Teaching English in France

The Gap Year For Francophiles

Since 1990

Frequently Asked Questions

The Syndicat Mixte Montaigu Rocheservière

Teaching

Host families

Finance

The Interview

The practicalities

Time management

 

 

Q1 - What is the Syndicat Mixte Montaigu-Rocheservière?


 

The Syndicat Mixte Montaigu-Rocheservière is a local government organisation operating within the cantons (boroughs/districts) of Montaigu and Rocheservière in the Vendée, West France. Amongst organising waste disposal, recycling, an aerodrome, sewage treatment and transport infrastructure, it incorporates the Service Anglais, for which Julie Legrée is the resident British coordinator. As part of services to schools, the Syndicat Mixte takes on five British stagiaires each year to teach English language and British culture in 28 primary schools and 2 secondary schools in the area.

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Q2 - Who is in charge?

Julie Legrée is the British resident coordinator in the English Department of the Syndicat Mixte Montaigu-Rochservière. She manages the teaching team, plans the primary school syllabus, organises transport between homes and schools and helps you on your personal development throughout the year, amongst many other responsibilities! In essence, she is responsible for the successful management of the service anglais. The department provides a service to the local community and is answerable to local government jurisdiction.

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Q3 - Where is Montaigu?

Montaigu [Mont-ee-goo] is a relatively small large town in the department of Vendée, West France. It is a thirty-minute train journey south of Nantes and is surrounded by a network of country villages which constitutes the local government organisation the Syndicat Mixte Montaigu-Rocheservière.

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Q4 - What is the difference between the assistantship post and the primary one?

The assistantship post and primary school posts are relatively different, mainly due to the difference in age and subsequently in the contrasting level of English taught. However, both placements focus upon reinforcing the teaching of English as part of the national syllabus adhered to by full-time teachers. This is not simply about giving grammatical and oral support, but also drawing a “cultural perspective” on life in Great Britain.

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Q5 - Can I choose whether I work in primary or secondary schools?

In the application, students can state a preference, however it is important to point out that each year there is only one teaching placement in the lycée and collège of Montaigu while there are four placements in the 28 primary schools in the cantons (boroughs/districts) of Montaigu and Rochservière. Thus, due to the limited number of positions, preferences will be considered but students could easily be placed in either of the two working environments if your application is successful.

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Q6 - What will I teach in France and how will I teach it?

In primary schools the students’ role in the classroom is to reinforce and complement the English language that is already taught by the class teacher and to provide a British cultural perspective. For example, to complement a teacher’s lesson on telling the time, a student would reinforce pronunciation by exposing the pupils to an authentic accent, teach typical playground games such as “What’s the time Mr. Wolf?” and do a listening exercise on the timetable of a typical pupil in a British school.

Bearing this in mind, part of the team’s aim is to find innovative ways of teaching, not only through classroom activities but also through extra-curricular projects. Projects in recent years have included an exhibition on Great Britain, carol singing and a sports day. All this is aimed at the 3500 pupils taught by the team and their parents.

In the secondary schools, lessons tend to be based on the current topics in-class. In the collège the groups are larger and the assistant takes a more teacher-style approach, but at the lycée the groups are smaller and the English level is such that the atmosphere can often be more relaxed, having discussions and role-plays. These projects rely exclusively on the team’s inspiration and motivation to be a success, from publishing posters and editing music to playing the role of Prince Charming on stage in front of hundreds of children and their parents.

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Q7 - What teaching experience do I need?

Although previous teaching experience is not obligatory, it would be an added advantage to have had experience with children or teenagers in a learning environment. But having no such experience should not be considered a deterrent for application!

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Q8 - How important is my level of French for teaching pupils? Will I have to speak French with them?

It is important to understand that the student’s lessons should be primarily conducted in English since most school children will quickly grow accustomed to understanding basic instructions and phrases in English. Using other methods to aid understanding also prove much more memorable and comprehensible to pupils rather than simply translating instructions into their native language. Giving pupils as much exposure to English as possible is therefore imperative since it provides a pedagogic tool that aids the understanding of an English accent that most other French children won’t necessarily be lucky enough to have access to in their school. The stagiaire’s level would only be important if a pupil asks a question in French, but even in this case the student should try to answer the pupil in English. But even in this scenario, it is better to encourage other pupils to interpret if they can.
In the secondary schools French should only be used as a last resort, with an emphasis on synonyms and explanations in English of things they don’t understand first time.
In conclusion, a high level of French is not a prerequisite for teaching English during this gap year.

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Q9 - What level of English is expected of me, am I there to teach English grammar or is it more pronunciation or is it a mixture of the two?

English grammar will be of more importance when teaching in the lycée and collège simply due to the pupils’ higher level, but it is important to understand that with both the secondary and primary posts the Syndicat Mixte’s principal aim is to give pupils a British cultural perspective on learning the English language. Therefore, it will always be the full-time English teacher that focuses more on grammar. This does not exclude the occasional grammar explanation, but means that it is not necessary to spend so much time on it, as this is covered by the normal class teacher. On the other hand, pronunciation will be a focus in lessons as it may be the only access your pupils have to English spoken by a British native speaker. The benefit of your pronunciation will be most apparent in orally orientated tasks but will also help pupils to understand a native speaker giving instructions and setting tasks.

