TESOL France FAQ Page

Disclaimer: TESOL France does not warrant that the information provided here is comprehensive, complete, or otherwise reliable. TESOL France does not provide teacher certification, academic counseling, career counseling, legal assistance, or legal advice. TESOL France hopes the information is helpful but does not intend it to substitute for professional assistance.

Questions

TESOL France, the basics

How can I meet other teachers? How can I continue to develop my professional skills?

Once in France, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at TESOL France (email) to find out about our upcoming events. It's a great way to meet other teachers from all the different teaching sectors, to learn new techniques, to ask questions, and to refresh your ideas.

What is TESOL France?

TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) France, an affiliate of TESOL Inc. and IATEFL, is a non-profit organization of teachers of English in France. Its purposes are to stimulate professional development, to disseminate information about research, books and other materials related to English, and to strengthen instruction and research. We regularly organize high quality events which are opportunities to keep up-to-date with current trends in teaching, to share knowledge and experiences and to meet and network with other teachers. TESOL France operates through an Executive Committee responsible for, amongst other things, organizing events, publications and membership. But we also have correspondents in the different sectors (primary, university, etc.) who keep us informed of the preoccupations and needs of their sector.

What is TESOL France's postal address?

TESOL France Telecom Paris
46 rue Barrault
75634 Paris Cedex 13
See directions and map here.

What is TESOL France's e-mail address?

tesol@enst.fr

TESOL France Membership and Advertising

Who can join TESOL France?

Membership is open to anyone involved in the English Language Teaching (ELT) industry. Our members include teachers, lecturers, teacher trainers, academic managers, researchers, authors, publishers, testing agencies, company founders, and institutions.

How do I become a TESOL France Member?

You can find membership information and form here. Fill it out and send it and the membership fee to:

TESOL France
Telecom Paris
46 rue Barrault
75634 Paris Cedex 13

What happens once I send in my registration?

You will receive a welcome letter with membership card and your own TESOL France Member Number. You will also receive the latest issue of the TESOL France newsletter, The Teaching Times.

How much does TESOL France membership cost?

  • Regular member: 44euro a year
  • Benefactor: 55euro a year
  • Student, unemployed, retired: 22euro a year

I'm a student, but my student card is from a university outside of France.

You can join TESOL France at the reduced rate providing your student ID is valid for the forthcoming academic year. Please include a photocopy of your student card with your TESOL France registration.

  • Student Price: 22euro a year

I want to become a member but I live outside France. What do I get?

You will receive the four issues of our TESOL France Newsletter, The Teaching Times

What is a TESOL France Supporter and how much does it cost?

TESOL France Supporters are commercials establishments that choose to provide financial assistance to the association. They include, but are not limited to, publishers, bookshops, testing agencies, online companies, and E-learning agencies. Supporter status runs for 12 months from receipt of payment.

For 156euro a year, TESOL France Supporters receive the following benefits:

  • 20% discount on advertising in our Newsletter
  • 20% discount on advertising on our website
  • 20% discount on stands at our annual Colloquium
  • Plus the usual benefits of membership: free Newsletters, free attendance to all events
  • At no charge, are listed as a supporter on our website Supporters Page

To become a supporter go here.

Can language schools or university language departments sign up their teachers? How much does it cost?

Your language school and or/department can benefit from plenty of exposure through pedagogical representatives. What better way to increase teaching quality at your school than to sign your teachers up for TESOL France membership.

The 156euro registration includes:

  • 4 teacher membership cards -- you may distribute them to whomever you wish
  • Subscription to our Newsletter, The Teaching Times
  • Free entrance to our Colloquium
  • Additional Membership cards: 24euro each

Who should I make cheques out to?

TESOL France

Can I pay TESOL France registration using a foreign cheque?

Due to high bank charges, we are unable to accept cheques from non-French bank accounts; if you are visiting from overseas, we can accept cash on arrival.

What does TESOL France membership include?

With TESOL France you make professional connections and create new / develop existing networks in the teaching field.

TESOL France membership includes:

  • Workshops and other high-quality Special Interest Groups almost every month related to teaching English
  • An annual Colloquium
  • A quarterly newsletter, The Teaching Times with plenty of teaching tips
  • Endless networking opportunities with fellow teachers and publishers
  • Leadership opportunities with our Executive Committee

I haven't received my membership card yet. What should I do?

