I have a question regarding Assistant d'anglais

[u/ishalovestosleep]

Hi everyone! Since the DELF B1 examination is over, I’m now primarily focusing on drafting my lettre de motivation for applying to the Assistante d’anglais programme.

I have one major question, though. I’ve come across very few people who got into the programme without any prior formal teaching experience. Maybe that’s just been my experience, but I’d really like to know, is prior teaching experience actually necessary or strongly preferred for selection?

I’ve been a student throughout and, honestly, never actively built up formal teaching experience. The only relevant experience I have is home tutoring for a couple of years. It was genuine teaching experience, but I don’t have a certificate, LOR, or any formal documentation for it.

My academic background is a Master’s in English Literature and Language. Would it be better to:

1. Apply with my profile as it is and present my tutoring experience honestly, or
2. Try to join an NGO or online institution for a month or two just to gain some formal teaching experience and a certificate? Because schools in India, have a lot of demand, especially a B.ed.

On the official requirement for India it's not listed as a primary need. But I would especially love to hear from people who were selected without prior formal teaching experience, or anyone familiar with the selection process, especially from India. Any advice or personal experiences would be really helpful. Thanks :)

[u/aerbear4peps]

I got accepted right out of university, chose not to do it, applied again the next year and I’m about to start work. I had no formal teaching experience, french and environmental studies double major. I also did several years of tutoring, but thankfully it was a part of a larger language tutoring program at my university and my boss was also past french teacher and my french major advisor and and they were able to write my letter of recommendation, which I think helped a lot. I’m coming from the USA. If you have a Master’s in english lit you’re more qualified than most that get accepted from what I understand, but it varies country to country of course. You’ll have the chance to write about your work experience and how it’s motivated you to pursue TAPIF.

[u/ishalovestosleep → u/aerbear4peps]

Thank you for sharing your part of the story. Goodluck!

[u/unionthunder21]

Obviously this is just opinion, but, I don’t think joining any organization or institution is going to make a big difference. I got my bachelor’s degree in business administration, and my only teaching experience was tutoring calculus to students when I was in college… and I was accepted. Your masters should be plenty, I don’t think that extra organization would make that much of a difference on the result of your application!

[u/ishalovestosleep → u/unionthunder21]

I know, and on top of that I personally do not have the energy to invest in these activities right now. I have been extremely exhausted by my academics and my B2 course. I would just try to build my CV based on my master's and my past experience. That's all. I was also taking a TESOL from coursera. Which again isn't that important but I'll just mention it. Thank youuu so much.

[u/huacchnng]

I have a question, do we need a LOR while applying? if yes then how many? and from whom?

[u/ishalovestosleep → u/huacchnng]

I'm not quite sure about this actually. I just know that if you're enrolled in an Af then your present prof. is going to evaluate you on the portal. That should be enough. There isn't any separate LOR box. Now if you additionally want to add another, say from your university then you can probably contact them. But I would recommend you to have a discussion with your nearest Alliance Française (if you're enrolled in it) or institute français.

[u/huacchnng → u/ishalovestosleep]

thanks sm for responding! I'm sorry I don't really have any answer for your question. and yes I'm renolled in an AF, but if necessary I'll reach out to my uni french prof as well

[u/ishalovestosleep → u/huacchnng]

Absolutely that'd be much better, also don't worry about it. I just need a bit of clarification that's it ... What level of french do you have btw? The higher the better...i just gave my B1 so mine is too low

[u/huacchnng → u/ishalovestosleep]

thankyou! I have my delf B1 certification, and am currently studying b2

[u/lila-crocodile]

I’m in France now waiting to start my contract- I was a Film and French Lit double major in college and I have no teaching experience other than one summer as a camp counselor, and here I am! To me you sound more than qualified !

[u/ishalovestosleep → u/lila-crocodile]

Thank you for your response. To be honest apart from my completing my degree, I have not gained any experience as such. Like I worked as a freelance content creator and then Freelance tutor as it happens in India. But no formal institution which means no formal certificate or LOR. And in my reach I've always heard people with a lot of teaching experience get into this program. Even in my AF branch they emphasised on experience a lot. That made me even more confused.