I'd like to post a warning regarding specific experience at the American Language Center in Tetouan, but only specifically about the director, Joel H[edited], and not the institution itself. Let me say this first: the students there are warm, motivated, and bright. The Moroccan teachers working there are friendly, capable, and interesting. The manager who hired me seemed very personable and dedicated.

However, there was a change in management, and first-time language-center director Joel H[edited] was my manager. I would strongly advise communicating with him extensively before accepting a TEFL job under his management. I suppose some workers might be compatible with him professionally and personally, but please understand that some teachers, especially women, may find his "management style" unbearable.

He's a megalomaniac with moderate teaching ability but zero management ability. He routinely treated women employees, Western and Moroccan, with much less regard and respect than the male employees. He even fired a female student worker for "not taking enough initiative" within his first month here.

He has insulted my teaching style (he has said my class isn't joyful, I don't connect with my students, my activities aren't fun) without ever really offering constructive, specific feedback, or for that matter, paying attention to my actual students or classes. I realize this may look to the reader like I'm a bad teacher with sour grapes. It has taken a lot to keep myself from believing that, too. But I can't believe that I'm a bad teacher, because my students respond quite positively, and I'm constantly self-evaluating and adjusting based on classroom needs. When I expressed dissatisfaction with his methods, he literally ignored me.

When I scheduled a meeting with him early in my stay here, and sat down with organized and professional requests for support: finding housing, transportation, visa paperwork, etc. He literally began yelling at me and blaming me for "not following up" with him on my visa paperwork, for not reminding him about things he'd promised. Now, three months later, with no transportation, no visa, no health insurance (which was promised and I have been paying for), and very expensive housing with no alternative, I have decided to leave.

There is no joy, no sense of community, and no support for foreign teachers under his management. Moreover, especially for women, you will not be heard when you speak, only condescended to. He has, on several occasions, talked about "firing the whole Moroccan staff." Which is ridiculous. They are progressive, experienced teachers, many who have had experience teaching in the U.S. on Fulbright scholarships.

Again, perhaps just being sure to ask plenty of questions during an interview with him may prevent frustration. You may find him a suitable manager for you. Professionally, I find his micromanagement, overwhelming negativity, and a lack of any logistical support completely unacceptable, especially in a learning environment.