Wallonie-Bruxelles International - WBI French conversation assistants abroad

WBI French conversation assistants abroad

You spend 6 to 11 months abroad helping local teachers with French lessons. The host country pays you a monthly grant or salary of roughly 800 to 3,400 EUR, depending on where you go. For example, Spain pays 800 to 1,000 EUR, Germany 1,000 EUR and Austria a salary of 1,630 EUR. The UK pays about £1,013 to £1,731 gross (about 1,180 to 2,020 EUR), with higher rates in London. German-speaking Switzerland pays the most: at least 3,200 CHF gross (about 3,400 EUR). Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI), the international relations agency of French-speaking Belgium, also refunds your return journey: up to 250 EUR, or up to 1,200 EUR for Taiwan.

You teach 12 to 16 hours a week. The focus is on speaking French, and you also present the culture of French-speaking Belgium. Destinations are Germany, German-speaking Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Italy, the UK, Ireland and Taiwan. You can extend once in the same country.

Who can apply

• Language: French is your mother tongue, or you have a certified C2 level (the highest level).
• Where you live: You have lived in the French-speaking Community of Belgium (Wallonia-Brussels Federation) for at least 1 year.
• Studies: You hold a bachelor's or master's degree from a college or university run or funded by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, or you have passed at least 3 years of study there. For Spain, a foreign degree also counts.
• Age: You are under 35 when you first apply (under 30 for Italy, 21 to 30 for Switzerland).
• Host-country language: You speak the local language at a basic to intermediate level, from A1+ (Italy) to B1+ (UK and Ireland). For Taiwan you need A1+ Chinese and B1+ English.
• Extra for some countries: Germany asks for proof of measles vaccination and some experience in teaching, tutoring or youth work. Switzerland wants you to be interested in teaching later on.
• Record: You can show a clean police record before you leave.

How to apply

Apply by email to WBI between October and 15 February. You can choose up to 2 countries. If you are shortlisted, you have an interview in French in March or April. It covers teaching methods, Wallonia-Brussels culture and your host-country language. Results arrive in early May.

Our guide Scholarships in Belgium collects funding options across Belgium, which helps you look beyond the WBI French conversation assistants programme.