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Living and Teaching English in France - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

Living and Teaching English in France - Habits, Customs & Curiosities

It is no wonder that France is one of the most visited countries in the world.

Every year, millions of tourists from around the globe travel to the country to discover its natural beauty, historic sites and impressive architecture.

The center of fashion and art in Europe is also a popular destination for qualified EFL teachers.

The following guides should provide some useful information if you are planning on heading to France to work as a teacher.

Find out all about the best places to see, when to go and how to travel on a budget.

Whether you choose to come to France just to complete our TEFL certification course or dream of staying and working as an EFL teacher, you are sure to have a memorable time. Before arrival you might want to brush up on your language skills as French people are highly appreciative of visitors who do their best to speak the language. France is a great place to visit at any time of the year, but you may want to avoid mid-July to August when the crowds are at their biggest.

The local cuisine is world famous so you will want to try as many dishes as possible, including delicacies such as escargot (snails) and frog legs. Simple words and phrases such as bonjour (hello), s’il vous plait (please), and merci (thank you) will go some way to helping you settle in to your new environment.

As France is officially the most popular country in the world by number of foreign visitors, many facts about the country are already well known to the wider world. Did you know that there are as many as 1,200 varieties of cheese in France, some that date as far back as the 6th century?

However, there are still plenty of things you probably don’t know including some of these 30 amazing facts. As well as cheese, France is also known for its distinctive baguettes, but did you know it is considered unlucky to turn them upside down? Even more bizarrely, in France it is illegal to name a pig after Napoleon.

For many visitors to France the opportunity to learn the French language and to use it on a daily basis is a big attraction. If you are planning your first visit to the country and are less than confident of your abilities, take a look at this crash course in French which offers a great starting point for learning all the basic words and phrases you need, from mealtimes and directions to conversation and pronunciation.

You will also find that your efforts to use the language will be greatly appreciated by the local people, which will go a long way to making you feel at home. By completing a bit of simple study before you leave home, you should find that you can really hit the ground running once you arrive in France.

The majority of visitors to France will find themselves in the capital city at some stage during their stay. Unfortunately, Paris can be an expensive city to explore, particularly for first time visitors who are unfamiliar with its lesser known attractions. Most of these money saving ideas are free or can be enjoyed for just a few Euros.

Whether you choose Paris as your permanent base or only plan a short visit during holidays or at the weekend, you will find plenty of great attractions to enjoy. However, there is no need to worry as here you will find a great list of things to see and do for those on a budget, from browsing through fresh food markets to museums with free entry.

Most visitors to Paris will arrive with a must-see list of attractions that includes the Louvre, the world’s largest and most visited museum. Today it is home to around 380,000 pieces of art, including some of the most celebrated paintings in the world.

Dating back to 1190, the Louvre has been used for several different purposes over the years, including a fortress to defend the city against the Vikings, a palace for the kings of France and a storage facility for stolen works of art. The star of the show for many visitors is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci which is housed behind bulletproof glass and flanked by its very own bodyguards.

The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that is considered by many to be one of the world’s great sporting events. Since it was first run in 1903, the Tour has seen many changes in route, distance, equipment used, and the rewards on offer for the winner.

For over a hundred years the beautiful countryside of France has been the backdrop to this multi-stage race that is now contested over a period of around three weeks every July. This infographic takes a light hearted look at some of these changes and might even inspire you to get on a bike in your free time away from the classroom.

Of all the major landmarks throughout the world surely none is as instantly recognizable by more people worldwide than the Eiffel Tower. For a few brave souls the 1,665 steps to the top are a challenge to overcome, while for the vast majority a leisurely assent via the elevator is the way to go. The tower is also stunning at night thanks to the astonishing figure of 5 billion lights that are mounted on it.

Since 1889 the tower has dominated the Parisian landscape and been a focal point for visitors looking for a stunning view of the city and a dramatic backdrop for their holiday photos. During your visit you can simply enjoy the view or indulge in great food at one of the tower's two restaurants.

Although other countries across Europe and elsewhere worldwide produce sparkling wine of various quality, only bottles that are produced in the Champagne wine region in northeast France are allowed to carry the famous name. Here you will find some fascinating facts regarding the long history of Champagne, from its origins back in the 17th and 18th century through to the present day.

If you spend some time in the country it is inevitable that you will get to enjoy a few glasses of its most famous export at some stage. Do you know your Demi-sec from your Extra Brut and your champagne flute from your champagne coupe? If not, take a look at this informative breakdown for all the answers.