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Q10 - I’ve never taught before, how will I be able to stand up in front of a class of 25 French pupils and do a good job for the first time?!

When you arrive in Vendée in September you and the other stagiaires will undertake two weeks’ unpaid training course with Julie Legrée. During this period you will become familiar with the French teaching system, the various teaching materials at your disposal and methods that will form a basis to your teaching throughout the year. You will also be given a detailed syllabus that will form the structure of each lesson.

Despite all this, it is probably true to say that your first “test lesson” (immediately after your two weeks training) will not be your best lesson by far and you may make many mistakes. Julie and the other stagiaires will be observing at the back of the class, most probably with a camcorder at hand filming your first hour in a classroom. This will undoubtedly add to any feelings of intimidation you may have had before, but will prove invaluable in a post-lesson analysis with constructive criticism of each stagiaire’s teaching. The team will later analyse the strengths and weaknesses of each lesson, allowing each team member to understand how the strengths of each student can be shared to improve everyone’s teaching.

The secondary schools assistant will spend less of this period with Julie and the others, and more time in the schools getting to know the teachers, the school, the pupils, and having a few “what’s your name, where do you come from?” lessons. Depending on the class of course, and particularly at the lycée, you will be able to be less formal with the classes, however care must be taken to remember that the assistant should be regarded as a teacher with whom they are on first name terms, not a friend. This is perhaps the most important thing to remember.

In all, it must be understood that making mistakes is acceptable and healthy as long as they are acknowledged and understood. Hence, your test lessons will be a valuable opportunity to make progress on your teaching method and style with the help of Julie’s advice and experience, before being plunged into your first official lesson. This progression will naturally continue throughout the year through self-criticism and Julie’s observations. Nobody is ever a perfect teacher, but as good teachers it is expected that students always take note, try their utmost to learn from their mistakes and improve!

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Q11 - Do we do anything more than teaching?

As well as teaching, the team will embark on projects throughout the year with the guidance of Julie. These projects will be completed with the aim of furthering and enhancing the cultural and linguistic understanding achieved in lessons taught by the service anglais. Typically as a team you will embark upon two main projects during your year abroad, one before Christmas and the other nearing the end of your teaching contract. Recent projects have included a nativity play and a pantomime performed in English, a sports day and an exhibition open to the public on Great Britain.

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Q12 - Where will I be living?

Each assistant will be living with three different carefully-chosen local host families throughout the course of the year, 10 – 12 weeks with each family.

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Q13 - How are host families chosen?

Potential host families apply to the Syndicat Mixte to be put on a waiting list. The Service Anglais chooses three families for each stagiaire each year based upon a series of criteria that indicate compatibility between the student and host family. These families are then fully vetted by Julie Legrée and sign a student-host family contract, with both parties agreeing to a code of conduct set out by the Service Anglais.

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Q14 - Do the host families speak English?

It is rare to stay in a household in which each family member is able to speak English, but most will want to try to say a few words in English. Some families may only speak French. This is undoubtedly one of the best ways to learn spoken French since you will be permanently immersed in the language when surrounded by a French speaking family. It is partly for this reason that A-level French is required to be accepted for this placement.

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Q15 - What happens at the weekends?

In general you will have no school obligation but you are expected to complete individual preparation for the next week’s lessons. Therefore, you are free to make your own arrangements with host families and friends to make the most of your free time in France. Weekends are often the best opportunity for host families and stagiaires to spend time together, hence it is likely that most of your weekends will be spent with them.

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Q16 - Will I be paid?

You will receive a monthly allowance of around 170 euros from the Syndicat Mixte to cover general living expenses. This is usually sufficient since your host families provide meals and accommodation.

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Q17 - What will my expenses be once in France?

You will have to spend approximately 50 Euros in the first term on “responsabilité civile” (insurance) to be allowed to teach in the schools. You will also have to pay for any medical treatment you receive in France, but up to 70% of this expenditure will be reimbursed by the sécurité sociale. Thus, it is recommended that you acquire private health insurance before coming to France or take out a private health insurance (mutuelle) on arrival at your own expense.

You will not have to budget for meals or lodging as this will be provided by the host families. It is also likely that you will want to buy a French sim card to make cheaper phone calls. This will cost around €18 for a pay-as-you-go card.

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Q18 - What is the interview’s structure and will I have to speak French?

The interview revolves around helping you understand what the scheme is actually about and seeing whether you have the qualities needed to take part in a gap year that involves enormous self-motivation. You may be shown a DVD covering one or several aspects of the gap year scheme in France and asked to comment on or question its content as a group. You will also have an opportunity to ask general questions about the scheme before having a short one-to-one interview with Julie. This will not be a test on your French fluency and hence, the interview will be conducted entirely in English.
Interviews are held in Grimsby, NE Lincolnshire, in July, or in June by prior arrangement in Montaigu, France.

