I think that different Universities start up again at slightly different times. Where I work at the moment on campus the second semester doesn’t really begin in earnest until about the third week of January.

All this is assuming you want to work as a ‘vacataire’ at one of the Universities or business schools (see what this requires one or two comments up). This does not apply to private language schools and in-company teaching, for which recruitment takes place on a needs-must basis (or, realistically, before the rentrée in September).

Hope this helps,

James

Excellent website and very informative! I was wondering if you could help me further though. I’m coming over to teach soon and all the information I’ve read says that January ‘before the start of the semester’ is a good time to look for jobs. Is this case? As the semester starts on January 3rd in 2012, would it not make more sense to arrive earlier? What do you suggest?

Many thanks in advance,

Alex

Well done for getting your CELTA and doing so well.

I think it would be a very good idea to try and get some meetings with schools in advance of your arrival. Perhaps you are visiting the area before moving here for good? I have just helped a friend (an experienced TEFLer) get a job in the city and this seemed to work for him.

You’ll find a list of schools (but perhaps not all) here

Good luck and stay in touch with your progress,

James

It has been very interested reading your comments and information.

I have just completed my CELTA course and have been awarded a Pass B grade. I also have a BA in History.

I am going to be looking for work in Grenoble in the very near future as my long term partner lives near lens-en-vercors. I am looking to come for the long term for this reason.

I have no previous EFL experience apart from my recently completed CELTA.

Do you have any advise other than to come to Grenoble in person?

I am going to do a month long intensive French courses whilst i look for work.

Regards,

James C

Yes, I would say Grenoble would be a great place for a person with your profile as there is a lot of research happenng in the city and University Joseph Fourier, for example, would probably need English teachers for their science students. To do this you would need to apply as a (a) “vacataire” or (b) as a freelancer … see below:

(a) a “vacataire” is a salaried worker employed by a company or other organisation for at least 1,000 hours p.a. (334 hours if they are teaching ones) – the company has to certify this in writing. For example, you could look for a part-time contract for a private school (probably teaching business English) for a minimum of 334 hours p.a. and then apply directly to the universities for more specialised TEFL work on top. The hourly rates at the Uni are pretty good.

(b) free-lance worker registered with the URSSAF (a government agency responsible for collecting social security charges) -the URSSAF gives you an official INSEE (social security) number and you pay a local tax on your earnings. This would be definitely more complicated for a new arrival. I would recommend the former to begin with at least.

I hope this helps,

James

I am about to take a CELTA TEFL course, and have a background as a research scientist. I am keen to find TEFL work in France in a scientific/ academic sector. Do you think Grenoble would be a good place for this?

Thanks again for a great article,

Rose

thanks for all information though and quick reply

There are always a lot of opportunities to teach English in Grenoble but I realize that the most effective way to find work is to be here, CV in hand, meeting employers. It is very hard to get a response from schools/university departments etc. when you are not yet in the country.

Of course I can’t guarantee that you will find work, but I see no reason why you shouldn’t find any.

Best,

James

i am a irish college graduate in business. but i want to move to grenoble to teach english and any other job available there.

i have a low level of french at the minute but working on it daily and my partner is french so she is teaching me alot also.

basically im just looking for advice and if there would be a job oppurtunities as an english teacher if i moved to grenoble. i would have no problem being there long term if possible

thank you for your site and information

I try to offer advice on teaching English as that’s my profession. Outside of that, I’m not really sure how I can help. Feel free however to post your services on our free classified adverts section:
http://www.grenoblelife.com/classified-ads/

Best regards and good luck!

James

thanx
renu

Thanks for your comment.

20 hours a week is not a huge teaching workload, which is probably why your salary is on the lower end of the scale. Then again, your office time should count too, especially if it is stopping you getting hours elsewhere. Are you paid for your non-teaching time? You need to check your pay slips and contract.

Where I used to work I used to do 38.5 hours a week, 28 of which were supposed to be teaching, the rest preparation time. For that I was getting environs 1500 a month. However, as we have the 35 hour week in France, the extra 3.5 hours a week were paid at a better rate and tax-free as overtime. Thus, although we were obliged to do those extra hours and they made for quite a heavy workload, they made a difference for the better to the salary.

French labour law is a complicated beast but it’s often worth knowing your rights as a ‘formateur/formatrice’ under the convention collectif that underpins the terms of your contract. These are available online, and I got my French speaking wife to locate specific info if I needed to check something with my employers.

I hope this helps,

James

It means that although I’m paid 1250 euros net per month for 20 hours of classes per week, I often end up spending upwards of 30-35 hours at the office (half with clients, half dead ‘waiting’ time that eats into my schedule but that doesn’t boost my pay.

Am I getting ripped off or is this typical? I’d be happy to spend a full working week at the office, but in return, I’d like a full salary. Is this possible?

I am managing a language school based in Paris, (www.clt-net.com) and we are looking for English trainers in Grenoble for one of our corporate customer in Grenoble. If you are intereste, you can contact me by using the contact for our French website (www.digitalpublishing.fr)

Cheers,

Alan Nobili

My understanding is that it’s a very demanding but probably highly rewarding course. The reason I haven’t considered it is principally because I couldn’t see it being widely recognized in France. I know that in the UK it can get you into a management level position in a language school or maybe university work but I don’t think it would have the same effect here. Perhaps at International House but there’s only a few in France and not in Grenoble.

If it was to be just for your personal benefit then I would say, why not? But – unless someone knows better – I have the feeling it wouldn’t mean a great deal to French employers. The other person to ask would be Marianne Reynaud at Quality Time ESL – she’s better informed than me.

James

To advertise your services I recommend putting up ads in your local shops. Failing that you can try the Bookworm Café or the many message boards at the University.

To teach children, you could contact Les Petits Bilingues , Graines de Polyglots, and the Montessori school or the rectorat if you’re looking for a ‘poste d’assistant de langue’

Hope this hels,

james

Thanks for this website and this article in particular. I’ve been in Grenoble for a little over a year at university and was hoping to stay for a while longer. As you mention, it is not cheap. I am proficient (enough) in French and American, and was hoping to gain some extra income by tutoring or teaching English. I do not have a degree in the field, or any complete degree as of this year, and was wondering if you could point me toward some avenues for advertising my services and maybe give me some pointers. I am primarily interested in teaching children privately, as I am probably not qualified for a business setting. I am going to make an add on this wonderful site, and I have done so on Greataupair.com as well. I was also interested in babysitting (as some of my Erasmus friends have done.) Any advice would be spectacular.

Thanks,
Collin

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

A bientot.

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

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

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

I’m sorry I don’t know what it is. Could you tell us more?

Thanks,

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

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

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

;-)

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 :-)

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

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

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

Thank you so much for your speedy reply! I will put my “brave” hat on and hit the streets!

Will keep you posted…

Shonah

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Thank you – I will do that.

Also now following you on twitter, so sure to stay in touch!

Kind regards,

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

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 :->

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

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.

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

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

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

Thanks, Chris

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

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 ?