French Language Schools in Morocco

From souks to modern cities, many Moroccans speak French as an unofficial second language. The combination of cultures and geography have shaped this Arabic country in such a way that you’ll be hard pressed to find another country which provides a similar level of multicultural immersion. Just imagine hearing the call to prayer from the local mosque while enjoying your morning croissants and café au lait!

An understandably popular spot to learn French in Morocco is Meknes, affectionately called the “Versailles of Morocco.” Between French language classes, students can explore both the medina (old town) and Ville Nouvelle (modern city), the names of which alone show how French is blended seamlessly into life in Morocco. It doesn’t hurt that Meknes is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, meaning you’re likely to have your breath taken away by views of the skyline and thousand-year-old architectural feats, while practicing verb conjugations. Easily accessible from Fez, but with none of its chaos, Meknes is bound to steal your heart.

Equally quaint and picturesque, with its palm-lined avenues and royal history, is Rabat. There are several French language course options in Rabat, and the city is home to a growing community of expats who enjoy sightseeing among the French-colonial landmarks (as well as a Berber-era fort and modern Ville city center). The stylized gardens might make you think you’re exploring a chateau rather than a coastal town in Africa, but it’s all the more reason to continue your French language lessons. Locals appreciate people who can correctly pronounce all of the sites they’re visiting.

From its name, Tangier is an obvious example of yet another place where learning French in Morocco is a natural fit. The first city you’ll encounter crossing south from the Strait of Gibraltar, the European influence is heaviest in Tangier; but rather than reducing the experience, it’s enhanced by these unique influences. Modern amenities paired with the low cost of living common throughout Morocco make Tangier a great all around option for French language courses in Morocco. It’s also a mere 35-minute ride to Tarifa, Spain, so there are several countries open for exploration on weekends too.

Cities in Morocco tend to be quite small (the largest listed above is Rabat, with 1.6 million residents). Rather than slipping back into English or another language among large expat communities, you’ll be pressed to practice your French (or pick up some Arabic phrases) to get by on a daily basis. There’s no crutch to fall back on when you’re learning French in Morocco!

French is a very important language in Morocco; it is still widely considered the language of business, science, and medicine. As several French language programs in Morocco will point out rather quickly, if you don’t speak Arabic, you’ll definitely be speaking French. French language schools in Morocco have recognized the importance of providing lots of options for language students, so there’s no shortage of styles and formats. However, there are two main ways to learn French in Morocco: through an intensive program or as part of higher education institution.

Universities tend to combine French language courses with discussions related to culture, religion, history, and politics. French language courses in Morocco taken at universities often take the form of traditional study abroad programs, with daily classes, activities, homework, and accommodation all rolled into one program fee, and with a transcript earned for passing grades by the end of the program. University language courses also mean it’s up to you if you want to sign up for a summer session or a semester-long program.

When it comes to intensive French language programs in Morocco, expect to spend at least 20 hours per week in the classroom. Most intensive programs won’t look like study abroad programs, which provide multiple subjects; instead, they’ll likely focus solely on learning French and not include many extras, such as “campus” events or accommodations. Language learners who opt for these programs will likely have to arrange their own accommodation, but they will still be able to choose from other activities to compliment their language-learning. When apartment hunting in Morocco, try to find a way to stay with fellow French speakers. This way, your French language education will continue outside of the classroom walls and you can pick up all the real slang that isn’t included in textbooks.

For true proficiency, expect to spend several months learning French in Morocco. Since French isn’t an official language, fluency may take a bit longer than in other countries. However, as a bonus, you may also achieve proficiency in Arabic!

As mentioned, French doesn’t have sanction as an official language, and fewer than 10 percent of Moroccans speak it as their first language (though as many as 40 percent speak it alongside their first language). Thus, there are some unique aspects to the French language that you’re likely to only find in Morocco (and, in some ways, wider North African region in general). 

As a whole, Moroccans speak European French, but there are plenty of local expressions and hybrid phrases combined with Arabic and Amazigh. This is particularly true because the Arabic spoken in Morocco (Darija) uses plenty of French (and Spanish) loanwords. Even if you ask a Moroccan, you’ll get varying answers on the amount to which French is shaping Arabic, and Arabic is shaping French, in Morocco.

Head spinning yet? Don’t worry, and don’t be surprised if any previous French knowledge you have doesn’t match exactly with the new lingo; these kinds of vocabulary mismatches are common even among Arabic speakers in Morocco, and consequently they are easily navigable. If you have never spoken a word of French before heading to Morocco, you may end up with a few fun phrases that will make fellow Francophiles scratch their heads in future conversations. 

It goes without saying that learning French in Morocco is going to be unlike learning French anywhere else in the world. You’ll be immersed in a country where speaking multiple languages is standard, and have plenty of opportunities to practice with locals you meet along the way. There are even tree-climbing goats to befriend, freshly-squeezed orange juice to indulge in, and endless mosques to admire.

That being said, Morocco is definitely not a conventional place to learn French abroad. You’re going to have a much deeper immersion, fewer chances to fall back on your native language (unless you already speak Arabic!), and potentially a fair amount of culture shock if you stay in Morocco long-term. You’ll also pick up some unique phrases and pronunciation that you can whip out and surprise fellow French-speakers with later on.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to really push your boundaries, Morocco is a great spot. There are plenty of different programs and course options to help you learn French in Morocco and countless ways to practice both inside and outside of the classroom. Even a short French language program in Morocco will be an invaluable experience for your speaking and listening abilities.

Morocco is a shining gem on the northern coast of Africa, and has drawn speakers from many languages throughout its long, dynamic history. Thankfully, French has been one of the heaviest influences and still forms an important part of daily life in Morocco. If learning French is on your list of goals, consider spending the time to immerse yourself in all that Morocco has to offer; you’ll certainly meet your goals, and uncover a couple of hidden treasures on the way.