La Prochaine Étape: TAPIF

Nothing compares to total immersion in France for improving your French skills and experiencing day-to-day life from a French perspective. Maybe you have never been to France, but living there sits atop your list of life goals. Or, perhaps you had the opportunity to study abroad, and you’re ready to jump at the opportunity to return. Either way, the Teaching Assistant Program in France, or TAPIF, is an excellent and attainable way to live and work in France.

While I fully recognize it is a bit cliché to say this, the honest truth is that my time as a teaching assistant in France genuinely was a life-changing experience. It provided me an immersive experience in French culture and society that profoundly affected my relationship with the French language and people. I progressed my spoken French in under a year as much as I did in four years of university studies (note: my undergraduate studies certainly laid the groundwork for this to happen). I made meaningful friendships with French people that truly brought the language alive. Professionally, I discovered a joy for education, which kick-started the cultivation of a passion for international education. In short, whether or not you desire to work in education in the long run, it's an experience I highly recommend if you want to continue your French education after you finish your studies at OSU, and earn professional experience while you’re at it.

So, without further ado…

What is TAPIF?

The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) is a program for U.S. citizens to live in France and teach English.

If you are not a US citizen but are interested in teaching as an English teaching assistant (or as an assistant of another world language), please visit this page to see if your country partners with Programme d'échange d'assistants de langue vivante, a program of France Éducation international.

More specifically, teaching assistants work in the French public school system for 7 months — from October 1st through April 30th. They work at the primary and secondary school levels (ages 8-11 and 11-18, respectively), and are assigned 12 hours of teaching per week in up to 3 schools.

Teaching assistants are placed in all regions of France, as well as the overseas departments of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion. Although applicants are not allowed to specifically choose where they will teach, they are allowed to select three preferred regions to teach in. If accepted into the program, will be notified about their Académie (school district) placement.

Regions and Departments of France

Sounds interesting, but why this program?

The goal of TAPIF is two-fold.

First, the program aims to enhance English-language instruction in French schools by offering students the opportunity to engage with native English speakers and benefit from the language and cultural exchange. Assistants play an active role in the classroom. They teach in English and may be responsible for conducting some or all parts of class depending on the needs and expectations of the school.

Second, assistants are provided an excellent opportunity to gain professional teaching experience while simultaneously offering American Francophiles an immersive learning experience by living in France or one of its overseas departments!

But wait, am I eligible?

Wondering if you are the right fit to teach through TAPIF? If you check off all the boxes in the following list, you’ll be a great candidate:

Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen or permanent resident (foreign nationals with a U.S. green card can apply if they are a citizen of one of the following countries).

(Again, please visit this page to see if your country partners with Programme d'échange d'assistants de langue vivante)

Age: Applicants must be between 20 and 35 years old on the start date of their job.

Education: Applicants are required to have completed at least 3 years of education at a higher education institution. Years completed at community college count towards this stipulation.

English Language/Background: Applicants must be native English speakers, and have completed the majority of their elementary, secondary, and post-secondary (university/collegiate) education in the United States.

French Language Skills: A minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages is required. As such, French majors and minors are encouraged to apply. Also, personal statement written in French, as well as letters of recommendation which speak to an applicant’s French competencies, personal attitude, and work ethic are required.

Desired Qualities: Above all, the TAPIF program wants applicants who demonstrate at least an interest in the field of education. Past experience teaching or working with children is helpful but not necessary. Also, the ability to promote cross-cultural understanding between French and American cultures is sought after. Prior experience living, studying, working, and/or traveling abroad is useful – but not necessary – for demonstrating this competency.

Alright, I’m in! Where can I learn more?

If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity, head on over to TAPIF’s website to get all of the details on the program and the application process. Although the deadline for 2020-2021 applicants has passed, applications for 2021-2022 will be open from mid-October 2020 through mid-January 2021.

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If you also have questions about what it’s like to live and/or teach in France, don’t hesitate to ask as I’m happy to respond with answers from my personal experience!

Do you plan to move to France or elsewhere in the francophone speaking world after graduation? If you do, we’d love to hear about it in the comments down below!