Morocco

Situated at the northwestern tip of Africa, Morocco brims with culture, tradition, and color. Often referred to as the gateway to Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco — or Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah as it’s known in Arabic, the country’s official language — is home to a growing population of just over 36 million people from a diverse array of backgrounds. With the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean to the north, and Algeria and Western Sahara to the east and south, Morocco is a cultural melting pot: throughout the country you’ll find influences from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Morocco’s geography is nearly as diverse as its cultural tapestry. The Atlas Mountains cut through Morocco’s interior, separating the country’s fertile coastal region from the harsh expanse of the Sahara Desert. Read on to learn more about what this fascinating North African country has to offer! A Little History With its prime location connecting Europe and Africa, Morocco has attracted a number of invaders throughout history, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Byzantines. The region gained stability and the capacity to ward off these foreign intruders in the later half of the eighth century, when the Berber people — an ethnic group that still constitutes the majority of Morocco’s population today — adapted Islam and established the first Moroccan states. By the nineteenth century, however, Europe had set its sights on Morocco, and the country was split between Frenc…

Each country has its own requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Morocco. Education You will need to possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject in order to teach in Morocco. Citizenship There are no specific citizenship requirements to teach English in Morocco, but you will typically need to be a native English speaker in order to find a job there. Most Moroccan schools prefer to hire candidates specifically from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. English Fluency Morocco is also a good teaching market for teachers whose first language is not English. That being said, you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might need to be more flexible about your school and location preferences to compete with native English-speaking candidates. Background Check You must have a clean criminal record in order to teach English in Morocco and obtain your residence permit. Any misdemeanors or felonies will disqualify you from teaching in Morocco. You’ll learn more about the criminal record requirements in the Applying for the Visa section. *If you have something on your record…

In Morocco, the demand to learn English is high. Many Moroccans see English as a means to boost business prospects and globalize their career options. English for tourism purposes is an especially in-demand skill, as Morocco’s already robust tourism industry has only been growing in recent years. As a result, English teaching instructors in Morocco will find ample opportunities to teach learners of all ages, from young children to teenagers and adults. The majority of English teaching opportunities in Morocco are concentrated in large cities like Fez, Rabat, Marrakesh, Tangier, and Casablanca. TEFL certified instructors will be able to find positions at private language schools and as private tutors or teachers, and some qualified teachers will be able to secure employment at international schools. Each of these job types comes with its own specific set of advantages, so you’ll want to understand the basic differences between them before you begin applying. Private Language Schools Classroom sizes at private language schools are typically small, and most of your colleagues will be other foreign English instructors rather than Moroccan locals. As a teacher at a private language school, expect to be instructing students in the afternoon and evening, outside of the traditional working day or public school hours. You might also be asked to work on some Saturdays in order to accommodate your students’ busy professional schedules. ITA alumna Latisha S. taught at a private language …

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process! There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Morocco, and we have them all outlined here below. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa may overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Morocco Timeline as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure you are staying on top of your visa documents while applying for teaching positions. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. To take a deeper dive into international resumes and cover letters, visit the Resume and Cover Letter section ! Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for review. Step 2: Determine Your Preferences A major part of the teaching abroad experience is enjoying where you’ll actually be living! Do you have a preference when it comes to your daily routines and surroundings? Do you want to live in the bustling capital city of Rabat? Or do you crave a picturesque, small town ex…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position from a school in Morocco and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Morocco is 4,600 to 9,500 MAD per month. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like you’ll be in a rural location with a low cost of living or working longer than average hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life-travel balance. Working Hours Teaching English in Morocco can be a part-time or full-time gig. However, there’s more than just the total number of working hours per week (typically 20-30 hours) to consider. Will you have to work in the morning for a few hours and then come back for more in the evening? Does your school require that you show up an hour be…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Morocco, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Moroccan embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Visa Types Work Permit What is it? This permit allows you to work legally in Morocco and is issued to foreigners who have accepted an offer and signed a contract with a Moroccan school or company. Most schools in Morocco will sponsor their foreign English teachers’ work permit, and they’ll be able to assist you with the process of applying for and obtaining your permit once in Morocco. How do you get one? First, you’ll want to be in contact with your employer in Morocco, who will be there to assist you through the process of applying for and obtaining your work permit and entry visa. If you find a job in advance of arriving in Morocco, you’ll typically enter Morocco on an entry visa for work purposes, and then process your work permit once in Morocco. On the other hand, if you plan on finding a job on the ground in Morocco, you’ll typically enter Morocco on an entry visa for tour…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. Depending on your school, you might or might not receive health insurance benefits. Typically, however, health insurance is not included with the job in Morocco. If it is, you’re lucky! Check out the Accepting the Right Offer section to learn more. That being the case, you will want to do your own research in order to determine which health insurance plan abroad might be the best fit for you, your health needs, and any dependents you might be bringing along. With so many insurance options to choose from, picking out a good provider can be daunting for some teachers. One easy hack? Check out thi…

You have finally made it to the end of the Morocco section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Morocco. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Morocco to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance Use this timeline to nail down your plan of attack, and remember that English teaching jobs in Morocco can be found year round, except during major Islamic holidays. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 6 months before departure: Begin your research ___Read through ITA’s resources, and attend Student Affairs webinar. ___List out your preferences and priorities. ___Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences in Morocco. ___Ensure your passport will be valid six months past your anticipated return date or order a new passport. 4-6 months before departure: Begin compiling your application and visa documents ___Finalize your international resume and cover letter. ___Obtain passport photos. ___Obtain copies of your passport, degrees, and TEFL certificate. ___Contact the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your jurisdiction to verify the work per…

By discarding any preconceived notions of Arabs or Muslims, working earnestly to learn the local language, and adapting to local customs - from fasting during Ramadan to haggling for groceries at the cheapest open air market, I developed lifelong bonds and learned lessons that have stayed with me to this day Ariel D. Oujda, Morocco Once I decided that I wanted to teach English in Morocco, I researched language schools and sought out the largest and most respected. I discovered the American Language Center (ALC) and learned that they had 12 locations throughout Morocco. I emailed the directors in the cities that I was interested in residing and conducted phone interviews over a two day period while based in Marrakesh, Morocco. My last interview on the second day was with the director of the Oujda location. We got along extremely well and ended up talking on the phone for nearly three hours. By the end of the call, he'd offered me a position and I'd accepted. My decision to teach in Oujda was based on my instant connection with the director and the fact that I'd never heard of Oujda, Morocco. This would be an adventure! Latisha S. Oujda, Morocco I would recommend teaching here if you're adaptable. You are going to have to deal with a lot of inconveniences, and being a single woman is not easy. However, if you're up to it, Morocco is beautiful. The people are generally genuinely nice and very helpful (which doesn't mean they won't take advantage of you in the market). Avery L. R…