• Algeria, Mentouri University/Ecole Normale Superieure de Constantine - Filled
• Algeria, University Es Senia/ENSET - Filled
• Bahrain, Ministry of Labor Training Institute - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
• Bahrain –Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Human and Financial Resources - Filled
• Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
• Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled
• Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled
• Egypt, Al Azhar University - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
• Israel, Amal and Ort Educational Networks - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
• Jordan, Al Albeit University - Filled
• Jordan, Directorate of Education/AMIDEAST - Filled
• Lebanon, Haigazian University - Filled
• Lebanon, The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) - Filled
• Libya, The Academy of Graduate Studies - Filled
• Libya, Al-Fateh University - Filled
• Morocco, Ecole Normale Superieure/Ministry of National Education - Filled/Confirmed Renewal
• Oman, Modern College of Business and Science - Filled
• Qatar, Qatar University - Filled
• Qatar, Qatar University - Cancelled
• Syria, American Language Center - Filled
• Syria – American Langauge Center, Senior Fellow - Filled
• Tunisia, Faculty of Letters, Arts and Humanities, La Manouba - Filled
• West Bank/Gaza, Hebron University, Palestine Polytechnic University - Cancelled
• West Bank/Gaza, Bir Zeit University - Filled

Host Country             Algeria
Host City                    Constantine
Host Institution          Mentouri University/Ecole Normale Superieure de Constantine
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             October 2010 – July 2011

Project Focus
American Literature, Methodology, Phonology, Linguistics

Project Description
The major priority of the EL Fellow will be teaching English teaching methods, phonology, linguistics, and composition. The secondary institution (ENSC) would focus on teaching methodology. The EL Fellow is expected to bring his/her expertise in teaching composition, creative writing, and courses of priority interest in Algerian universities, where English language skills are given increasing importance. The EL Fellow will provide solid preparation in language to students who wish to improve their skills and understand American culture. Until the EL Fellow is in place at the university, s/he will not know the full range of opportunities they will be expected to contribute to and the organizational set up of the university. Flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness are key for the successful EL Fellow experience.

Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming.  The American Corner in Constantine is located at the University of Mentouri. The Corner serves as a meeting spot for students interested in practicing their English skills and learning more about American culture and values. The EL Fellow duties at the American Corner will be to host regular English conversation classes, conduct workshops and seminars, and to assist in programming (i.e. film screenings, commemorative program planning, etc.).
 
Project Objectives
Through support of English classes, linkages with American youth, and U.S. Exchange opportunities, the U.S. Embassy helps to provide Algerian youth with a better education, job skills, a sense of civic responsibility, and a vision on how to engage positively and peacefully in the world. Promoting English language capacity in Algeria gives students access to resources and opportunities that were once illusive. The Embassy seeks to engage and inform current and future Algerian opinion shapers (aka university students) to increase their understanding of and support for U.S. foreign policy and initiatives. This is done primarily through professional and educational exchange programs and exchange alumni programming. An EL Fellow located in Constantine has access to more than 80K students at one of the best universities and one of the top teacher training institutes in Algeria. Constantine is also a very conservative town and does not have a lot of foreign investment. Having an American voice there to talk with students about different perspectives is a powerful tool, in and of itself, to counter extremism and engage young audiences.
 
About the Host Institution
Constantine offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English. The former lead to a BA degree in English studies and the latter to an MA degree with a specialization in a given discipline (linguistic science and translation, linguistic science and English language teaching, TEFL, ESP, Anglo-American studies). The Ph.D. is 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 Superieure des Lettres et Sciences Humaines de Constantine (ENSC) is a school belonging to the sector of Higher Education. It is specialized in teacher training. In the English Department of the school, ENSC trains teachers of Junior High Schools and High Schools who pursue four and five years of education and training respectively. The total population of all ENSC students is around 2,700. The total number of all English students for the five years of study is over 800. 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. At the English Department, they teach mainly Applied Linguistics, Psychopedagogy, Phonetics, Research Methodology, Pedagogy, Speaking and Listening courses, as well as American Civilization and Literature.

