Being so close to Europe also means that speaking English is essential for jobs in international businesses that trade, and as its economy grows, more people are looking to learn English. Read on for The TEFL Org’s guide to teaching English in Morocco, from the salary, visa process, top cities, and more.

Key Takeaways

• There’s a high demand for English teachers in Morocco, with most teaching opportunities coming in the private sector.
• Teachers generally need a TEFL certificate, English proficiency (native or non-native), and a bachelor’s degree.
• The average salary for English teachers in Morocco ranges from MAD 7,000–14,000 ($750–$1,500 / £555–£1,110) per month, but licensed teachers at international schools can earn much more.
• Teachers need a work visa and permit to teach in Morocco legally.
• Moroccan culture is Islamic and it’s important to research the country’s customs.
• Top cities for English teachers include Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez.

Requirements for Teaching English in Morocco

So while there’s a growing emphasis on English, the high demand also means that there’s flexibility when it comes to the teaching requirements.

Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Morocco?

Yes, you need a TEFL certificate to teach English in Morocco. While a 120-hour TEFL certificate is enough for most jobs, some employers might look for teachers with a Level 5 TEFL course or a teaching licence, especially at high-paying international schools.

If you have your eyes set on teaching a specific age or subject, you can take a course in teaching young learners or business English to qualify for niche teaching roles.

Can I teach English without a degree in Morocco?

Government rules in Morocco list a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) as a legal requirement for English teachers — so there’s no getting around it. If you have a degree in English or education, or a master’s degree, you can negotiate a higher salary.

Don’t have a degree? You can still teach English abroad without a degree in other countries.

Do I need teaching experience to teach in Morocco?

Not having experience won’t hold you back from teaching in Morocco. You can teach English without experience in Morocco by applying to private language school jobs (or volunteer programmes). If you want to work at an international school, you’ll need previous teaching experience.

Can I teach in Morocco as a non-native speaker?

Yes, you can teach English as a non-native speaker in Morocco, as long as you have a TEFL certificate, a degree, and proof of English proficiency (through an IELTS, CEFR, or TOEFL certificate).

Visa requirements for teaching English in Morocco

You’ll need the right visa and work permit to teach English in Morocco legally. But the visa and work permit for teaching in Morocco is employee-sponsored, so it’s essential to get a job before arriving.

Once you’ve found a job, your employer can sponsor your application and help you get the work permit. Then, you can apply for the long-stay visa at a Moroccan embassy in your home country. After arriving in Morocco, you can apply for a residence permit (or carte de séjour).

Here’s everything you need to get the right visa and work permit:

• Entry application visa form
• Signed job contract with Moroccan employer
• Clear criminal background certificate
• Proof of academic and professional qualifications
• A passport that’s valid for longer than your stay

Salary and Cost of Living

Morocco is known for its low cost of living, but you need to know how it compares to the teacher salaries to understand how much you’ll earn, spend, and save.

How much can you earn teaching English in Morocco?

The TEFL salary in Morocco is similar to countries in northern Africa (like Egypt) and southern Europe (like Spain, Portugal, or Italy), with English teachers earning around MAD 7,000–14,000 ($750–$1,500 / £555–£1,110) per month. But the salary depends on your experience, qualifications, and your job type.

International schools offer starting salaries from MAD 10,000–23,000 ($1,070–$2,460 / £795–£1,825) per month depending on their reputation and how much experience you have. However, these schools set high expectations for their teachers.

Some schools also offer plenty of benefits from accommodation (or an allowance), visa reimbursement and medical insurance, so don’t just consider the salary when looking for a job.

How much does it cost to live in Morocco?

The cost of living in Morocco is around 60% cheaper than the UK or the US, but it’s also important to consider where you’re teaching.

On a national level, English teachers can expect to spend around MAD 7,000–8,185 ($740–$875 / £550–£650) per month, but popular spots like Casablanca average at around MAD 10,855 ($1,160 / £860).

