Lyon is an important university center. French language courses are available at Inflexyon (http://www.inflexyon.com/ENG), Alliance Francaise (http://www.aflyon.org), Lyon-Bleu (http://www.lyon-bleu.fr), Ecole Interculturelle de Francais (http://www.eife2f.com). If you look for an immersion program, you can have a look at ESL schools groups Learn French in Lyon with ESL (http://www.esl-schools.org).
Money can be made by giving private English lessons. Most French are keen to speak English. There are some schools which accept non-TEFL qualified teachers, but obviously a qualification helps. Try Berlitz or Demos. There are several anglophone pubs which employ young anglophone workers, occasionally with limited French. Speaking French to a reasonable level is often a must, even though bar vocabulary is limited. There is an ANPE next to the Opera on Rue de la Republique. Just go in, you don't have to book, and there are lots of job vacancies to be found. Also search for a shelf with black folders on it. They contain details of better paid jobs.
Sports
Olympique Lyonnais
The local football soccer team have been national champions from 2002 through 2008. Their ladies' team also dominates the championship. They play at Gerland stadium, built by Tony Garnier in the 1930s and renovated for the 1998 World Cup. Tickets are not too difficult to get, except for major European matches.
ASVEL
The Villeurbanne basketball team has a long history as one of the major clubs in the country.
LOU Rugby
The rugby team of Lyon plays in the top flight for the first time this season 2011-2012. The season of 2012-2013 they are playing in the second devision known as Pro D2.
Jogg'in City
Sightjogging Lyon, run and visit Lyon. Jogg'in City a fun way to discover the city. (http://www.joggincity.fr)
Cinemas
Institut Lumière
The museum also has a theatre showing thematic series of cinema masterpieces in original version. The theatre is in the former Lumière factory, which was the scenery of the first movie in history La sortie des usines Lumière.
Comoedia
After a few years of closure followed by refurbishment works, this independent cinema is now very comfortable and has a relatively avant-garde programme. All foreign movies are shown in original version.
CNP
Two independent cinemas; the Bellecour branch has the most avant-garde programme. All foreign movies in original version.
Pathé
This major national firm has four theatres in Lyon Cordeliers, Bellecour, Vaise, Carré de Soie offering essentially American blockbusters and mainstream French movies. The Bellecour branch has foreign films in original version.
UGC
The other major cinema firm, has three theatres in Lyon Part-Dieu, Cité Internationale, Astoria. The Astoria M: Masséna has foreign movies in original version.
Theatre
Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse
'The other' theatre, with a more avant-garde programme.
TNP
Jean Vilar's spirit of 'popular theatre' lives on in the historically left-wing Villeurbanne.
Théâtre Tête d'Or
This is the only theatre in Lyon showing popular comedies in the Parisian "boulevard" style.
Théâtre des Célestins
The historical theatre, in a beautiful 19th century building by Gaspard André, recently refurbished. Serious programme.
There are also a number of small independent theatres. Check out Les Ateliers, Espace 44, Théâtre des Clochards Célestes.
"Café-théâtre" is a very nice way to spend an evening with a show usually comedy, drinks and food. Here is a small selection:
Complexe du Rire
Two rooms and talented young comedians.
Lyon has a large number of theatres ranging from tiny "cafés-théâtres" to big municipal institutions. You can enjoy any type of show from comedy to classical drama to avant-garde productions.
The 200-year-old Guignol is a very famous character of puppet theatre. This irreverent canut who frequently challenges the law in his adventures was created by Laurent Mourguet, a canut himself, in 1808. The main side characters in Guignol shows are his wife Madelon, his Beaujolais-drinking friend Gnafron and the policeman, who always ends up being ridiculous. It was only in the 1950s that Guignol became a children's favourite. Nowadays, a few theatres perpetuate the tradition for children and adults.
Théâtre le Guignol de Lyon
The largest Guignol theatre, showing original creations for children and adults.
Véritable Guignol du Vieux Lyon et du Parc
Especially intended for children, this outdoor theatre is conveniently located within the park, near the lake and the zoo.
Music, dancing and opera
Auditorium
The Lyon National Orchestra plays in this impressive, modern concert hall which also hosts some jazz and world music concerts.
Opera house
The old opera house was completely redesigned by Jean Nouvel in the 1990s and hosts opera and dancing shows, along with a few other concerts especially jazz in the smaller "Amphithéâtre" room.
Transbordeur
The medium-sized hall capacity 1,500 for rock or popular music concerts.
Ninkasi
This is a modern-day institution in Lyon. Ninkasi has two places for live music: Kafé free shows, essentially electronic music and Kao a concert hall dedicated to rock and electronic music. It is also a beer brewery and has bars all over the Presqu'île, and also in Villeurbanne.
Maison de la Danse
A theatre dedicated to modern dancing. Also a fine example of architecture of the 1960s.