Country info and advice - Morocco
The following comments are from teachers who have taught, or are currently teaching, in Morocco. If you are a teacher and have some advice to share, please add it here.
I've been in ESL for 9 years
now and have worked on 2 continents and am currently in Indonesia. I spent 2
years working in Morocco and found that travelling there was way different to
working there. My first bit of advice would be to travel there first
and second to be very careful if you decide to work there. I'd been
toying with the idea of working there because of its fantastic reputation for
travel and stupidly went with expectations. That was my fault wholly. There were
always 'money problems' and that usually meant the owner of the school honey
coated his voice to ask teachers to go without pay for a few weeks or travel
expenses for at least 4 to 5 months.
Piece of advice no. 3: get an open ended
ticket because you never know how a school's going to be and especially with
payment. Advice no. 4:
Get things in writing and be adamant that you get it. My last year I kept
asking for my contract and never received one because I just gave up. When my
contract finished, I wasn't paid fully what I was owed: taxi fares for 2 months,
2 doctor's visits (specialist for dysentery and ulcer) - teachers were told that
we had medical insurance but in all actuality, did not. I had to pay and was
told I would be reimbursed. Wasn't. I was told they were out of money. To travel
is great in Morocco as I've said. If you're a traveller, it definitely shouldn't
be missed but to be an employee, be ready to work 6 days a week for pence and
work long hours and split shifts for long periods of time. Have no expectations
that the school will be good because it's a well known franchise as such. Just
because it's good in one country doesn't mean it's the same quality the world
round.
I work in Morocco but in the
public sector. I'm not shocked to hear about your experience, John, which I am
sure concerns the private sector. Anyone who wants to work in this sector should
make things clear via a
contract.
Don't have high expectations.
Don't expect and you will never be disappointed.
I taught English in Morocco
for 16 years. It's true that some language schools are 'a bit dodgy', but no
more than in the private sector of most countries. Morocco is a country of many
contraditions, however for me, that is its charm - the 'taharamiyat' - the
cunning way things are done - can be difficult at first. But the more you
integrate into society, the more you'll learn to deal with it and turn things to
your own advantage. Everything about Moroccan culture is interesting for those
with curious and open minds. The people are very flexible and tolerant with the
'strange ways' of foreigners. This is one country that will mesmerize you with
its abundant natural beauty and mix of the ancient and modern. My advice to
anyone involved in travelling anywhere abroad is sharpen your senses, get
streetwise and always do research on your proposed destination before leaving
home or moving on, then you won't be so disappointed. Finally, unless you
actually have a sure offer of a job, you'll find it nigh impossible to obtain
any kind of employment in Morocco.
Well, I was a bit surprised by
some comments but everybody has the right to give his\her point of view. In
fact, Morocco is an amazing country to visit. Working in Morocco is another
issue, so if you are willing to work there you need to bear in mind that nothing
comes easy. So you have to plan carefully before leaving your hometown. The
opportunity to work as an English teacher is possible as long as you are
qualified. If you are an adventurous person, you will find it quite easy to
integrate with Moroccan people. Good luck!
I have been an English teacher
in Morocco for 3 years and I am happy with my job. My advice for those coming to
Morocco with expectations of a sunny beautiful country is: working here is
different and difficult. The first step is to know the culture and to expect the
least from students. If you come here, you have to help the development of the
society. If you come for money, don't come at all
It is obvious that teaching
English is not a job that will earn you a lot in Morocco in view of the economic
situation. However, this charming country may offer you some other values apart
from money. Establishing a balance between your financial expectations and the
economical status of Morocco is in your hands. At the end of the day, if you see
that you have given the English they need and they have given the amount you
need at a reasonable level, there should be a happiness for both parties. Any
comments about Morocco are welcome. Good luck to those willing to try and
experience Morocco, it should not be missed, at all.
I am a teacher of English in
Morocco. I find some of the comments here worth mentioning. I can say, on my
part, that teaching can't meet everybody's economic and social needs. To teach
equals to suffer and live, not to search for prosperity in a developing country.
I don't think anyone would (or
if they do, they shouldn't) enter any type of TESOL or TEFL setting in any
country for the money. Many people go to and from different countries to learn
new languages themselves and teach English in the meantime. It's true that
teaching English will not earn the teacher serious money, but neither would any
other form of humanitarian or non-profit work. Morocco is a fantastically
amazing country, and it's changing everyday. Those who visit from afar need to
remember that and try to adjust, learn, and reflect on themselves... we all have
alot to learn from each other, right? :) My question to the forum is this: as a
prospective teacher in (hopefully) Marrakesh, are there opportunities for an
American to legally obtain a second job, if needed, not just through evening
teaching (as has been mentioned earlier here) for additional income? If not
legally, in all honesty, are the opportunities there? Thank you so much!