If you have not yet received your card, please let the Membership Team know by sending a message to tesol@enst.fr

I can't remember / lost my membership number, what should I do?

Send an email to tesol@enst.fr with your name. We will then e-mail you your number.

I am already a member of another ELT organization (e.g. TESOL Inc). Does that count towards membership for TESOL France?

While TESOL France is an affiliate of TESOL Inc, and IATEFL, and thus is linked to other TESOL organizations, membership in one does not constitute membership in the other. Separate TESOL France registration is required to be a member.

TESOL France Events

Who can take part in your annual Colloquium? Do I need to be a TESOL France member?

The Colloquium is open to nonmembers, and it is possible to register in advance by email. The fee for nonmembers is 32 euros (2007).  You can become a member of TESOL France on the day of the Colloquium and then attend the Colloquium for free! Just come with your pre-filled-out membership form.

What is included in the Colloquium registration?

  • Entrance to all conference workshops, talks and presentations
  • Coffee breaks
  • Farewell cocktail on Friday
  • Conference information package, including programme
  • Your own copy of the TESOL France Newsletter, The Teaching Times
  • Extensive opportunities to meet publishers
  • Plenty of networking possibilities

Is lunch provided during the Colloquium?

Attendees are responsible for making their own restaurant arrangements. We often reserve groups at the following restaurants in the area. Menus tend to cost between 10 and 20 euro. Sign-up sheets are available at the registration table on the day of the event.

Who can take part in your workshops, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and Spring Day? Do I need to be a TESOL France member?

You do not have to be a member to come to our SIGs. Please bear in mind that for workshops with a maximum attendance, we will give priority to our members before opening the registration to non-members. In addition, there is often a non-member fee for our workshops and Spring Day. Non-member prices are usually 8 euros per person for workshops. To register, e-mail us.

What is included in the Workshop or Spring Day registration?

  • Entrance to the workshop and speaker session's
  • Networking opportunities
  • New insights into teaching English

I'm interested in leading a workshop or a SIG. Who should I contact?

If you would like to attend or lead a workshop, or simply have suggestions for future topics, please email us a tesol@enst.fr and we will put you in touch with a SIG Coordinator.

Does TESOL France arrange accommodation for Colloquium or Workshop attendees?

The organizers are not involved in your accommodation arrangements and therefore cannot be held responsible for any cancellation costs or other costs incurred. All bookings made are between the individuals and the hotels. We suggest you take out insurance to cover any cost you may have due to cancellations. Hotel info is on the site.

How do I submit a paper for your Colloquium?

TESOL France usually announces the Call for Papers in the spring for the Annual Colloquium. Prospective speakers are requested to complete the Call for Papers form available on the website and send it to the named Events Coordinator for review and approval by the TESOL France Events Committee. We would just ask that you respect the topic of the event.

Should I submit a theory- or practice-based workshop or paper?

TESOL France members have generally preferred seminars that have been more practical than theoretical.

Can anyone submit a paper for a workshop or the Colloquium?

Paper submissions are open to everyone in the language-teaching world.

Whether you are a veteran in the field, or just starting out, if you have something to share, we want to hear from you. We would just ask that you respect the topic of the event.

As a speaker do I need to pay a registration fee or join TESOL France?

TESOL France does not ask speakers to pay a registration fee or become a member of TESOL France unless of course you wish to do so; you would be most welcome!

Can TESOL France sponsor my trip to France in order for me to give a paper?

TESOL France can only help towards costs for Plenary speakers, except in special cases in particular speakers coming from the developing world. However TESOL France can provide an official letter of invitation to speakers requiring a visa for entry into France. The letter can be used in support of their application for visa and therefore submitted to the French embassy in their country of origin. Just contact us at tesol@enst.fr

When is the Colloquium Call to Papers deadline?

The deadline varies from year to year, but it is generally around the end of June or July.

How do we go about being an Exhibitor or Sponsor during the Colloquium?

In addition to presentations and workshops, our Colloquium will also include exhibitions by publishers, examination bodies, training providers and more. If you would like to exhibit at the conference or sponsor a particular aspect of the conference please contact us: tesol@enst.fr

Teacher Training in France

Does TESOL France deliver teaching certificates?

TESOL France does no deliver teaching certificates. See question: How can I become qualified to teach English as a foreign language in France? below for schools in France that offer teacher training.

What is with the Alphabet Soup! ESL; TEFL; ESP; TESOL, etc.

