How Do I Become A Fellow?
Fellow Selection Criteria
- U.S. citizenship
- Master’s in TEFL/TESL, Applied Linguistics, or other Master's degree with a focus on TESL/TEFL
- Degree must be conferred by end of 2008 spring semester
- Fellows must have a minimum 2 years professional TESOL experience; both teacher training and curriculum/materials development experience are helpful.
- Senior Fellows must have minimum four years of teacher training experience; overseas experience in TEFL is helpful.
| |  Georgetown reviews EL Fellow applications and candidate portfolios as they are received. Applications completed and received by March 31, 2008, will receive priority consideration for the 2008-2009 academic year (which, for most projects, is September 2008 through June 2009). Applications completed and received AFTER March 31, 2008 may also be considered for the 2008-2009 academic year depending upon project availability.
Candidate Selection Timeline
Recruitment (ongoing)
The Georgetown Program Management team and the Regional Recruitment Centers will screen and process applications as they are received. Qualified applicants will be entered into the EL Fellow candidate database. Georgetown will focus its recruitment efforts on English teaching professionals who closely match the needs of individual country proposals for U.S. Embassy sponsored projects.
Interviews (ongoing)
The Georgetown Program Management team will contact qualified applicants to schedule an interview beginning in January. Georgetown University and Regional Recruitment Centers will conduct interviews in person, through webcam conferencing, or by phone. In addition, some candidates may be interviewed at TESOL conferences and events.
Georgetown University will be present at the 2008 TESOL Annual Convention April 2-5, in New York City to conduct in-person interviews and share information about the Program. Projects (March)
Approximately 100 State Department approved AY 2008-2009 projects will be posted on the EL Fellow program website in March.
Candidate Rosters (March - April)
Beginning in March, Georgetown will draw upon the pool of qualified applicants to identify finalist candidates for specific U.S. Embassy-sponsored EL Fellow projects. Georgetown will present a roster of candidates for each EL Fellow project to the Office of English Language Programs and to the appropriate U.S. Embassy. Each roster will be compiled based on the needs of the specific project, the applicant’s skills and experience, and the applicant’s Regional Preferences.
Selection of Fellows (March - May)
The vetting process of candidates will be conducted by the Department of State, and will be completed by the end of May. The Georgetown Program Management team will notify the successful candidates. Candidates have 48 hours from the time they are notified to accept or decline the fellowship.
Preparation for Departure (June - July)
The Georgetown Program Management team will ensure that selected Fellows are well prepared for their assignments. Fellows will receive a comprehensive Fellowship Information Package, which will include a program handbook, detailed description of the country project, agreement to program terms and conditions, health benefit plan and health verification forms, and other logistical and travel details.
Pre-Departure Briefing in Washington, DC (August 19-21, 2008)
All Fellows will travel to Washington, DC for a three-day briefing. The EL Fellow Program provides for travel costs, hotel, and a per diem during the briefing. The State Department and the Georgetown Program Management team will explain all logistical, legal, security and health related issues. The briefing will likely also address issues of leadership, team building, EFL teaching best practices, cultural sensitivity/awareness training, as well as problem-solving and conflict prevention techniques. Small group and region specific briefings will be conducted at that time.
Fellowship (September - June)
Fellows typically begin their assignments the first week of September. Some fellowships will begin in late September or early October; other projects begin in early 2008. Throughout the fellowship, Public Affairs Section (PAS) and Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) posted at U.S. Embassies provide on-the-ground support and guidance.
“Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
-Mark Twain
As an educator, you know that being a Fellow will take determination, flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor. Before you apply, we encourage you to read some of the Highlights from the Field written by EL Fellow Program Alumni written by AY 2008-2009 Fellows. | 
