France
11 Fulbright/French Government English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length7 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright Commission and the International Agency of the French Ministry of Education, France Education international, offer up to 11 awards for Fulbright English Teaching Assistants to France. These 11 Fulbright ETA awards are part of the general French Government English Teaching Assistantship program, and are enhanced with an additional monthly stipend, Fulbright enrichment programs, and guidance.
One of the 11 awards will be given for the Fulbright/French Government English Teaching-EducationUSA Advising Assistantship. The grantee will be placed in one of the partner high schools located in the Paris suburbs and at the Fulbright Commission's EducationUSA Advising Center. In addition to 12 hours of teaching per week at the high school, the grantee will spend up to 10 hours per week advising French students on studying in the U.S. and participating in EducationUSA outreach activities, which will take the place of an independent research/study project. Applicants are asked to specify the English Teaching-EducationUSA Advising Assistantship in their Abstract, and to describe in the Statement of Grant Purpose why they are interested in this opportunity: for example, experience with or desire to learn more about international education and student exchange. For more information on the EducationUSA Advising Center and its activities, see http://educationusa.state.gov/.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will be from October 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.
Orientation
Grantees will be required to attend a mandatory 2-day in-country orientation in late September, a 1-day check-in in late October, and a 2-day mid-year conference in February (organized by the Fulbright Commission in France).
Candidate Profile
For the 11 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships, applicants at all degree levels will be considered. Candidates with the ability to incorporate extra-curricular activities (e.g., musical, artistic, and/or athletic skills) in their classroom to enhance the intercultural aspects of the program and the students' learning experience should discuss this in their Statement of Grant Purpose. Preference will be given to individuals with career interests in teaching, and those with experience in multicultural settings.
Candidates must also satisfy the eligibility requirements of the French Government Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF).
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Being a Fulbrighter in France is an unforgettable experience! When not engaged in their project, Fulbrighters enjoy the benefits of the French lifestyle: wonderful food, excellent life-work balance, and enthusiasm for lively debate and discussion. We encourage Fulbrighters to travel the country (and discover its many amazing heritage sites, museums, landscapes, and diverse society), and to get involved in community service or other local activities. They are thus able to build strong cross cultural ties between France and the United States.
It is important to note, however, that while the Fulbright Commission is dedicated to assisting Fulbrighters as much as possible to make their transition to France as smooth as possible, Fulbrighters are responsible for securing their own housing and making other administrative arrangements themselves. We recommend that Fulbrighters prepare their stay well ahead of time.
For more information on daily life in France, see https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/daily-life.
Quotes from ETA alumni:
"During my Fulbright France experience, I learned more about myself and my strengths. I grew in both self-confidence and independence. This year reminded me that I am a global citizen with the ability to encourage positive change wherever I am in the world."
"My Fulbright experience brought closure to my canceled study abroad experience in college through allowing me to return to France in a more immersive and transformative manner. My experience has given me the confidence and ability to teach and work in French in a professional setting which will help me in graduate school next year and as a future historian of French history. I will never forget the experiences I had, the conversations I had with teachers and students, and the friends I made during my Fulbright experience in the best year of my life so far."
"To experience a year of life in France with the support and community of the Fulbright program was a privilege for which I will be forever grateful. My work as an ETA in a French high school was deeply meaningful and eye-opening, punctuated by laughter and by questions both silly and serious. I will never forget all that I learned from my students this year, and I hope they can say the same."
Eligibility
9 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
The French Government Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) is administered by the French Ministry of Education and its international agency, France Education international, in coordination with the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. In addition to the Fulbright application, candidates for the ETA program must also apply for the French government's TAPIF program through the French Embassy.
To submit a separate TAPIF application, please visit the following website:
Website: https://tapif.org/
TAPIF Application Deadline: January 15th
Contact: Celina Jaffe, celina.jaffe@frenchculture.org
For further information: http://frenchhighereducation.org/teaching-assistant-program
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: French language proficiency is required. In the Fulbright online application, applicants should include the Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a professional language instructor in relation to their language proficiency.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
Grantees are placed in high schools or middle schools in priority education areas, which are defined in terms of socioeconomic backgrounds (underprivileged populations). The schools in these areas qualify for special support, particularly in terms of equipment, i.e., computers, resource centers, sports facilities, etc. Students typically come from multicultural backgrounds and face personal and academic challenges. The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) program aims to provide these populations with an opportunity to have direct contact with native English-speakers.
Grantees will be placed as assistant teachers in English classes at French high schools or middle schools that have been carefully chosen by the Fulbright Commission. Teaching assistants will be involved with assisting teachers in the fields of English language studies, history, geography, and American studies. ETA duties will be approximately 12 hours per week. Grantees will work with teachers in providing guidance on vocabulary and conversation practice linked to their track of studies.
For a detailed description of an ETA assignment, please consult the France Education International Website.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
Placements are in various regional cities, as well as the suburbs of Paris.
Supplementary Project
Grantees are encouraged to engage in community service and/or research projects in addition to their 12 weekly teaching hours. You may add a few lines about a possible supplementary project under "Host Country Engagement" (if community service) or the "Statement of Grant Purpose" (for school-related activities or research projects). Prior projects include:
- volunteering with local NGOs working with refugees
- coaching the high school debate club
- researching and comparing best practices in special education
- initiating an urban garden project at the host school
- hosting a podcast series in English with students
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
The monthly stipend depends on the grant location.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
All Fulbrighters receive 1200 Euros as a travel allowance.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
ETAs participate in orientation and mid-year meeting, and two additional events: a special ETA orientation, and an enrichment seminar/check-in during the fall school vacation.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
- Studio/student/shared accommodation costs about 350-850 Euros per month, depending on location. Some host schools may provide on-campus housing.
- ETAs enroll in the French national healthcare system, which provides inexpensive and excellent care.
- Major cities offer public transportation passes at reduced rates for students/youth.
- Expect a monthly food budget of at least 200 Euros.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
ETAs are responsible for finding their own housing. For more information on finding housing in France, see the American Assistant Handbook and the Guide de l'assistant de langue en France.