Teaching English in France
The Gap Year For Francophiles
Since 1990
Course Details
This highly respected local government scheme has now been in existence for almost 20 years and is approved by the French ‘Education Nationale’.
Professional experience
Primary schools are closed on Wednesdays and students are in theory free, although all students should be prepared to sacrifice their day off in order to either catch up with lesson preparation or to complete projects such as the Pantomime or sports day. Friday is spent at the office in Montaigu planning future lessons or projects. Students manage their own time at weekends. Normally, this time is devoted to host families and their various activities. In addition, it should be noted that during the school holiday periods (see school calendar below) throughout the academic year, students do not teach and thus, as with weekends, students are free to organise their own time.
Primary |
Secondary | |
Since 2006 the team of primary school stagiaires have taught in 28 schools in the two districts of Montaigu and Rocheservière. Teaching takes place in the schools six hours per day on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday usually from 9am – 4.30pm. However, at least one hour should be added for transport; morning and evening. |
The assistant’s role is different to that of the primary school stagiaires. The assistant takes groups for oral practice in the two schools, in addition to 3 hours of teaching per week at the lycée with the Euro-classes. This all takes place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. |
Contract
The contract starts in mid September and finishes at the end of May.
Upon arrival in September, students spend the first two weeks in the office with Julie, undertaking an “induction programme”. Here, students observe and carry out practice lessons, establish timetables, organise transport and finalise personal administration such as third party insurance and the opening of French bank accounts etc.
During this period, the secondary schools assistant spends less time in the office and more time at the collège and lycée being supervised by the teaching staff responsible for lesson content who organise a similar appropriate induction programme.
Allowance
Every student, regardless of status, receives around 170 euros per month from the Syndicat. This sum is not a wage, as accommodation and food are already provided, but is more of an allowance to help you meet your personal needs throughout the year.
Calandrier scolaire 2009-2010 zone A
| Event | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Rentrée scolaire des enseignants | mardi 1er septembre 2009 | |
| Rentrée scolaire des élèves | mercredi 2 septembre 2009 | |
| Vacances de la Toussaint | du samedi 24 octobre 2009 | au jeudi 5 novembre 2009 |
| Vacances de Noël | du samedi 19 décembre 2009 | au lundi 4 janvier 2010 |
| Vacances d'hiver | du samedi 13 février 2010 | au lundi 1 mars 2010 |
| Vacances de printemps | du samedi 10 avril 2010 | au lundi 26 avril 2010 |
| Vacances d'été | vendredi 2 juillet 2010 | |
