AY 2009-2010 Projects - Near East and North Africa

Algeria, Mentouri University/Ecole Normale Superieure de Constantine - Filled
Bahrain, Ministry of Labor's Bahrain Training Institute - Filled
Egypt, Alexandria University - Filled
Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled
Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled
Israel, AMAL Network - Filled
Israel, College of Sakhnin - Filled
Jordan, Aqaba University College AMIDEAST - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
Jordan, Tafileh University - Filled
Lebanon, Haigazian University - Filled
Lebanon, Irfan School -Filled
Libya, Academy of Graduate Studies - Filled
Libya, Al Fateh University - Filled
Morocco, Ecole Normale Superieure, Ministry of National Education - Filled
Oman, Nizwa University - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
Qatar, Supreme Education Council - Cancelled
Syria, American Language Center, American Cultural Center - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
Syria, State Planning Commission, Ministry of Information - Filled
Tunisia, Higher Institute of Languages - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
West Bank/Gaza, Bir Zeit University - Filled/Confirmed Renewal

Algeria
City                              Constantine
Host Institution           Mentouri University/Ecole Normale Superieure de                                                Constantine
Type of Project           Fellow
Project Dates              October 2009 – July 2010

Country/Project Specific Requirements
For visa purposes, Fellow must be legally married if planning to bring his/her partner to assignment. Host institution will not provide visa paperwork for an accompanying partner, if not legally married.

Project Focus
American Literature

Project Description
The major priority for the EL Fellow will be the teaching of American Literature. The secondary institution (ENSC) would focus on Teaching Methodology. The EL Fellow is expected to bring his/her expertise in teaching American literature, composition, and creative writing, courses of priority interest in Algerian universities, where English language skills are given increasing importance. The EL Fellow will provide solid preparation in language and literature to students who wish to improve their skills and understand American culture. Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming. The EL Fellow will be expected to get/be familiar with the Competency Based Approach as well as Project Based Learning, which are the two main axioms of English Language Teaching reforms, which the Algerian educational system has undergone recently.

Second, the EL Fellow is expected to get familiar with the Algerian English textbooks for both Junior and High Schools, or at least for one of the two. S/he is not expected to create textbook analyses, but to work on sample units from the textbooks, at least one for each level, to help and train students to teach using those textbooks. The EL Fellow is not expected to adhere to the textbooks but rather to train students, to raise their consciousness, and to enable them to make up their own teaching materials while respecting the official syllabus. Any innovative ideas and teaching techniques are highly welcome.

Third, given the fact that students during their short practicum cannot observe real classes and go on about their normal activities, the EL Fellow may help in offering students an opportunity to share a different teaching perspective that will explore and exploit various aspects of teaching and learning English in a variety of ways.

Fourth, the ENSC would like the EL Fellow to handle on a need-to-basis some of the problematic issues of English Language Teaching that ENSC students will face such as: managing large classes, assessment, motivating learners, using practical innovative ideas and techniques, lesson planning, and developing projects.

Project Objectives
English language is a top priority for the Algerians and for the US Embassy. In the Embassy’s efforts to work with the GOA in combating terrorism and reducing extremism, one proven path is to ensure better schools and educational opportunities for all youth, giving them hope for their future. Providing an EL Fellow to assist with English language instruction and training of future language teachers, will enable the GOA in reaching towards this goal while providing a positive view of the American people and culture.

About the Host Institution
Constantine offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English. Undergraduate students receive a BA degree in English studies and graduate students receive an MA degree with specialization in a given discipline (linguistic science and translation, linguistic science and English language teaching, TEFL, ESP, Anglo-American studies). PhD degrees are based on research only. The Department of English is one of the largest departments of English in the country with over 4,000 students across the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Ecole Normale Supérieure des Lettres et Sciences Humaines de Constantine (ENSC) is a school belonging to the sector of Higher Education. It specializes in teacher training. In the English Department of the school, ENSC trains teachers of Junior High Schools and High Schools who pursue four or five years of education and training respectively. The total population of all ENSC students is around 2,700.

For instance, the total number of all English students for the five years of study is 800.

The school is not really involved in international activities. But the interest in English language is highly noticeable with a focus on teaching methodology.

The ENSC teachers are equally interested in U.S. studies courses especially American Civilization and Literature. Such courses can better help them as teachers of English.

At the English Department, they do teach mainly Applied Linguistics, Psychopedagogy, Phonetics, Research Methodology, Pedagogy, Speaking and Listening courses; as well as British Civilization and Literature.

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Bahrain
City                             Manama
Host Institution           Ministry of Labor's Bahrain Training Institute
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Late August 2009 – Late June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing

Project Description
The EL Fellow will:
a) Teach 10 hours/week of pre-intermediate and advanced level English to the Ministry of Labor's college level vocational trainees (approximately 20 students per group) using New Cutting Edge by Pearson;
b) Work approximately 5 hours/week with a designated team of peer instructors on reviewing the assessment criteria currently being used by BTI's Communication and Language Division in order to propose a more effective and realistic criteria for the Division;
c) Work approximately 5 hours/week on development of teaching materials to be used by the teaching staff who are using New Cutting Edge by Pearson. The materials are to be submitted to the Head of the Division, Mr. Jaffar Al-Aradi, who will assist with culturally sensitive issues and other possible adjustments and approve the materials for classroom use.

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, English Club Programming, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will:
a) Work approximately 2 hours/week with a small group of assigned peers on devising and implementing English club programs for BTI trainees who will convene for the activities every fortnight in one of BTI's auditorium. The activities can be autonomous as well as supervised learning activities;
b) Dedicate approximately 2 hours/week to mentoring newly qualified/appointed instructors with class observations, follow-up meetings, consultations, and guidance;
c) Spend approximately 6 hours/week preparing and delivering 3-4 workshops/seminars on various aspects of teaching English (communicatively) in the Middle East to the teaching staff of the Communication and Language Division of BTI and participating in bi-monthly staff meetings.

Project Objectives
The EL Fellow will strengthen several goals, including supporting a prosperous economy and outreach to youth and mutual understanding. The program seeks to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Labor to deliver an effective, contemporary English Language (EL) curriculum that prepares Bahrainis for the 21st century. Bahrain is in the process of transitioning into a knowledge-based economy that has banking, finance, and high-tech industries as a key focus and provides maximum employment for Bahrainis within these fields. Development of a qualified workforce to support this economic transition requires strong English language skills within the recruiting pool. Strengthening the Ministry of Labor's EL curriculum will directly improve those students’ ability to become part of this emerging economy. In addition, a key post focus is to reach out to youth by maximizing the number of exchange opportunities available to young Bahrainis, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. These youth possess lower EL fluency, preventing them from participating in ECA and post sponsored programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Program, Youth for Exchange and Study (YES) program, MEPI Student Leader Program, NESA Undergraduate Exchange Program, the wide range of Fulbright programs, and others. By strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Labor to deploy a high quality EL curriculum, this program will help to narrow the gap between the language requirements that youth need to access US public diplomacy programming and their current abilities.

About the Host Institution
Bahrain Training Institute (BTI) is a vocational training institute under the Ministry of Labor of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Its mission is to train young, college level Bahrainis of the booming gulf job market. BTI offers First Diploma (1 year), National Diploma (2 years), Higher National Diploma, a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, and short-term corporate training courses in disciplines ranging from IT to Interior Design, from Safety and Security to Office Management, and many more.

