Gain valuable professional experience and build your international community with TAPIF.
Overview
The Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) is one the Cultural Services of the French Embassy’s longest running and most sought-after programs. Each year, TAPIF places around 1,300 Americans into French public schools to work as English language teaching assistants for 12 hours a week.
TAPIF works with France Éducation international (FEI) to place language assistants in classrooms of all ages across metropolitan France, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and La Réunion. The seven-month contracts, which can be renewed twice (consecutively or not), enable young adults to gain valuable classroom experience, improve their French language skills, and immerse themselves in the francophone world. TAPIF is the American iteration of the worldwide Programme des Assistants de langue en France managed by FEI.
After completing the TAPIF program, Teaching Assistants pursue global careers in education, international business, public health, international policy and development, arts and culture administration, and more. All TAPIF alumni gain access to generous scholarships with our partner universities in the US and France for MA and PhD studies in French, Lingustics, Business, and more! There are over 30,000 TAPIF alumni around the world.
Join the community and witness the day-to-day life of TAPIFers in France on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Applications and Eligibility
TAPIF applicants must be between the ages of 20 and 35, native English speakers, and US citizens or permanent residents. Intermediate proficiency in French is required (B1 or higher on the CEFR Scale).
Applications are open from mid-October to mid-January every year. Decisions are sent via email to applicants in April. Visit tapif.org to view all eligibility requirements and apply following the application instructions. The application fee is $90. Prospective applicants may view the most recent information sessions and webinars with program partners here.
For further details, refer to the TAPIF Handbook, FEI’s Guide, or contact us here.
Joint Applications
TAPIF to Teacher offers teaching assistants in France a full scholarship to study for a graduate teaching certificate from the Université de Nanterre online while working for TAPIF. Awardees may then transfer these graduate credits to partner universities in the US to complete a MAT. More information here.
Prospective language assistants may apply to work for TAPIF and be funded by the US Fulbright ETA Program simultaneously. More information on the benefits and requirements for this dual application are accessible here. Applicants must apply and be accepted to both programs, taking into account the different deadlines.
In partnership with Middlebury Language Schools and Schools abroad, up to four selected teaching assistants will have the opportunity to obtain their Masters of Arts in Applied Languages in tandem with their 12-hour work contract with TAPIF in Paris. Interested candidates apply for both TAPIF and the MA in Applied Languages by January 15th.