For all those coming to France

[xiaohouzi]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Something doesn't compute here. If you're married to a Roumanian woman, you should have registered the marriage at some point with the Roumanian Consulate, which would be the first step in applying for residence permission in Roumania when she returned there. The fact that you aren't living with her (or she with you) doesn't bode well on the visa front.

But the first step in finding a job anywhere in the EU is speaking the local language. Without that, your chances are very very slim. You also will need some sort of qualification and experience that is recognized and in demand in Spain.
Cheers,
Bev

Hi Bev!
The marriage was registered in Bucharest but because i couldn't find work anywhere in Europe at that time, I had to leave the country and take work in China. It wasn't good for us to stay with her family without an income so we left in hopes of making enough to return one day and buy our own home. It's true that my Romanian is poor but there are now quite a few German companies in Romania and I speak German which helped me get the job in Spain. I just need to find something more permanent. Qualifications, i may not have but i do have some experience.
Thanks for your help!

[Ngan]

Thanks for the tips, Bev. I will have to look into this offering of French classes. I have been combing through the various language institutes' websites and found them to be quite expensive. I used to teach ESL in the US, and even "high-end" programs did not charge as much. Lyon Bleu for example, asks for around 100 euros for a week of class. Yikes.

Do you know of any more reasonably priced ones?

Thanks,
Ngan

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Ngan

Thanks for the tips, Bev. I will have to look into this offering of French classes. I have been combing through the various language institutes' websites and found them to be quite expensive. I used to teach ESL in the US, and even "high-end" programs did not charge as much. Lyon Bleu for example, asks for around 100 euros for a week of class. Yikes.

Do you know of any more reasonably priced ones?

Thanks,
Ngan

The 100€ a week isn't too bad - depending on how many hours of instruction are included. For an "intensive" training program, it's actually quite good.

For something less expensive try asking around through the AVF (Accueil des Villes Françaises) or other local volunteer associations or at your local mairie.
Cheers,
Bev

[RoseAnn2008]

Hi. I want to move to France next year, just for a change of pace for an expat who's been living awhile in the Arab world, and as someone who loves French & France. I haven't decided on which city yet (as I like many of them).

However, I already have a question about job listings. As an American with a somewhat extensive education in Education, I'm noticing lots of announcements for English teachers who have little education or no experience. Does anyone have recommendations on some of the better forums or job listings in Education (teaching English or teaching teachers) with organizations that are looking for more experience and willing to hire non-EU members? Or, is there a listing of language centers and universities with English Education departments somewhere?

Merci! And thanks for all the rest of the great discussions on this list...into which I'm slowly digging and finding a plethora 'de bonnes nouvelles."

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by RoseAnn2008

However, I already have a question about job listings. As an American with a somewhat extensive education in Education, I'm noticing lots of announcements for English teachers who have little education or no experience. Does anyone have recommendations on some of the better forums or job listings in Education (teaching English or teaching teachers) with organizations that are looking for more experience and willing to hire non-EU members? Or, is there a listing of language centers and universities with English Education departments somewhere?

The bad news is that there is no shortage of English teachers (of all levels and backgrounds) in France, so going through a language school to qualify for a visa may not be the easiest route to take. (Don't forget that the Brits can come over to teach with no visa issue.) Most ads I've seen for English teachers state that you have to have the ability to work in France, either with a working visa or being an EU national (it's a favorite route for trailing spouses with some teaching background).

It would be best if you have a TEFL or TESOL qualification (US or British based), as the schools that require this of their teachers tend to be more "above board" and also usually pay a bit more than those that will take anyone who claims to be able teach English "because I've been speaking it all my life."

Teaching in the universities is pretty well out of the question unless you can find an "exchange program" of some sort with a US university. University level instructors are "civil servants" in France and jobs are strongly protected and reserved for French (or European) nationals.

Your best bet might be to approach some of the larger language schools directly (Berlitz, Wall St. English, etc.). Go to the French phone directories (Pages Jaunes online, for example) and look for the language schools in the larger cities to get an idea of what's available and what the market looks like.
Cheers,
Bev

[SimonKent]

Hello,

Wow I am glad I found this site..

My name is Simon and I am an Australian who has been living and working in The Netherlands for the last 5 years, My goal is to move to a regional part of France by year end and I want to say thinks ! the first post in this thread is valuable.

I read that there is a shortage of qualified trade people such as plumbers, is this true ?
If so I hope this applies to regional areas as I am a fully qualified Plumber, Drainer and Gasfitter who is willing to do just about any job to get his foot into a community somewhere in France.

I would appreciate any advice what so ever that could help me achieve my goals.

Cheers
Simon

[maria0301]

Hi Everyone, what a great site. We are coming out to the Vendee on Tuesday 14/10/08 to look for a house to rent initially for 1 year, hopefully more.(We are renting our house out here in England). Loads of questions to ask you all but the main one is should we rent in France first or let in England?? Also how do we put down the money for the rented house?? Must we open a French Bank account and if so how?? We were going to bring cash. We have some appointments lined up with Immobiliers and are really excited if a bit scared. We are both getting state pensions and I am working part-time (not for much longer I hope!!). Kids think we are mad, which makes us laugh!! Any useful info greatly accepted. Maria.

[maria0301]

Hi Haricot, we are doing the same, next week we go the Vendee to try and rent a house for minimum of 1 year, then hope we can let ours out!! So many questions to ask I dont know where to begin. Good Luck. Maria

[The Moose]

Originally Posted by maria0301

Hi Everyone, what a great site. We are coming out to the Vendee on Tuesday 14/10/08 to look for a house to rent initially for 1 year, hopefully more.(We are renting our house out here in England). Loads of questions to ask you all but the main one is should we rent in France first or let in England?? Also how do we put down the money for the rented house?? Must we open a French Bank account and if so how?? We were going to bring cash. We have some appointments lined up with Immobiliers and are really excited if a bit scared. We are both getting state pensions and I am working part-time (not for much longer I hope!!). Kids think we are mad, which makes us laugh!! Any useful info greatly accepted. Maria.

If the kids think you are mad you are on the right road.

I wish you all the best with the year and the eventual move. Have a great life

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Maria,
Opening a bank account will go a whole lot smoother once you're actually living in France. Usually they want you to make an appointment (often the same day) and come in with your last three months' of pay slips (basically proof of income - your pension will do), proof of residence (normally an electric bill) and the usual round of identification (passports or whatever).

The immobilier should be able to help you figure out how to make the necessary deposits.

Which order to do things (rent in France, let in England) is pretty much up to you. The risks are fairly evident. You have to figure out what you could work around if one side of the transaction should fall through (and with the current economic situation, it's probably best to assume something will go wrong. If it doesn't, it will just be a happy surprise.)
Cheers,
Bev