Morocco is one of the most fascinating destinations in Northern Africa, but for tourism purposes it often winds up being little more than a side trip from Spain. However, it’s becoming increasingly popular with a savvy set of English teachers who see in this country a charming culture that gives pause and a few spectacular old-world cities that are worthy of lingering.

Morocco is home to many iconic destinations, and English teachers with a contract for a year or longer are in prime position to be able to visit all of the highlights in Morocco.
Probably the best-known city in Morocco is Casablanca, with Hollywood fame and a spread of whitewashed colonial architecture and plenty of modern conveniences. Casablanca is Morocco’s economic hub and is where many of the most reliable teaching jobs are found.

Another must-see is Fès, a bastion of old-world that simply doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Of course, seasoned English teachers in Morocco champion Fès both as a place to visit and a place to teach.

Other oft-visited places in Morocco include Marrakech, once a great imperial city, and Rabat, a city known for its embassies and diplomatic work force. Both of these cities have plenty of sightseeing, cosmopolitan entertainment and job opportunities available.

The English teaching industry is still growing in Morocco and only a few of the schools offer housing allowances or on-campus living. Apartments are cheap and widely available in major cities.

The rail network in Morocco is fast and efficient and is still the best way to get from one city to the next. Getting around is also possible aboard luxury buses, shared taxis and private taxis.

Morocco is multicultural and multilingual and it’s proximity to Europe means residents have to know a variety of languages just to get by. French has long been the international language of choice, but it’s now being displaced by English.
All the same, the prospective English teachers who have the best luck finding jobs are those who have a working knowledge of French. This is especially helpful for new students who may need to ask the occasional English-related question in French. This makes English teachers from French Canada an especially marketable commodity. Beyond this, the Moroccan Ministry of Labor requires all foreign teachers to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.

Morocco Links

• Go to Morocco forums
• Go to Morocco photo gallery
• Google search for Morocco
• Morocco wikipedia entry