There are several ways to become a French tutor, and anyone of any age can do so as long as they have a higher level of French than their students. It is certainly possible for a high school student with some knowledge of French to tutor students in elementary French classes, but most people have gained proficiency in French the time they reach college, where they may work privately or for a university. Some tutors have a French undergraduate degree and possibly a teaching certificate. Alternatively, someone who has grown up speaking French as a first language may feel at ease tutoring students of all ages and stages of education.
Teaching a foreign language, as most people are aware, necessitates a certain level of fluency or comfort in that language. It’s usually not enough to have rudimentary skills; instead, someone who wants to be a French tutor must be comfortable speaking and writing the language, as well as spotting common mistakes among students. The majority of people start studying French in eighth or ninth grade, and lucky students will either come from a family of French speakers or have been enrolled in French classes much earlier. Establishing fluency earlier is preferable.
A few students in high school find the language simple to learn and quickly improve their speaking and writing skills. These students may pursue a career as a high school French tutor, providing private tutoring to classmates or participating in school tutoring programs. Private tutoring is not unappealing because it can be financially rewarding.
Students in college may work for school tutoring centers or provide private lessons, with the latter typically paying more. Tutoring services can also be offered college students to middle and high schools. One caveat with college students is that many of them may be progressing in their French studies, requiring college tutors to have a deeper understanding of the subject.
Many people who major in French also go on to get their teaching certification. They can work as a French tutor or teacher, and some people go on to earn master’s degrees that allow them to teach and tutor at the community college level. It’s not a bad idea to spend time in travel abroad programs with native French speakers so that the tutor/teacher can work on mastering the proper accent and increasing fluency.
As a sideline, a high school or college French teacher could become a French tutor, or people educated to this level may find that private tutoring is the best fit for them as a career. There may be shortcuts for native French speakers, but many people find success in this field studying diligently throughout high school and college. Jobs are in high demand in areas where French is a second or third language that is widely spoken but not understood all members of society.