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Egypt
City                            Alexandria
Host Institution        Alexandria University
Type of Project           Fellow
Project Dates              September 2009 – June 2010

Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, Writing

Project Description
The EL Fellow will conduct classes in the Alexandria University Faculty of Education’s English Department and its branch faculty in Marsa Matrouh. The classes are divided between students in the general education section (which qualifies teachers through the secondary level) and basic education section (for primary school teachers). Class size for the sections to be taught by the EL Fellow has traditionally been around 50, though one of the main reasons the Faculty would like to have an EL Fellow is to increase the number of sections, thus reducing the number of students per section. The Faculty is very flexible and willing to discuss the EL Fellow's preferences (the faculty also has courses in American Studies and American Literature which the Fellow could teach, if interested), but suggests the following duties as a starting point:

10 hours/week: Conversation: a first-year and a second-year section general education (6 hours) and a first-year and a second-year section basic education (4 hours). Students in all four years participate in conversation classes, whose purpose is to improve students’ fluency and ability to converse about current affairs. The classes use debates, role playing, and discussion on topics that have included urbanization, capitalism, women marrying younger men, the impact of MySpace and Facebook on interpersonal relationships, and creation of fictitious political parties to address such issues as education, health care and poverty.

5 hours/week: Writing: one third-year section general education (3 hours) and one third-year section basic education (2 hours). These courses introduce the students, who have learned to write argumentative, compare and contrast, and cause and effect essays, to new genres, including report writing and movie and book reviews.

5 hours/week: Conversation at the branch campus in Marsa Matrouh: one first-year section general education (3 hours) and one first-year section basic education (2 hours).

Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, American Studies, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow conduct other English language programs at the American Center, including an English conversation course for Imams and a book club and other English-language events for English Access Microscholarship Program Alumni in Alexandria. The American Center is in the process of setting up an "American Window" (basically a stepping stone to a Corner) in Matrouh, so the EL Fellow would conduct English language programs there, as well.

Project Objectives
Students will have an opportunity to interact with an American, which is rare in Alexandria (there are only five hundred American expats here, and only one official American) and even less likely in Matrouh. However, because these students will go on to become teachers in primary and secondary schools, the impact of the program is much greater than that. For Egyptians, learning English is the key to prosperity and access to information. Through their increased ability to read and understand information from foreign sources, opportunities not just for mutual understanding but for improvements in democracy and health also expand.

About the Host Institution
Alexandria University is the premiere university in Egypt's second largest city. Its Faculty of Education is the second ranked in the entire country, and the English section boasts a total of 1,300 students. Its branch Faculty in Marsa Matrouh is one of only two areas of study offered at the branch university there. Though the Faculty has not previously hosted an EL Fellow, there were Fulbrighters there in the late 1990's, so they are familiar with the needs of foreign teachers.

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Egypt
City                             Cairo
Host Institution           Al Azhar University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teacher Training and Program Administration Training

Project Description
Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office (RELO), US Embassy in Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the English Language Resource Center (ELRC) provides intensive English language instruction to select Al Azhar faculty members, and teacher training/program administration training opportunities to select Al Azhar English teachers. The ELRC features three classrooms, a library with eight online computers, a small teachers' room with files and two online computers, a small kitchen, and modern bathrooms for staff. It is located on the Nasr City Campus of Al Azhar University, Cairo. The expected teaching staff for 2009/2010 is three EL Fellows, and four to six junior Egyptian English Language teachers. Students are drawn from the junior teaching faculty of all departments of the university, male and female. The Center hopes to offer three classes in the morning and three classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet three hours a day, four days a week (Sunday through Wednesday). The fifth working day of the week (Thursday) is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training. The ELRC is supervised by the RELO office of the US Embassy. The EL Fellows will provide the following types of support to the ELRC project:
- English language instruction to select faculty;
- in-service training of select Al-Azhar English teachers;
- co-management /support of the English Language Resource Center (ELRC) with Al Azhar teachers.

Each EL Fellow will teach a maximum of 20 hours contact/week for nine months, intermediate level.
The EL Fellow will also spend approximately nine hours a week mentoring and observing the ELRC Egyptian English teachers who teach the beginning and low-intermediate classes, and two hours a month conducting workshops on topics of mutual interest among ELRC teaching staff. Materials and curriculum development, office hours, general ELRC support will be an additional six hours a week. The electronic files at the ELRC require familiarity with Excel. The EL Fellow will provide the RELO office with an assessment of students’ and teacher trainees’ progress by mid-December 2009, and a final assessment in July 2010. Books and materials for students and teachers will be provided by the US Embassy and possibly through Program Activities Allowance funds as provided by the EL Fellow contract. Al-Azhar University will provide appropriate furnished accommodation for the EL Fellows. The EL Fellow contract will be from September 15, 2009 through July 15, 2010, with vacation time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and the Embassy.

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellows will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenters at RELO-sponsored conferences and workshops around Egypt, including the Access English program for disadvantaged Egyptian secondary school students. The EL Fellows will also be encouraged to participate in the newly established Nile TESOL professional association. There are also two major annual professional development events that EL Fellows can consider participating in: the American University in Cairo Skills Conference in January, and TESOL Arabia's annual conference in the UAE in March.

Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and a world-renowned center of Islamic learning. The ELRC furthers goals of Islamic outreach, interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and greater mutual understanding by improving the English language skills of upwards of 90 select Al Azhar faculty members each year, over half of them from the department of Islamic studies. In addition to English, their participation in the ELRC exposes them to American educational practices, and American culture. It is the vision of Al Azhar University that the ELRC will expand the knowledge base of participants, and that these faculty members will emerge better qualified to compete successfully for exchange program opportunities, and to engage in broader and deeper communications with academic and religious representatives around the world.

About the Host Institution
Al-Azhar University, founded in 975, is the chief centre of Arabic literature and Sunni Islamic learning in the world and the world's second oldest surviving degree granting university. It is associated with Al-Azhar mosque in Old Cairo. The university's mission includes the propagation of Islamic religion and culture. To this end, its Islamic scholars (ulemas) render edicts (fatwas) on disputes submitted to them from all over the Sunni Islamic world regarding proper conduct for Muslim individuals or societies. Al-Azhar also trains Egyptian government appointed preachers in proselytizing (da'wa). With many campuses around Egypt, the university serves a student body of over 400,000. The English Language Resource Center is located at the Nasr City campus of the university, in Cairo. It is a special project under the auspices of the President of the University, and overseen by the RELO office of the U.S. Embassy; it is not part of any specific faculty.

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Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teacher Training and Program Administration Training

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Egypt
City                              Cairo
Host Institution           Al Azhar University
Type of Project            Senior Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
English for Reading, English for Writing, Proficiency Exams, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques, EAP

Project Description
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) in its second year at Al Azhar University, Cairo, seeks a Senior EL Fellow for the 2009-2010 academic year to act as program manager, academic coordinator, and to organize and carry out ongoing professional development of the Center's Egyptian teacher trainees. Applicants must have significant experience in EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program teaching, materials development, and program management. Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office (RELO), US Embassy in Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the ELRC provides intensive English language instruction to 80-90 select Al Azhar faculty members. It is a high profile US Embassy public diplomacy initiative and represents a major breakthrough in terms of its relations with the oldest and most highly regarded Islamic university in the world.

The ELRC features three classrooms, a library with eight online computers, a small teachers' room with files and two online computers, a small kitchen, and modern bathrooms for staff. It is located on the Nasr City Campus of Al Azhar University, Cairo. The expected teaching staff for 2009/2010 is three EL Fellows and six Egyptian English Language teacher trainees, some of them new to the program with little or no EFL teaching experience. The ELRC hopes to offer three classes in the morning and three classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet three hours a day, four days a week (Sunday through Wednesday). The fifth working day of the week (Thursday) is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training. The ELRC is supervised by the RELO office of the US Embassy. In coordination with the RELO Office and Al Azhar University, the Senior EL Fellow will be responsible for the professional development and supervision of the ELRC staff, programs, and facilities. A primary focus will be the further professional development of the Egyptian teacher trainees to prepare them to play a greater role in the teaching and administration of the Center. This will include workshops, mentoring, classroom observation, and team teaching, as appropriate. The Senior EL Fellow will also teach higher level courses (12 hours per week). S/he will provide the RELO office with an assessment of student and teacher trainees' progress by mid-December 2009, and a final assessment in July 2010. Books and materials for students and teachers are provided by the US Embassy and through Program Activities Allowance funds as provided by the EL Fellow contract.