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Host Country             Algeria
Host City                    Oran
Host Institution          University Es Senia/ENSET
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             October 2010 – July 2011

Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, and English for Writing, Business English, Scientific English 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will teach courses and/or give seminars in English for Speaking, Writing Skills, Listening and Reading Comprehension. If the EL Fellow has experience in English for Specific Purposes (specifically in Business English or Scientific English), this would be the major focus at the second institution (ENSET). The EL Fellow is expected to bring his/her expertise in teaching language skills such as Written Expression, Oral Expression, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, and Grammar. The EL Fellow will be expected to teach for 20 contact hours per week total. The main tasks will be to help the students with their pronunciation, writing and listening skills. Until the EL Fellow is in place at the university, s/he will know in advance the full range of opportunities they will be expected to contribute to and the organizational set up of the university. Flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness are key for the successful EL Fellow.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming. The American Corner in Oran is located in the University of Oran Es-Sena. The Corner serves as a meeting spot for students interested in practicing their English skills and learning more about American culture and values. The EL Fellow duties at the American Corner will be to host regular English conversation classes, conduct workshops and seminars, and to assist in programming (i.e. film screenings, commemorative program planning, etc.). The American Corner Coordinator is very active in Oran and would be able to provide detailed guidance to the EL Fellow on the programming assistance that would be beneficial to the Corner and its visitors. The Corner is currently Algeria’s most active and vibrant corner with a number of programming activities that would be even more powerful with an EL Fellow presence. Oran is Algeria’s second largest city and could benefit tremendously from an EL Fellow as native English speakers are extremely scarce in Algeria.
 
Project Objectives
Through support of English classes, linkages with American youth, and U.S. Exchange opportunities, the U.S. Embassy helps to provide Algerian youth with a better education, job skills, a sense of civic awareness, and a vision on how to engage positively and peacefully in the world. Promoting English language capacity in Algeria gives students access to resources and opportunities that were once illusive. The Embassy seeks to engage and inform current and future Algerian opinion shapers (aka university students) to increase their understanding of and support for U.S. foreign policy and initiatives. This is done primarily through professional and educational exchange programs and exchange alumni programming.

About the Host Institution
The English department at Es Senia University in Oran is among the largest and comprises some 2,500 students in the four years’ course followed by graduation. In addition, some 70 students participate in post-graduate studies (Magister, Master and Doctorate). There are 36 permanent teachers and 6 associate teachers in different specialties. Various subjects are taught as part of the four year course: Written Expression, Oral Expression, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension, Grammar, Linguistics, Phonetics, Phonology, British Literature, American Literature, Third World literature, African Literature, British Civilization, American Civilization, African Civilization, Sociolinguistics, Educational Psychology, and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).

The ENSET D'ORAN is a teacher-training college that offers degrees to a total number of students that exceeds 1,500 annually. Along with the specialized subjects, students also attend courses in English which is given great importance due to the place it holds in all sciences and fields of research. The ENSET takes part in many international scientific and research projects such as Tempus or Erasmus programs, and the FSP project with France. There are currently no native English speakers on faculty at either one of the universities and it is a constant complaint of Algerian students and administrators. Also, the English language teaching style of the Algerian professors is dramatically different from American instruction methods.  An EL Fellow will provide endless added-value in being an example of implementing different teaching methods in Oran.

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Host Country             Bahrain
Host City                    Manama
Host Institution          Ministry of Labor Training Institute
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

Project Focus
American Culture, Business, Engineering, English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, Finance, Marketing, Teaching Methodologies, Teaching Techniques, and Tourism 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will:

 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, English Camp, English Club Programming, Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars.  The EL Fellow will:

Project Objectives
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 U.S. Embassy 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 public diplomacy programming and their current abilities.

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

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Host Country             Egypt
Host City                    Cairo
Host Institution          Al Azhar University
Type of Project          Senior Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

Special Country Requirements
Cairo is a crowded, densely populated city with significant air pollution. Traffic is a daily problem, and EL Fellows spend a lot of time in taxis getting around. Cairo and Egypt are also inexhaustibly rich in culture and things to see and do. It is a safe environment, in terms of crime, and the people are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. There are gyms, galleries, concert halls, an opera house, cultural associations, opportunities to study Arabic, and plenty of night life.

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

Project Description
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) in its third year at Al Azhar University, Cairo, seeks an EL Fellow for the 2010/2011 academic year to act as program manager, lead instructor, and to organize and carry out ongoing professional development of the Center's ten Egyptian teacher trainees. Applicants must have significant experience in EAP (English for Academic Purposes) teaching, materials development, program management and administration, and teacher training.

Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office, US Embassy Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the ELRC provides intensive academic English language instruction to 80-90 select Al Azhar faculty members, as well as classes tailored for university administrative staff and international students. It is a high-profile US Embassy public diplomacy initiative and represents a major breakthrough in terms of relations with the oldest and most highly regarded Islamic university in the world.

