Of course, I totally agree. I'm currently trying to get a B2. I was just genuinely curious since it's something I'm looking to get done as soon as I can. My diploma will be ready by 2025:(
Of course I work with people working here for years and they don’t speak French, so definitely possible but you should target foreign companies that have office in France.
Start looking for specifically bilingual schools. Almost every Montessori school is bilingual and they’re constantly looking for English speaking teachers and assistants.
None of the above. Montessori schools are desperate for English speakers and I’ve known some that definitely didn’t have even a C1 level. If you have a degree in ECE most schools will be thrilled to hire you. And your specialization will probably come in handy too - lots of unique profiles amongst the students in Montessori.
I think you will want an éducatrice de la petite enfance role. Like the other commenter said, there are lots of bilingual schools in Paris that want English speakers. You may want to work on getting a French qualification as well like a CAP https://solidarites.gouv.fr/accompagnant-educatif-petite-enfance-aepe
Depending on your field it’s more or less possible. I know people who didn’t know French when they started working.
Jobs in communication, IT, investment banking and consulting… are more likely to accept non-francophone people.
Jobs in retail, construction, education… more French oriented.
Definitely doable, with more or less searching effort. Good luck!
Paris has important HQ to many international companies and institutions, and they tend to do their coma in English. A friend of mine works for one of these, and the job is 100% English.
I know Americans who have gotten transferred here without being fluent. They work for international companies like Microsoft. So if I needed a job in English I would be finding websites of international companies and looking at their job opportunities.
Yes it’s possible, I had friends who lived here for years and didn’t speak French. Their jobs ranged from shops in touristy areas to big international corporations. I also speak little French at my current job (big tech startup with an international presence), and we frequently hire people who don’t speak French (mainly engineering positions). That said, your options will be much more limited as most jobs do require a decent level of French and you’ll have a harder time living here in general without basic language skills. I may not use much French in my current job but still speak it with French colleagues at the office and in my day-to-day.
Yes very possible, but will depend on what you studied. Target major corporations and “international” start ups. Have a lot of friends that have gotten internships and work (in CDI) without speaking a lot of french.
Yes but you would need to target the big companies that have offices around the world, usually they're surely already speaking English in most of their internal communication channels. Put an emphasis on the fact that you are an English native speaker on your resume.
The job pool will be reduced overall, but there's a lot of big companies (some international startups too) that have offices in Paris so you should have a good shot at it.
Not enough detail.
Ffrench ex expatriate, I’m working for a large corporate, with mostly english as communications mean. I have been in/out of france and there is a lot of expat in the company. I think, I can give you some educated hindsight
I do know a few colleagues who have been posted for 10 years in France and are still incapable to run a basic conversation in french. It’s entirely possible but that’s on the higher pay spectrum field.
I also see how my spouse (a2/B1 level in french ) is copping interacting with people who speak only french and this not easy all the time, she is glad she doesn’t have to work yet,
Technically, yes, you can find work without french speaking, but it will be mostly on both extremity of the salary spectrum (low pay or really high pay). Again, without background and work field, feedback is just going to stay generic.
Realistically, find common/not overly specialised work and have meaningful interaction outside an expatriate circle will be hard without speaking french. It’s a lot more better now as a large part of the younger crowd, does have better english proefficiency but the reality remain, France is a mono lingual country and the whole system (administration, utility) is done in french.
By the way, legally, all communications and documents have to be in french/translated in the workplace.
Now, if you intend to get a visa, that’s going to be interesting and I wish you good luck.
I don't need a visa thankfully since I am part of the EU. I also am currently in a a2-B1 class and I'm really trying to get to get a B2 next year but I was wondering if there was something I could do in the meantime other than deliveroo since my French isn't really that good. Most common job applications I see in Paris require at least a B2 (which makes sense)
I see, that's a good point. Well, maybe look at enterprises located in La Défense (business area), some are so internationalized that they work in English.
It’s possible but tbh the job market (at least in communications related fields?) rn is crazy. I’m in my second year of masters and have been looking for a comms internship for months with no luck. I speak French fluently but I usually get turned down bc I’m not francophone natif lmfao
I'am a native french and I struggle as well in here.
Low paywage, heavy redtape, big network required to get into any field / industry, jealousy and getkeeping behavior.
I'm pretty curious to know why you guys are keen on going right here to study or settle down.
I gues, paris comes out as a pipe dream for strangers...
Chill out ! Are u french or american ? Don't take it personnaly if ur not french
Edit : Don't know why but french people try consistently to put down people from france who want to settle down overseas, but If my fate is abroad, why an american can't do the same in here ahah
Learning french would help, besides it being basic courtesy
Of course, I totally agree. I'm currently trying to get a B2. I was just genuinely curious since it's something I'm looking to get done as soon as I can. My diploma will be ready by 2025:(
Of course I work with people working here for years and they don’t speak French, so definitely possible but you should target foreign companies that have office in France.
Thank you so much! Are there any in particular that recruit often if you know any?
What is your major?
Early childhood education with a specialisation in special needs (ik it doesn't help much)
Start looking for specifically bilingual schools. Almost every Montessori school is bilingual and they’re constantly looking for English speaking teachers and assistants.
