Host City Visit Day 1 - the ABCs of Fès

Introducing the American Language Center, Books and Bookstores, and a Classroom visit

Good Morning Fès!

April 22— Good Monday Morning!  I was so excited about my first full day in Fès and the upcoming school visits that I woke up before sunrise and watched the sun rise out my hotel room window.

​Today, our first day in Fès, Hicham met us in the lobby and told us we would visit the private school where he works, the American Language Center of Fès.   The ALC turned out to be very close to our hotel, so within moments, we arrived, walked through the gates, and immediately saw this lovely sign: ​

Who knew that "World Book Day" would fall during our visit? Excited to learn about the events planned by the ALC.

Much to our delight, Hicham took us straight to the ALC bookshop to learn more about the planned World Book Day events which is TOMORROW!

The American Language Center bookstore

Posing the with the ALC bookstore manager and librarian, who gave me great recommendations!

Shortly after, we moved to the ALC library, another space where we all agreed we could spend hours.  To our delight, the librarian was setting up for world book day tomorrow! She told us about all of the events, some of which we may be able to attend!

A lovely reading space in the ALC bookstore.

I asked for some Moroccan reading recommendations, and the ALC librarian and ALC director gave me a few suggestions.  I asked if they knew The King's Fool, a title that was just recommended to me in Casablanca.  I started reading the sample on Amazon on the train, so I was curious if this was a well-known text.  The director said, "I just bought that book!"  And Hicham, my host teacher said, "Aha, it all comes together!"  Indeed it does.

In any case, I walked out with a hard copy of The King's Fool, a Moroccan mystery novel entitled, and a book by Turkish author Elif Shafak.  Pioworldlit students Cole, Eric and Gio…partly thanks to you, overlooked no more?!?  Can’t wait to start reading!

Christian Sinclair, the ALC Director, tells us about some upcoming events.

After our visit to the ALC bookstore, Hicham and the ALC director Christian Sinclair led us on a tour, beginning with this aesthetically stunning classroom:

He said they teach the English students Arabic in this room, as the Arabic students teaching English “wouldn’t appreciate it.”  We of course were floored by the ceiling (not sure what rhetorical or literary technique that is but there must be something about ironic reversal) as well as the intricate detail in literally every surface of the room.  Also interesting to notice the cracks, as result of “many earthquakes” since the building opened in 1930.  After gushing over the room and learning the building was once the French consulate(!), we visited the teachers lounge, where we felt right at home:  Hicham showed us his teacher locker, we admired the art on the walls, and chatted more about his schedule of classes (mostly in the late afternoon or evenings.)

A classroom at the American Language Center in Fès. Wow!

Hicham stores his class books in the Teacher's lounge lockers.

We posed in front of some cool art in the Teacher's Lounge at the ALC.

Some publications on display at the American Language Center. I was pleased to notice the focus on "amazing women."

We learned more about the history of the ALC from the director Christian and Hicham.  What an incredible exchange of ideas about how a program runs and how to teach language.  After a visit to the cafe in the courtyard, Hemingway plus cats, we took a group photo after comparing notes on what people say to smile in different countries - what is better than to exchange ideas about at a language center?  We were laughed at yesterday by  Moroccan teenagers when they heard Hicham teach us "cheese" in Arabic before taking a photo, so we shared that story.  The director also taught us a new phrase he’d learned at a language conference in Spain - will add once I find my notes on what that phrase was!

Cafe Z at the ALC serves lunch, pastries, and beverages.

Posing in the ALC courtyard with Christian Sinclair, the Director.

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After the ALC visit, we hopped into Hicham's car to head to lunch.  He needed to get his car fixed, so we set us up at an open-air lunch spot and made sure we were taken care of before he left for the garage.

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In Hicham's car on the way to the American Language Center.

We ordered a mango juice and our waiter and Hicham made sure the mango looked okay to us!

Employees hard at work making our lunch. Was surprised to see so many baguettes!

Day 1 Lunch in Fès

Hicham sent us a photo of his car being fixed at the garage as we ate lunch!

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After lunch, he picked us up and we headed back to the hotel for a quick break before his Monday evening class.  He teaches Mondays from 7-9pm, so we arrived an hour or so early to give him time to stop by his locker, pick up his books, and make sure he was prepared to teach his lesson.  We had coffee and juice at the ALC cafe while he prepared in his classroom.

We enjoyed a drink from the American Language Center Cafe while Hicham prepared for class.

About 10 minutes before class, we headed to his classroom to find a seat!  Here is Hicham in the classroom.  We found the long, narrow shape of the classroom interesting:

A photo of the classroom to show size and layout - and the beautiful floor tile.

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Hicham at home in his classroom at the American Language Center in Fès.

Over the course of the evening, we observed his teaching style and admired how energetic and interactive he was with his students.  The students in this private school class were mostly middle-school-aged, and their energy and enthusiasm were exciting to witness!  I took lots of notes.  Will add more of my observations later!  

I got to share a quick intro to Michigan with Hicham's students. I chose to talk about the Mackinac Bridge.

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We each got to introduce our home states - Lisa-Erika talked about New York City, Whitney shared images of Oregon, and I talked about Michigan and how the Mackinac Bridge connects the lower and upper peninsula.  It was a great introduction to Hicham's teaching style, enthusiasm, and focus on making sure his students learn English skills as quickly as possible!

Lisa-Erika, Whitney, and I enjoyed watching Hicham's lesson from student desks.