Al-Azhar University will provide appropriate furnished accommodation for the S EL Fellow. Accommodation will be reviewed and mutually approved by both the Embassy and Al-Azhar University by July 1, 2009. The EL Fellow contract will be from September 15, 2009 through July 15, 2010, with vacation time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and Embassy.

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, English Camp, Support Mentoring, Teachers Association/Organization, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenter at RELO-sponsored conferences and workshops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan. The EL Fellow will also be encouraged to participate in the newly established Nile TESOL professional association. There are also two major annual professional development events that Fellows can consider participating in: the American University in Cairo Skills Conference in January, and TESOL Arabia's annual conference in the UAE in March.

Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and a world-renowned center of Islamic learning. The ELRC furthers goals of Islamic outreach, interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and greater mutual understanding by improving the English language skills of upwards of 90 select Al Azhar faculty members each year, over half of them from the department of Islamic studies. In addition to English, their participation in the ELRC exposes them to American educational practices, and American culture. It is the vision of Al Azhar University that the ELRC will expand the knowledge base of participants, and that these faculty members will emerge better qualified to compete successfully for exchange program opportunities, and to engage in broader and deeper communications with academic and religious representatives around the world.

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Israel
City                              Beersheva
Host Institution           AMAL Network
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, Democracy/Civics, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work in four comprehensive high schools - three Bedouin schools (which will be located in close proximity to one another), and one Jewish school serving students from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. The students from the Bedouin high schools participate in the English Access Microscholarship Program which enables students with weak English skills to improve their English Examination scores, thus opening the gates to further academic studies. The EL Fellow will teach 10th-12th grade classes. S/he will work on-site at each school one day per week in order to:
-Discuss and acquaint students with relevant issues from the American perspective such as education, music, television, internet, politics, social issues, history, culture etc.
-Assist and guide students with their English language instruction.
-Work with small groups of students to improve their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. -Counsel, assist, and work with the teachers.
-Foster cross-cultural awareness and promote tolerance.

In addition, the EL Fellow will give proficiency courses for English teachers in the Bedouin sector; initiate projects at the American Corner (which is in close proximity to where the ELF will live); encourage extensive reading programs; and foster cooperation amongst Bedouin schools and U.S. schools. The EL Fellow will also introduce the students and teachers to other U.S. government sponsored projects. S/he will have a unique opportunity to develop professionally, since s/he will be part of a teaching process in an area relatively isolated from democratic Western cultures and values. Secondary project duties will include working with American Corner Programming, American Culture, American Studies, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will also be responsible for outreach activities and cultural programming which will convey concepts about American values, democratic representative government, free enterprise, and the rule of law. The EL Fellow will arrange workshops for in-service teacher training as well as programs, book/film/conversation clubs for students at the American Corner. In addition, the EL Fellow will cooperate with the US Embassy on various cultural activities including Black History Month, Women's Issues, Studying in the U.S., and American Studies.

Project Objectives
The AMAL network provides services to high schools all over Israel. For the purposes of the English Language Fellow program the Embassy has chosen to work with three schools in the Bedouin Sector and one school in the Jewish sector also serving students from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. The Bedouin sector in Israel is a severely underserved minority with very limited resources. The students are from Bedouin towns and unrecognized villages in the Negev. The schools are underfunded and lack many of the resouces that are available in other parts of Israel. Having an EL Fellow in this part of the country working with students from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia, and in particular working with students in the Bedouin sector allows us to expose these students and teachers to American education, culture, values, and traditions. Having an EL Fellow working in these sectors will encourage Bedouin and students from other minority groups to apply for more educational programs and exchanges, thereby increasing USG contact in these underserved communities.

About the Host Institution
AMAL is an educational institution that assists the Israeli government to administer public middle and high schools. AMAL is also one of the implementers in Israel of ECA's English Access Microscholarship Program. This fellowship will allow the EL Fellow to supplement the work being done under Access and provide the EL Fellow with an audience of English language teachers and hundreds of Access students from the Bedouin sector. AMAL comprises of 56 high schools and 16 junior high schools in Israel (34 high schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, and 22 high schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment.)
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Israel
City                              Sakhnin
Host Institution           College of Sakhnin
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, Democracy/Civics, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work on-site at the College of Sakhnin for Teacher Education and at an adjacent secondary school. The ELF will be responsible for teaching an oral and writing proficiency course for Arab students at the College, and also teaching writing and reading proficiency for 10th - 12th grade Arab students at the High School. The EL Fellow’s responsibilities will include:
-Discussing relevant issues from the American perspective such as education, social issues, culture, values etc.
-Assisting and guiding students with their English language instruction.
-Improving speaking, listening, reading and writing skills of the students at the College and High School.
-Counseling, assisting, and working with the teachers at the College and High School.
-Introducing the students and teachers to other U.S. government sponsored projects.

The EL Fellow will have a unique opportunity to develop professionally, as s/he will be working with Arab students studying to be teachers (B.Ed.), and high school 10th-12th grade students. Secondary project duties will include working with American Corner Programming, American Culture, American Studies, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will also be responsible for outreach activities and cultural programming which will convey concepts about American values, democratic representative government, free enterprise, and the rule of law. The EL Fellow will arrange workshops for pre-service and in-service teacher training as well as programs, book/film/conversation clubs for students at the American Corner. In addition the EL Fellow will cooperate with the US Embassy on various cultural activities including Black History Month, Women's Issues, Studying in the U.S., and American Studies.

Project Objectives
The Department of English at the College of Sakhnin for Teacher Education works to advance and develop the field of education in the Arab sector in Israel. Arab citizens comprise of almost 20% of the population of Israel. The College provides students with the academic skills needed to complete a four-year course of study (B.Ed.), with a strong emphasis on TESL. Having an EL Fellow in the Northern part of the country specifically targeting the Arab sector will allow the US Embassy to expose these students and teachers to American culture, values and traditions.

About the Host Institution
The College of Sakhnin - Academic College for Teacher Education was established in 2001, and is located in the Upper Galilee. The College was established to advance and develop the field of education in the Arab sector in Israel, taking into consideration that teacher training plays a critical role in achieving this goal. The training offered at the College is considered of high academic standard and the college strives to cultivate excellence, and generate academic professionals with vast general knowledge whilst taking into account the unique characteristics of the Arab culture. The Department of English trains school teachers to provide them with the skills needed in literature, linguistics and pedagogy, with a strong emphasis on teaching English as a second language. There are a total of 150 students in regular and supplementary EL tracks who partake in drama and music workshops and other alternative ways for teaching, they are engaged in programs with American students, write and edit their own magazine, partake in various activities within and outside the campus, student trips, have access to an audio-visual center, reference books journals, and are encouraged to reflect on teachers, lecturers, and courses.

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Jordan
City                              Aqaba
Host Institution           Aqaba University College/AMIDEAST
Type of Project            Senior
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Proficiency Exams, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow duties will entail English teacher training for the Ministry of Education Directorates of Education in south governorates of Jordan (teacher training for over 350 teachers selected through the Jordanian Ministry of Education from throughout Southern Jordan, Aqaba Governorate, and with the English Access Microscholarship Program teachers (15 contact hours/week). Duties will include training, observing, and working on curricula development in the ACCESS program. The EL Fellow will give workshops both in Aqaba as well as in the other ACCESS locations in the south of Jordan. This program is in conjunction with an agreement reached between the Regional English Language Office (RELO) Amman/PAS office and the Jordanian Ministry of Education. The ECA publication, Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices around the World, was approved by the Ministry of Education (MoE) for this training throughout Jordan, starting with the south. Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, English Camp, English Club Programming, Support Mentoring, Teachers Association/Organization, and Workshops/Seminars and they will also entail consultation with the Ministry of Education on curricula development projects. The EL Fellow will also assist with English Summer Camps and will give occasional workshops for teachers in the West Bank and southern Israel among the Israeli Arab school system.

