For some time now I have been disenchanted with teaching English. When I arrived in France some thirteen years ago, I hoped to find some work in tourism. I naively believed that my four years experience managing a small museum in London would make me a good candidate. Unfortunately I came up against the "diploma" barrier. In France if you don't have a qualification in a particular field it is very difficult to work in that field. I was advised to go back to school and study for a BTS in tourism. However I had neither the money, time, nor inclination to return to study. So I took the easy option and used my TEFL certificate to start teaching English to adults. Teaching is an easy option as there is plenty of work and it is relatively well paid. Despite this teaching has become a chore for me. Dealing with French people's cultural hang ups about having to learn English bores me. I would be a rich man if I had a euro for every new students who has started their first lesson with,
"Je suis nul en anglais" (I'm rubbish at English)
before going on to speak passably well, or telling me,
"J'ai un accent épouvantable en anglais" (I have a terrible accent)
before speaking with a slight accent that would be a miracle to eliminate. Then they sneer at any French public figure with the courage to speak in English. No it's time for me to move on and leave the battle to younger more motivated teachers.
So the question is what to do? I have far too many interests. A couple of years ago I undertook a 10 day course in "Permaculture", and since then have tried to promote it in my local community. At the same time I was invited to sit on the local council. I also found myself volunteering my kids local primary school; accompanying outings and giving short English lessons. All this required time which was difficult while teaching. Over the years various clients have asked me to translate documents for them so I decided to try my hand as a translator. This frees me to indulge in my other activities.
Then out of the blue the headmaster of the local primary school asked if I would be willing to accompany the school trip to the sea, "La classe de mer". I would be going as one of the four parent volunteers who accompany the trip. I also learnt that there would be four "BAFA animateurs". BAFA animateurs are people who have passed a certificate to look after children in after school clubs and during school holidays. The experience of accompanying the school trip was very positive and I enjoyed it so much that it set me to thinking about working with children.
I decided to complete the BAFA training. The training involves a first 7 day initial training course, followed by a 14 day work experience, and finally a 7 day final training course. On my initial course I was the oldest participant, even counting the trainers. During my evaluation I was asked why I was there. Very often the BAFA is used by young people for a summer job to earn pocket money. I patiently explained, as I have had to many times since, that it was to have a qualification which enabled me to work with kids. The BAFA is a quick and cheap qualification to have.
My 14 day work experience was undertaken with my local "centre des vacances", run by the town hall for the village kids. We organised daytime activites for children aged between 3 and 17, in three age groupings. I was lucky enough to work across all age groups. Again this was a positive expereince even if some of my young colleagues were lacking in motivation and dynamism.
My final BAFA course was a little different, the participants were older and I chose a specialisation in nature. Everything went well and I obtained my diploma. Over Christmas and the new year I found a job running a "Kids club" in an holiday centre in the Alps not far from my house. With two other colleagues I was looking after kids while their parents skied. It was a good opportunity to test my new skills but also to meet and discuss with people working in tourism.
Now I am wondering what is my next step. I have applied to some summer camps but committing to two months away from home is difficult. The idea of being a nature guide is appealing but I lack a biology or ecology degree which most employers would demand. What is certain is I really do not want to go back to teaching. Changing career in France is not easy but if you are determined enough it is possible.
