Are you a young Canadian interested in living and working in France?
Our friends at Languages Canada are offering placement in schools across beautiful Southern France to teach English for up to 9 months!
If you are native or near-native in English, eligible for the France Working Holiday Visa, and excited to gain experience in teaching English abroad, then this program is for you.
Languages Canada and the Working Holiday Program
Hundreds of young Canadians embark on a working holiday to France every year for a memorable gap year or two.
While the benefit of the France Working Holiday Visa is that it provides open work authorization and maximum flexibility, some participants prefer to have more support when it comes to the job search abroad, which, admittedly, can be challenging.
Languages Canada, a Recognized Organization under the Government of Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program, wants to help prospective working holiday makers from Canada feel more confident about their move to France by matching them with remunerated English-teaching placements in schools across Southern France.
Eligibility Criteria
The good news is you don’t need to have teaching experience or a specialized degree to apply for Language Canada’s teaching placement.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be between 18 and 35 years old (inclusive)
- Be a native or near-native speaker of English
- Meet the conditions for the France Working Holiday Visa
While fluency in French is not required, it is beneficial to have some knowledge at the A2-B1 level. This will facilitate everyday life and communication with school staff.
Additionally, it is a bonus if you:
- Are a recent graduate or a current university student
- Are interested in education and cultural exchange
Placement Details
Through its Working Holiday Program, Languages Canada matches motivated young Canadians with host schools in Southern France for free.
Placement cities include Toulouse and Montpellier, known for their sunny climate and relaxed lifestyle.
You’ll work as an English Language Teaching Assistant, supporting students and teachers in the classroom for approximately 12 hours per week. The placement runs for 7 to 9 months, typically from October to May.
| Location | Southern France (Occitanie region) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 to 9 months (typically from October to May) |
| Classroom hours | Approximately 12 hours per week |
| Monthly stipend | €700–€1,000, depending on the placement |
| Program fee | Free |
| Accommodation | Not included, but the host school may be able to provide local housing resources |
Are there any program fees?
No, Languages Canada provides this placement abroad at no cost to you. Its mission is to find the best match for Canadian participants and host schools in France.
You will, however, be responsible for expenses associated with:
- The France Working Holiday Visa application (read our free application guide)
- Transportation and airfare (preferential fare via Air Canada and Air Transat)
- Working Holiday insurance (we’ve recommended Globe WHV since 2005; €584.40 for 12 months)
- Food, accommodation, and other living expenses
The stipend of €700 to €1,000 per month will go further in Occitanie than in Paris, where the cost of living is much higher.
With approximately 12 hours of classroom instruction per week, the program gives participants the flexibility to explore the region and pursue other activities, and even to take on additional jobs, since the Working Holiday Visa grants open work authorization.
👉 Apply for the Teach English in Southern France program
Languages Canada is a recognized organization (RO) under the Government of Canada’s International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Placement is subject to matching with a host school and is not guaranteed.
FAQ
You will apply for the France Working Holiday Visa yourself, but Languages Canada can provide support and assistance as needed once your placement is confirmed. Pvtistes.net also has tons of free resources on the France Working Holiday Visa for Canadians.
No. The Working Holiday Visa is an open work authorization and does not require you to have a job offer. As such, for this visa type there is no notion of “employer sponsor”.
Either is fine. You are not required to already have work authorization in France when applying for a teaching placement.
Note, however, that due to the limited number of spots, not all applicants are guaranteed a teaching placement.
Yes. While placements are generally for 7-9 months, the Working Holiday Visa is valid for 12 months. Canadians can even apply to extend their working holiday by another 12 months, for a total of 24 months.
Yes. The Working Holiday Visa grants open work authorization in France, so you are free to take on additional jobs, provided you respect the commitments of the teaching placement.
Don’t worry, the Working Holiday Visa is designed to be relatively easy to apply for yourself. We explain all the steps in detail in our guide France Working Holiday Visa for Canadians. Leave a comment if you have any questions!
Language Canada’s teaching placement initiative falls under the International Experience Canada program. As such, it is only open to young Canadians who move to France on a Working Holiday Visa.
Please get in touch with Languages Canada directly. They will be happy to answer your questions about the program.
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