Job Discussion Forums

[cmc]

Greetings from dusty Djibouti,

I�ve got a question regarding ESL job opportunities in Morocco, starting June or July of this year. I have a friend teaching here in Djibouti who is a native speaker with a BA in Education (French teacher) and one year ESL teaching experience. I keep telling her that if she wants to live in Morocco that she should just go there and interview.

Am I correct in assuming that with her background she could land a job quite easily? She�s especially interested in Rabat. Also, she would be arriving in early June. Do the institutes (ALC, Amideast, and others) hire teachers in the summer? How long might one reasonably have to wait before landing a job and starting to work in that season?

Ok, thanks so much for any information you may wish to contribute!

cmc

[alcmarr]

It would be pretty rare, but not impossible, for your friend to find an EFL opening in the summer. She should definitely write before simply showing up, unless she has fairly unlimited resources. Both AMIDEAST and the ALCs have websites, email, etc.

Abdurrahman

[cmc]

Dear Abdurrahman,

Thanks so much for your reply. She has contacted both Amideast and ALC, but she hasn't gotten a clear answer as to whether or not positions may begin in the summer.

So is it common for Moroccan students in private institutions to put their English studies on hold throughout the summer season? It really changes from place to place. We taught in Chile and nobody signed up to study for three months during summer. But then when we taught in S Korea and in Taiwan, summer was business as usual for English studies. Where on this spectrum is Morocco?

Again, your response is much appreciated!

cmc

[nolefan]

some of the students will sign up for the summer classes but there is quite a few that would rather go adn study abroad instead. It's a mixed market but it's gotten a lot better since Al Akhawayn university opened up.
I don't think it's a good idea to just show up there and expect for the best to happen. Secure a position before you get there or go elsewhere.

[cmc]

Nolefan,

Thanks for your input. I think I see what you're saying. So classes keep going throughout the summer, but numbers drop? I can see why it would be hard to walk in and get a job at that time. How easy is it to secure a good position in the fall? Any ideas, comparisons with other popular ESL countries?

Merci pour votre aide!

cmc

[alcmarr]

The reason schools in Morocco are not going to start someone in June or July is because, in general, everything stops in August, and pretty much in September too. The coastal cities get crowded with people escaping the heat, but those people aren't there to study English (much).
Morocco is not like it was in the past when a backpacker could walk in off the street and find a job. At least not in reputable schools like the American Language Centers, Amideast, and British Council. They start hiring way in advance of fall. Of course, people change their minds or get sick or get sick of Morocco and positions open up that way unexpectedly, but your friend wouldn't want to travel all the way there with only that to count on.

Hope this helps,

Abdurrahman

[cmc]

Hey all,

I'll keep an eye on this thread in case anyone other tidbits of information are offered. Again, thanks very much for the information and your help!

If anybody wants to check out teaching in Djibouti pix, feel free to go to http://community.webshots.com/user/cullenmarina

cmc

[Brooks]

don`t count on work in the summer. The next term starts in October.