Community Projects & Language
We have built community projects and language development into this course to make this an unforgettably worthwhile and fulfilling gap year or career break experience.
We feel that the key to a truly fulfilling time in Morocco, is to immerse yourself in the community and really make a lasting impact. Already our local partners Surf Berbere have paid for, organised and participated in mass beach cleanups. They have refurbished the Taghazout primary school (landscaping, installation of new toilets). On our 12 week course you’ll become a part of the work to upgrade the conditions of this underdeveloped region.
Living with a Berber Family
Early on in your stay in Morocco you’ll get the chance to spend two nights with a Berber family in the hills behind Taghazout. This short stay will thrust you into Berber life, where you will live in the basic surroundings of a Moroccan family, helping cook, clean and even do a little bit of goat herding!
Taking part in the...
...local beach clean ups.
Teaching English in a Moroccan School
Currently, the Taghazout Ecole Superior has one English teacher who is spread thinly amongst his final year students. Working closely with the school’s directors we have organised for our participants to give one hour language classes every week in the primary school next to the surf camp. Just by talking in your own language will make a huge difference to the quality of English and understanding these students have, and will massively improve their exam results at the end of the year. We highly recommend that you take a TEFL intensive training weekend course in preparation for these classes and we will provide advice on suitable courses to all participants.
Renovating a School
The Ikouzza school in the mountains behind Taghazout has 150 students. After the flash floods last year, the school is in dire need of some renovations. You will be taking part in a team renovation project, along with local building contractors. The goal is to build toilets, renovate buildings, create play areas and give all the teachers access to the internet.
Last year the Taghazout primary school was refurbished, and the plan is to make this a sustainable program to help rebuild the school infrastructure in all of the mountain villages. Currently, this project is being supported by the Taghazout Commune, The Aftas Association, Coca Cola and the Banque Populaire. This work will have a lasting effect on the mountain communities and will change these children’s lives forever. Don’t worry if you’re not a builder by trade, you will be invited to help project manage local contractors throughout the duration of the course.
The schools around Taghazout...
...in real need of renovation. You can help.
Learning French (and Arabic if you want)
Morocco is a melting pot of cultures and over the years the majority of the population have learned to speak Arabic, Berbere and French. Included in the 12 week course you will be invited to take two 1 hour lessons a week in either French or Arabic, which will help to structure your grammar and boost your spoken and written language skills. You don’t need to have any previous experience, but all the better if you do, and classes will be organised by level. Over the 12 weeks you will be thrust into the Moroccan culture, so you’ll practice the spoken languages throughout your stay and quickly progress.