Ironically, the English language teaching world has a bewildering array of abbreviations and acronyms, many of which mean the same thing, and most of which have no official significance. A basic list of these initialisms can be found on this website: FAQ about TEFL.

How can I become qualified to teach English as a foreign language in France?

The most common teacher training courses in France are the CELTA, DELTA, and MA in 2nd language learning. The CELTA is for teachers who would like a refresher course or for people with no experience teaching. The DELTA is for teachers with a minimum of two years teaching experience who want to deepen their knowledge of language learning, teaching, and of the English language. Both the certificate and diploma are from UCLES (the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate), but taught at the schools below.

Which certification is best?

According to FAQ about TEFL, it's important to realize that the simple terms "TEFL" and "TESOL" have no official significance whatsoever. Consequently, the terms "TEFL Certificate" or "TESOL Certificate" do not of themselves endow a certificate with recognition. The best TEFL/TESOL training courses are externally validated, ie they are vetted and checked by a body that is officially recognized such as UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate). A good question to ask any course provider, therefore, is: "Is your course externally validated, if so by whom and if not why not?" Three widely recognized certificates are the Cambridge CELTA, the Trinity CertTESOL and the SIT TESOL Certificate.

How difficult are TEFL Certification Courses?

While each course is different, there is a great deal of work involved in learning the basics (get ready for alphabet soup ESL; ESP; ELT etc). The CELTA course, for example, is considered to be a very tough course that some find just too difficult. The shorter the class can also be more intensive. So, in your search for certification, be sure to think about your own learning style.

Can you recommend a good teacher training centre in Paris?

TESOL France strives to remain open-minded concerning the quality of teacher training in Paris. The schools named here are not for advertising purposes, but are recommendations from our fellow members. If you have any comments, reviews, or recommendations, please send them to tesol@enst.fr

Are there TEFL Courses outside of Paris?

TESOL France strives to remain open-minded concerning the quality of teacher training in France. The schools named here are not for advertising purposes, but are recommendations from our fellow members. If you have any comments, reviews, or recommendations, please send them to tesol@enst.fr

The Language House TESOL / TEFL Course
Montpellier, France
Eurolingua Institute TESOL Course
Montpellier, France
TEFL International - CTEFL / CTESOL
Bordeaux, France
TITC - The International TEFL Corporation
Bordeaux, France

Can you recommend a good online correspondence TEFL course?

According to their website I-to-I specializes in providing short course TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training.

About.Com's Kenneth Beare wrote an informative review of I to I.

I'm looking to take a TEFL course in Spain; China; Italy; UK; or elsewhere. Can you please provide information or recommendations on accredited courses or schools?

TESOL France does not have any information on teacher training schools outside of France. For information, we recommend visiting the websites of our cherished affiliates or for a more comprehensive list of TESOLs around the world, visit www.tesol.org.

Are there any courses available in Paris, France that will lead to DELTA certification?

After extensive research, TESOL France was unable to locate a DELTA Certification course in Paris.

I heard that one must be TEFL Certified in order to teach English in France. Is this true?

According to Amber Foster, author of the article, Teaching English in France: A Step by Step Guide to Success, "I am constantly asked if you need a TEFL certification of some kind before going to France. The answer is simple: Yes! This is especially true for people who lack crucial work experience. [In general, no matter which certificate you earn], employers want to see real, in-class teaching hours under your belt. Which means don't sign up for those Internet training courses that promise you a certificate in only a few hours. Research [the courses] and find one that will be recognized internationally. A great site for advice on this subject is http://www.tefl.com where you will find this and other useful information for current and prospective English teachers.

Are the correspondence courses as good as the full time ones?

TESOL France does not know the answer to how correspondence or distance degrees compare to classroom courses in the eyes of potential employers, as the field is too varied to ascribe a single opinion to all employers. We recommend contacting some potential employers to ask about the types of degrees they prefer.

Teaching and Working in France

What is it like to teach in France?

Teaching English in France has its ups and downs. But with all the hard work, both administratively and pedagogically, it can be quite a rewarding experience. According to Graham Banks "Whilst 'skills and drills' play a part, it is the ability of the teacher to act as a communicator, actor, psychologist, sociologist and counselor that provides the optimal conditions for learning." Because each teacher's experience is different, we'd like to refer you to the articles below, written by those who know best - the ones in the trenches.

