Job Discussion Forums

karinb · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 33

Hello,

I am just asking for some guidance.. or just tell me if this is a terrible idea or not. I am a soon to be college grad who plans on getting a tesol cert over the summer (perferably one from an American university that can be later applied to a MA, and is 4-6 month long.. ie. not a CELTA). Anyways, I am interested in teaching in Rabat in the fall. I will be fairly young (turn 22 Aug 30), without tesol employment history, with pretty much no abroad experience (been working since I was 16.. but hey no college debt!), I'm female, and I can speak a little French but am by no means fluent. I would not expect that Morocco is the easiest choice as far as far as "cultural adjustment" goes... but I'm up for the challenge. What I'm wondering is if I would have any chance of actually obtaining employment Question

Given my lack of experience, gender and age?

steady · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Morocco

Your gender will not be a probelm. Your age shouldn't be either. Lack of experience may be. However, if you get a reputable certification and you are up for the challenge, then go for it. So much from there on depends on the telephone interview. Good Luck Karinb.

karinb · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 33

I forgot to ask if there are any opportunities for teaching only children? Or at least teens/ pre-teens? Question

steady · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Morocco

Unlikely, but you could have half of your schedule with teens/pre-teens.

medina · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 64 Location: Morocco

To Karinb I'd say that you should get as much classroom experience as possible before trying to come here and teach --- certificate or no certificate. Maybe you could do some volunteer ESL teaching somewhere near where you live. This would give you more confidence than you seem to have right now if you're worried that you won't be respected because of being a young woman.

If you give your future Moroccan students lessons which you've prepared with care, and know how to teach, and if you give them the feeling "I know where you need to get to with your English and I know how to help you get there", then they'll respect you regardless of gender, age, etc. But if you give the impression "Now, let's see? What am I supposed to do next? Let me look at my lesson plan." they're going to say to each other "She's still too young." At that point, they'll lose confidence in you and it will be hard to get it back.

And after all, if you're teaching here (and I'm figuring you'd be teaching in a private English school), you will inevitably wind up teaching people who have really sacrificed and saved their centimes to go to your English class. There may be people who, if they have a job at all, are earning in a month what you're earning in a week. Even if you get the little kids you'd like to teach, it may be their parents are really scrimping to pay for the lessons. So they have a right to expect a person with experience teaching them, don't you think?

karinb · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 33

^ Definetely! That is one of the reasons I want to do a more extensive cartification process, so that I can have lesson plans prepared and what not. Also, I guess I should of mentioned that I *do* have volunteer experience, just none that was paid work. In high school I spent 3 summers volunteering at an intensive English program/day camp as a teaching assistant, then in college I have volunteered for the English language program-- however, only as a "conversation partner"-- I also volunteer at an inner-city elementary school for a literary program, but not esl. I am serious about being the best teacher I can be, but perhaps it is best for me to get more experience working with adults or at least teens before I go to Morocco. Thank you for your input it is valuable.

steady · Joined: 10 May 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Morocco

It doesn�t matter if you are a volunteer or a paid teacher; you still have to cut the mustard. Students who attend either of these classes will have expectations. If these students are children, then their parents will too.

What I am saying here, is that if you have drive and dedication, and a good training program behind you, then you should take a job where you would like to live; paid or unpaid.

Morocco is a very good place to be. The students here have a lot of respect for teachers who engage with them, and put time and effort into their classes.

Contact AMIDEAST or The American Language Center.

medina · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 64 Location: Morocco

Steady's right: it sure doesn't matter if it's paid or volunteer, but I think it does matter to get classroom experience where you're there, in a classroom, with maybe 15 or more students each of whom has his or her own special needs and challenges. This is the normal Moroccan situation in places like those which Steady mentions.

With some classroom experience, what you'll get from the TEFL course, and the conscientiousness you seem to already have, I know you'll do a fine job. Much luck. You've picked one of the greatest professions out there IMHO!

Urban_Kitten · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 81

You'll have no problems getting a job in Morocco is you have a BA and a TEFL certificate. If you want to teach kids then employers will love you as most of us are more than a little frustrated teaching Moroccan children. You'll still have to augment your salary by teaching adults - most children's classes are on the weekends and Wednesday and Friday afternoons. You can also try to get on the sub list for the American School in Rabat.