Recruiting a French language assistant in Canada
Do you represent a Canadian educational institution? Would you like to host a French language assistant and add a unique cultural dimension to your institution's French language program?
The overall objective of the French language assistant program is to enable Canadian educational institutions, both schools and universities, to broaden their students’ horizons by exposing them to the wider French-speaking world and introducing them to the culture of the country of Molière, Hugo, and Zola.
The language assistant program allows Canadian schools and universities to welcome French students who are nearing the end of their studies and are primarily interested in pursuing a career in teaching or in foreign languages.
This program also contributes to the mobility of motivated French students who are interested in Canada. It offers them the opportunity to add a practical dimension to their education, adding undeniable value to both their academic and future teaching career.
Profile and responsibilities of assistants
Assistants are French citizens aged 20 to 35 who have at least a bachelor's degree (3 years) in the following fields: French as a foreign language, English language and literature, education and teaching, or modern languages.
The role of the assistant is to improve students' communication skills (particularly oral communication skills) and deepen their knowledge of French culture. For 12 to 25 hours each week, an assistant’s role is to support French teachers, working with the whole class, in the teacher’s presence, or with small groups of students.
Assistants are young and are themselves students. As a result, they’re often able to connect with other students, to encourage them to express themselves orally, to bring a fun dimension to learning, and to discuss sociocultural topics that are of interest to children and teenagers.
Language assistants are assigned to schools or universities for a period of 7 to 12 months. They assist French teachers by performing 1 or more of the following tasks:
- practicing spoken French with students alongside the teacher
- conducting conversation classes with students
- introducing students to French civilization and culture
- participating in the institution’s various educational activities
- providing one-on-one assistance to students
- participating in the implementation of an exchange project
- running a language club
- providing teaching assistance
- organizing language internships
- and, possibly, helping to prepare students for French language diplomas or certificates: DELF/DALF – TCF
This is a non-exhaustive list, and other roles can be imagined, depending on the institution’s needs.
Finally, assistants can be asked to participate in cultural activities within the institution or in a broader context.
Recruitment and selection process
Assistants are recruited by France Éducation international (FEi), an agency of the French Ministry for National Education.
During the application process, candidates can select up to 3 provinces where they would like to be assigned; FEi selects the candidate that best meets your criteria.
Host institutions receive applications in early spring. Schools are advised to conduct a telephone or videoconference interview directly with candidates to discuss their expectations. Schools and universities coordinate with the Embassy of France to Canada to select the desired candidate.
Logistics and expenses
Assistants are employed directly by host institutions or school districts, which manage the assistant’s remuneration directly. Assistants sign an employment contract with their host institution or school board and must be paid a minimum of $30 per hour.
Assistants are responsible for their own round-trip airfare and for finding their own accommodation.
Assistants obtain an employer-specific work permit and work a minimum of 12 hours per week under the supervision of a designated educational mentor. Under the program, they can work up to 15 hours per week in post-secondary institutions and up to 25 hours per week in elementary and secondary schools. The maximum number of hours is indicative. Assistants may work more hours, as long as these hours are paid and specified in the contract or its additional clause.
The host institution is invited to provide the following (optional):
Accommodation for the assistant with a host family (some institutions find 2 host families for each assistant. In that way, the families can divide the responsibility of hosting the assistant over 2 semesters).
Health insurance (cost in line with the regulations in force in the province in question).
Becoming a host institution
If your institution would like to host a French assistant or for more information, please contact us directly.