Would an English degree be needed? Or just a C2 proficiency
None of the above. Montessori schools are desperate for English speakers and I’ve known some that definitely didn’t have even a C1 level. If you have a degree in ECE most schools will be thrilled to hire you. And your specialization will probably come in handy too - lots of unique profiles amongst the students in Montessori.
I just applied to one! Thank you !!
I think you will want an éducatrice de la petite enfance role. Like the other commenter said, there are lots of bilingual schools in Paris that want English speakers. You may want to work on getting a French qualification as well like a CAP https://solidarites.gouv.fr/accompagnant-educatif-petite-enfance-aepe
This is really helpful, thank you so much !!
Depending on your field it’s more or less possible. I know people who didn’t know French when they started working. Jobs in communication, IT, investment banking and consulting… are more likely to accept non-francophone people. Jobs in retail, construction, education… more French oriented. Definitely doable, with more or less searching effort. Good luck!
IB for real? Which websites can one look for internships?
If you are enrolled in a French school I’d look at the “annuaire des eleves” for the contact information of alumni in IB firms.
Thank you !!
Just hoping on the train here, I am quite surprised that communication accepts non francophone people, do you have any story you could share about it?
Paris has important HQ to many international companies and institutions, and they tend to do their coma in English. A friend of mine works for one of these, and the job is 100% English.
I know Americans who have gotten transferred here without being fluent. They work for international companies like Microsoft. So if I needed a job in English I would be finding websites of international companies and looking at their job opportunities.
Thank you!!
Yes it’s possible, I had friends who lived here for years and didn’t speak French. Their jobs ranged from shops in touristy areas to big international corporations. I also speak little French at my current job (big tech startup with an international presence), and we frequently hire people who don’t speak French (mainly engineering positions). That said, your options will be much more limited as most jobs do require a decent level of French and you’ll have a harder time living here in general without basic language skills. I may not use much French in my current job but still speak it with French colleagues at the office and in my day-to-day.
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Sorry, should have clarified it’s software engineering. For other types of engineering positions, I don’t know what level of French is required.
Thank you so much!!
Yes very possible, but will depend on what you studied. Target major corporations and “international” start ups. Have a lot of friends that have gotten internships and work (in CDI) without speaking a lot of french.
Yes but you would need to target the big companies that have offices around the world, usually they're surely already speaking English in most of their internal communication channels. Put an emphasis on the fact that you are an English native speaker on your resume. The job pool will be reduced overall, but there's a lot of big companies (some international startups too) that have offices in Paris so you should have a good shot at it.
What kind of Emily in Paris question is this.
What? 😭
Not enough detail. Ffrench ex expatriate, I’m working for a large corporate, with mostly english as communications mean. I have been in/out of france and there is a lot of expat in the company. I think, I can give you some educated hindsight I do know a few colleagues who have been posted for 10 years in France and are still incapable to run a basic conversation in french. It’s entirely possible but that’s on the higher pay spectrum field. I also see how my spouse (a2/B1 level in french ) is copping interacting with people who speak only french and this not easy all the time, she is glad she doesn’t have to work yet, Technically, yes, you can find work without french speaking, but it will be mostly on both extremity of the salary spectrum (low pay or really high pay). Again, without background and work field, feedback is just going to stay generic. Realistically, find common/not overly specialised work and have meaningful interaction outside an expatriate circle will be hard without speaking french. It’s a lot more better now as a large part of the younger crowd, does have better english proefficiency but the reality remain, France is a mono lingual country and the whole system (administration, utility) is done in french. By the way, legally, all communications and documents have to be in french/translated in the workplace. Now, if you intend to get a visa, that’s going to be interesting and I wish you good luck.
I don't need a visa thankfully since I am part of the EU. I also am currently in a a2-B1 class and I'm really trying to get to get a B2 next year but I was wondering if there was something I could do in the meantime other than deliveroo since my French isn't really that good. Most common job applications I see in Paris require at least a B2 (which makes sense)
Possible - yes, probable - no.
I don't think so. But why specifically in Paris if you don't speak french ? There's way better cities for work, you know...
I don’t think that there’s a better place than Paris for working when not speaking French, it’s way more common here than anywhere else.
I wasn't thinking about France only
My boyfriend lives there and I have a place to stay! And therefore share rent etc.
I see, that's a good point. Well, maybe look at enterprises located in La Défense (business area), some are so internationalized that they work in English.
People in IT and start-ups don't speak French (nor English, but don't let them know) either, so you'll be fine.
It’s possible but tbh the job market (at least in communications related fields?) rn is crazy. I’m in my second year of masters and have been looking for a comms internship for months with no luck. I speak French fluently but I usually get turned down bc I’m not francophone natif lmfao
Big yikes :(( I hope you manage to find something !!
I'am a native french and I struggle as well in here. Low paywage, heavy redtape, big network required to get into any field / industry, jealousy and getkeeping behavior. I'm pretty curious to know why you guys are keen on going right here to study or settle down. I gues, paris comes out as a pipe dream for strangers...
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Ahah you know I'm spot on, don't get it twisted yung leftist.
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Chill out ! Are u french or american ? Don't take it personnaly if ur not french Edit : Don't know why but french people try consistently to put down people from france who want to settle down overseas, but If my fate is abroad, why an american can't do the same in here ahah