How I (think) I got a Teaching Job in France
This is basically my entire “International Relations” resumé formed as an article.
Teaching Assistant Program in France - TAPIF
Before getting into the analytics to the various reasons on how I think I got into this program, I want to note it’s own qualifications of hiring. This program was recommended to me by my French 5 professor when I studied abroad in Paris in 2019. As I grew to fall in love with the country at that time, there was no hesitation for me to pursue it. In my opinion, there are 3 requirements you need to allow you get accepted, otherwise it’ll truly difficult to get in.
French language level MUST be at least intermediate - You will be required to do a personal statement all in French, and they strongly advise you not to get help from anyone else. Also, after being accepted, half of the emails sent to you regarding important information are all in French. Thus, making you have to at least understand conversational French in reading and writing.
Have connections with 2 French professors - The easiest option to have, or else you would have to pay a hefty amount of money to take a test that won’t guarantee you into the program. For my application, I asked two professors I met in France to give me a letters of recommendation. Thankfully, I did well in both of their classes so it was not truly a problem.
Have a previous experience either in education or childcare - A lot of the questions in the application mentions previous work with children. This is not as big requirement like the first two, but I feel that it can be a great advantage and a huge plus on your application.
Despite on having these very niche requirements, there is only a 50% chance of getting accepted to the program, and even so the regions you are placed are basically at random which puts you at risk on living in an area that is not suitable to your lifestyle tastes.
Reasons that I got Accepted (in my opinion)
1.I studied French for a total of 8 years (give or take) - In high school, I first regretted choosing French as my foreign language. I felt that it was useless to use considering I lived in Southern California where Spanish would have been a more helpful route. Having to again take a foreign language in college, I continued with French because I would be placed in a higher level allowing me to be able to skip some classes so save time on my college credit requirements. However, this was the time where I truly loved the French language, the better I got and the more I understood, the more fun it was for me to learn. This was also the time where I wanted to study abroad, and my choices were either Japan (for political learning purpose) or France (for language development purpose.) I ended up doing both a year apart from each other, but going to France my senior year of college was one of the best decisions I ever made.
2. I interned as an English as a Second Language Teacher in Japan - I did not expect to do some work while studying in Japan in 2018. However, I was laid the opportunities to teach lessons to fellow Japanese students at the University. I only had classes 3 times a week with 1 - 3 hours a day, so I took this opportunity for a cultural learning experience AND something to do in my free time. And oh boy, this accidental internship got me far. I loved the students, loved tutoring, loved teaching lessons, and loved seeing my students actually improve throughout the year (Giving major thanks to Professor Yutaka of MGU for being the sweetest professor to shadow - honestly the nicest lady I have ever met in my life) It furthered my dream to teach abroad after college. Little did I know that this sole experience would provide me an advantage in program application.
3. I lived in multiple countries - For some reason, the application asks for specific dates of the countries you have lived in, and a short explanation of why and your experience in that country. I was born in the Philippines and lived there until I was 4, grew up in the Untied States, studied in Japan for a little over 5 months, and studied in France as well. I feel like having experience living in another country shows them how adaptable you are in your environments, or if you can handle living in a new country other than your home. I have read stories of accepted assistants leaving after a few months in France because they could not handle living in their environment. I do not think this is a make it or break it requirement for TAPIF, but does help on the application.
With my students after my last lesson in Meiji Gakuin University
With my Paris roommates at the end of our program :)
4. I lived in Paris - Again, not a make it or break it requirement. But I do feel this gave me some pointers, mostly because it gives them the idea that I am already familiar with the French culture and that I would not need a lot of explaining to do. Granted these are based on assumptions. In addition, for the application you need two French speaking and French professors. So living in Paris helped me gain important connections (as you should everywhere you go because you don’t know what will happen, in my case — apply for a teaching job in France)
5. I wanted this so bad - If you have known me personally for a long time. Then you know that it has always been a dream of mine to teach abroad after college since I was 14. This program specifically embodied my dream job, dream life, and dream country. It was everything I always wanted, and I felt that it may have showed in my personal statement and the rest of my application. As this goes with anything in life, being extremely passionate and confident with what you want, it will come to you.
Considering these 5 reasons, I want to emphasize that this is my opinion on to why I got my job. Going through the same steps that I took may not guarantee you an acceptance. I have met people who only learned French in high school get in, and read stories on people who majored in French in college not getting in. The person reading my application may have not read my personal statement and accepted me for my credentials or vice versa. I really don’t know how people accept or reject applicants, but I can tell you that these 5 reasons truly provided me an upper hand into getting into this program.