Teaching English in France: A Step by Step Guide to Success, by American, Amber Foster, who says she's proof that Americans and other non-EU nationals can get a work visa in France.

France: A blessing in disguise English teaching work is easy to come by [for UK nationals] in the French capital, writes Kevin Rigdy, but don't expect astronomical rewards.
Teaching English Offers the Most Opportunities American, Susan Griffith, discusses teaching English in France and the rest of Europe - including freelancing, getting contracts, promoting one's self and some schools in Paris that may employ Americans on a short-term basis.
Teaching English in France Mike Hoinville offers some insight to UK nationals.
Finding a Job Teaching English in Paris Elisabeth Schneiter discusses some of the realities of teaching adults in Paris and the growing demand to teach them.
Teaching English? It's all French to me Graham Banks paints a less-than-honorable picture of teaching in language schools.
A collection of more articles about teaching English in France.

Can you recommend websites on life in France?

Paris Insights and Volterre-Fr ā€“ these are two comprehensive sites on life in France run by our original TESOL France webmaster, Linda Thalman.Anglo Info a local business directory with 5,733 listings of English-speaking businesses and services in Paris
Americans in France a resource for people that would like to live or travel in FranceCraig's List The postings for Paris.

Do I have to speak French to work in France?

It is very helpful speak functional French if you want to live, work, teach and enjoy France to the fullest. Some arrive here with very little and then pick it up.

Worth noting: English teachers have an advantage over other professionals because they are often viewed as walking bilingual dictionaries thus they can pick up the language more quickly.

How is the pay?

This is by far one of the most frequently asked questions.

According to Nadia Zehni (scroll down on the link after Mike's article) "About 23% of my salary was deducted in taxes which includes health and pension. I believe 1,300 euros is roughly the minimum gross salary per month so you can use that as a measure of how well you're earning. (Wages in Paris [may] be higher)...If you plan to give private lessons in your spare time (they are in great demand) in addition to your main job, you can ask for about 20-25 Euros per hour."
A note about medical insurance: you will probably have to have a medical check up to ascertain that you're fit to work. Once you are working you will be entitled to health benefits [depending on your insurance situation] although you will have to pay upfront and be reimbursed later.

According to Jeff Steiner's Teaching English in France
"Pay for teaching English at a language school can vary and depends on location. I would put it at between 13 to 18 euros an hour. Take home would be less than 22 percent. The amount you are paid is based on the hours you teach. This will probably not include preparation time. Some schools will not include travel time, should you be teaching on site and not at the language school itself. For private teaching I would put the pay at anywhere from 12 to 25 euros an hour. Of course this depends on the local market and what the student is looking for. The hiring time for teaching English seems to be September to November and March to May. For private students most will be looking for an English teacher at the start of the school year September/October and at test time April/May."

According to Linda Thalman "Teachers of English as a foreign language in France in the private sector are somewhat in demand, but it is not very well paid in many cases: 15 to 30 euros per hour."

Can TESOL France proofread my CV, or just read it to see if it's ok?

TESOL France does not offer career counseling or proofreading services. However, we recommend TEFL.COM's Career Center. Their experienced ELT personnel offer online career help.

I'm looking for a teaching job. Can TESOL France pass on my CV to schools and universities?

Unfortunately, TESOL France is in no position to recruit or refer teachers to organizations. However, we recommend adding your name to Denny Packard's Job List. Thanks to Denny's connections in the field, you will receive job announcements from various schools and universities in Paris and around France.
Send your e-mail address to:

I am an American looking for information about getting working papers and a job in France.

While we belong to a large teaching network our main goal is not to find teaching jobs for potential applicants. Therefore, the answer to this question is not an easy one.

The short answer is, if you are not:

  • Married to a French national
  • A European resident
  • A US Citizen who has lived in France for an eternity and managed to get grand-fathered into the system,

obtaining work papers is next to impossible. And even when you fall into these three categories, there is no way around the headache-yielding French administration. With working papers you will find countless jobs all with varying hourly or full-time salaries and working conditions.

