AASCU Study Abroad Opportunity—Teach English in France

An extraordinary opportunity for students to be immersed in the rich culture of France, while making a lasting impact in public schools throughout France.

Applications open Oct. 15.
Caroline, Académie de Lyon, 2016-2017
Caroline, Académie de Lyon, 2016-2017

Imagine living and working in the captivating landscapes of France, immersing oneself in its rich culture, and getting paid to teach English to enthusiastic French students.

TAPIF

The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) offers a remarkable postgraduation academic and professional development opportunity for university students. Participants ages 20 to 35 have the chance to experience living and working in France through a seven-month work contract, teaching English to French students of all ages in public schools across France, including Departements d’Outre-Mer (overseas departments such as Martinique and Guadeloupe.)

TAPIF isn’t limited to language enthusiasts alone. Regardless of major or field of study, this opportunity welcomes participants from all disciplines. Applicants are required to demonstrate intermediate low proficiency in French at a conversational level and to have completed at least six semesters of university classes.

Who should participate?

  • Current students or graduates ages 20 to 35
  • Language enthusiasts with a demonstrated proficiency of conversational French who are eager to share their skills and embrace new cultures
  • Curious minds from all academic disciplines who have completed at least six semesters of university classes
  • Individuals with a passion for teaching and making a difference

How will you benefit?

  • Experience an unparalleled postgraduation opportunity to live, work, and teach English in France
  • Explore post-TAPIF career pathways in the teaching field
  • Earn a French as a foreign language graduate certificate while in France and transfer completed credits toward a master’s in teaching at esteemed U.S. partner universities
  • Expand your network and connect with like-minded students and professionals
  • Upon completion of the program, alumni gain access to generous MA and PhD scholarships in both the U.S. and France
Testimonial

“Our assistantships allowed us to wear many hats – American culture specialists, lesson planners, public transport connoisseurs, French bakery enthusiasts, group tutorial providers, French administration experts, English department colleagues, public speakers, explorers, and cross-cultural communicators to name a few! Living in Troyes and working in the French school system was an experience of cultural immersion that only intensified our penchant for all things French.”

Jalen & Maria

Académie de Reims
2019-2020 AY
Program highlights

TAPIF fosters language learning and cultural exchange.

With an annual intake of approximately 1,300 American teaching assistants, TAPIF fosters language learning and cultural exchange, enabling participants to enhance their language proficiency, teaching skills, and personal development in this pre-professional mobility program.

Earn credits toward a master’s in teaching at esteemed partner universities.

TAPIF, as part of the French Embassy’s cultural and education department, also provides exciting opportunities for participants to pursue a career in teaching. The new TAPIF to Teacher program (as part of the French for All initiative) offers a scholarship for a French as a foreign language certificate in France, along with transfer credits toward a master’s in teaching at esteemed U.S. partner universities such as Boston University and Concordia College (MN). Additionally, TAPIF alumni can apply for the Multi-State Pathways to Teaching French program, which facilitates a teaching career through an online curriculum, a learning plan for obtaining a teaching license, and connections with local education agencies.

Lauren, Académie d'Amiens, 2018-2019
Lauren, Académie d’Amiens, 2018-2019

Program Partner

Applications open on Oct. 15, 2023.

Ready to take the leap?

This initiative is the gateway to an unforgettable experience, where teaching, travel, and cultural immersion intersect.
Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity!

Learn more.

Questions about the study abroad program? Let us know.

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China Studies Institute

The China Studies Institute (CSI) is a multidisciplinary professional development institute focused on helping participants integrate Chinese studies into the undergraduate curricula.

Learn more.
2018 CSI fellows at Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
2018 CSI fellows at Tongji University, Shanghai, China.

Learn about China and how to incorporate Chinese Studies into the undergraduate curriculum and co-curriculum.

