Pros and Cons of a Career as a French Language Teacher
French language teachers instruct on a variety of topics, from the building blocks of grammar and vocabulary to the intricacies of French poetry. The following table describes some of the pros and cons with this job.
| Pros of a Career Teaching French Language |
|---|
| Wide variety of job possibilities* |
| Good job growth expected for elementary and middle school teachers (12%), as well as postsecondary teachers (19%) from 2012-2022* |
| Tenure offered for some positions* |
| Possibilities for travel** |
| Cons of a Career Teaching French Language |
|---|
| Lengthy education requirements for some positions (6+ years)* |
| Continuing education requirements* |
| Low job growth opportunities for high school teachers (6% through 2022)* |
| Long hours for many positions* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Job postings from April 2012.
Career Information
Job Duties and Descriptions
The duties may vary, depending on the grade level you teach. Effective teaching requires explaining concepts clearly and structuring lessons with practice exercises to meet the needs of your students. Teachers are responsible for assessing student progress, which may involve preparing reports for parents and school administrators. This work often requires hours of preparation and follow up. You may also be involved in cultural exercises, French clubs and trips to French-speaking countries that provide enrichment opportunities for your students.
Skills
As a teacher, you will need to be creative and find ways to engage your students. You will need to have good motivational, communicative and organizational skills. Besides your students, you will often interact with parents and school administrators. You must also be committed to your students' growth and able to handle the stresses of a classroom.
Salary and Job Prospects Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2014 that teachers earned median salaries of $54,000 at the elementary and middle school levels and $56,000 at the high school level, while college professors earned about $62,000 (www.bls.gov). The BLS projected job growth of 12% from 2012-2022 for teachers at the elementary and middle school levels, which was about average for all occupations. Postsecondary teachers were projected to see job growth of 19% over the same period, which was faster than the average. However, high school teachers face a more difficult job market with just a projected six percent increase in jobs.
What Are the Requirements?
Education
You will need a bachelor's degree if you want teach elementary, middle or secondary school. Most universities offer teacher education programs, which typically take four years to complete and involve coursework in educational psychology, teaching methods and special education. To specialize in French, you will also complete intensive courses in French grammar, literature and history. Many future French teachers take advantage of the opportunity to spend time in a French speaking country through study abroad programs.
Master's degrees are preferred by some secondary schools and are generally necessary for you to teach for community colleges. If you have earned a bachelor's degree in French, you may earn a Master of Education. If you would like to become a French professor, you'll need to earn a doctorate, which involves roughly 3-4 years of courses, followed by a couple of years researching and writing your dissertation.
Certification
The BLS reports that all states have licensing requirements that teachers in public schools must meet. While the standards vary by state, common requirements include a bachelor's degree with student teaching experience, as well as passing a subject and basic skills test. Continuing education is often required to maintain eligibility. If you teach in a private school, licensing may not be required.
What Do Employers Look for?
Employers looking to hire French teachers typically require an ability to motivate and communicate with students, as well as a passion for learning and discovery. In April 2012, the following job postings were listed:
- A Massachusetts private school advertised for a full-time high school French teacher. The candidate would be responsible for teaching six levels of French classes, from French I through AP French.
- A community college in North Carolina sought an adjunct French instructor to teach part time. A master's degree with 18 graduate hours in French was required and teaching experience was preferred.
- A Brooklyn public school posted an opening for a French bilingual second grade teacher. The candidate would work alongside an English teacher with a mixed group of French language learners and native French speakers. Experience living in a Francophone country, fluency in French and knowledge of second language acquisition was required.
- An Internet-based private educator advertised for a French teacher to teach grades 9-12. A bachelor's degree, flexible schedule and proficiency in MS Excel, Word and Outlook were required. The ability to travel and visit students every month was also required.
How to Stand out in the Field
Add Another Language
Most schools offer Spanish along with French, and the ability to teach both would be very attractive to employers. The languages are similar structurally, and Spanish is more widely spoken in the U.S. than French, so you might want to look at adding it to your skill set.
Join an Organization
Joining organizations such as the Alliance Française or the American Association of Teachers of French will allow you to keep up to date with developments in the world of French culture and instruction. Both groups offer conferences and job boards and postings. Belonging to groups such as these can demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and a love of your subject.
Alternate Careers
Translator
If teaching doesn't really appeal to you, but translating or interpreting does, a career as a translator might be a good possibility for you. According to the BLS, in 2011 translators earned median salaries of $44,000. Job prospects were expected to be excellent, with a 42% job growth projected from 2010-2020. Interpreters and translators are used by a wide variety of industries, and you'll need a bachelor's degree and native fluency in another language.
Tutor
If you would prefer to work one-on-one with students, rather than in a classroom setting, you might look into tutoring. Language tutors work with a variety of students, helping them keep up with coursework or prepare for tests. In this type of work, you may be running your own business, so you'll need to advertise, schedule students, collect payments and keep track of records. According to Payscale.com, the earnings of tutors range significantly depending on factors like experience-level.
ESL Teacher
English as a second language (ESL) teachers are in demand both at home and abroad, and if you want to travel, this career may open up opportunities for you. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) programs are widely available through undergraduate and graduate programs. The BLS indicates that licensing and certification requirements may vary by state or employer.
