To think I can work in France as a single mother?

[OuiNonOui]

I'm half way through my degree and will be applying to work abroad in France next year.

Thing is, is that I have a nearly 2 year old DD and I'm a single mum.

I don't have an income besides student finance, but I've always wanted to work in France. I love the culture and the language. I think it would be the perfect opportunity for me to finally become fluent after many years of studying the language.

Am I being too unrealistic?

I think money would be my biggest issue here as I not sure I would make enough from my job to pay for childcare. But I'm dying to live and work in France.

Lairy

I don't need a TEFL qualification. Everything like that will be sorted by the placement scheme.

How will the placement scheme sort out that you aren't qualified to teach english?

Do it! France is a great place to live.

you generally can't claim any benefits unless you are habitually resident

This isn't true. Students can claim CAF (Caisses d'Allocations Familiales) to help with housing costs. I got about €150 a month, towards my €670 rent. Is the scheme through Erasmus? If so, they should give you a grant too.

Lairy that's not true re benefits -I was an Erasmus (university exchange) student in France for a year and got housing benefit.

I dont know what you want me to say Lairy.

Students have been doing these placements for years without needing a TEFL qualification.

HotChoc

Yes its through Erasmus.

I just find it bizarre and a bit depressing. I'm a trained TEFL teacher with a decade of experience. It's surprising and depressing to hear that completely unqualified students are being used as foreign language teachers.
Not your problem though. Best of luck with it if you do go ahead.

I taught English in France for 5 years. Apart from having an English degree (which wasn't relevant) and being English, I had no qualifications to teach. There is a huge demand for English teachers in France especially for businesses.

Presumably op is going to be an assistante in a lycée. No tefl needed and tons of free time to do other stuff, and no need for full time childcare. Win win.

Erm OK Lairy. I dont get why you even responded to this thread.

I will be an assistant, I should have made that clear from the outset.

I hope you get to do it OP. I was an assistant I Germany, my OH Jon France. We both loved it! You might even be able to get a school that will condense hours into fewer days

I do hope you manage to get to France OP. It will be amazing for you.
I only wished I had done something like this years ago...too late for me as I am retired through ill health but it really makes me so excited when people follow their dreams.

Good Luck to you and your daughter

vlobby & butterfly

Thanks

I'm a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher and I know some great teachers who don't have quals. If you're bright, organised, know a bit about languages and good at getting on with whatever type of person you're teaching (children/adults/whatever) those all count for as much as a qual IMO. You can learn how to teach on the job. And let's face it, most French kids are learning English from French teachers without so much as getting near a native speaker their whole school/uni career. Throwing native speakers into the mix for them is important IMO.