Project Objectives
The objectives of the project are to improve Jordanian/American relations and mutual understanding by increasing the training opportunities for the Jordanian ACCESS and public school teachers (which will help improve English teaching throughout the south), increasing the cooperation between Public Affairs Section (PAS) and the Ministry of Education and other educational institutions in Aqaba, and increasing the amount and quality of English classes available in Aqaba.

About the Host Institution
The EL Fellow will work with the AMIDEAST Access program and the Ministry of Education in Aqaba. USAID will also offer office space and support for special projects. AMIDEAST is a well-known and well-respected organization that has been working in educational advising, teacher training, and English teaching throughout the Middle East for than 50 years. The Jordan office has recently opened a branch in Aqaba. PAS is keen to work with AMIDEAST to broaden its presence in the south as well as throughout the rest of Jordan.

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Jordan
City                              Tafileh
Host Institution           Tafileh University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, and Tourism

Project Description
The EL Fellow's main area of responsibility (15 contact hours/week) will be to teach general English classes. Secondary project duties will include working with: English Camp, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will develop and teach extracurricular activities for students, including a conversation club, film club, book club (5 contact hours/week). The EL Fellow will help create an English language-rich environment for both students and faculty staff. The EL Fellow will also assist with English summer camps and Regional English Language Officer (RELO) sponsored workshops and conferences and will assist with teacher training activities for area Access programming.

Project Objectives
The objective is to improve mutual understanding and democratic classroom practices by having an EL Fellow live and work in south of Jordan. Both faculty and students will benefit linguistically and culturally from having an EL Fellow as part of their faculty. Tofileh and the southern region of Jordan are in dire need of support in the form of qualified teachers and for the development of materials and curricula.

About the Host Institution
Tafileh Technical University (TTU) is the 9th public university in Jordan. It is located in the Tafila Governorate, 187 km from Amman. It has been established following a Royal Decree on 17/1/2005 to replace Tafila Applied University College (TAUC), which had been known as Tafila Polytechnic in 1986. Then, TAUC was affiliated to Al-Balqa' Applied University in 1997. TTU aims at reinforcing higher education and scientific research, and serving local community by providing it with experienced graduates from various majors
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Lebanon
City                              Beirut
Host Institution           Haigazian University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work with the English Department to develop and enhance Academic English courses (listening, speaking, academic reading and writing, etc.); the EL Fellow will teach 20 hours/week and will have up to 10 hrs of preparation and grading (70%). Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture. As time permits, the EL Fellow will:

conduct teacher training workshops on updated teaching practices (2 hours; 5%)
help create program learning outcomes for the Communication Skills Program. Such a task entails evaluating and then linking individual course outcomes to create unified and coherent program (4 hours; 5%)
Develop the Intensive English Language Program; this project entails creating new courses, designing materials, securing resources, and teaching courses to help students reach a suitable level of English to complete university courses (4 hours; 10%)
Create and host conversation clubs and other extra-curricular activities in English; the EL Fellow can also help the English society in planning activities to share cultural information about the US (2 hours; 5 %)
Start a writing lab to assist students with their writing skills (2 hours; 5%)
Help develop and promote TESOL Lebanon; the EL Fellow will build on work completed in 2008-2009 to establish a TESOL affiliate in Lebanon.

Project Objectives
Haigazian University is seeking accreditation from NEASC. In order to prepare, the English Department needs to ensure that all Communication Skills courses are properly linked and sequenced. Additionally, the English Department wants to promote faculty development through interactive workshops, peer observation, and collaborative projects. In order to help the students enhance their language ability, the English Department would like to strengthen its program through the creation of an Intensive English Language Program, conversation clubs, and extra-curricular activities. Taken together, all these projects will help Haigazian University achieve the following objectives:
1. Expose the students to different teaching methods and allow them to interact with a native speaker;
2. Foster faculty development by exposing teachers to effective and updated teaching practices;
3. Create clear and achievable program learning outcomes for the Communication Skills Program;
4. Develop an efficient and practical Intensive English Language program that will prepare students to take university courses in English;
5. Encourage students to enhance their oral fluency by participating in conversation clubs and other extra-curricular activities in English;
6. Promote TESOL Lebanon in order to create a useful, professional organization for Lebanese English teachers.

This EL Fellow request is the first EL Fellow program offered by the US Embassy to a Lebanese university in over 30 years. The Embassy believes this is an excellent opportunity to boost its involvement in English teaching, expanding our contacts and paving the way for future programs. English teaching activities such as the EL Fellow Program are essential component of Embassy’s public diplomacy programming. These programs are an efficient and cost-effective means of promoting the understanding of U.S. values and society through American content and materials. Subsequently the university professors will spread these benefits to colleagues and students alike, causing a ripple effect with direct impact on the youth in Lebanon.

About the Host Institution
According to the Haigazian University catalogue, the University is a liberal arts institution which operates on the United States model of higher education using English as the language of instruction. Its purpose is to provide quality education in a Christian environment where academic freedom and the search and dissemination of truth are dominant. The university is a member of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities. According to the decree of the Ministry of Education of Lebanon number 1152/70, the B.A. and B.S. degrees were recognized to be equivalent to the license granted by the Lebanese University. The same decree recognized the Normal Diploma as a University Certificate for Elementary and Secondary School Teachers. According to decree number 9657 of the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education, dated Dec.28, 1996, the institution is authorized to offer several graduate programs at the master’s level. Haigazian University serves around 800 students from different regions and cultural backgrounds. Since its establishment, Haigazian University has kept an always ascendant development status on capacity and service quality levels.

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Lebanon
City                             Simkanieh
Host Institution           IRFAN Schools
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Project Focus
American Culture and Studies, Democracy/Civics, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
An EL Fellow is needed to continue the work initiated with IRFAN Establishment by focusing on the following objectives:
-To increase the English proficiency among the English language teachers.
-To stimulate the teaching methodologies of the English language teachers.
-To increase authentic oral communication opportunities in class and facilitate the oral communication capabilities of the student body.
-To create a language rich environment, for both staff and students.
-To provide professional development opportunities

This has been started by focusing on the following projects:
- Continue the collaboration with English language teachers in lesson planning for oral communication activities. Here teachers have a unique opportunity to use their language skills authentically thereby improving their oral capacity, contributing to lesson plans, and exchanging ideas. (10%)
- Continue the implementation of the oral communication activities, thereby modeling new techniques and methodologies for the teacher, and interacting with the students. There will be nine sections of oral communication classes from grades 4-6. 20%
- Plan and conduct workshops both at host branch and amongst the other branches within the Irfan organizations based on professional development topics sited below and overarching goals of the EL Fellow. (35%)
- Plan and conduct an English Language training program to improve the teachers’ language proficiency. The program will target English language teachers and teachers of math and science. (15%)
- Provide opportunities for professional development (i.e. an internal English Teacher Conference, Virtual Teacher Exchange). (10%)
- Research information regarding program development and assisting in the implementation thereof (after school clubs, extra support, etc.). (10%)

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow is expected to:
- Continue the implementation of oral communication classes with intermediate level students (4th-6th grade). This provides both interaction with students and modeling of techniques for peer collaboration.
- Continue the collaboration with other teachers on the design and implementation of oral communications lessons.
- Continue to provide new ideas, perspectives, and resources that allow teachers to expand their teaching boundaries.
- Implement workshops amongst the branches of Irfan in order to execute the aforementioned goals with a frequency of one new workshop topic per month.
- Maintain an English language-rich environment for staff and students. This includes the supervision/planning of classroom libraries or a central English Library for the primary building and the integration of computer technologies to the department.
- Plan and collaborate an end of year, two week English camp program based on previous year’s feedback.
- Plan and collaborate the 2nd annual Irfan English Teachers’ Conference based on previous year’s feedback.

