what is a French teacher?
As a French teacher, you help your students develop an interest in the French culture and language. You work in educational settings that offer French lessons, including primary and secondary schools. You can also work at college and university levels. In primary and secondary school, your French lessons follow a set curriculum recommended by the Australian government. Since you teach French as a foreign language, you instruct students in English, help them build their French vocabulary, and teach students to read and write the language until they become fluent.
Like other teachers, you prepare lesson plans and learning materials to help you teach the language. If you plan any course activities, they should be within the curriculum and promote learning French. In the beginning, your students barely understand the language, but some students can easily pick up languages, so it’s important to differentiate activities in order to cater for students of various levels.
If you want to become a French teacher, focus on learning the language and becoming a fluent speaker. You don’t need to be a native speaker, but you should know the culture and get the relevant qualifications to work as a French teacher in Australia.
view rolesaverage French teacher salary
The average remuneration package for a French teacher in Australia is $92,500 per year. Your earnings fluctuate based on experience and educational qualifications. When you are new to the role, you start with a salary of $84,500 per year. The remuneration increases with experience, with the highest-paid French teachers taking home over $102,500 per year.
what factors affect the salary of a French teacher?
As a French teacher, your earnings depend on the school you work for. For instance, when you work in a private school, you are likely to earn more compared to public schools. Private schools often have more resources and are willing to pay more for your expertise.
Teaching French in primary schools typically attracts a lower salary than teaching secondary schools. The advanced curriculum in secondary school requires additional experience and qualifications. For instance, you can teach primary schools without sitting for the DELF-DALF exams. However, passing the exams shows your language ability, which helps you when negotiating a higher salary.
The location also influences your earnings as a French teacher. When you work in large metro areas, the demand for French teachers increases the remuneration. In smaller cities with a low demand for the role, you earn a lower salary.
Want to know what you will earn as a French teacher? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of French teachers
As a French teacher, you specialise in teaching students of different ages. If you are a primary school French teacher, you teach French to students in primary school and follow the recommended curriculum. You work with children from pre-school to primary school ages to help them learn French. At this stage, your students don't understand French, and you will likely provide instructions in English to help them learn basic vocabulary.
Most students who take French in primary school are likely to continue learning French in secondary school. While they may read and speak French, they are not yet fluent in the language. Your job is to help them improve their comprehension and writing skills to fluency level.
working as a French teacher
Working as a French teacher involves teaching the French language and culture. Here are some of the duties, responsibilities, and work environments of the role.
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French teacher job description
Some of the duties and responsibilities of a French teacher include:
- preparing lesson plans: as a French teacher, you rely on the curriculum to determine how to teach the French language. You prepare the objectives and lesson plans based on the curriculum objectives. Your lesson plan shows what you intend to teach a particular class to improve their understanding of French. Aside from preparing lesson plans, you develop the French teaching strategies for the class to improve their vocabulary and comprehension.
- developing teaching materials and teaching aids: as a French teacher, you organise interactive teaching sessions to improve interest in the language. Hence, you should prepare teaching materials to help you teach. The teaching materials could be charts or displays showing French vocabulary.
- teaching French: your primary responsibility is to help students understand the French language. Initially, you may teach the language in English, but you explain concepts in French to improve your students’ comprehension ability over time.
- assessing students: students learn languages at different rates. Some easily pick up new languages and won't have trouble speaking French, but others may struggle to pronounce simple French words. Your job is to improve the learning outcomes of all students. After assessing them, you can identify struggling students and provide extra attention.
- discussing student performance with parents: as a French teacher, you communicate the challenges a student has to their parents. You can recommend tutoring to help struggling students.
- organising fun activities and events: as a French teacher, you don't just teach French as a language; you also teach its culture. You plan fun activities to help students develop an interest in French culture.
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work environment
French teachers work in diverse settings, including primary schools in the private and public sectors, as well as mining communities, youth centres and secondary schools. Aside from primary and secondary schools, French teaching opportunities are available in international and bilingual schools, universities and colleges. Regardless of your employer, you work in a classroom setting and spend most of your time indoors. You alternate between the classroom and your office. The role also involves occasional travelling when attending conferences and other activities to improve your French.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues might include primary school teachers, headteachers and secondary school teachers. You might also be working in close proximity to English teachers and administrators, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, teaching assistants, school nurses and early childhood teachers.
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work schedule
The typical work schedule of a French teacher depends on their employer. When you work in primary or secondary schools, you work during school hours, with minimal overtime. You don't work in the evenings or weekends. However, you can offer private tutoring in the evenings to help struggling students improve their learning. In university and college settings, your work hours depend on the lessons you teach. Aside from full-time positions, part-time and remote work is also available for French teachers.
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job outlook
As a French teacher, you start your career teaching in primary schools, and as you improve your experience and language fluency, you progress to higher roles. Secondary school French teachers are fluent in French and prepare students for French instructions in other subjects. Aside from becoming a French teacher, you can pursue other educational qualifications and teach lessons in French.
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advantages of finding a French teacher job through randstad
Finding your French teacher job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a French teacher is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract every year with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
Before you become a French teacher, you should be fluent in French. Assess your French ability since it will determine your path to becoming a teacher. If you are already fluent in French, the focus is on gaining teaching qualifications. However, if you have minimal knowledge of French, pursue a degree course in French to learn the language. Get a bachelor of education with a French major to gain a teaching qualification recognised by the Australian government.
Gain experience through work placement and register with the relevant government body for teachers in your state, like the Victorian Institute of Teaching. You can also join the Association of French Teachers of Victoria for professional development. Since you work in schools, you require a Police Check and a Working with Children Check.
French teacher skills and competencies
Some of the skills of a French teacher include:
- communication: as a French teacher, you should be fluent in English and French. Your fluency in English helps you teach beginners. You introduce French vocabulary and explain concepts in English. When your students have built their French, you use French to communicate and help them practise the language.
- patience: as a French teacher, you work with students who are learning the language for the first time. Having patience and understanding builds a positive attitude toward the language. Some students may have difficulties pronouncing French words, and you will repeat some lessons a couple of times.
- leadership skills: as a French teacher, you guide students through the curriculum and prepare them for exams. Your ability to guide and motivate students is useful for maintaining order in classrooms and leading outdoor activities.
- creativity: as a French teacher, it is important to be creative and find fun ways to incorporate French into various activities. Students are likely to learn and understand some aspects better through games and outdoor activities.
FAQs about working as a French teacher
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a French teacher.
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what is the job of a French teacher?
As a French teacher, you develop engaging lesson plans and help students improve their fluency in French. You also teach French to beginners and assess performance as they progress through assignments and exams.
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how much do French teachers get paid in Australia?
As a French teacher, you earn an average remuneration package of $92,500 per year. Your earnings fluctuate based on experience and other factors. In an entry-level role, you start with a salary of $84,612 per year, while experienced French teachers take home over $102,500 annually.
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what makes a good French teacher?
To excel as a French teacher, you need proficiency in French, along with good reading, listening and speaking skills. You also require good communication skills and a command of the English language since you will introduce various aspects of the language in English.
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what do you need to be a French tutor?
To teach French in Australia, you require a teaching qualification. Get a bachelor of education with a French major and complete the work placement programme to gain relevant experience.
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do you need fluency in French to be a French teacher?
Most employers prefer teachers who are fluent in French. If you are a native French speaker, you have an added advantage. However, learning French as a second language gives you insight into how to teach the language based on your own learning experience.
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how do I apply for a French teacher vacancy?
Applying for a French teacher job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