This multidisciplinary program is designed to engage faculty and staff with little or no prior training, nor professional experience in China and Chinese studies, who can impact undergraduate education, either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies. It provides faculty with expertise and support, to assist them in developing courses and initiatives that will enable students to gain a better understanding of China.

CSI fellows meet with program partners and administrators at the China Education Association for International Exchange.
CSI fellows meet with program partners and administrators at the China Education Association for International Exchange.

Who should participate?

  • Faculty  
  • Staff/Administrators 

How will you benefit?

  • Peer-to-peer learning with participating colleagues 
  • Access to curated resources, including special Chinese studies content 
  • Develop strategies for incorporating Chinese studies into curriculum, notwithstanding academic discipline 
  • Mentorship and support through developing curriculum and campus initiatives  
  • Networking and access to CSI alumni, Chinese scholars, industry experts, and diplomats 
impact

5

Number of years AASCU has provided this professional development opportunity for its members.

37 

Number of Institutions that have participated in the Institute from across the U.S.

51

Number of faculty and administrators that have been trained by the Institute.

program highlights

Connect with Chinese faculty and administrators and immerse yourself in Chinese culture.

The Institute is hosted in China, and involves three weeks of intensive seminars, lectures, meetings and cultural activities related to various aspects of pre-modern and modern Chinese history, education, business and culture. Institute faculty includes scholars, business leaders, and education administrators from institutions and organizations in Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, as well as representatives from local Chinese communities, and government officials.

our stories

“My experience in the 2015 China Studies Institute was life changing. It was my first visit to China, and the three weeks in Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing were truly fantastic. I really appreciated the combination of classes and visits to places of cultural significance. For me, it was the culmination of a year (2014-15) when I basically discovered Chinese students–and China itself–and it added immeasurably to my knowledge and understanding of the huge, ancient, and fascinating country.”

Barry Kilpatrick

Professor & Assistant Director, School of Music
State University of New York at Fredonia

“Since being a part of the China Studies Institute, I have incorporated in my courses, a discussion and comparison of academia in the United States and China. This helps my students gain insight into the value of this opportunity. I have also strongly encouraged my students to study abroad via NSU International Programs. In addition to this, I have applied to teach in China in the upcoming Fall semester. None of these things would be on my radar if I hadn’t participated in CSI.

Lucas Foster

Associate Professor of Mathematics
Northeastern State University

“My trip to China with the CSI was extremely formative and has motivated me and given me the confidence to work much more closely with colleagues in China to establish student and faculty exchanges. The most recent example was our university hosting Dr. Zhi Pei and other colleagues from Zhejiang University of Technology. We are moving forward with an exchange agreement between their institution and our whole engineering college.”

Daniel Waldorf

Professor and Chair, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Cal Poly State University
Application information

Applicants must:

  • be staff able to impact undergraduate education (either through teaching or academic support services that affect undergraduate studies).
  • have no prior training or professional experience in Chinese studies.
  • be able to demonstrate an interest in gaining a better understanding of China.
  • be nominated by a president, chancellor, or provost, either directly or at the request of the applicant.

Applications usually open around late October and are due by mid-December. All required documents must be submitted by the deadline:

  • Completed application form
  • CV or resume
  • Nomination Form
  • One-page recommendation letter from a provost, vice president, dean, or department chair who is familiar with the applicant’s academic achievements and potential career path.
  • A typed, single-spaced, one-page Statement of Intent outlining the potential benefits of the award to the applicant’s teaching and professional growth, and to the institution and community. This statement should address the applicant’s:
    • interest in broadening their knowledge of China
    • plans to impact undergraduate education at the institution
    • plans to use the experience to effect curricular change
    • plans to contribute to the Institute
  • AASCU member institutions – $895
  • Participants in the program are responsible for ancillary expenses related to travel to and from the program site, and all other personal and miscellaneous expenses such as passport fees, visa fees, roundtrip airfare and travel insurance.

Our Partner

Interested in participating in this program? Let us know.

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