A truly life changing experience, non, literally

I completed the French Teaching Assistant Program from 2008-2010 after graduating from college. I spent the first year in Bergerac (24) and the second year in Bordeaux (33) teaching in primary schools. This program definitely has its merits. It allows one to spend 10 months in France and gain English language teaching experience without having a specific certification (a BA is required for Americans). However, one only works part time so, compared with other English language teaching programs, the stipend/salary isn't very much (no money for travel or restaurants). One is supposed to request subsidies for housing but these often take time to kick in making initial outlays a bit expensive. If you come with savings or another source of income, it's a great way to spend a fair amount of time in Europe and get to travel (2 wks off every 6 weeks).

It should be noted that starting as a teaching assistant doesn't mean you can actually become a real English teacher in a junior or high school. This is a much more complicated process, requiring ever more knowledge of the English canon, degrees and passing competitive national exams. It may even require having French nationality. Therefore, one should definitely not assume that working in the Education nationale is a logical next step.