Call for Applications: The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF)

Call for Applications: The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF)

From now until February 28, 2025, apply for the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), one of Villa Albertine's longest running and most sought-after programs.

Since 1945, the TAPIF program has been at the heart of France’s cultural diplomacy mission in the United States, offering Americans the opportunity to teach English in France. Each year, 1,300 teaching assistant positions in French public schools are allocated to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The Language Assistant Program in France recruits approximately 4,500 assistants annually from 68 countries to teach around 15 languages in the French public school system.

TAPIF is a major initiative led by the French Ministry of Education, France Éducation International, and Villa Albertine, The French Institute for Culture and Education. The program has three main objectives:

  1. Strengthen English language instruction in French schools by integrating native speakers.
  2. Provide American Francophiles with a rewarding teaching experience and immersive exposure to French language and culture.
  3. Encourage students to pursue careers in fields where they can utilize their French language skills.

Program Details

The TAPIF program offers U.S. citizens and permanent residents with an intermediate level of French, the chance to work as teaching assistants in France for seven months (October 1 to April 30). Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are open until February 28 here.

Program Benefits

In addition to salary and health insurance provided to teaching assistants in France, TAPIF alumni have access to significant scholarship opportunities. There are 15 TAPIF Alumni scholarships available at prestigious U.S. universities, including Boston College, Columbia University, the CUNY Graduate Center, Middlebury, and New York University. Additionally, there are 6 TAPIF Alumni scholarships available at French institutions. These scholarships cover between one-third and the full cost of tuition, and some include paid teaching assistantships.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must meet all the following conditions:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid passport through the end of the contract in France.
  • Be aged 20-35
  • Have completed at least three years of higher education.
  • Be a native English speaker with intermediate proficiency in French (B1 level on the CEFR scale).
  • Accepted applicants may participate in the program up to three times.

Job Duties

To be eligible, applicants must meet all the following conditions:

  • Assist English teachers for up to 12 hours per week in a maximum of three schools.
  • Lead all or part of a class in English.
  • Facilitate discussions in English.
  • Organize small group tutoring sessions.
  • Deliver presentations related to American studies.
  • The contract runs from October 1 to April 30.

Selection Criteria

  1. French Proficiency

Strong language skills are essential for working in the French school system and integrating into the community. Applicants must provide:

  • A 500-word personal statement.
  • Official university transcripts and/or scores from recognized French language tests (TCF, TEF, DELF, or DALF).
  • Two recommendation letters: one addressing language proficiency and the other a general professional reference.
  1. Interest in Education
  • Previous experience teaching or working with children, teenagers, or young adults (e.g., tutoring, babysitting, camp counseling) is a plus but not required.
  • Applicants should demonstrate an interest in education and a willingness to explore a career in this field, if applicable.
  1. Skills for Promoting Cultural Understanding
  • Experience living, working, or traveling abroad, or working with international communities (e.g., teaching ESL, volunteering at a university international center) is an asset. This highlights an appreciation for other cultures and the ability to adapt to life abroad. However, TAPIF recognizes that this may be the first opportunity for many participants to travel or live abroad.

Applications can be submitted here through tapif.org. Full instructions for applying are available here: Application Instructions.

Additional information about living conditions during the program is available on this page: TAPIF Living Conditions.

Application Deadline :

From October 15th 2024 to February 28th 2025.

Opportunities After TAPIF

  1. TAPIF Alumni Network

With over 30,000 alumni in the U.S. alone, TAPIF provides an impressive network of Francophones, Francophiles, and international professionals.

  1. U.S.-Based Graduate Scholarships

TAPIF alumni have access to unique scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate studies in the U.S. See the full list here: Graduate Scholarships.

  1. France-Based Graduate Scholarships

TAPIF alumni can also apply for scholarships for graduate programs in France in fields such as business, international development, fashion, gastronomy, hospitality management, and education.

  • Through the Join a School in France program by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, alumni can apply to several master’s programs, most of which are taught in English.
  • Additionally, the The Graduate Scholars in France program by the French Embassy offers further scholarships and training opportunities.

More information about alumni opportunities is available here: TAPIF Alumni Opportunities.

Learn More

Visit tapif.org for more details about the program.