illustrated here, getting work as a non-EU resident can be difficult but the University is sometimes prepared to deal with the administration to take such people for lecture/lectrice posts. However, these posts normally start in September and last the academic year – so they would be looking for that length of committment.
Concerning French lessons – I had some with l’Alliance Francaise, which were ok. There are more intensive (i.e., expensive courses at the University at the CUEF) which I imagine are a higher quality but this is just an hunch.
Hope this helps – feel free to post more questions,
James
October 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am (#)
Hi all,
Just a quick update to let you know that I just got my TEFL, so I’m all ready to make the move in August for a job, hopefully, in September. I know it is quite a long term period, but when moving with 2 babies, things are often this way!
Do you think there’s a point having a CELTA in addition to the TEFL, or is it just useless to have a double qualification ?
Dana
October 15th, 2009 at 10:53 am (#)
Hi Dana,
The CELTA is a great qualification – riguorous, stimulating, demanding etc. but it is not a pre-requisite to finding work here. A TEFL will certainly prove useful and sufficient.
Good luck and stay in touch!
James
October 26th, 2009 at 2:22 pm (#)
@Marc,
I just made a great discovery of French classes – and ideal for beginners/ lower intermediate through the ODTI
7 place Edmond Arnaud. 38000 Grenoble Tél. 04 76 42 60 45.
http://www.odti.fr/
However the lessons are held at (I believe it is 42) Rue Trois Cloitres Grenoble (behind big blue door with very obvious sign saying “resource centre”.)
Monday and Tuesday mornings 9-11am, and they have an outing on a Thursday too. The lessons are at a great standard and they are definitely big on the communicative approach – which is a wonderful way to learn!
Shonah :-)
October 27th, 2009 at 1:47 pm (#)
Sounds great Shonah, come back and let us know how you get on.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:10 pm (#)
Oui, Bien sur!
;-)
November 15th, 2009 at 6:33 pm (#)
Great info, thank you! Exactly all the info I was looking for!
November 20th, 2009 at 1:43 pm (#)
Hi James,
I moved to Grenoble in September after finishing my second degree in London this year, but I have been very disappointed by the difficulty of looking for work here. Unfortunately I do not have a TEFL qualification, but was told that I could still get a poste d’assistant de langue through the Rectorat. After almost 3 months of pestering them, they told me they had no posts in Grenoble. I have a bar job in the evening, but would prefer to work during the day and get some experience in teaching that I could take back to the UK with me. I have applied to all the language schools and soutien scolaire companies, most of whom didn’t reply, some of whom told me my two UK degrees (the first in English) were not recognised here and I would have to make equivalences. I have also put up flyers offering English lessons but have had no reply.
So I wonder if you have any other advice for me on how to get any teaching experience? I would consider taking a TEFL course, but from reading the other posts, it doesn’t seem like these are offered in Grenoble.
John
November 20th, 2009 at 6:20 pm (#)
Hi John,
I’m a little surprised by your experience. I can’t really comment on the Rectorat but many of the private language schools are run by anglophones so would not question the validity of your degrees (e.g., Options, John Evans, Wall Street Institute, among others).
It may be that you were a little unlucky with timing. Most schools would be fully staffed in sept in time for la rentrée. However, schools recruit on a needs must basis so you could still get a call at any time.
I assume you’ve already seen my list of language schools: http://www.grenoblelife.com/english-language-schools-in-grenoble/
I’d suggest visiting some in person.
Secondly, I recommend you post a free classified listing advertising your private teaching services:
http://www.grenoblelife.com/classified-ads/place-ad/
Good luck and let us know how you got on,
James
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:10 pm (#)
Hi James,
I am planning to take an exam – CLE2 Certificat de competence en langue de l’enseignement superieur, which is equivalent to a DELF B2 level for English language.
Do you think it would be of some help?
regards
Elsa
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 pm (#)
Hi Elsa,
I’m sorry I don’t know what it is. Could you tell us more?
Thanks,
James
December 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm (#)
Hi James,
Thanks for the article, it’s very informative. I too am planning to make the move to France soon and Grenoble is high on my list of preferences. I have a couple of questions on issues not quite covered in your piece.
1. You mentioned ‘in-house’ trainers, but through agencies. Have you ever heard of anyone being employed directly by a company, ie as a resident English trainer on a full-time contract? I have a TESOL, and by the time I come to France I’ll have 7 years’ experience of teaching Business English, as well as a Masters in Business Communication (MBC).
2. Regarding the CDI that agencies eventually offer teachers, does that mean a regular salary over the whole year, including holidays? If not, what do people do for work in that time? Also, is the salary you mentioned (1500-1800 Euros per month) net or gross? If gross, what is the average net pay?
Thanks in advance!
Matt
December 8th, 2009 at 9:23 pm (#)
Hi Matt,
1. Yes, some people go directly to companies and get contracts. My feeling is it would be highly unlikely that you would get a permanent contract like that. However, the pay would be better if you cut out the middle man (and indeed undercut the middle man). However, you would be competing with schools/agencies with established reputations, and Human Resources managers are not known for their imagination or preparedness to take risks. Also, you would have to set yourself up as a freelancer/entrepreneur, which could be complicated (especially if you are new to France).
2. Yes, a CDI implies a regular salary over a whole year, including a minimum of five weeks (25 days) holiday. You may be encouraged to take a sizable chunk of that during the quiet summer months but that depends on the employer. The salary I quoted was gross before social security (paid at source, about 20%) and income tax (around 10%, but variable, depending on factors too complex to summarise here) paid in arrears the year after. I should add that its possible to earn more than 1800 gross. Net pay for full time (25-30 contact hours a week) would normally range between 1200 and 1600 a month. However, I have heard of some making as much as 2000 a month Net through a school/agency but this may be the result of long service.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
James
December 9th, 2009 at 12:33 pm (#)
Thanks for your answers James.
I have another question about accommodation. I read on a few forums that it’s hard to rent a flat in France because of the demands of landlords. Specifically, there are tales of needing a well-paid CDI contract and 3 months’ rent as a deposit before they will even consider renting to you. As far as I understood it, most of these stories were connected to Paris; is the situation similar in Grenoble?
If it was just me I wouldn’t stress too much but I’ll be coming with a wife and 2 children so it’ll be essential to find decent accommodation early on. My wife will be self-employed (she is a translator) and I’ll probably have a CDD contract, possibly combined with a Lectrice position if I’m lucky enough to get one. What are my chances of finding something adequate?
Matt
December 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pm (#)
Hi Matt,
Yes, getting a place to live can be difficult – two months deposit plus the first month’s rent is common I think, and landlords can demand CDIs, but there are always exceptions to that.
Considering you are coming with your family my advice is to seek specialist help. There are companies that assist with these things, but I’m not sure about fees. We ran a feature on one recently:
http://www.grenoblelife.com/relocation-relocation-relocation-an-interview-with-lc-mobility/
Certainly it would be worth contacting them to get more information.
Alternatively you could advertise your needs for free here, specifying what you are looking for. To place a free ad for 60 days, use the following form http://www.grenoblelife.com/classified-ads/place-ad/
Hope this helps!
Stay in touch and let us know how you get on!
James
December 9th, 2009 at 5:43 pm (#)
Thanks again James. If I make it to Grenoble I’ll be in touch to invite you out for a drink!
A bientot.
Matt
January 28th, 2010 at 4:44 pm (#)
Hi James,
Sorry for getting back so late on CLES2. Basically it is a certiication that non-English speaking students ought to take to prove their proficiency in the language. DELF is Diplome d’Etudes de Langue Française. I don’t think CLES2 is a qualification for teachers of English language.
Elsa