Teaching English in Morocco

Teachers' advice / Morocco

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 actually travel there first and second would be to try to find a job anywhere else but Morocco. I had 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 the travel money 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.
John, 18/04/06
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.
Anonymous, 14/06/06
Don't have high expectations. Don't expect and you will never be disappointed.
Malak
We always expect such things from private school owners. Still, we are ready to work with our students as they are ours. If you are quite sure of your qualification, why do you bear the burden of travelling miles and miles of kilometres looking for a job? My advice to you sir or madame is to stay in your own country and save every penny you want to invest in Morocco to get dollars. Here when you invest pennies you get cents. Finally, if you want to come to Morocco pay for the visa and pay for your taxis, doctor's visits... welcome any reaction to this comment.
Abdellatif, 02/10/06
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.
Gerald, 06/11/06
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!
Faissal Massour, 10/11/06
Well, as a Moroccan, I can say that anybody can live peacefully in Morocco. Morocco nowadays is facing many challenges and many developments in all fields. Education and economy are the most important burgeoning fields in many cities.
Redouane, 06/07/07
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
Abdou, 27/07/07
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.
Ali Cakir, 02/08/07
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.
Hassan, 21/10/07
As a Moroccan student, I'd like to give my point of view about teaching in Morocco in general and teaching English in particular.

Dear teachers: you've got to take in mind that Morocco is not the USA or Japan. The Moroccan teachers make great efforts in teaching but in return the wage is not as important as the effort made.

There are excellent doctors in many fields such as Maths, Physics, Literature... who are not well paid by the public sector. So they go to private schools to give courses to us to improve their revenue.

The problem with foreign teachers is that they think that Morocco lacks talented teachers. This idea is totally wrong because when those teachers come to Morocco they find that there are highly qualified teachers who earn less than the foreign teachers do.

The problem is related to the economic situation of the country. In other words the budget that the Moroccan government allocates to education and research is very low in comparison to other developed countries.

So, if a foreign teacher wants to come here to Morocco, he should accept the economical and the social reality, because he'll earn his wage in dirhams and not in euros, and that is what makes the difference between the happiness of the tourists and the suffering of workers.

Concerning the English teachers, I'd like to say that, because of globalisation, specifically the free trade contract that Morocco signed with EU and US, the need of learning English is more and more imposed on the companies so as to benefit from business intelligence and to face the competition.

So what Morocco needs is not some underqualified teachers, but investors who are able to take risks and highly talented teachers from excellent universities such as Princeton, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford to make a great basis for the future generations so that they can use English not as a foreign language but as the second language in Morocco.
Moulay el Mehdi, 23/10/07
Hey... I have read all of your comments... what can I say... I am Moroccan but I am gonna be objective... I can say that in Morocco there is still the law of jungle. it's a country where survival is only for the fittest... law is not implemented, it's only slogans... You can come only for a visit, to enjoy the beauty of the country and discover some of its deep rooted traditions mainly berber ones... but Morocco is not a good place to work in... anyway your comments are very welcome: erraji_omar@hotmail.com
Omar
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!
Liberty, 10/11/07
First of all, I'm going to comment on the strategy used by the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, it is not fruitful, especially when it comes to the way English is basically taught in high schools, most students are promised to get their marks if they keep silent throughout the course, this shouldn't be the case, since students should be silent in a way, but not to the extent of forcing them indirectly to not participate in the class.

Another problem here in Morocco is that English evening classes are organized by teachers who threaten their students with low marks unless they attend evening classes and pay money to their teachers in order to get a better mark.

I wish the Moroccan National Ministry of Education would think of effective and far-reaching results in order to improve the way that English is taught here in Morocco, by doing so, I think we would avoid such problems as foreign teachers who come to Morocco becoming negative.
El Yamlahi, 05/12/07
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.
John, 12/01/08
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.
Salah, 21/01/08
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.
Yahya, 18/02/08
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.
Anonymous, 07/03/08
"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...
Sharon
"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.
Soaad
"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.
M'hammed Kailil
"I'm English and work and live in China as a teacher. Culturally China is as different to me as Morocco would be. Here, if your school is a good one you'll enjoy the experience. If your school is a dodgy one with dodgy contracts, dodgy facilities, dodgy owners, you wont. Simple as that. I'm sure that this applies to all countries. It has nothing to do with politics, religion, lifestyle or money. Morocco sounds a wonderful place to visit.
Arlena
John, If you find morocco the way you see it, why would you bother to stay there? The world is big and you don't need morocco and neither morocco needs you. The problem with Moroccans is not they are racists against foreigners, whether Africans or westerners, but racist against each other. What is needed there is to get rid of the myth that foreigners are nice and good and to give them priority because foreigners would never give priority to Moroccans. Meanwhile foreigners should have difficulties coming to Morocco in the same way Moroccans find it difficult to go to other countries. A change in culture is urgently needed.
Youssef, 31/03/09
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!
Porge, 23/07/09
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.
Simmmo, 27/07/09
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.
Halima, 31/07/09
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.
lionill, 12/08/09
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.
Anonymous, 16/10/09
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." Anonymous, 06/02/10

Teaching English in Morocco

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