Finding a teaching job in
Morocco is not difficult. The difficult part is getting the more lucrative
teaching positions. There are schools opening up every day that are in dire need
of Native English Speakers. If you have white skin, and can make at least one
grammatically correct sentence, you can count on making anywhere from 100 to 200
dh an hour. This is to say nothing of the money you can make teaching private
students. Now if you have white skin, are female and somewhat attractive... the
numbers just go up... Morocco, to my dismay is a very racist country. White skin
color equals money... Very depressing because prior to coming to Morocco to
live, I thought that there was no racism in Morocco. Once you live here for a
while you come to realize that much of the misery that exists in Morocco is
deserved because the people have racism deeply ingrained in their psyche... They
mistrust and look down on Africans from their southern neighbors the same way
that the Spanish and French look down upon Moroccans and Algerians...
The Ministries are run so inefficiently and so bogged down with bureaucracy that
it is a miracle that anyone ever learns anything. The Ministry passes down an
inefficient model of corruption and nepotisim to the Academies who in turn pass
on poor working habits to the Delegations who manage to set policy at the
schools which make swarming bee's look organized.
If a teacher in a public school does not show up to class... which is very
often, no substitute is provided... students are not notified and either go back
home if they are of decent moral character or end up hanging out and getting
introduced to Hash and prostitution.
The same teachers that grade students also provide private tutorials that amount
to bribery and sessions. Students who can afford to pay for these extra hours
receive inflated grades... those who cannot can count on getting low grades.
Corruption permeates every aspect of society in Morocco, much the way racism
does. The police are inneffective and the courts dole out injustice and misery
the same way that the Police ignore crime and do whatever they can to steal
their share...
Bring us your tired, your hungry and your weak and we shall excessively tax
them, rob them and abuse them in any way we can.
Working in Morocco, especially
in the private sector means that you are subject to a series of insults by your
employers. You are always at their mercy, they can fire you at anytime. There
are no real rules that govern this sector. It's just the power of the purse and
nothing more. Moroccan people have a manipulative nature. They fear and do not
respect. I wish I were not born a Moroccan.
Teaching English in Morocco is
a challenging job as a Moroccan. You are more qualified to teach a wonderful
language like English, but as a foreigner you will be looking for money and not
for the development of our society as we do. If you want to take part in the
development you are welcome, but if you are looking for pleasure, do it without
asking to teach this language just because you are a native speaker.
When you're in a foreign
culture, you have to suspend your own notions of reality. No matter where in the
world you are, there are always going to be efforts made on someone's behalf to
either treat you fairly or rip you off. Discernment is the key, but the nature
of your options will be vastly different depending on where you are. I am an
American and I have lived in Morocco for one year. I teach English in a private
language academy and I have loved every moment of it. The students range in age
from around 7 to older adults. Their enthusiasm for learning and uncanny ability
to pick up new language skills has been overwhelming and a bit humbling. Based
on what I'm reading on this site, maybe I've just been lucky, but I always get
paid on time. You just have to be very clear about the money from the beginning.
I don't expect to get rich teaching English in Morocco. But I get so much more
than money in return for my efforts. The kisses, and hugs and smiles... not to
mention the couscous... that are continuously forthcoming make up for a lot. I
used to earn tons of money in the states, but I wouldn't give up this teaching
gig for anything. Basically, you've got to shift your attitude if you're going
to live and work here AND be happy. Of course there's corruption and racism and
sexism. But to express surprise at their existence is delusional. Those problems
are everywhere. If you're going to go to all the trouble to move to a culture as
foreign as Morocco, best to do it with an open heart and offer your skills in
ways that can best help, by reaching individuals. You can't change the world.
