A Postcard from... Nice, France

The night-life in Nice, France

After finishing the one-month intensive CELTA course in December 2007, I applied for a Teaching Assistantship in France. The requirements for entry into the program are: a college degree, 3 semesters of French or the equivalent (which I barely had), two letters of recommendation, and the application. One of my letters was from my CELTA trainer and the other was from a previous French teacher. While an ESL certificate is not required, it is definitely an application booster. If you meet the requirements, you need only be meticulous putting together the application, and there's an excellent chance you'll be accepted.
 
The program is ideal for anyone who wants to live in France for 7-9 months while working legally as an English teaching assistant in a public high school or elementary school. I was placed in the city of Nice, which was my first choice, and I work at a high school 12 hours/week. Sometimes I stay in the classroom with a professor, but usually I take half of the class to a separate room and lead a skills-based class centered on some aspect of American culture/history. I make enough money to live on and haven't tried to get another job (though other assistants I've met do some tutoring). It’s not bad also as I only work 12 hours/week and there are 6 weeks of paid vacation in a span of 7 months. My main objective in coming to France was to learn the language, but I’m sure the teaching experience won’t hurt my resume either, as I plan to continue teaching once back in the States!

An inviting bay in Nice, France

Life in Nice is very laid back, especially now as it’s the off-season here on the Riviera. A lot of people have summer homes and apartments, which they leave come September. The beaches are beautiful and it’s impossible to be more than 20 minutes from them. I swam until mid-November! Public transportation is good - lots of buses and the tram, which is new. I just got a bike and it’s the best - makes getting around faster and more fun. I wish I had gotten one right away. It’s also easy and cheap travelling along the coast – 1 euro to go to Antibes and Cannes and then over to Saint Tropez, Monaco, and even Italy. At first, it was hard for me to meet French people my age - now that my French is improving and I know what I’m doing somewhat, it’s easier. There are always the other English assistants to hang out with though, which is good at times. ...Anyways, if you apply to this program, you pick your top 3 destinations in France and see what happens!  You could end up anywhere!
 
Since I’ve been here, my French has improved a lot. But that's because I make a point of reading French books and finding French people to speak with. It would be easy not to learn too! I also take lessons twice a week, which helps a ton.
 
This truly is a great program!
 
Later!
Bonnie
Teaching House CELTA Graduate, December 2007