Project Objectives
This program is aimed at strengthening relationships with current and future opinion makers and key institutions in Lebanon by promoting American educational values in Lebanon’s national institutions of higher education and by assisting in responding to government, academic, and private interest in English teaching. This year, the current EL Fellow has been working with IRFAN schools, continuing a project that focused on building the speaking capacity and lesson development of teachers, implementing new activities, and demonstrating new techniques with students. This being the second year of the project, we have concentrated more on teacher training, being more involved with the other branches as opposed to solely the host institution in Semakaniye. The third year will continue to focus on teacher training. One of the main goals is to encourage and expose students and teachers to a more communicative approach; motivating teachers to move away from traditional methods and explore more effective approaches to teaching English. Irfan would like to continue the success within its Semkaniye branch and work with the other branches, reaching out to over 80 teachers within the establishment. One of the successes of the EL Fellow is the motivation of both students and staff. The motivation of the students fosters a more positive attitude towards the cultures surrounding the language. The motivation amongst the teachers invigorates the classroom and encourages a more sustainable learning environment. Motivated students and motivated teachers equal life long learners. The goals and objectives and the extension thereof would best be met if the project was able to continue for a third year. Concentrating on and investing in teacher development and training, would ensure that Irfan will be equipped to carry out the mission of EL Fellow project for many years to come. The progress made with the presence and collaboration of the EL Fellow does not have to end with the Fellow's departure. The teachers should have the training and resources to continue the EL Fellow's work.

About the Host Institution
The IRFAN establishment is a Lebanese non governmental organization, operating in the educational, social and health relief fields since 1973. Since its establishment, the Irfan branches and services have kept an always ascendant development status on all capacity, service quality, and geographical expansion levels, why, it became today one of the largest of its kind in Lebanon, consisting of five school branches in Mount Lebanon, Bekaa and the south, and one main complex in El Shouf region. The Irfan branches serve today four main Lebanese departments and regions, with an approximate sum of 600,000 Lebanese residents in more than three hundred villages, small towns, and localities, and is now offering education to some 5,000 school children, boys and girls, and offer also other necessary health services to many areas in the same above mentioned regions, through its hospital and dispensaries. Irfan Schools are all qualified as NGOs as they are part of the mother Irfan Charitable Est. The Irfan Schools insure their quality education to the Lebanese public without any social, religious, or other discrimination, and offer a large and considerable amount of aid and support to those who cannot afford to pay for their children’s education. Since its establishment, the Irfan Schools have always kept on improving and developing on all size, capacity and quality levels and reaches today a well respected position between its similar, why, it was able to regroup many of the most known professionals in the education field, and have put them to work in the service of some 5,000 schools kids and youngsters.

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Libya
City                              Janzour (Tripoli)
Host Institution           Academy of Graduate Studies
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Country/Project Specific Requirements
Libya is a unique and sometimes challenging country. It is a developing country, with numerous infrastructure projects underway. Roads are frequently torn up, and buildings are in various states of construction. Internet and phone service is frequently interrupted. Credit cards are not used here. Americans coming to Libya are sometimes surprised by the state of disrepair and development. The EL Fellow should not expect Libya to look like other Arab countries he or she may have previously visited. Libyans themselves have been isolated, to the extent that they do not recognize, anticipate, or understand cultural differences and different ways of doing things. They can have expectations that seem unrealistic to Americans, or present ideas that seem far-fetched. They can be stubborn and disbelieving when a foreigner disagrees with their point of view. They are not shy about making requests for assistance that seem untenable to Americans, while at the same time refusing to offer assistance themselves. The EL Fellow should be able to exercise patience and courtesy when addressing such cultural differences, and should be comfortable politely denying outrageous requests. All foreigners working in Libya successfully must show patience, persistence, and the ability to be aggressive from time to time.

Libyan teachers do not have strong training in pedagogy and methodology, and no training in modern teaching methods. Having a native speaker, trained English language professional teach Libyan English teachers is a resource of significant importance.

Project Focus
American Culture English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Proficiency Exams, Research, Teaching Methodologies

Project Description
For the past two years the current EL Fellow has ably filled the challenging role of Libya's first EL Fellow since the two countries restored diplomatic relations. The Academy of Graduate Studies has great appreciation for the EL Fellow and for the US Department of State for providing an EL Fellow, and wants to continue to host one in the AY 2009-2010. In a recent letter to the US Embassy, the Academy's Director of Training and Development wrote, "These two past years with [the EL Fellow] here in our School of Languages has made us realize the importance of having native speakers on our faculty. Please be assured of our continued cooperation and support in this joint educational endeavor." The EL Fellow at the Academy of Graduate Studies teaches master's-level students who are studying to become English teachers. Because Libya lacks English teachers, many of the master's students are already teaching at the primary and secondary level, concurrent with their graduate studies. The EL Fellow will teach classes up to 20 hours per week including methodology, academic writing, second language acquisition, and research. The EL Fellow will spend another 10 hours per week in preparation for class, and is available for 10 hours per week for activities such as offering a workshop to students at the Academy's satellite campuses in other Libyan cities. While the master's level students theoretically speak English at a high level, in reality, for many of them, there is room to improve their English skills, and the EL Fellow should expect to subtly address English language deficiencies in class. Libya still suffers from, and will continue for some time to suffer from, a dearth of high-level English speakers, including a dearth of qualified English teachers. Libyan teachers do not have strong training in pedagogy and methodology, and no training in modern teaching methods. Having a native speaker, trained English language professional teach Libyan English teachers is a resource of significant importance.

Secondary project duties will include working with Workshops/Seminars. The Academy also has campuses in Benghazi and Misrata, and will from time to time work with the EL Fellow to schedule short seminars or workshops for students at those campuses.

Project Objectives
Supporting Libya's educational goals, particularly goals for improved English language ability among Libyans, is a priority for the US Embassy. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) spends a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources to engage in educational programming and activities, chief among them English-language programs. In addition to the EL Fellow program, PAS programs English Language Specialists and takes advantage of our Regional English Language Officer. PAS sends Libyans on exchange programs to support English language learning and teaching, such as the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, the Undergraduate English Language Program, the Access Microscholarship Program, IV programs for English teachers, and the annual TESOL conference. The EL Fellow Program is a significant tool in PAS repertoire to support its goals.
The EL Fellow also contributes to goals such as supporting Democracy and Economic Prosperity. Libyans have been isolated from the world, particularly the West, for a long time. All Americans who come to Libya are part of an educational process for Libyans, exposing them to new ideas, dispelling incorrect, negative stereotypes of Americans, and informing them of American ways of life. Additionally, one of the reasons that Libya is eager to teach English to the younger generation is so that Libya can begin to operate more successfully in international business.

About the Host Institution
The Academy of Graduate Studies was established in 1988 in Tripoli, Libya. Graduate studies and research are available in the following fields: Humanities, Social Sciences, Finance and Management, and Engineering. It organizes symposiums, conferences and workshops on a broad range of national and international issues. Approximately 7,000 students are enrolled at this quasi-private tertiary institution. The Academy's campus is located in a suburb of Tripoli. It is attractive and green, with well-maintained buildings and well-equipped classrooms.

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Libya
City                              Tripoli
Host Institution           Al Fateh University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Proficiency Exams, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
Al Fateh University is Libya's largest public university. The English Language Center at Al Fateh has proven to be a useful partner for many of US Embassy’s English language programs and outreach efforts. Until recently, the Center had contracted with the British Council to provide native-speaker teachers to teach their undergraduate and graduate students in intensive language. The Center is looking to expand its repertoire of teachers. They very much want an American on staff, to teach two primary student audiences:
1. Graduate students studying to become English teachers. Subjects to be taught include methodology of language teaching, syllabus design, and contrastive analysis. Because Libya lacks English teachers, many of the master's students are already teaching at the primary and secondary level, concurrent with their graduate studies. While graduate students speak English at a fairly high level, in reality for many of them there is room to improve their English skills, and the EL Fellow should expect to subtly address English language deficiencies in class.
2. Undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines, intending to go to the United States for graduate school. The undergrad students need assistance preparing for the TOEFL and the verbal section of the GRE.