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Q19 - What level of French is required for this Gap Year?

You will need to be working towards or have obtained your French A-level on application, taking your final exam the summer before your gap year at the latest.

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Q20 - What French experience do I need?

Ideally, you need to have visited or possibly even lived in France before coming on your gap year.

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Q21 - What paper work do I need to do before leaving?

On acceptance for the scheme you will be sent and need to complete:

  • All copies of the training course agreement in French and English signed by you and your last educational establishment with their official stamp.
  • Board and lodging agreement signed and dated.
  • Signed parent/guardian responsibility form.
  • “Profil de stagiaire anglais” giving general details about yourself.

You will also need:

  • A valid passport.
  • A medical certificate provided by your family GP certifying your aptitude for the course.
  • An A4 birth certificate or certified copy including your parents’ names (Photocopies not accepted).
  • A European Health Insurance Card (obtainable from the Post Office).

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Q22 - Do I need a working visa of some sort?

You will not need a working visa to take up a placement as a stagiaire, since France and the UK are EU Member-States, and EU citizens have the right to work in all EU countries without a visa.

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Q23 - What if I am ill whilst in France?

Part of your monthly allowance will go towards the provision of a carte vitale which in the event of an illness proves you have paid NHS contributions. This will cover up to 75% of your health costs and the remainder will be paid personally. Hence, it is recommended to buy private health insurance for your year abroad.

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Q24 - Where will I be teaching?

If you obtain the assistant placement you will be teaching at Lycée Jeanne d’Arc and Collège Villebois Mareuil in Montaigu. If you obtain one of the stagiaire placements in the primary sector you will be teaching in approximately a third of the 28 primary schools served by the Syndicat Mixte’s English Department, all within the cantons (districts/boroughs) of Montaigu and Rocheservière.

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Q25 - What are the daily travel arrangements for going to and from schools?

Transport arrangements vary from day to day depending on the school you are teaching at. A typical school day may require you to catch the local lycée or collège bus from your village to Montaigu and then be picked up by a teacher who works at the school concerned. Similarly, a teacher or parent at the school will either return you to your host family’s house or to Montaigu where you will catch the bus back home.

For the lycée/collège assistant, arrangements are much easier. If you live in Montaigu you need no transport, and if you’re in one of the villages, you need only take the bus to the collège or lycée each morning and evening, with no further travel. What’s more, the two schools are just a 5-minute walk apart.

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Q26 - What happens in the school holidays? Do I stay in France or come back to England?

There is usually no contractual obligation to stay in France outside the official French term times. On successful completion of the first term, you will receive a complementary return Eurostar ticket for the Christmas holiday. From the second term onwards, you will be permitted to return home for the French holidays at your own expense. Sometimes stagiaires make private arrangements with their host families to stay with them during official holidays.

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Q27 - What’s happens if I’m ill?

All students are fully covered by French Social Security identical to any French national will receive in due course a “Carte Vitale”

carte vitale

In the event of ill health, students are required to :

  • Inform the Head of Department.
  • Inform their schools.
  • Consult the local family doctor who will supply a dated medical certificate
  • Transmit the medical certificate to the head of Department or the Personnel Department.
  • The student will then be appropriately reimbursed, according to French legislation, by French Social Security for any lost allowance

NB: the cost of a visit to a general practioner in France (approx 22 euros advanced by the patient) is reimbursed by 70% by French Social Security.
The remaining amount is reimbursed by the “mutuelle”(complimentary insurance) if the student chooses to subscribe to one.

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Q28 - Will I have to spend time out of office hours to plan future projects and lessons?

Although Fridays will be spent at the office to plan projects and lessons, students are expected to spend time as a team and as an individual doing supplementary work (sometimes on Wednesdays and weekends). The amount of time you spend on this will of course depend on your commitments to the host family and how motivated you are to complete projects to the best of your abilities.
Whether you can do this will be explored at the interview. In all, it will be your and the other team members’ efforts that will make a pantomime, nativity play or sports day a success because you will be organising it. Julie will be there to guide you as a team and individual, but your effort will be the deciding factor in whether you, your pupils and host families get the most out of your gap year.

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Q29 - On what days and for how many hours will I be working?

The primary school stagiaires will be teaching (approximately) 18 hours per week in the schools (six hours each on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays) and each Friday at the office planning future projects and lessons. Primary schools are closed on Wednesdays.

The secondary schools assistant works in the schools Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, but the lessons tend not to be blocked back-to-back continuously like the primary school lessons. However Euro-class lesson planning would need to be fitted in around the lessons. Also a degree of flexibility is reasonably expected, in case a class is moved because the teacher needs your lesson to do something in particular.
 

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Copyright © 2009 Syndicat Mixte Montaigu-Rocheservière
35, avenue Villebois-Mareuil 85607 Montaigu cedex - France
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