Host a language assistant

The assistants’ stay in Québec is often an integral part of their university studies. In fact, they are usually required to complete an 8- or 9-month internship in a French-speaking environment in order to:

• Improve their knowledge of the French language
• Discover North American Francophonie
• Learn about different aspects of life in Québec
• Share their own culture
• Gain teaching experience
• And, in some cases, obtain their university degree

PROFILE OF LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS

• Generally in their twenties
• Excellent command of their native language
• Not professional teachers, but have some knowledge of pedagogy or teaching
• Need to improve their French skills
• Usually experiencing their first stay in Québec, Canada, or North America
• Successfully passed a selection interview in their home country and recommended for the role of foreign language assistant

Educational institutions submitting an application must have obtained the agreement of the entire teaching staff of the language department where the assistants will be assigned. This agreement must be accompanied by a detailed description of the assistants’ tasks and a plan to ensure their ongoing support, both within the school and outside of it.

The language assistant’s role is to support the language teacher by working with students on oral activities that complement the curriculum and help facilitate their learning of the foreign language.

As part of their duties, assistants are expected to:

• Support the teacher in their tasks.
• Prepare educational activities.
• Lead certain activities that enrich the language curriculum, with a focus on oral communication.
• Motivate students in learning French.
• Share their lifestyle and culture of origin with the students.
• Accompany students during language immersion activities

Assistants are not allowed to:

• Replace a teacher in tasks that are specifically reserved for them.
• Perform administrative tasks that explicitly fall under the teacher’s responsibilities.
• Supervise groups of more than fifteen or fewer than two students without the teacher being present.
• Grade assignments.
• Work exclusively with students who have adaptation or learning difficulties.
• Work exclusively with disruptive students or those with emotional disorders.
• Organize, supervise, or grade exams.
• Work exclusively with allophone students.

The Ministère de l’Éducation covers 70% of the assistant’s salary, and the institution is responsible for the remaining 30%. The amount paid to each assistant varies based on the number of weekly hours worked and the length of the assignment.

United Kingdom

• Assignment duration: 9 months
• Weekly hours: 24 hours (including 6 hours of preparation)
• Amount paid to the institution: $16,380
• Cost to the institution: $7,020
• Total gross amount received by the assistant: $23,400

Mexico

• Assignment duration: 9 months
• Weekly hours: 24 hours (including 6 hours of preparation)
• Amount paid to the institution: $16,380
• Cost to the institution: $7,020
• Total gross amount received by the assistant: $23,400

Germany

• Assignment duration: 8 months
• Weekly hours: 20 hours (including 6 hours of preparation)
• Amount paid to the institution: $12,110
• Cost to the institution: $5,190
• Total gross amount received by the assistant: $17,300

The host institution is responsible for handling (terms and costs) the payment of the full grant to the assistant.