Al Fateh's English Language Center is the central English Language Center among Libya's nine public universities. As time permits, Al Fateh may work with the EL Fellow to develop short workshops that can be given at the eight satellite English Language Centers.

Project Objectives
Supporting Libya's educational goals, particularly goals for improved English language ability among Libyans, is a priority for the US Embassy. The Public Affairs Section (PAS) spends a considerable amount of time, effort, and resources to engage in educational programming and activities, chief among them English-language programs. In addition to the EL Fellow program, PAS programs English Language Specialists and takes advantage of our Regional English Language Officer. PAS sends Libyans on exchange programs to support English language learning and teaching, such as the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program, the Undergraduate English Language Program, the Access Microscholarship Program, IV programs for English teachers, and the annual TESOL conference. The EL Fellow Program is a significant tool in PAS repertoire to support its goals.
The EL Fellow also contributes to goals such as supporting Democracy and Economic Prosperity. Libyans have been isolated from the world, particularly the West, for a long time. All Americans who come to Libya are part of an educational process for Libyans, exposing them to new ideas, dispelling incorrect, negative stereotypes of Americans, and informing them of American ways of life. Additionally, one of the reasons that Libya is eager to teach English to the younger generation is so that Libya can begin to operate more successfully in international business.

About the Host Institution
Al Fateh University was founded in 1957 as a national institution for scientific and civil education. Al Fateh recently divided itself from one university of 18 faculties to two universities of 12 and 6 faculties each. Al Fateh University is now comprised of 12 Faculties, including engineering, agriculture, law, fine arts, and various humanities fields. The other school, Al Fateh University of Medical Sciences, is now comprised of 6 Faculties including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and related fields. The total student body now numbers roughly 70,000. The teaching staff numbers 2,200 and Al Fatah has another 3,000 employees.

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Morocco
City                              Rabat
Host Institution           Ecole Normale Superieure/Ministry of National Education
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               October 2009 – July 2010

Project Focus
Teaching Methodologies, CALL

Project Description
The assignment includes teaching at two institutions: Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) which is the teacher education college and the Ministry of National Education (MNE). At ENS, the primary duties will be teaching methodology and working with the methodology team to update curriculum and the syllabus, teaching CALL, and working with ENS to improve the department's use of technology in teaching. At MNE, the primary duties will be teaching English to the members of the International Cooperation Department. Currently, the US Embassy is doing a pilot there to determine how best to meet their needs (e.g. Rosetta Stone, textbook, conversation classes).

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, English Camp, English Club Programming, Teachers Association/Organization, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will be invited occasionally to participate in Embassy outreach activities in schools, with Access students, at summer camp, at conferences. The first responsibility is simply making sure an American is present. Then depending on the nature of the event, the EL Fellow may teach a class, give a talk, or participate in the activities offered by the host.

Project Objectives
Morocco is a democracy, but one in which democratic practices have not yet become part of all aspects of everyday life. By managing classes in both institutions in a democratic way, the EL Fellow gives first hand experience to a large number of educators and educational administrators which with time can become part of the Moroccan approach to education. Secondly, Morocco's first foreign language up to today remains French, but there is awareness that it needs to become English for reasons of economic prosperity. The King has mandated greater learning of English and that has motivated organizations like the MNE to meet the challenge.

About the Host Institution
Ecole Normale Superieure is a teacher education college. For most students, they are seeking the equivalent of a master's degree. The English department typically has around 50 students per year who gain entry on the basis of an exam. There are five lecturers in the English faculty.
The Ministry of National Education is responsible for all aspects of public education in Morocco. The International Cooperation Department handles any aspect that includes international support: e.g. exchanges, EL Fellow and EL Specialist programs. The US Embassy has good relations with the International Cooperation Department, but the Embassy has never had a program directly with their staff. Only the directors speak English comfortably. The Embassy is doing a pilot English teaching program with them currently and believes it will prove to be a positive experience.

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Oman
City                              Nizwa
Host Institution           Nizwa University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking

Project Description
The US Embassy in Muscat and the Nizwa University strongly hope to continue with the EL Fellow Program for another year due to the tremendous positive impact that the current EL Fellow has had at Nizwa University. Even in the short time since his arrival in September 2008, the EL Fellow has established himself as a leader within the University's College of Arts and Sciences through his heavily subscribed teaching, his important work in curriculum development, and his initiatives to modernize the English language program. The University's Chancellor requested the EL Fellow’s input on updating the department's English teaching practices, and the resulting proposal has the Chancellor's backing for implementation over the coming semester(s). The EL Fellow has established strong relationships across the University's leadership, who now look to him to provide the vision for the future of Nizwa's English language learning. The EL Fellow’s core responsibilities will remain largely the same next academic year and will include teaching 18 hours of classes to students of all levels. This semester, the EL Fellow is teaching Discourse Analysis (for which he also developed the course), American Literature and Civilization, Communication Skills, and English Tutorial. The University would like to increase the focus of the EL Fellow's teaching assignments next year on basic English language learning: speaking, reading, and writing. The EL Fellow will likely continue to teach American Literature and Civilization courses; however, the majority of the EL Fellowship's American cultural contribution will increasingly come from secondary activities.

Secondary project duties will include working with American Culture, American Studies, English Club Programming, and Teachers’ Association/Organization. This semester, the EL Fellow responsibilities focused on proposing organizational enhancements to the English Language department, helping establish a 'teachers council' within the department aimed at promoting professional development for English teachers, and on participation in and organization of conferences. The EL Fellow traveled to Cairo this spring to present a paper at a regional conference on the Communications Skills course he developed. Substantial time next year will be focused on establishing an American Culture club. The "the climate is right" to establish a presence, possibly supported by the US Embassy, of an outlet of American culture that has a permanent presence at the University. This initiative would build on the content included in the American Literature and Civilization course to create another format for dialog and exploration of American culture. In addition to a conference on Arab-American literature, and the American Culture Club, the EL Fellow will continue to work on the 'teachers' council', supporting professional development for English teachers and the department. Nizwa has no lack of side or extracurricular projects for the EL Fellow to engage in like extracurricular activities promoting engagement in the local community, such as community service-type projects, which would also be a first for Nizwa's students.
Project Objectives
Nizwa University students have shown marked interest in learning about the United States on each interaction with the US Embassy. Despite this interest, understanding of American culture and values remains woefully inaccurate, due mostly to the lack of accurate sources of information for these students, the majority of whom are from the country's interior. Bolstering American presence through an EL Fellow to teach about American culture in tandem with English language will find a receptive and needful audience. There are also opportunities in the secondary duties of the EL Fellow to develop concepts of civic participation and organization, another direct goal of the US Embassy. Fundamentally, Nizwa University has 4,000 students, most of whom know almost nothing about America, and what little they do comes mostly from non-American sources. Importantly, the students are open-minded and remarkably eager to engage and learn from Americans. Continuing this EL Fellowship at Nizwa University gives the Embassy first opportunity to help define America, and to do so accurately.

About the Host Institution
Nizwa University hosts 4,000 students from across Oman, instructed by about 150 faculty members. It is one of four universities (three private, one public) in Oman, and it is the only established as a non-profit organization. NU's students come from all over the country, including the capital. Uniquely, Nizwa University's student body is roughly 85% women. The University was founded in 2004 and is gaining a reputation as one of the country's top. Most students live on campus. In addition to attracting talented minds from rural areas, it is beginning to draw students from politically and socially influential families nationwide. The dominating demographic, though, is academically focused students from the country's underserved interior. Since its birth, the University has grown rapidly. NU will soon break ground on a new campus with ample growth space for the future. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, NU has the following colleges: Economics, Administration and Information Systems; Nursing and Pharmacy; and Engineering and Architecture. NU offers Masters programs in Arabic Language and Literature, Administration and Education, and Counseling and Guidance. Nizwa itself is one of Oman's largest towns (estimated pop: 60,000), located an hour and a half by car from Muscat. The University is fifteen minutes by car from downtown Nizwa. Living in Nizwa promises a cultural immersion experience for an EL Fellow, with the comforts of Pizza Hut and good quality grocery shopping. Most Omanis speak basic English, so someone can get along fine without Arabic. The University will provide the EL Fellow with an apartment in Nizwa as no faculty members live on campus. The University offered one of the best units from its housing pool to the current EL Fellow, and s/he will have the same apartment for a second year of the Fellowship.

