French is the national language of France and is a global language. There are over 77 million native French speakers all over the world, and this number is growing day by day. So what about this language makes it so popular among people all around the world? In addition to serving as one of the national languages in 29 nations, French is also the official language for over 30 international organisations. With such extensive use, it comes as no surprise that French is a global language, and it is a language that many people learn to not only enrich themselves with French culture but also to give them a career edge in the job market today.
Usually, when a person decides to learn a new language, a lot of factors come into play. Some are just in love with a specific language they choose to learn, while others do it because they have a particular reason, such as career advancement, employability and even the prospect of moving to a French-speaking nation. There are many reasons why a person learns French. In this article, we will look at how and where you can teach French. This is a helpful article for those who have learnt the language and those who are planning to take up this language.
Teaching French as a Second Language
As we have explained, French is a significant language and is used extensively all over the world. If you are passionate about teaching and sharing your knowledge of French, you are a perfect candidate for teaching French as a foreign language. Since French is the only language other than English that is spoken on all five continents, this language is highly in demand.
How do you teach French as a foreign language? There are many factors to consider if you plan to teach French as a foreign language.
Age Group
The first thing you must consider is the age group you are planning to teach. Different age groups require teachers to possess varying levels of knowledge, qualifications, and experience.
Effective Teacher
Another aspect to consider but more often than not overlooked is the qualities of an effective teacher. Everyone has the ability to learn, but not all of us are gifted to teach. Although teaching is a skill that can be learned, it requires a lot of patience and empathy.
As a French teacher, it's important to get what your students are going through. Learning a new language can be tough, and there are definitely going to be times when they feel lost or frustrated. They might have a hard time with grammar, pronunciation, and even understanding the culture. Therefore, creating a friendly space where they feel safe to make mistakes and ask questions is key. Understanding these struggles will help you tailor your teaching methods to meet their needs better and foster a more engaging and effective learning experience.
Identify the Best Teaching Method
As you might already know, there are many types of teaching methods. Each teacher has varying teaching methods, but when it comes to teaching languages, some methods are better than those needed to teach mathematics, for example. One of the most recommended methods for teaching French is the communicative method, and there is a valid reason for this. Explore different methods to find one that works best for you and your students.
Exploring Teaching Opportunities for French Abroad
If you have skills in the French language but are looking to move out of Singapore, you should consider teaching French abroad. As you already know, French is one of the two languages spoken on all five continents all over the world. More often than not, when people think of teaching French abroad, they only think of France and Canada.
However, did you know there is a demand for French teachers in countries like the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Malaysia and many others? There is a high demand for French teachers all over the world, so why not take the opportunity to try these out? One of the best things about teaching French abroad is learning and experiencing new cultures and countries. Just like the students there who would like to immerse themselves in the French language and culture, you also get the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, language and people from these countries.
Ways to Teach French Abroad
If you are qualified in French and possess the necessary skills and credentials, you can choose to teach French abroad. Many countries are in search of French tutors and teachers, and you can find opportunities to teach French as a second language on every continent. So, what exactly do you need to teach French overseas?
Have a Plan
Deciding to teach abroad is a significant step. Many countries require teachers, but thorough research is essential. One important factor to consider when planning to teach French in another country is the minimum wage laws. Each country has different regulations regarding minimum wage, so it’s important to research this information. Furthermore, look into the cost of living in that country. Understanding these aspects will not only help you succeed in your teaching career but also ensure your comfort and safety.
Qualification/Certification
Having the necessary qualifications is crucial when teaching French abroad. Since different countries have varying requirements, please make sure to do a thorough research. Numerous programs are available, and with the right qualifications, you’ll unlock many career opportunities.
Study Abroad and Get Your Qualification
If you are pursuing your degree, you can take the opportunity to offer French lessons to kids in the country where you are studying. Before you jump into this, please ensure you have the requirements stated in the laws of the country you are studying in. Another good option for those studying abroad is to get a French language assistant position in the university you are joining if they have programs available for the French language. This will be a valuable exposure that can certainly set you on your path to teaching French abroad.
Teaching French abroad has numerous advantages. Before moving to a new country, make sure you have all the necessary documents to work.
Teaching French as a Freelance Teacher
Out of all the options provided in this article, one of the best and most flexible is teaching French as an independent teacher. There are many ways to become an effective independent French teacher. You can always advertise your French lessons online via Facebook and such, but there are also options to join a well-established tutoring community such as Superprof.
One thing that you should know before opting to be an independent French teacher is that it requires a lot of dedication and effort.
Lesson Plan
Unlike teachers tied to an existing organisation, an independent teacher is just as stated - independent. Although there are many benefits to being an independent teacher, one significant aspect is still different from other teachers - lesson plans. Nearly all organisations that provide lessons to students have clear and established lesson plans for their teachers. This is something that will not be available to you. This might sound worrisome, but don’t be!
There are many resources out there that you can use as an independent teacher. Do your research and have a solid plan. Don’t forget that the best part about being an independent teacher is flexibility, so always tweak your lesson plans according to the student you are teaching.
Effective Teaching Methodology
There are many teaching methods for languages, including French. A communicative teaching approach is one of the most successful methods for teaching a language such as French. As an independent teacher, you should study and apply this approach to your classroom. Properly executing this approach will make you a more effective and efficient teacher to your students.
Flexibility
As we have mentioned time and time again, one of the main plus points when it comes to being an independent teacher. You not only have the flexibility to come up with your own lessons in French, but you also get to decide on your hours. As an independent teacher, you do your own class scheduling instead of having a fixed schedule. This flexibility not only benefits you but also students who are looking for the best way to learn French.
If you have the qualifications, skills and expertise in French and would like to be your own boss, you should consider joining Superprof as a French personal tutor. Superprof is an online platform that connects students with tutors from all over the world for a variety of subject matter. One of the best things about Superprof is that we give our tutors the flexibility they need while also taking into account the student’s needs and requirements.
As a tutor, you have the ability to choose your students and the flexibility to plan your French classes. Some students may prioritise how to learn French fast, while others might want to take their time. We always encourage our tutors to discuss their expectations and goals with students. This gives our tutors precious insight as to what the students want in their French lessons. This arrangement benefits both the tutor and the students.
Being a teacher and tutor is an empowering and fulfilling role. If you would like to offer French lessons in Singapore, sign up with us and become a private tutor on Superprof!
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