How to become a language assistant in France

This programme allows you to familiarise yourself with French language and culture while sharing the authenticity of your language and the richness of your culture at your school.

This international mobility programme offers you a opportunity for on-the-job training, adding undeniable value to your career. 

Missions

Language assistants in France are assigned to primary or secondary schools.
 

The assistant's role is to improve the communication skills of the pupils, particularly in oral expression, and to deepen their knowledge of a different culture and civilisation.

Foreign language assistants generally support the school's foreign language teachers. They can work with the whole class in the presence of the teacher or with small groups of students.

The foreign language assistant encourages pupils to express themselves orally, to bring a playful dimension to learning and to discuss socio-cultural themes likely to interest children and adolescents.

They may perform one or more of the following functions :

• practising oral language with pupils alongside the teacher ;
• participation in the implementation of educational projects ;
• running a language club ;
• creating authentic audio recordings to enrich the school's collection of audiovisual language-learning resources ;
• participation in the implementation of an exchange project.

Working conditions

Foreign language assistants hold the status of non-tenured government employees. They work 12 hours per week. The duration of the contract is as follows : 

• German assistants : October 1st to March 31st (6 months)
• All other assistants :  October 1st to April 30th (7 months)

The monthly salary has been set at €1010.67 gross before deduction of various compulsory deductions (social security, etc.), i.e. approximately €800-813 net. 

Foreign language assistants enjoy the same holidays as their French students and colleagues.

In France, every school is administratively part of an educational district (académie).

Candidates can be assigned to any school in the educational district, in urban or rural areas. For example, being placed in the educational district of Toulouse does not mean that you will be working in the city of Toulouse.