All of these things are part of modern culture, sadly. Discipline and behaviour tend to be better in private schools than in state schools, and it is not so much apathy one meets as rebelliousness. Studies on the whole are more stringent and formal than in UK or in the USA, but you would not find the same amount of good discipline and willingness to learn that you probably met in South Korean students .
If you are unfamiliar with the French system it is well explained in Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_France
However it is not easy to go and teach in France. Immigration and employment laws for foreigners are extremely stringent, just like they are for other nationals to work in the USA. To start with, you have to be absolutely fluent in French and your qualifications have to be approved by the Ministry of Education. Teachers are appointed centrally and, at the best, even French teachers have to accept a post within a region: in other words you cannot choose a city that you fancy and are as likely to be posted in a slums area as in a salubrious one.
At the moment there is a surplus of well qualified native teachers that cannot find jobs. If your purpose was to teach English, because of residency laws allowing EU nationals to gravitate within the member states, there are many English / British teachers already queueing for posts.
If you are very highly qualified in a very specific subject, the most likely route would be via universities as a visiting professor. I would have suggested a private school but they would have to sponsor you and justify employing you on the grounds that you have very specific skills or knowledge that cannot be found closer to home or within the EU. Otherwise you will not be given a long stay permit.
For rules of entry and employment, consult the official French government website:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/espaces_dedies.php3?id_rubrique=2045
As you give few particulars about yourself, I cannot provide definitive answers, but you can see immigration laws for yourself.
You may fit in within the new “Compétences et Talents” frame.
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/spip.php?article1178
One last warning: Life in France has become extemely expensive in the past few months and the economic situation is sombre. The dollar does not buy as much as it did, and living accomodation in a city is extremely dear.