Hey all you people out there
in Morocco... What an amazing place. I have never smiled so much in my life,
from the time I stepped out into the Moroccan bone chilling cold of Janurary
till I tearfully departed in June with the promise of returning of which I am
planning now... yes and to teach... There is a way in the people of Morocco that
is not found anywhere else in the world. bihir, labas, hamdullah, enshaallah...
to be greeted everyday with such words and tone makes you smile from the time
you wake up, even in your sleep you are smiling. The children look up to you...
teach me, teach me, those big brown eyes search you for kindness not judgement
not any of that other stuff. Forget the police, the politicians, all that
jazz... help lift up those little hearts that wish to learn and do it with an
open heart. Go and have fun, learn from an ancient land some of its secrets and
share some of your personal experiences, get talking and break down what feeds
division, corruption and that woeful me, myself and I attitude... everything you
need will be there for you. Give it a chance, all you need is love.
Teaching in Morocco changes
from public sector to private sector. It varies because of the rules of the
administrations. In public, it is government rules that are published, it
considers all teachers in different departments, but in private, the rules are
that of the owners and no respect is given to teachers. It begins to progress
but it is too slow especially in the private sector. French is still considered
to be the second language and the most important regardless of what we hear
about the development in different fields and in terms of english teaching in
Morocco.
Generally, teaching in Morocco
is getting worse. Everyone is aware of this bitter reality. Teaching English is
a part of this teaching. Authorities are in favor of French! For the moment,
teaching English and teachers of English are leading a hard struggle against a
huge granit mountain called French and French culture. A brief visit to Moroccan
administrations will shake your mind and heart.
I've been working in Morocco
for the last 4 months. The way business is conducted here is insane... every man
for themselves... good luck getting paid!
I am a victim of private
sector. I took a training year to have a good future in this field. English is
in my blood, I can't give up studying it or teaching it since it's so
significant and expressive. Unfortunatly Morroccan owners of private schools do
not appreciate teachers, they just look for more money. They earn more and pay
less to teachers, about 1000dh per month, this price cannot feed a chicken.
Hello. All I can say is that
Morrocco is a very beautiful country, nice people but very bad work conditons
where there are many jobless, hungry, homless people. I hope that someone can do
something to change this for the better so that less people think about
immigrating to another country.
Morocco is a beautiful
country. Its people are very hospitable. The way foreigners see Morocco is very
different from reality. Double-check that the school you will work at has a good
reputation. There are serious employers. Not all Moroccans are the same. The
culture is simply different.
I am still in Morocco. I have
been here for four years now and have done my best to help the children of
Morocco. The reality is that I am not a teacher. I am a humanitarian. I see
teaching as a means to an end. I also see the development of a service based
economy as the key to economic prosperity.
I admit that I was rather frustrated with the ministry of education when I wrote
my earlier post, but the reality is that nothing has changed. The ministry of
Education still has only one goal : To prevent Moroccan children from getting a
decent education.
The other ministries are in cahoots with the ministry of education in the
obvious goal of maintaining the status quo. Those who have the means make sure
to get their children educated in Europe or North America. Those who do not have
these means have to dole out bribes to teachers and other govt. officials to get
passing grades.
The racism is very ugly here. We are supposed to be a muslim nation, where race
should never enter into the equation. Unfortunately, the laws themselves are
based upon apartheid principles that treat muslims as second class citizens in
their own country.
If you are muslim, you can be arrested for not fasting Ramadan. If you are
muslim, you can be arrested for buying alcohol from a supermarket or a bar. If
you are muslim, you can be arrested for sharing a hotel room with a member of
the opposite sex with you are not related.
What is interesting is that these laws do not apply to white skinned people. A
white skinned person can drink vodka at a bar in their hotel room during ramadan
and then have sex with their girlfriend.
This may seem like a ridicilous point, but can you imagine going to Spain or the
United States and discovering that Spanish and American citizens were not
allowed to smoke hash and practise polygamy but if you are muslim.... NO
PROBLEM????
Why is it that these ridicilous laws exist in Morocco?
If Morocco is in fact a muslim nation, then why are there no laws requiring
muslims to pray or to give a 2.5% zakat on assets in the bank that have remained
there for over a year?
If Morocco goes the other way, I have no problem with it either, but having a
set of laws that make sense and can be respected is key to social and political
development.
This all brings me back to my main point. The reason that there are ridicilous
apartheid laws in Morocco and other under developed nations and the reasons the
mandate of the ministry of Education here is to prevent Moroccan children from
gaining any real access to education is that as Bush showed us in America,
stupid, scared people are easy to control. If everyone is breaking the law in
some way, from unreported income... (most companies report SMEG 2500 dh/month as
income for employees who get paid another 2500dh/month cash) to an occasional
visit to the supermarket to buy wine (alcohol is sold in stores all over Morocco
and yet the police technically have the right to arrest any muslim caught with
alcohol) to the bribes given and received from almost everyone in any type of
business, from school teachers to police to judges..... If everyone is
potentially guilty of some kind of crime, they are in a state of fear and not
likely to act nor behave as good muslims, and if their kids go to public
schools, their kids are learning corruption and nepotism at a young age from the
first exam they cheat on in Troncommun.