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Qatar
City                              Doha
Host Institution           Supreme Education Council
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Country/Project Specific Requirements
As the reform process is in its transitional period, the EL Fellow needs to be flexible in his/her approach and be able to adjust to the needs of the host institution

Project Focus
Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques, EL Instruction for Science and Math

Project Description
Over the past several years, the government of Qatar has embarked on an ambitious mission to reform the education system of its country. Under the banner of Education for a New Era, this unprecedented initiative aims to comprehensively reform education from kindergarten through college. In 2002, an Amiri Decree established the Supreme Education Council (SEC), a new institution, parallel to the Ministry of Education (MOE), with a mission of designing, governing, and coordinating the new educational policies in Qatar. The role of the Supreme Education Council is to oversee education reform, help it to grow and objectively monitor its progress. The Supreme Education Council is responsible for education policy in Qatar (no longer the Ministry of Education). At the heart of the education reform are autonomous, government-funded schools called Independent Schools (akin to charter schools in the U.S.). Currently, more than 80 independent schools offer new models for curriculum design, teaching methods and collaboration. Independent schools will ensure students acquire the skills they need to build a secure future, skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, creativity, and the ability to use technology and communicate effectively. All independent schools emphasize learning English. The schools teach math and science in English and English language studies begin at primary school. The Supreme Education Council has encountered difficulties in successfully reaching their goal of effectively teaching sciences and mathematics in English and they requested the assistance of an American expert (an EL Fellow) to work with some of the newly formed independent schools to fully implement English language instruction in the science and mathematics departments. The SEC has requested an EL Fellow to dedicate 60% of the working hours in focusing on eight to nine underachieving schools and students ranging from grades 4 to 12. The EL Fellow is to visit these schools, identify needs, mentor teachers, and organize a series of workshops for teachers on effective teaching methods. The EL Fellow will have an office in the Education Institute of the Supreme Education Council, but will spend a majority of time visiting with the independent schools in Qatar to observe and advise on English language instruction. Having an EL Fellow work directly with the teachers and administrators in these schools is viewed as a way to elevate the standards of the teachers and classrooms in the Qatari independent schools. This is a new vision for K-12 education in the Middle East and particularly in the Gulf region. An EL Fellow in Qatar has an opportunity to get involved with this grand educational experiment at the earliest of stage of curriculum development and play a key role in influencing the way that English is taught and learned in Qatari schools. Effective programs implemented at this early stage in the development of the independent schools will most certainly be copied in future independent schools (as all MOE schools are slated to become independent schools within the next 10 years).

Secondary project duties will include working with Workshops/Seminars. As Science & Mathematics are taught in English in the Independent schools, the SEC has requested the EL Fellow to spend 40% of their time providing professional training through seminars and workshops to teachers on good classroom practices. These will be mainly teachers of Math & Science who need to teach their subjects in English

Project Objectives
The primary objective of this program is to show American support in a tangible way for the admirable reforms occurring in the Qatari educational system. The teachers and administrators in the independent schools are some of the best in Qatar, but repeatedly request assistance from the American Embassy, British Council, Qatar University and other organizations with teacher training and curriculum development. The presence of an American EL Fellow in a Qatar classroom will be a visible symbol of American commitment to Qatari educational reforms. Educational training opportunities in Qatar have always been tremendously successful on multiple levels. SEC hosted an EL Fellow last year and was greatly impressed and grateful for the services rendered. The US Embassy would like to continue this relation with the SEC and be part of the reform they are implementing.

About the Host Institution
Please see the description of the Supreme Education Council and the history of the independent schools under the project information. The Supreme Education Council has agreed to provide the EL Fellow with a fully-furnished apartment from the SEC housing inventory, which will include furniture and home appliances. The SEC will also be paying for all water and electric utilities, monthly cost for car rental in country, internet access, food, and miscellaneous expenses.

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Syria
City                              Damascus
Host Institution           American Language Center/American Culture Center
Type of Project            Senior Fellow
Project Dates               October 2009 – July 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be responsible for outreach to Syrian English teachers working in both private and public institutions. S/he will continue to build upon relationships strengthened in 2008-2009, and to teach regular courses through UNRWA and the Aga Khan Foundation. If the American Language Center re-opens in 2009, the EL Fellow will teach their teacher training course and team-teach regular Seminars for Professionals in English Language Teaching (SPELTs) with ALC teachers. Regular Fellow-taught SPELTs and teacher training courses can be hosted at the American Culture Center if the ALC does not re-open. Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will staff and manage the English Language Teaching Resource Center within Us Embassy’s Information Resource Center and advise on programming for Embassy’s American Corner(s), which are located within English teaching institutes. Through these forums and EL Fellow’s own contacts, s/he will serve as a formal and informal mentor to Syrian English teachers. S/he will conduct workshops and seminars, as possible, with a focus on reaching constituencies outside of Damascus.

Project Objectives
Improved English teaching in Syria will lead to a population better able to receive and understand information from the outside world and better able to compete in the global economy. English-speaking Syrians are leading both economic and political reform efforts in Syria. English language training is an important component of US Embassy’s Democracy Strategy.

About the Host Institution
The American Language Center (ALC) is US Embassy’s contractor-operated English language teaching program. It falls under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy. It was closed by the Syrian government in late October 2008 for political reasons and the Embassy expects it to re-open in February 2009. The ALC has four terms per year: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. The EL Fellow should plan to arrive at the beginning of the fall term, after Ramadan, approximately October 1, 2009. If the ALC does not re-open, the EL Fellow will be based at the American Cultural Center (ACC), the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. The ACC houses an Information Resource Center with a set aside area for English language teaching resources. The EL Fellow will manage these resources and hold "office hours" for Syrian English teachers.

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Syria
City                              Damascus
Host Institution           State Planning Commission/Ministry of Information
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               October 2009 – July 2010

Country/Project Specific Requirements
The US Embassy is in discussion with both the Syrian State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Information to support their English training programs. Both institutions have requested EL Fellows in the past and have been positive in their response to Embassy's recent overtures, but the final outcome depends on the trajectory of the U.S.-Syrian relationship during the first half of 2009. The program as outlined below for 2009-2010 may require modification depending on the local situation. Support for English language teaching and learning is critical in Syria and the Embassy asks for the potential EL Fellow to show great flexibility.

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, IT

Project Description
An EL Fellow in Syria may be called upon to teach a variety of English and English for Special Purposes courses at local institutions, such as the Ministry of Information and the State Planning Commission. In addition, the EL Fellow may advise these institutions and public and private universities on their English curricula. Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, English Club Programming, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will work with the Senior EL Fellow to expand US Embassy’s network of English teachers and develop and spread ELT best practices within Syria. These activities should include managing an English Language Teaching Resource Center within Embassy's Information Resource Center and undertaking programming for Embassy's American Corner(s), which are located within English teaching institutes. As needed, the EL Fellow will assist the Senior EL Fellow with the conduct of workshops and seminars inside and outside Damascus. This new EL Fellow should be technology savvy and able to help set up Internet and electronic resources for English students and teachers, and to teach how to effectively use the Internet for English learning/teaching.

Project Objectives
Improved English teaching in Syria will lead to a population better able to receive and understand information from the outside world and better able to compete in the global economy. English-speaking Syrians are leading both economic and political reform efforts in Syria.