The ELRC features three modern classrooms with Smart Boards, two classrooms with whiteboards, a library with 8 online computers, a small teachers' room with files and 2 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 2010/2011 is three EL Fellows, one Senior EL Fellow, and eight – ten Egyptian English Language teacher trainees, some of them new to the program with little or no EFL teaching experience. The Center hopes to offer 5 classes in the morning and 5 classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet 3 hours a day, four days a week. The fifth working day of the week is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training, including advanced English for Egyptian teachers. The ELRC is supervised by the RELO office of the US Embassy. In coordination with the RELO Office and Al Azhar University, the EL Fellow will be responsible for the management and professional development and supervision of the ELRC staff, programs, and facilities. A primary focus for 2010/11will be 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 EL Fellow will also:

Secondary project duties will include working with: Workshops/Seminars.  The EL Fellow will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenter at RELO-sponsored programs such as the Access program in Egypt, the annual Nile TESOL Conference, and professional development workshops organized by Nile TESOL. The EL Fellow contract will be from September 15, 2010 through July 15, 2011, with vacation time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and Embassy.  
 
Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the world's largest, oldest and most authoritative 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 in Egypt, founded in 970-972, 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 Islamic Cairo. The university's mission includes the study 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, called imams. Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives. Al-Azhar University concerns itself with the religious syllabus, which pays special attention to the Quranic sciences and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, on the one hand, while on the other hand the university teaches all the modern fields of science. The university was founded by the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Fatimah was called Az-Zahra (the brilliant), and the university was named in her honor. (Wikipedia).

Al-Azhar has a student population of 420,000, of whom 76,000 are women, and 16,000 international students. According to its president, Al-Azhar today stands for, and actively promotes, “moderate Islam.” In a recent conversation with U.S. Embassy representatives, he described the university as a “defensive wall against extremism in the world,” and noted proudly that Al-Azhar has no terrorists among its thousands of alumni. The President admits, however, that faculty and students lack foreign language skills that he believes are essential to broadening their understanding of other religions and cultures and to countering the belief that the West is hostile to Islam and Muslims. The President and other senior Al-Azhar leadership have put the development of English language skills among faculty and students at the top of the university's agenda, and regard it as vital to the pursuit of their mission. The University is making a concerted effort to improve the English levels of students and faculty. Major partners in this effort are two collaborative programs with Al Azhar: the US Embassy's English Language Resource Center (ELRC), which focuses on junior faculty, and the British Council's English Teaching Center, which trains male undergraduates.

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Host Country             Egypt
Host City                    Cairo
Host Institution          Al Azhar University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

Special Country Requirements
Cairo is a crowded, densely populated city with significant air pollution. Traffic is a daily problem, and EL Fellows spend a lot of time in taxis getting around. Cairo and Egypt are also inexhaustibly rich in culture and things to see and do. It is a safe environment, in terms of crime, and the people are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. There are gyms, galleries, concert halls, an opera house, cultural associations, opportunities to study Arabic, and plenty of night life.

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

Project Description
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) in its third year at Al Azhar University, Cairo, seeks three EL Fellows and one Senior EL Fellow for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office, US Embassy Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the ELRC provides intensive English language instruction to select Al Azhar faculty members, administrative staff, and international students, and teacher training/program administration training opportunities to select Al Azhar English teachers.

The ELRC features three modern classrooms with Smart Boards, two classrooms with whiteboards, a library with 8 online computers, a small teachers' room with files and 2 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 2010/11 is three EL Fellows, one Senior EL Fellow, and 8-10 junior Egyptian English Language teacher trainees. Students are drawn from the junior teaching faculty of all departments of the university, male and female, with the majority from the faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies. The Center hopes to offer 5 classes in the morning and 5 classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet 3 hours a day, four days a week. The fifth working day of the week is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training, focusing on methodology, materials development, and advanced English for Egyptian teachers. 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:

Each EL Fellow will teach a maximum of 18 hours/week for nine months, intermediate level academic English, all skills.  The EL Fellow will also spend approximately 9 hours/week mentoring and observing the ELRC Egyptian English teachers who teach the beginning and low-intermediate classes, and 2 hours/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 6 hours/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 2010, and a final assessment in July 2011.

Secondary project duties will include working with: Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenter at RELO-sponsored conferences and workshops around Egypt, including the Access English program for disadvantaged Egyptian secondary school students. 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 the EL Fellow can consider participating in: the American University in Cairo Skills Conference in January, and TESOL Arabia's annual conference in the UAE in March. The EL Fellow contract will be from September 15, 2010 through July 15, 2011, with break time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and Embassy.
 
Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the world's largest, oldest and most authoritative center of Islamic learning. The ELRC furthers mission goals of Islamic outreach, interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and improved 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 positioned 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 in Egypt, founded in 970-972, 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 Islamic Cairo. The university's mission includes the study 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, called imams. Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives. Al-Azhar University concerns itself with the religious syllabus, which pays special attention to the Quranic sciences and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, on the one hand, while on the other hand the university teaches all the modern fields of science. The university was founded by the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Fatimah was called Az-Zahra (the brilliant), and the university was named in her honor. (Wikipedia).

Al-Azhar has a student population of 420,000, of whom 76,000 are women, and 16,000 international students. According to its president, Al-Azhar today stands for, and actively promotes, “moderate Islam.” In a recent conversation with U.S. Embassy representatives, he described the university as a “defensive wall against extremism in the world,” and noted proudly that Al-Azhar has no terrorists among its thousands of alumni. The President admits, however, that faculty and students lack foreign language skills that he believes are essential to broadening their understanding of other religions and cultures and to countering the belief that the West is hostile to Islam and Muslims. The President and other senior Al-Azhar leadership have put the development of English language skills among faculty and students at the top of the university's agenda, and regard it as vital to the pursuit of their mission. The University is making a concerted effort to improve the English levels of students and faculty. Major partners in this effort are two collaborative programs with Al Azhar: the US Embassy's English Language Resource Center (ELRC), which focuses on junior faculty, and the British Council's English Teaching Center, which trains male undergraduates.

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Host Country             Egypt
Host City                    Cairo
Host Institution          Al Azhar University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-January – Mid-November 2011

Special Country Requirements
Cairo is a crowded, densely populated city with significant air pollution. Traffic is a daily problem, and EL Fellows spend a lot of time in taxis getting around. Cairo and Egypt are also inexhaustibly rich in culture and things to see and do. It is a safe environment, in terms of crime, and the people are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. There are gyms, galleries, concert halls, an opera house, cultural associations, opportunities to study Arabic, and plenty of night life.

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

Project Description
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) in its third year at Al Azhar University, Cairo, seeks three EL Fellows and one Senior EL Fellow for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office, US Embassy Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the ELRC provides intensive English language instruction to select Al Azhar faculty members, administrative staff, and international students, and teacher training/program administration training opportunities to select Al Azhar English teachers.

The ELRC features three modern classrooms with Smart Boards, two classrooms with whiteboards, a library with 8 online computers, a small teachers' room with files and 2 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 2010/11 is three EL Fellows, one Senior EL Fellow, and 8-10 junior Egyptian English Language teacher trainees. Students are drawn from the junior teaching faculty of all departments of the university, male and female, with the majority from the faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies. The Center hopes to offer 5 classes in the morning and 5 classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet 3 hours a day, four days a week. The fifth working day of the week is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training, focusing on methodology, materials development, and advanced English for Egyptian teachers. 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:

Each EL Fellow will teach a maximum of 18 hours/week for nine months, intermediate level academic English, all skills.  The EL Fellow will also spend approximately 9 hours/week mentoring and observing the ELRC Egyptian English teachers who teach the beginning and low-intermediate classes, and 2 hours/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 6 hours/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-July 2011, and a final assessment in November 2011.

Secondary project duties will include working with: Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenter at RELO-sponsored conferences and workshops around Egypt, including the Access English program for disadvantaged Egyptian secondary school students. 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 the EL Fellow can consider participating in: the American University in Cairo Skills Conference in January, and TESOL Arabia's annual conference in the UAE in March. The EL Fellow contract will be from January 15, 2011 through November 15, 2011, with break time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and Embassy.
 
Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the world's largest, oldest and most authoritative center of Islamic learning. The ELRC furthers mission goals of Islamic outreach, interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and improved 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 positioned 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 in Egypt, founded in 970-972, 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 Islamic Cairo. The university's mission includes the study 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, called imams. Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives. Al-Azhar University concerns itself with the religious syllabus, which pays special attention to the Quranic sciences and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, on the one hand, while on the other hand the university teaches all the modern fields of science. The university was founded by the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Fatimah was called Az-Zahra (the brilliant), and the university was named in her honor. (Wikipedia).

