Benefits from Joining The Language House TEFL Programs

As The Language House is now enjoying its 6th year in operation, we've been asking ourselves how we can add more value to our TEFL course services in France, Italy, Morocco and Turkey. And the answer for us is to provide more tools and products to help our clients get started living abroad as efficiently as possible. So in the coming months, we will be launching several new products and tools that will enhance your quest of living abroad in the country of your choice.

Just a few added bonuses for attending our accredited 4 week TEFL program will include:

-The Language House Teaching English Abroad Guide

-Unlimited access to our updated ESL jobs website for graduates only

-A 10% discount off our 35 hours online Business English course to be released September 2011

-As always, Unlimited job support upon successfull completion of the program


- As always, Our course manual with all teaching techniques, grammar, phonology as well as everything you would need to teach anywhere in the world.

Come and Join Us!

G.G.

Is Morocco Safe?

Due to recent events in the Arab world as well as the recent terorist attack in Marrakesh, I have received many emails from people asking is Morroco safe enough to follow The Language House TEFL program in Marrakesh? The answer is yes. However, I concede that my opinion may not be as valued as the opinions of those who are currently taking the course or who have recently completed the course in Marrakesh. Therefore I have below feedback from a current trainee and a recent graduate of the program who can be contacted by request if desired.

Being that this is the first time that I have truly lived abroad and out of Virginia, there was some apprehension in me when moving to Marrakech especially with the ongoing unrest in the Arab world. That being said, it all vanished the first day I arrived in this beautiful city. In the past three weeks, I have experienced nothing but kindness, hospitality and eagerness to help. The concerns of safety have not once crossed my mind while exploring Marrakech, whether it has been the main tourist attractions or the more local neighborhoods.

The people who live in Marrakech seem to embrace you and want only to talk and discuss the day. To ease my mind even more is the fact that you notice Police officers and security throughout the town and even the locals help look out for your safety with tips about where to go and how to avoid certain situations. I am incredibly happy that I did not let my apprehensions best me and convince me to stay in Virginia for this is an experience of a life time.

-James Charles

The Language House student


I feel as safe and secure today in Morocco and specifically Marrakesh, as I did when I first arrived in March or on any of my many past visits over the last five years. I am here in Marrakesh on my own and do not feel the least bit nervous. I am in the process of buying an apartment and will be living alternately here and back in America. That is how comfortable I feel here in Marrakesh.

I feel the recent incident at Argana is an isolated one and all though I did frequent the cafe, and I am frequently in the square, I do not feel any threat. Of course, I am alert to my surroundings but not out of fear, more out of just being aware of normal routines and rhythms of life. Moroccans can easily separate politics from the people, so they see the person for who they are before they see an American. I have felt nothing but friendliness and kindness from Moroccans. I do not speak French or Arabic so from taxi drivers to produce merchants to local shops, they all work a little harder to communicate with me. I have had a turn or two at charades to act out what I want, but we all enjoy a good laugh in the end, and they teach me the word for what I need and I teach the word in English.

Yes, I get questions from back home in California about why I would want to move to Morocco, especially with all the conflict in that part of the world. All I can say is I feel as safe and secure here as I do at home. There are peaceful protests, just like at home. Just like at home a few in the crowd can cause trouble for the masses. I have seen nothing here in Marrakesh to cause me concern or fear. I can appreciate people's concern when they see the news and read reports but unless you are here, it is hard to understand that overall it is a peaceful place. Respect the country, respect the culture and there should be no issues.

If anyone who was planning to come to Morocco is having second thoughts, I would invite them to drop me an email with their questions and concerns. I would be happy to chat with them.

Kathryn Hosler

Again, if you have further questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at www.teflanguagehouse.com and we'll send you some recent graduate emails for contact.

G.G.

To Live Abroad Means to be Flexible

So we will assume that one of the reasons that you left your home country is because you were looking for something different than what you are used to. If that's not the case and infact you are looking for your host country to provide you with a lifestyle that resembles that of your home country, you will most likely encounter problems as well as miss out on one of the best reasons for living abroad in the first place.

To live abroad happily, you must be flexible. We (expatriates) are uninvited guests. That doesn't mean unwelcomed but it does mean that we must be the ones who bend to the cultural demands of a given country. When we do that, you'll find that the results of your dealings with others will improve. To conform to these unspoken cultural rules, however, you must pay attention to what goes on around you and take an interest in others, especially the local people. If you are not going to take a serious interest in the culture,language and people of the country you're in, why bother living abroad? Being flexible and modifying your behavior instead of waiting for others to change for you is the single most important thing one can do to intergrate and enjoy their stay abroad as well as it could possibly make you a better person in the long run:) G.G.

Making Friends Abroad

It's not always easy living abroad and when I say that, I mean, even after you have a place to live and a job. To really enjoy being abroad whether its for the short or long term, we need to be able to connect with people which is not always easy if there is a language or cultural barrier. Even though it may be a challenge, its possible. But, yes, it will require more work than if you were at home. When spending time abroad, everything requires more work and energy than it would at home in the beginning and making friends will be no different. Establishing yourself abroad requires more effort but once you've done that, your efforts become more cherished and memorable.

So to make friends abroad, the first thing we must do is reach out to others again and again. One of the best ways to do that is to immediately join groups or clubs that do the things that you are interested in doing. Even if you'll only be in town for a month, try to join anyway. Its rare that you'll be turned away if you express a genuine interest in the group.

Next, do a google search on language exchanges in the city. Most average size cities have something like this and its an excellent way to meet people who speak English as well as native speakers who enjoy meeting foreigners. Even if you meet people who you think you have nothing in common with, still keep them as friends as they have friends as well who may share your age, common interests etc.

Lastly, have fun and enter this endeavor with a light heart. You decided to spend time abroad most likely to broaden your horizons and meet new people? So immerse yourself in that idea and embrace it. What do you have to lose? G.G.