About the Host Institution
The State Planning Commission is a government institution that offers planning and budget advice to ministries and government institutions. The Commission is also responsible for grants and scholarships offered to government employees and institutions from Syrian and non-Syrian sources. The Commission hosts an English Language Training Center with a staff of 15 Syrian English teachers and an enrollment of hundreds of government employees each year. Prior to 2007, previous Regional English Language Officers (RELOs) and EL Fellows conducted teacher training workshops at the Commission's training center. The Director expressed the desire to have an EL Fellow based in the center to teach English, advise on the curriculum, and serve as a native-speaker resource for teachers. The US Embassy has resumed discussions with the Director about EL Fellow placement for 2009-2010. The Commission's initial response is positive, but the final outcome depends on the trajectory of the U.S.-Syrian relationship during the first half of 2009.

The Syrian Ministry of Information oversees all media, local and foreign, in Syria. It also runs English language courses for journalists and Ministry Employees at its Center for Information Training. The Ministry approached the Embassy in the past with a request for a native English speaker and language expert to run these courses in conjunction with Syrian English teachers and advise on the curriculum.

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Tunisia
City                              Tunis
Host Institution           Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               Mid-September 2009 – Mid-July 2010

Project Focus
American Culture, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques, English for Young Learners

Project Description
The Department of English of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis is pioneering a new applied B.A in the English language meant to prepare students majoring in English for a teaching career in primary and middle schools. The EL Fellow will teach students majoring in English several techniques for Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL). The EL Fellow will have to incorporate oral communication skills' courses focusing on classroom situations and contexts. Alongside teaching, the EL Fellow will be called upon to mentor junior teachers of one course (e.g. junior teachers of oral expression) in collaboration with the program coordinator. The mentoring may focus on specific teaching skills, one-on-one tutoring in TEYL and teaching methodology, scaffolding for the preparation of teaching materials, and informal observation and advising as needed. The EL Fellow will be placed at an Institute which has a very active English for Special Purposes (ESP) Center that organizes workshops and seminars on a regular basis on topics related to teaching languages of specialization and on teaching techniques and methodologies using Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The ESP Center is an integral part of the Institute and is supported by the US Embassy in its efforts to promote English language teaching in Tunisia. The EL Fellow can be a great resource for the ESP Center and could use US State Department teacher training textbooks, along the line of "Shaping the Way We Teach English," for conducting workshop sessions for a large audience of students and teachers. The EL Fellow is also welcome to take part in the various activities organized at the American Corner, such as the "Free English Fridays," the "American Study Weeks," the film discussions, and the various alumni gatherings. The EL Fellow is also encouraged to do outreach at a provincial university, if his/her teaching schedule allows time for it. Should the EL Fellow decide to stay on during the summer, s/he can participate in the English Language Summer Camp, which features the participation of 150 students in an intensive language immersion program.

Project Objectives
The EL Fellow brings the needed added value when it comes to introducing students majoring in English to notions related to American culture, traditions and values with special emphasis on the importance of cross-cultural and inter-cultural dialogue. The EL Fellow is able to incorporate much in his/her various classroom activities and can use DoS developed materials such as the "Forum Magazine," to highlight up-to-date approaches in the field of English teaching and learning.

About the Host Institution
The Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis is one of the oldest and most reputable universities in Tunisia with a well-structured English department and about 6,000 students. It is conveniently located on the outskirts of the city of Tunis but with easy access through the subway.

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West Bank/Gaza
City                              Ramallah
Host Institution           Bir Zeit University
Type of Project            Fellow
Project Dates               September 2009 – June 2010

Country/Project Specific Requirements
Special security guidelines apply to all programs at this post. A copy of the detailed security regulations and requirements will be forwarded to ECA and to the EL Fellow by e-mail separately. The EL Fellow must abide by all of the security regulations and must sign a copy of the regulations stating his/her agreement to follow them at all times.

Project Focus
American Culture, American Literature, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking

Project Description
The EL Fellow will continue to refine and guide the curriculum and operations of the Language Clinic of the Department of Languages and Translation (the primary focus of the current EL Fellowship). The Clinic is intended to build the capacities of primarily non-English Language major students who are required to have a certain level of English proficiency in order to complete their major studies in technical, scientific, business and economic majors due to a lack of Arabic-language texts and materials on these subjects. While major progress has been made through current EL Fellow’s work in the clinic, it is not yet self-sustaining and the university would like the EL Fellow to continue to supervise its progress to maintain its functionality within the department. Additionally, the EL Fellow will continue to teach the "Current Issues" course (3 hours/week) designed to improve English language presentation and practical usage skills. S/he will also continue to teach courses in the Department of Languages and Translation (3-6 hrs/wk) and may again teach a course in the Department of English Language and Literature (3 hours/week) for students in that major. Secondary project duties will include working with: American Studies, English Club Programming, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The current EL Fellow has also designed and begun to implement a student English Language Newsletter Committee at BZU (2 hours/week) that the incoming EL Fellow will continue to guide to self-sustainability. S/he will also explore the creation of a club to unite students from the Arabic Studies program and the English Department, per student request. At least one to two days per month, the EL Fellow will give workshops and seminars for other EL professors at the university as well as for Palestinian English language teachers from public schools, in coordination with the Ministry of Education. The Ministry requested assistance from the US Consulate in building the capacities and teaching methodologies of their teachers through a long-term training program with an American expert, and the EL Fellow Program provides the perfect opportunity for the Consulate to fulfill this request.

Project Objectives
The objective of this project is to assist this important Palestinian educational institution in its efforts to provide the level of English language instruction necessary for its students to compete in the global economy and build vital links between their homeland and the outside democratic world, especially the United States. The EL Fellow Program has helped and will continue to create an English language-rich environment for both faculty and students at the University. The EL Fellow is also providing a real and positive image of America and Americans through his/her regular one-on-one interactions with students and professors from all departments within the university in the Language Clinic, as well as through regular courses, all of which have a strong American subject-matter component. Additionally, training workshops for peers and public school teachers will extend the reach of the program to a wider and often more difficult-to-reach sector of Palestinian society by creating a multiplier effect, with teachers passing on their new skills and attitudes to their students. These sessions will also help the US Consulate to enhance its relationship with the Ministry of Education, a key partner in efforts to build favorable views of America and a culture of peace and nonviolence among Palestinian youth.

About the Host Institution
Bir Zeit University is the first institution of higher education to be established in the Palestinian Territories and is considered by many to be its most prestigious. In addition to providing students with the opportunity to realize their academic aspirations, the University encourages its students to be productive citizens and active members of their community. The University offers numerous undergraduate and post-graduate degrees through its seven faculties: Arts, Commerce and Economics, Engineering, Sciences, Law and Public Administration, Information Technology and Graduate Studies. The EL Fellow is hosted by the Department of Languages and Translation, which is responsible for the English Language Communications Program designed to help students achieve the level of English proficiency needed to complete their major study programs and meet university graduation requirements. The Department of English Language and Literature, where the EL Fellow also conducts some activities, seeks to promote disciplined study of the English language, linguistics and literature, as well as the development of the attributes associated with a liberal arts education, including: skill with language, intellectual curiosity, critical judgment, effective and persuasive writing, creative imagination and independent thought. The EL&L Department offers an array of courses in writing, linguistics, literature and translation and seeks to attract the best possible students from diverse Palestinian backgrounds. The EL&L Department previously implemented an American Studies project with a grant from ECA and PAS-Jerusalem focusing on American literature, culture, history and women's issues in the US through a variety of courses and activities. Bir Zeit University has assured the US Consulate of their high degree of satisfaction with current EL Fellow’s work, and requested that the project be extended for a second year so that the EL Fellow can continue his/her efforts (despite numerous obstacles and delays created by the unpredictable Palestinian political and social environment) to leave behind a well-functioning and self-sustaining language lab program, among other initiatives, for their benefit for years to come.

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