French Teaching Assistantships an opporunity for Americans with no visa.According to their information package:

"The French Ministry of Education and the Cultural Services at the French Embassy offer between 1,000 and 1,700 teaching assistant position in French primary and secondary schools and in Instituts universitaires de formation des maîtres (IUFMs) in all regions of France and the DOM-TOMS to persons who fulfill the following requirements:
  • You are an American citizen (or have a Green Card). If you have a Green Card, you must have spent your high school years in the United States.
  • You are between 20 and 34 years of age as of October 1 of the year you wish to go to France.
  • You are currently pursuing (at least your third year of university) or have already attained a college degree
  • You are proficient in French. Students without a major or minor in French but with a basic proficiency (about 3 semesters) in French can apply. If you have never taken classes, but lived abroad in a francophone country, this is usually considered enough French.
This is a unique opportunity to:
  • Spend between 6-9 months in France with a monthly stipend<
  • Have a privileged insight into contemporary France
  • Master the French language through linguistic immersion
  • Gain valuable teaching experience
You will be expected to teach 12 hours of English conversation classes per week. You will be paid about 900euro each month. This means that after social security and health care are taken out, you have about 752euro a month to live on. Contact assistant.washington-amba@diplomatie.fr or visit French Culture. org for more information. Recommended reading for Americans Living and Working in France With or Without a Work Visa  by Narelle Lewis,Teaching English Offers the Most Opportunities   Susan GriffithTeaching English in France: A Step by Step Guide to Success, American, Amber Foster, who says she's proof that Americans and other non-EU nationals can get a work visa in France.

What are the different types of job status for teachers in France?

  • Continuing Education English Teacher - the majority of native speakers take on this role. It involves being hired (part or full time) to teach professionals assigned to you through language schools. Working papers and resident visas are most often required. If you are not 1) married to a French national, 2) a European resident, or 3) a US Citizen who has lived in France for an eternity and managed to get grand-fathered into the system, obtaining work papers is next to impossible. And even if you fall into these three categories, there is no way around the headache-yielding French administration.   With working papers you will find countless jobs all with varying hourly or full-time salaries and working conditions. The Continuing Education field also tends to hire native speakers only.   Meccas for job-hunters include the American Church in Paris which even offers career forums for job-seekers and the American Cathedral in Paris.  Both have notice boards crammed with employment opportunities, courses and housing listings.     Most expat meeting places in Paris distribute the free bilingual newsletter France-USA Contacts www.fusac.org that comes out every other Wednesday. Its classified ads are best followed up on the day the paper appears. It is also a good place to put your own "Work wanted"¯ ad. You can do this ahead of time by contacting FUSAC in the U.S. at P.O. Box 115, Coopers Station, New York, NY 10276 (212-777-5553, fax 212-777-5554). Amber Foster, in her article, Teaching English in France: A Step by Step Guide to Success, says she's proof that Americans and other non-EU nationals can get a work visa in France."Teaching English in France is a rewarding and worthwhile experience," She says, "But you have to be willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen. TESOL France has not investigated the legitimacy of the terms discussed in this article.
  • Full-time Continuing Education Teacher -- These teachers, as described above, work for the countless language schools in Paris. Full-time teachers work on a CDI contract Contrat Duration Interminable. More information can be found here.
  • Short-term Contract Continuing Education Teacher -- These teachers carry out specific, temporary teaching contracts called CDDs.  More information can be found here.
  • Civil servant, or public school teacher - these teachers have passed the Capes or Agregation which is an extremely difficult and highly competitive French exam that requires training for a year.   While the continuing education branch as described above tends to attract native speakers, the public school certification in France tends to attract French native speakers with high levels of English. While the educational system will not turn away any foreigner hoping to take the Capes or the Agregation, the applicant should be aware that a native-like capacity of French is absolutely necessary to pass these two exams. Jennifer Yee offers her insight in A Visitor in the Land of the Enlightenment
  • Vacataire, or university sub-employee -- This tends to be a very precarious status. You are generally well paid but can be fired easily. Teachers generally take on vacataire positions to earn some extra money on the side, and there is no shortage of vacataire positions.   Some can take on two or three vacataire positions while still juggling a 20-hour teaching week elsewhere.   To be a vacataire, one must already have a permanent teaching position, or be a free-lance self-employed teacher with his or her own company.
  • "Under-the-Table¯" English Teacher While TESOL France in no way encourages teachers to work "in the black" (under the table), the truth is there is a large population of teachers in France who do this.  According to various online forums, the going rate is between 10 and 40 euro an hour.  Teachers will often do this on the side in addition to contract work.  Students can range from children to adults.  Most teachers state that it is next to impossible today to make a living doing only this in France.
The reality: Finding a teaching job can be easy, but working conditions may be harsh. Most teachers work for two, three, or even six different schools and can have more than one permanent contract. Salaries are as consistent as the weather in Paris. This juggling of hours is necessary to earn an appropriate living in France. Many compare it to an actor's life -- while you're on the job you're already looking for your next one. Those who do it claim they prefer this to sitting in an office day after day. In short, it takes a passionate, creative, and driven person to be an English teacher in France. But those who succeed wouldn't trade it for the world.