If you’re looking to save up, here are our top tips for stretching your budget in Morocco:

• Look beyond Casablanca: Casablanca is an amazing city, but there are plenty of cities that offer an excellent lifestyle at lower costs. Cities like Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir, Kenitra, and more offer lower living costs and potentially better saving potential.
• Consider job benefits: It’s not all about the salary — consider jobs with benefits like free accommodation to save you money in the long run. This could save you anywhere between MAD 2,000–3,500 ($215–$375 / £160–£275) per month.
• Live outside the centre: Avoid the touristy centre — you can save up to MAD 2,000 ($215 / £160) per month just by living in more local spots in cities like Rabat, Marrakech, or Fez (Fes).
• Eat like a local: Eating like a local is a great way to sample the culture, and it’s also a great way to stretch your salary. From local ingredients and dishes like couscous, rfissa, tagine dishes, pastilla — or even snails, camel meat — the Moroccan culinary scene is affordable and varied.
• Haggle: Haggling is seen as a social sport in Morocco, so don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price when you’re at the local market.

English Teaching Jobs in Morocco

English teaching jobs in Morocco come in all shapes and forms, with a high demand in general subjects as well as ESP (English for Specific Purposes) subjects like Business English, academic English, or exam preparation.

Finding work at public schools is difficult if you don’t have Moroccan citizenship, so most foreign teachers find work at private schools like language centres or international schools. You can also do private tutoring outside your current schedule if your employer allows it.

The school year typically runs from September to June, and you can find jobs using boards like The TEFL Org Jobs Centre, or you can try applying to schools directly online through their websites.

Private language schools

Private language schools are where you’ll find most job opportunities, as they hire year-round and are welcoming of inexperienced teachers. Students at private language schools usually have a specific goal in mind, like learning business English, preparing for exams, and so on, so having experience or a qualification in teaching ESP subjects is helpful here.

Student ages vary from young learners to teenagers and adults, which is important to consider if you’re keen on teaching a specific age group.

What to expect at private language schools in Morocco:

• Wide range of student ages
• Courses ranging from general English to business English, exam preparation, and more
• Small class sizes
• Evening and weekend classes

International schools

International schools are the highest standard of teaching jobs when it comes to salary, benefits, and also the quality of teachers. Teachers at these schools usually need a master’s degree (often in English or education), a teaching licence, and a few years of classroom experience.

These schools follow an American, British, or IB curriculum, and you’ll teach international students from expat families.

What to expect at international schools in Morocco:

• Teaching international students (and potentially local students)
• Following an American, British, or IB curriculum
• Excellent classroom facilities
• High salary and benefits, but very high expectations

Private tutoring

It’s also possible to work as a private tutor in Morocco, but you’ll need to be sure that your contract doesn’t forbid you from working outside of regular school hours.

What to expect as a private tutor in Morocco:

• Flexible, but unstable hours
• Marketing yourself, organising your own lesson materials
• Setting your own rates

Volunteering

If you’re a non-degree holder or you’re a new teacher looking to gain experience, volunteering is a great way to see how things are on the ground before committing to a job. Many volunteer programmes (like IVHQ, Volunteer World, or on Workaway) offer accommodation with a local family, who are often generous with their servings of home-cooked meals.

What to expect as a volunteer in Morocco:

• Unpaid, but benefits include meals and accommodation with a host family
• Teaching English to underprivileged students
• Short-term commitments (usually minimum 2 weeks)

Teaching English in Major Cities

From the many coastal towns and cities to the mountainous terrains in the heart of Morocco and the Sahara desert, Morocco offers so many choices for English teachers.

Teach English in Rabat

While most tourists have Marrakech or Casablanca in mind, Rabat is Morocco’s dynamic but sleepy capital. But it’s perfect for English teachers, whether you’re after the best job opportunities, a coastal yet cosmopolitan lifestyle, UNESCO heritage, or something else.

If you want to go further afield (but not too far), Casablanca is only an hour away. Or, you can head further inland towards Fez!

Teach English in Casablanca

When you’ve clocked out for the day, you’ve got no shortage of options to fill your free time. Visit Hassan II — Africa’s second largest mosque — or the Old Medina for a taste of heritage and culture. If you want to up the tempo, hit the waves at a local beach club and resort or climb the El Hank Lighthouse.

Want on-the-ground insight into what life is like? Follow Katie’s adventure as an online English teacher in Morocco.

Ready to Teach English Abroad? Don’t Forget Your TEFL Course

Before you look for a job teaching English abroad, you’ll need to take your TEFL course. It’s not just a means to an end — when you study a TEFL course you’ll learn about the challenges (and their solutions) of teaching English as a foreign language. From classroom management, explaining difficult grammar structures, to lesson planning and more, you’ll become a skilled and confident teacher in the classroom.

Whether you want to teach English in North Africa, Europe, Asia or beyond, get started today with our 120-hour TEFL course.