Learn French Online or in Morocco

Study French in Morocco

French is a mega-language that is an official language in 29 countries across several continents, and is used and spoken in 84 countries.

Our French Program consists of a proprietary Explorer Course and the Alter Ego collection, which includes text books, work books, and audio files. This program contains varied activities that aim to develop reading, listening, writing, and comprehension skills. If you want to study French for professional or academic purposes, we offer courses of all levels with flexible scheduling options, including refresher courses, specialized courses in conversational skills, pronunciation, written and administrative French, and any other need you might have.

Is French Useful in Morocco?

Due to France’s influence in Morocco historically, the French language is widely spoken, with reports that about a third of the population speaks it. French is also the language used most commonly in business and government and is especially useful in Rabat and Casablanca. While French is no longer one of the official languages in Morocco, it is still one of the country’s two prestige languages and serves as a “lingua franca" around the country. In business, diplomacy, and government, French is a very useful language to know. In most government offices, banks, and many other contexts, you are expected to know either French or Arabic (though as a foreigner, most Moroccans will default to using French to speak to you). As Aleya Rouchdy, said, "For all practical purposes, French is used as a second language [in Morocco].”

Study abroad in Morocco

Whether you are studying for a few months, a semester, or an entire academic year, consider spending your time with us in Fes for study abroad. Live authentic Moroccan life doing a homestay while studying intensively at our center. Our class sizes are small, allowing for more teacher-student interaction. The lessons are created to meet your pace and topics of interest. Morocco is a wonderful country where you can study during the week and explore during the weekends. Our staff speaks English, French, Arabic, and Spanish, so people from all countries are welcome and will feel comfortable.

Student at a desk writing on a pice of paper

Try a language session for free. Please contact us to schedule a trial session or placement test online or in-person at our center in Fes.

Schedule Now

Regular Schedule

  • French Explorer

    1 week

    6 sessions — 9 hours

  • 135 hours of instruction

  • 135 hours of instruction

  • 135+ hours of instruction

Classes can be scheduled upon demand and can start at any time. Email us at hello@crossroadsculturalexchange.com to schedule your classes.

For full-time French students, we recommend studying three hours a day, five days a week.

  • I have been studying French with Lahsen at Crossroads Cultural Exchange on and off for the past 4 years. While I had some exposure to French in Canada, I was a beginner when I started with Lahsen. He carefully assessed my French language proficiency at the beginning of my studies. Then he tailored a program that brought me along at my own pace. Through a good balance between grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading and writing Lahsen has encouraged my growth in the use of the language. Lahsen is an excellent English speaker and has the ability to explain things in English when I do not understand a concept or word that is explained in French. Lahsen is well-read and incorporates readings that have helped me to understand Moroccan life and culture while learning the French language. I have appreciated the flexibility and personalized approach to language learning that CCE has offered and would recommend Lahsen to expatriates who are seeking to learn or improve their French language proficiency.

    —Murray

  • I studied Moroccan Arabic five years ago with CCE, and now I’m back for French! The curriculum and assignments are of course high quality, but I really love the ability to see the French language and culture through a Moroccan perspective. I’m learning French in order to use it in Morocco with university colleagues, so it’s invaluable for me to learn how French operates within Morocco as I learn grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. I could probably take an online university French course or go in hard with an app, but I would absolutely miss the cultural contextualization that will help me most in Morocco. In addition, Lahsen’s clear affection for language and culture comes out in every class session, whether in sharing proverbs or humorous observations of French culture. It’s inspiring! His gentle corrections make my pronunciation and in-the-moment communication sharper and more accurate. The one-on-one sessions with ample opportunity for practice, the strong and complete (with audio and practice exercises) course materials, and the passion and expertise make CCE’s French course a very robust package. If you’re considering it, go for it. C’est vraiment super!

    —Scott

  • Learn more about French in Morocco here.

  • Learn more about our center in Fes where you can study French here.

  • Schedule a free trial session by contacting us here.

Prices

Prices are per person in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) for one 90-minute session.

French material is sold separately for an additional cost.

 

MAD 230

Individual Class

Personalized study one-on-one with a language teacher.

 

MAD 120

Three or more students

Classes will be constituted of students at a similar language level with the permission of the students.

*Price is per student

MAD 175

Two Students

Classes will be constituted of students at a similar language level with the permission of the students.

*Price is per student

 

MAD 350

Enrollment fee

One-time for all courses apart from the Curious and Serious Explorer courses.

Contact Us

Blog
Should You Learn Moroccan Arabic or Modern Standard Arabic?

The local dialect of Arabic in Morocco is called Darija (الدارجة), which means “everyday, colloquial language.” Modern Standard Arabic (MSA/Fossha), which is the international Arabic language, is used in writing and in official communication, but often feels somewhat artificial, or stuffy, because people don’t actually speak MSA.

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Five Reasons Fez is the Best Place to Study Darija

The people of Fes are known for their clear pronunciation and purity of language. When traveling or studying in other parts of Morocco, you will encounter regional words, phrases, and pronunciations specific to that region. Amidst the regionalisms of the country, Fes stands out as the place where regionalisms are fewer, and your language abilities acquired in the city will be understood wherever you travel in the country.

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Three Reasons Morocco is a Great Place to Study Language

A week of my life in Morocco rarely goes by without a Moroccan asking me about how I have learned Moroccan Arabic. People are always surprised and awed that I have learned the local language here. In other countries, local people would perhaps not be as impressed that foreigners have learned the language, but in Morocco, people are always amazed and excited by this.

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About Modern Standard Arabic

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA or Fossha) is nobody's mother tongue, but it is the language that every educated Arab from Mauritania to Iraq understands. It is the language newspapers and books are written in across the Arab World and is used in most TV shows and radio broadcasts.

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Language and Communication in Morocco

Moroccans tend to speak and understand a variety of languages. Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is the most prevalent spoken language in Morocco, which is technically a dialect of the Arabic language. Modern Standard Arabic, or Fossha, is literary Arabic that is used in writing and in official communication. Hassaniya Arabic is the dialect spoken in the southern part of the county.

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