The French government allows 25 Jamaicans to work as English Language Assistants in France each year. You may choose to work in a primary or high school or a Teachers' College. Between 2002 - 2009, over 150 students from Jamaica have participated in the programme. Each participant is given a copy of the "Guidelines for language assistants in France".The programme is open to all students of French with a minimum requisite level of Intermediate French so that they will be able to communicate effectively when they get to France.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS (in 10 easy steps)
1. Get an application form.
Either (i) Download application form from http://www.ciep.fr/. Go to "Programmes de mobilité" then "comment s'inscrire". Then click on "Jamaique" and "dossier d'inscription" or (ii) Pick up a form at the French Embassy.
2. Fill out the form (in triplicate) and submit it directly to the French Embassy in Kingston with the relevant documents toward the end of January. The supporting documents include an official transcript from your institution, 2 teacher appraisals (forms provided), your birth certificate translated into French (Language Training Centre or the Alliance can do this for you - at a cost), a medical certificate (form provided) and a photograph.
3.The French Embassy emails and/or calls you to attend an interview. This usually takes place in March and is conducted in both French and English or only in English. The main aim is to ascertain your motivation to participate in the programme. Dress casually.
4. Applications are sent to France for selection. Results are sent back to the French Embassy in Jamaica.
5. If successful, you will receive your acceptance email/letter by April. If not, you will also be told that you were not successful.
6.The Ministry of Education in France sends your "Arrêté de nomination" in May/June to the French Embassy. The Embassy will contact you when it is received. The "Arrêté" tells you where you'll be working (which "département" and school) and the contract period. This is not your contract. You sign your contract when you get to the school.
7. The French Embassy puts you in touch with other assistants who have been to your "département" or school and hosts a send off for all assistants, usually in the summer.
8. Get ready to go! Get in touch with a travel agent to ask for special airfares, contact the school to which you have been assigned to tell them of your expected arrival date, contact any previous assistant(s) who may have been at your school/"département" for more informal information, get your visa from the French Embassy.
9. Vous êtes prêt(e)!
10. Bon voyage!
The French Embassy/L'Ambassade de France à Kingston is located at 13 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston 5. The telephone number is 946 4000.
