Where we work / Morocco
Morocco was called by the late King Hassan II “a tree whose roots lie in Africa but whose leaves breathe in Europe”.
Morocco
Perched on the northwest corner of North Africa, a 30-minute ferry ride from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco was called by the late King Hassan II “a tree whose roots lie in Africa but whose leaves breathe in Europe.”
Like the arabesque mosaics that decorate its buildings, Morocco’s Arabic and Islamic culture is an exotic mix of African, Bedouin, European, and Mediterranean influences that have melded together over thousands of years. You’ll catch the same fascinating mix of scents and fragrances at the doors of Moroccan homes and shops, owned by locals generous in their hospitality to wandering strangers. Relationships come easily in this North African culture with the Mediterranean feel, bonding in the classroom, over a cup of tea, or at a family celebration.
In 2014, Morocco’s Prime Minister announced that the country would switch from French to English as the primary language of instruction in higher education. Since that time, opportunities have been extended to ELIC to serve and teach in this beautiful and unique country that sits at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Arab world.
frequently asked
questions
How many hours per week will I work?
Teachers should be prepared to teach fifteen hours per week, with an additional eight office hours weekly.
What is the working relationship like with other faculty and teachers?
Teachers work closely with administrators and the English department head. They are deeply involved in the English department, and as colleagues, often enjoy spending time with one another.
What is the student demographic?
Teachers in Morocco primarily teach university students from middle- to upper-class families, although some are on scholarship and from poor areas. There are many sub-Saharan African international students as well as students from the southern region of Morocco.
What will my first week look like? How will you help me get my life overseas started?
Teachers move into school apartments and get them cleaned up, stocked, and ready to go. They also attend an in-country orientation where they learn some French/Arabic along with how to take taxis and go shopping. There are also opportunities to meet teachers and others from the community.
What does ongoing professional/personal development look like?
We hold a professional development meeting once a month, usually as a country team. We also provide teacher observations for new teammates; in addition, these are sometimes offered by other professional development specialists as opportunities arise.
What is it like to raise a family overseas?
Moroccans love children, and the cities where we have partnerships are great places to raise kids. Shopkeepers and neighborhood guardians take care to keep an eye out for families, especially foreigners. Local residents are very friendly with children.
What are some things I might do to contribute to my team if my spouse is teaching, but I’m not?
There are many important roles for non-teaching spouses. There is no shortage of opportunities for hospitality, engaging with people who want to practice English, or providing a listening ear. Hospitality is also highly valued with meals, game nights and other outings. Our non-teaching spouses put deep roots down in the local communities around campus as much as their varied responsibilities as a homeschool teacher, parent, spouse, and teammate allow.
Spouses generally help with student activities and event nights. There are also opportunities to lead book clubs at the university and to build relationships with friends and neighbors.
What kind of housing will I have? How far away are housing options from the school and other teammates?
At one school, teachers live in apartments owned by the school, about a fifteen-minute walk from the campus. They will most likely live in the same building as their other colleagues. At our other location, housing is available close to (or with) teammates. Apartments usually have 3 bedrooms and 1.5 to 2 baths. The team is not located close to the school, but carpooling is usually available when needed.
What are some surprising things I might learn after the first 60 days?
Teachers are often surprised that they have learned both French or Arabic words (depending on location) to use interchangeably. They often become quite independent and adventurous, and grow to feel very comfortable in their classrooms.
What is the team structure like? How often are formal meetings, and what do they entail?
Teams meet weekly for a team meal, which includes professional development, encouragement, ongoing training, team building, and having fun, each on an alternating basis. Informally, teams interact regularly to share life together, share meals, and hang out together with friends.