Applying to be Assistante d'Anglais

Once I decided that I was definitely interested in going to France as an English language assistant, but still while I was thinking it wouldn't happen, I obsessively checked the French Embassy site for the 2009-2010 application. I am ashamedly addicted to checking email and Facebook, but thinking about the assistantship application was something different. I didn't check for it because I was bored. I would be working in my new storage-supply-closet-turned-office, trying to focus on improving the volunteer program through capacity building and organization, when a familiar-sounding voice would whisper. "France. You could be going to France."

Strangely, I don't remember the day that it was up. But it was in November, leaving less than one month to make the first deadline, December 1. I wasted no time.

I realize that my readership is at about 2 at the moment, but my hope is that my experience with applying can be helpful to others. The following is in no way official information, but my personal notes and timeline.

Overview of the application process*

Online Application Form. This includes basic information, teaching experience, time spent in France, and reasons for wanting to be an assistant. In French! This is also where you select your geographical and type of contract preferences. This is just the beginning. This has to be printed and mailed, with the following, in a super-meticulous order.

Medical Form. Requires a physical and a form to be signed stating that you are healthy enough to teach for 12 hours per week.

Dependant Waiver. Since my husband is going with me, I had to sign this saying that I understand that the assistant stipend is not sufficient to support more than one person. Applicants planning to take children must also sign this.

Two forms of recommendation. Luckily, I had two French professors who know me and my French language abilities well (Note: unlike many other teaching abroad programs for which you don't have to speak the host country's language, you are required to know at least some French).

Passport photos. Like every other type of application in France, and perhaps Europe, this requires 2 passport-style photos.

Easy things. Transcripts and copies of passport.

Proof of housing. If you already have housing in France with family or such, you can submit a utility bill as proof and you may be more likely placed in the académie of your choice. No guarantees. If you plan to study too, you can submit proof of enrollment. Problem: the application is due in the winter, and most universities and study abroad programs don't accept applications that early, much less review them. Riddle me that. Once we decided on Paris, I made copies of Tom's study abroad application and wrote "mon mari va étudier à Paris" in large print and highlighted at the top. Just between us, he had not actually submitted the study abroad program yet, nor did this turn out to the the school he chose. Mais qu'est-ce qu'on peut faire?

Waiting

After submitting the online application, I got a number (I was around the 300th person to apply), but nothing more. No emails or letters. No confirmation letter once my documents reached Washington. Just waiting and a great exercise is learning to be patient. There are about 1500 positions for American English assistants in France, and probably thousands of applicants. There's only one contact person in Washington for questions about the application process. That ratio isn't good for either side.

The Assistants in France forums saved me from insanity during this waiting period. Ok, that may be a tad dramatic. Honestly, though, the forums allowed me to share my frustrations and excitement with other hopefuls, and to ask the experts (current and past assistants) my many many questions.

The waiting lasted a grueling four months.

Getting the news, bit by bit

"Dear Future Teaching Assistant," so began the much awaited email that looked so beautiful on that April afternoon. "Congratulations! We are very pleased to inform you of your acceptance into the French Teaching Assistantship Program for the 2009-2010 academic year, sponsored by the French Ministry of Education. You have been placed in the Académie of Créteil."

I was, of course, at work when I got the email. It was the end of the day and my VISTA friends were gone. I tried to call Tom, who has a habit of being in class when I need to talk to him. I called my friend Heather. Then I told Teresa, the Administrative Assistant for Emergency Services at the Red Cross, who had no idea what I was talking about. But I couldn't stop telling people.

Créteil is in the Paris region, but it's a big académie, so I was worried that my schools would be too far away from Paris to be able to live in the city. The first email only gives you the name of the académie, and not information about the type or length of contract, or the names of your schools.

Two months later, in June, I received an email from the Académie of Créteil stating that my placement was in Maisons-Alfort and would be for primaire (elementary schools). Good news again! Maisons-Alfort is not in Paris, but it is on a metro line. So, commuting might take longer than I'd like, but it won't involve a car! This email also gave me the name and email address of my tuteur, or contact person.

Later in June I received the prized arrêté de nomination (certificate of appointment). I found out that my contract was for 7 (and not 9) months. After a few emails to my tuteur, I still do not know the names of my schools, or even how many I will have. I could have up to three schools.

This has been one crazy adventure already, and it's been mostly paperwork!

*For more information about applying to the program, I highly recommend visiting Jennie's Assistants Guide. Jennie has done an amazing job of summarizing the program, the application process, and much more. There's no need for me to duplicate the work, right?