Independent's Day

Ever thought about striking out on your own?

* What are the advantages and disadvantages of being independent?
* How do I go about it?
* When do I write to URSSAF?
* How much does it cost to start my own independent teaching service?
* I don't know anything about accounting, can I still do it?
* What are the alternatives?

Bethany Cagnol will share her experience with us in what promises to be a very informative and lively discussion.

Saturday, October 25th 2008
Université de Grenoble
This workshop is free to all TESOL France members.
www.tesol-france.org

Here's a little preview:

Working under a CDD / CDII contract and being an independent are already very similar. Here's why:
*We are used to fluctuating salaries;
*We are used to looking for that next 20- to 40-hour gig;
*We are familiar with fluctuating demand;
*We are used to juggling different timetables;
*We are natural multi-taskers;
*We, who are foreigners, know the joy of dealing with the French administration;
*We have job security through endless teaching opportunities;
*If you are good, word gets out.

What does it take to be independent?
* Patience * Meticulous Organization * Creativity * Tough gut
* Determination * Functional French * Pride + Ego * Humbleness
* If applicable, a supportive spouse, ideally French speaking

For those of you who are already independent: Do you agree with the above?
We also want to hear from those of you who have ever thought about striking out on your own.

The Great Newsletter Survey, Part 1

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to fill in the survey - we were delighted with the response - nearly 50 of you completed the questions and the information you gave us is invaluable in helping us to plan the newsletter content and future events in general. So a very big 'THANK YOU' once again!

• AND DON'T FORGET: One of you lucky respondees will be the proud owner of the superb new Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary just as soon as it's published - keep reading the blog to see if it's you!

And now to the results. As there is too much information to publish in one posting, I shall be posting summaries of each question over the next few days/weeks. So keep coming back to see what your fellow TESOL France members have got to say.

And most importantly, do feel free to post your comments on anything you see here by clicking on the word 'Comments' under any blog entry - that's what this blog is for!

Professions & Positions

In this part I asked you to give your profession and position. And what a marvellous range of skilled, motivated people you are! Just look at this list:

1. Business English Teacher/ Dean International Development
2. freelance teacher
3. Coach / Trainer / Musican. Freelance
4. Language trainer - English for Business
5. English teacher
6. teacher UFR Eco Gestion Amiens
7. chargé de formation
8. Company Owner
9. independant teacher
10. teacher (ingenieur d'études, enseignant chercheur) associate professor
11. Independant Legal English trainer
12. Chair, Business English Department , Clermont Graduate School of Management
13. Senior tranier
14. teacher (PRCE) at Université Paris Sud, Orsay
15. teacher
16. Independant trainer - in company
17. In-company English trainer
18. Freelance English coach
19. teacher
20. English trainer Langues et Affaires
21. English teacher at Lycée Saint Rémy, Soissons(02) Chair of English BTS International Trade, Head of English studies BTS Insurance
22. Director of English at an Engineering school in France
23. Head of English training
24. Teacher in FC
25. Freelance ESP writer and editor
26. Teacher in several schools and universities
27. self-employed language trainer, etc.
28. teacher of English at AgroParisTech
29. English teacher in a lycée + 2 TDclasses at the Sorbonne
30. Freelancer - Company founder
31. English language trainer
32. English teacher, Language Department Head
33. English teacher
34. English teacher - in a lycée, an IUFM, a collège, a private language school...
35. Maître de conférences, Fac des Langues, Amiens
36. Teacher of business English
37. teacher/translator - freelance
38. English teacher Ecole Centrale, Marseille
39. Teacher of English at an Engineering School
40. Teaching English English teacher to adults
41. Teacher and language department head
42. Professeur Anglais
43. Business English trainer
44. Formateur d'anglais pour adultes
45. english teacher
46. Teacher - Certifié - Education Nationale
47. language consultant, photographer, independent

If you're as impressed as I am, well, you'll be very impressed!

That's it for this posting. Coming soon: what you all had to say, and then we can get some discussion going.

Sab
TESOL France Editor / Blogmaster