I taught English in Morocco
for about a year and a half and had a good time doing it. Yes it's true the
culture is different, yes their mentality is different but if you were not
expecting that you should stay home. I found my students to be very bright and
they learned very fast therefore making it tough for the teacher. Moroccan
students for the most part will get bored easily and can cause trouble because
they do learn so fast. If you want to teach in Morocco you can not be a lazy
teacher, always have many options for your lessons because chances are you will
finish activities faster than you may have expected. As for contracts and
directors watch yourself, read them very carefully and try to find a reputable
school. I had an American director who did not want to help with anything. He
said he would get my visa and I had trouble with the authorities because he did
not do it in time, it took about 4 and a half months. You never know when
teaching abroad what you will get so try to be as savvy as you can when dealing
with schools. The Moroccan people are friendly and usually willing to help you
with things you are not sure about, even your students can give you advice about
life in Morocco. I often tell people Morocco is a good place to go for travel
and work but always be prepared because you never know what can happen.
If you plan on teaching in
Morocco be it English, French or any other subject for that matter. Be sure that
you don't need to send money out of the country to pay your bills. As Western
Union will inform you when you arrive with cash in hand "All transactions are
inbound only." By the time you are granted permission to open a highly regulated
bank account that permits money transfers out of Morrocco you can find yourself
very deep in the hole. I did and I'm still trying to dig my way out. It would be
wise to ask about the internal currency issue before you embark. Bonne Chance/Good Luck!
Well, I have read some of the
comments posted here and I want to say that teaching in general and teaching
English in particular is not a job to earn money but rather a means whereby you
can earn money. That is to say, we shouldn't exagerate the importance of talking
about the financial side of this noble job and put its educational and moral
values that we get from this job into oblivion. If you appreciate the flavour of
teaching, you will for sure forget about the sour taste of problems in Morocco.
For me, everything is conspicuous and the conditions or the salary mentioned in
the contract is the first thing you have to sign to get access to this job,
which means you agree to it. So you, me and everyone must think of another way
to change and not to cry out after having the job. I don't think we should work
or sign a contract if it doesn't guarantee the continuity of our teaching in the
best possible conditions.
Hi all, It's sad to read that some people are overgeneralizing judgements based on
their negative experiences in the country. I have had bad experiences in some countries
in Europe, just as a tourist, yet I never think that those incidents are representative
for the entire country. I got my TESOL and a couple of Master's in the US and taught
there in a couple of language centers. When I decided to go back home to Morocco it was not
possible for me to get a job as a teacher at the public university which requires a Phd.
I applied to Al-Akhawayn, a university with an anglophone system of education, but to no avail.
I found myself teaching in the private sector in my home city Meknes. I experienced some
of what you guys mentioned earlier: lies, deceit, broken promises, etc. It was not until a
new English language center opened in Meknes this month that things took another turn in my life.
The guy who manages it seems to be very professional. He comes with a great experience of English
language teaching and does things in a professional manner. I had the first interview with
three people. I was then called to talk about the terms of the contract, which he
gave me right away and asked me to take it home, read it, and sign it if I agree with all clauses.
I thank God. I have been in this place for only one month now and I am very excited and satisfied.
That's why I felt like it is not fair to put everybody in the same basket. Good luck to you all.
To avoid falling into any kind of a trap, deal with foreign entities (or the public sector if you can)
such as the American Language Centers that dot the country, AMIDEAST, and the British Council. Of course,
there is a level of honesty in certain locally-owened language schools, but do not expect a hig level of
professsionalism. People do not open these schools because they really care about education; therefore,
do not expect to be treated as a deserving educator. Morocco surely is a great country to visit, but
not really a good place to teach in or do busines in
unlike you have very solid and reliable connections.
Hello everyone. I just want to know how you get teaching jobs in Morocco. I was born there, and I have been teaching
in Denver, CO for 8 years now. I would love to go back to Morocco and teach there as an American Teacher.
If your advice is about a specific school, please post it in our forum
English language schools in Morocco
Teaching in Africa Forum
TEFL jobs in Africa and the Middle East
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