An assistant is a teacher, a collegue, and a cultural ambassador all at the same time. Our job is to teach english to students who are anywhere from 7 to 85. We can do everything from take a small group of students to practice conversation skills to teaching children how to sing "Old MacDonald". At the same time, we are a collegue. We are an invaluable tool for the other teachers in our schools. We might record an article for an english teacher or give a lecture to economics students on the industries in our country. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we are cultural ambassadors. We represent where we come from by how we dress, our mannerisms, and our personalities. This influence spreads to the communities we are placed in as well.
The "assistants-étrangers" program was organized by the french government and the Centre International d'Etudes Pédagogiques. Every year, thousands of assistants from english-speaking, spanish-speaking, and german-speaking countries(among others) come to France to teach in a lycée, collège, école primaire, or an adult center. We teach 12 hours per week from October to April. We are paid monthly by the french government and are covered by the Social Security system.
How do I become an assistant?
The following is a quote from Louise Watts, from the Bureau des Assistants in the CIEP: "British candidates must apply through their universities in the autumn before they wish to start. If they are not enrolled in a university, they should contact the Central Bureau at:
Central Bureau
10 Spring Gardens
London SW1A 2BN
Telephone: 020 7389 4594
American, Canadian, and Irish candidates should also contact their universities directly. For assistants who are already working and wish to renew their contract they should contact the rectorat of the Académie where they are working and ask for the form 'demande de renouvellement'. This should be sent to our office at the CIEP before (the) 30th (of) March."
You should also know the following: To be considered eligible, you have to at least have an intermediate level of french. Depending on where you live, there can be other criteria, such as passing a physical, before being considered. You can only be an assistant if you are between the ages of 18 and 30.