How can I find a job in France?

Meccas for job-hunters include the American Church in Paris which even offers career forums for job-seekers and the American Cathedral in Paris.  Both have notice boards crammed with employment opportunities, courses and housing listings.Most expatriate meeting places in Paris distribute the free bilingual newsletter France-USA Contacts http://www.fusac.org that comes out every other Wednesday. Its classified ads are best followed up on the day the paper appears. It is also a good place to put your own "Work wanted"¯ ad. You can do this ahead of time by contacting FUSAC in the U.S. at P.O. Box 115, Coopers Station, New York, NY 10276 (212-777-5553, fax 212-777-5554).

Once you get some experience under your belt, you will often get more work through word of mouth.

Denny's Job Listing

We also recommend adding your name to Denny Packard's Job List. Thanks to Denny's connections in the field, you will receive e-mail job announcements from various schools and universities in Paris and around France. Send your e-mail address to:

Can you recommend any French job listing websites?

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/france.shtml

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/teaching_english_abroad_news.shtml

http://www.goabroad.com

This third website is recommended by Top College Advisor, Katherine Cohen Ph.D. It allows you to search for many different programs by subject or location (e.g. France), as well as for jobs, internships, teaching positions, and language schools.

See also: http://www.jobsabroad.com/France.cfm

I am a student in Paris with a student carte de sejour. I want work in Paris after I finish my studies. How do I renew my carte de sejour to be able to work in Paris?

From the http://paris.angloinfo.com online forum: "Unless you find a company who will sponsor you, you will be unable to change your titre de sejour etudiant to a salaried one. This however is extremely difficult to accomplish, because the company has to advertise the job for X number of months to show that there is not a single other person on French soil who could fulfill this post. You might have some luck trying the Business English schools, but even then, many of them prefer to hire British nationals as they don't need carte de sejours or work permits."
From another posting on http://paris.angloinfo.com  "It is just about impossible to change your status from a student visa. As an employer - I can confirm that unless you are an EU citizen or married to one, or have some exceptional, unique and highly valuable skill it would be well nigh impossible for a company to offer you a job. Companies have to go through a long, costly and frustrating process in order to try to employ someone from outside the EU. Then again I would not expected to be able to work in the US/England/Mauritius/wherever because I had studied there. If you are from within the EU though - you are eligible to work in any EU country"

I'm an American teacher in Paris. I worked as a lectrice at a university last year and have gotten the same job but at a different university. Do I need to get a new visa?

From teacher, Christine Allsopp: According to the US Embassy website, work visas are good for only 3 months. It sounds like you've had a carte de sejour over the last year. What you need to do now is to renew that. To do so you'll be required to provide lots of documents almost the same as you did the first time. You'll have to show the document from the university (attestation') to the effect you will be employed there, dates, salary, etc. The main other documents are always proof that you live where you say you do, and health insurance, which should be Securite Sociale since you work at a university.To do all that, you'll have to go to the Prefecture if you live in Paris, or to the Mairie inyour district. I remember only too well what hell it is. Allow loads of time. The Prefecture will check your document, give you a list of what's needed, and give you an appointment to go back there another time with a list of everything you need. If you have had a work permit, you will have to renew that too. You can contact the office where you did it the first time to find out what's needed. They will probably tell you to take along your "attestation" or "contrat" from the university and your carte de sejour.

Is there any way around the Prefecture de Police when applying for work permits?

No.

What's the average waiting time at the Prefecture de Police?

On a good day, three hours.

Does anyone have any concrete information about independent language teaching in France?

Bethany Cagnol holds organizes three-hour Going Independent workshops for a reasonable fee.

If you would be interested in attending a workshop, please let us know at tesol@enst.fr

I still have questions.

Contact TESOL France and we will do our best to answer them.

Go to Dave's ESL Cafe for France and submit your questions on the teachers' forum. This site is vast. You will probably find someone who has already asked your question.

If you have any comments or suggestions for these FAQs

Please let us know.