Summer jobs for teachers: summer schools, camps, tutoring and the rules on second jobs

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What does summer work look like for a teacher?

In France the long holiday runs roughly eight weeks, from early July to the end of August, and similar breaks exist across Europe. Many teachers use this window to top up income, work with a different audience or explore a possible career change while keeping their main post.

The most common assignments stay close to the classroom: intensive courses at language schools, supervising language trips, leading or directing holiday camps, small-group catch-up courses and exam preparation. Others prefer an ordinary seasonal job in tourism, retail or agriculture with no teaching at all.

Summer schools and language programmes

Language schools in France, Malta, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom hire teachers for sessions of two to four weeks. The typical pattern is lessons in the morning, activities in the afternoon and residential supervision in the evening, which makes for long days.

Holiday camps and adapted stays

French holiday camps for minors employ activity leaders and directors on a special contract called the contrat d’engagement éducatif. Teachers holding the Bafa or BAFD certificates are welcome, especially in July. Adapted holidays for disabled people also look for experienced, patient supervisors.

Catch-up courses run by schools

During the holidays the French education ministry runs small-group stages de réussite focused on French and mathematics, together with École ouverte programmes in schools. These schemes rely on volunteer teachers who are paid according to the rules set by each regional education authority.

Who may take a summer job, and on what terms?

A teacher employed as a French civil servant or contract public employee must follow the rules on outside activities. Teaching or training for another employer counts as an ancillary activity and requires a prior written request stating the employer, duration, frequency and pay.

The administration has one month to answer, or two months if it asks for further details, and silence means refusal. By contrast, a grape-harvest contract taken during annual leave is free of formalities, limited to one month per contract and two months in any twelve.

Working in another country over the summer

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can teach anywhere in that area under free movement, with no work permit. Since Brexit, paid work in the United Kingdom requires an appropriate visa, and few summer schools are willing to sponsor one for just a few weeks of teaching.

Teachers from outside Europe

A teacher from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland needs a residence permit allowing work in France, or an employer must apply online for a work authorisation. Holders of a working holiday visa are exempt from that authorisation while the visa remains valid.

Pay, hours and accommodation

In France every ordinary employee must earn at least the SMIC, set from 1 June 2026 at 12.31 euros gross per hour, or 1,867.02 euros gross per month for full-time work. Private language schools then apply their own pay scale or collective agreement.

The holiday camp contract follows a different logic: a minimum of 52.93 euros gross per day, no more than 80 days in twelve consecutive months, 24 hours of weekly rest, and free food and lodging whenever staff must stay with the young people continuously.

Documents, costs and pay benchmarks

The table below lists what to prepare before signing a contract, together with the pay benchmarks that can be verified. Prices for private teaching certificates and activity-leader courses vary widely between providers, so comparing several quotes before paying anything is sensible.

Steps to secure a summer assignment

Timing matters as much as experience. Summer recruitment starts in January and peaks until April, so a search begun in May mostly finds last-minute replacements. The following sequence helps avoid administrative surprises and weak offers.

1. Decide which kind of work you want: intensive teaching, camp leadership, tutoring or non-teaching seasonal work.
2. Ask your human resources department which outside-activity procedure applies and file the written request in January.
3. Prepare a short CV highlighting levels taught, languages spoken and any activity-leader certificates.
4. Search public employment service listings and the recruitment pages of camp organisers and language schools.
5. Compare offers on real working hours, residential duties, accommodation, meals and travel reimbursement.
6. Insist on a written contract before departure and keep a copy of your authorisation.
7. Sort out mobility paperwork: European Health Insurance Card, passport and any visa required at the destination.

Common mistakes and scams

Problems reported by teachers rarely come from the work itself; they usually stem from forgotten paperwork or offers that look too good. The following warning signs appear again and again in accounts from teachers who have taken summer assignments.

• Starting paid ancillary work without written authorisation, which can lead to disciplinary action.
• Accepting a residential post without knowing how many night-duty hours are expected.
• Paying placement or application fees to secure a summer school position.
• Travelling to work in the United Kingdom on visitor status, which forbids paid work.
• Forgetting liability and health insurance when working abroad.

Frequently asked questions about summer jobs for teachers

The answers below address the questions most often raised by tenured, contract and trainee teachers. They summarise general rules, which can vary with exact employment status, the regional education authority and the collective agreement applied by the summer employer.

Can a tenured French teacher work the grape harvest?

Yes. A grape-harvest contract is one of the activities a public employee may take freely during annual leave, with no authorisation or declaration. Each contract is limited to one month and the total may not exceed two months in twelve months.

Is the Bafa required to work at a holiday camp?

The Bafa is the usual route to lead activities for minors in France, although certain diplomas also qualify. Directing a stay requires the BAFD or an equivalent qualification. Organisers check qualifications before signing, and foreign equivalents are assessed case by case.

How much does camp work pay in France?

The legal minimum under the contrat d’engagement éducatif is 52.93 euros gross per day worked. Many organisers pay directors and deputies more. Accommodation and meals are provided when staff must remain with the young people throughout the stay.

Can trainee teachers take summer work?

A trainee civil servant follows the same rules as a tenured teacher: ancillary teaching work needs prior authorisation. Trainees should also plan around end-of-year commitments such as validation of the training year or compulsory courses scheduled in early July.

Is it possible to teach French abroad only in summer?

Yes. Many language schools and travel organisers look for teachers of French as a foreign language for July and August. A qualification in teaching French as a foreign language is often valued. Outside the EU, obtaining a work visa remains the main obstacle.