Forty-seven out of 50 U.S. states are currently experiencing a severe shortage of language teachers. This shortage threatens world language programs across the United States, including teachers of French: school administrators cite the most common reason for closing French programs as an inability to recruit qualified teachers. In response, the New Pathways to Teaching French Program takes a two-pronged approach to leverage the French language skills of Americans of all backgrounds to provide them with an opportunity to undertake a new career in teaching. This takes place though the creation of the TAPIF to Teacher Initiative and the Multi-State Pathways to Teaching French Programs.
TAPIF to Teacher Initiative
Every year nearly 1,500 new TAPIF participants travel to France to take advantage of this unique opportunity to live in France to improve their French proficiency level and discover the teaching profession. They are able to spend 7 months teaching English to French students of all ages in French public schools both in metropolitan France as well as the overseas departments.
By choosing to become part of TAPIF, this cohort inherently demonstrates their interest in language teaching. In fact, according to a survey, 30% of them are seriously considering a career in teaching.
This program, the TAPIF to Teacher Initiative, aims at providing them a clear and accelerated pathway to careers in teaching French through a Université Paris Nanterre online foundational certificate program (Diplôme d’Université) they can take in addition to their 12 hours a week workload. Offered in partnership with US universities’ MAT program, the 12 credits granted by the certificate program can easily be transferred towards these masters programs.
Thanks to the French for All initiative, the French Embassy will offer up to 200 full scholarships for this certificate.
The syllabi of this certificate program are currently being designed, and will offer two strands:
1/ For those considering teaching French as a World Language
2/ For those considering teaching a French Dual language Immersion program
The online certificate will be offered for the first time to the next cohort of TAPIF students who will start the program in October 2023.
If you represent a US university offering a MAT or M.Ed. and are willing to be part of this initiative, please reach out to mathieu.ausseil@frenchculture.org.
Multi-State Pathways to Teaching French
In memory of Yvonne André Istel
In response to the shortage of French teachers in the US, the French Embassy's education division is creating a Multi-State Pathways to Teaching French Program that helps those with a strong mastery of French enter the teaching profession with fewer obstacles and blockages than obtaining a traditional teaching license.
This program will involve around 60 hours of training online, divided into three distinct phases. It will be delivered by Catherine Ousselin (Mount Vernon Schools) and Bridget Yaden (Pacific Lutheran University). These training hours will permit the successful participant to receive a Personalized Learning Plan outlining the last steps required to obtain a teaching license, as well as up to three university credits applicable to an approved teacher preparation program. Participants will also be put in contact with the appropriate state and district administrators to find a place within a school and finish their certification while gaining actual classroom experience. Please note that the Multi-State Pathway is not a certification in and of itself; completing the program will facilitate and shorten acceptance to an accredited educational institution, in partnership with the Embassy, at which the candidate may finish the last credits needed for a teaching degree.
The French Embassy is seeking motivated applicants who may wish to participate in this program during its first round in Spring 2023. To apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Have already obtained Bachelor's degree (or the foreign equivalent)
Prior authorization to work in the United States
Mastery of the French language
Good knowledge of the English language
The current timeline of this project is as follows:
December to March 2022: Identify an instructor; recruit participating states and organize an online webinar to lay out the final rules of the program; finalize the application process
January 2023: Applications open
April 2023: Application period ends
May 2023: Laureates selected and notified
June to July 2023: First courses offered online
Should you be accepted into the program, you will be asked to pay a registration fee of $150, which will be used to cover the cost of textbooks that will be sent to you, as well as a French language proficiency test, if applicable. The classes will, however, be completely free of charge.
Check out our dedicated page, our Q&A and our flyer for more information on the program and on how to apply. And make sure to watch the recording of our webinar!
If you are interested, please apply by April 15th by filling out this form.
Please contact elisa.alvarez@frenchculture.org with any questions.