Al-Azhar has a student population of 420,000, of whom 76,000 are women, and 16,000 international students. According to its president, Al-Azhar today stands for, and actively promotes, “moderate Islam.” In a recent conversation with U.S. Embassy representatives, he described the university as a “defensive wall against extremism in the world,” and noted proudly that Al-Azhar has no terrorists among its thousands of alumni. The President admits, however, that faculty and students lack foreign language skills that he believes are essential to broadening their understanding of other religions and cultures and to countering the belief that the West is hostile to Islam and Muslims. The President and other senior Al-Azhar leadership have put the development of English language skills among faculty and students at the top of the university's agenda, and regard it as vital to the pursuit of their mission. The University is making a concerted effort to improve the English levels of students and faculty. Major partners in this effort are two collaborative programs with Al Azhar: the US Embassy's English Language Resource Center (ELRC), which focuses on junior faculty, and the British Council's English Teaching Center, which trains male undergraduates.

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Host Country             Egypt
Host City                    Cairo
Host Institution          Al Azhar University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

Special Country Requirements
Cairo is a crowded, densely populated city with significant air pollution. Traffic is a daily problem, and EL Fellows spend a lot of time in taxis getting around. Cairo and Egypt are also inexhaustibly rich in culture and things to see and do. It is a safe environment, in terms of crime, and the people are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. There are gyms, galleries, concert halls, an opera house, cultural associations, opportunities to study Arabic, and plenty of night life.

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

Project Description
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) in its third year at Al Azhar University, Cairo, seeks three EL Fellows and one Senior EL Fellow for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Co-sponsored by the Regional English Language Office, US Embassy Cairo, and Al Azhar University, the ELRC provides intensive English language instruction to select Al Azhar faculty members, administrative staff, and international students, and teacher training/program administration training opportunities to select Al Azhar English teachers.

The ELRC features three modern classrooms with Smart Boards, two classrooms with whiteboards, a library with 8 online computers, a small teachers' room with files and 2 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 2010/11 is three EL Fellows, one Senior EL Fellow, and 8-10 junior Egyptian English Language teacher trainees. Students are drawn from the junior teaching faculty of all departments of the university, male and female, with the majority from the faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies. The Center hopes to offer 5 classes in the morning and 5 classes in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per class. Classes meet 3 hours a day, four days a week. The fifth working day of the week is dedicated to staff meeting, lesson planning, administration, and teacher training, focusing on methodology, materials development, and advanced English for Egyptian teachers. 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:

Each EL Fellow will teach a maximum of 18 hours/week for nine months, intermediate level academic English, all skills.  The EL Fellow will also spend approximately 9 hours/week mentoring and observing the ELRC Egyptian English teachers who teach the beginning and low-intermediate classes, and 2 hours/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 6 hours/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 2010, and a final assessment in July 2011.

Secondary project duties will include working with: Support Mentoring, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will have opportunities to travel and participate as guest presenter at RELO-sponsored conferences and workshops around Egypt, including the Access English program for disadvantaged Egyptian secondary school students. 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 the EL Fellow can consider participating in: the American University in Cairo Skills Conference in January, and TESOL Arabia's annual conference in the UAE in March. The EL Fellow contract will be from September 15, 2010 through July 15, 2011, with break time and professional development time, with prior approval from Al-Azhar University and Embassy.
 
Project Objectives
The English Language Resource Center (ELRC) at Al Azhar University represents a landmark partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the world's largest, oldest and most authoritative center of Islamic learning. The ELRC furthers mission goals of Islamic outreach, interfaith dialogue, educational reform, and improved 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 positioned 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 in Egypt, founded in 970-972, 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 Islamic Cairo. The university's mission includes the study 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, called imams. Its library is considered second in importance in Egypt only to the Egyptian National Library and Archives. Al-Azhar University concerns itself with the religious syllabus, which pays special attention to the Quranic sciences and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, on the one hand, while on the other hand the university teaches all the modern fields of science. The university was founded by the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt, descended from Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Fatimah was called Az-Zahra (the brilliant), and the university was named in her honor. (Wikipedia).

Al-Azhar has a student population of 420,000, of whom 76,000 are women, and 16,000 international students. According to its president, Al-Azhar today stands for, and actively promotes, “moderate Islam.” In a recent conversation with U.S. Embassy representatives, he described the university as a “defensive wall against extremism in the world,” and noted proudly that Al-Azhar has no terrorists among its thousands of alumni. The President admits, however, that faculty and students lack foreign language skills that he believes are essential to broadening their understanding of other religions and cultures and to countering the belief that the West is hostile to Islam and Muslims. The President and other senior Al-Azhar leadership have put the development of English language skills among faculty and students at the top of the university's agenda, and regard it as vital to the pursuit of their mission. The University is making a concerted effort to improve the English levels of students and faculty. Major partners in this effort are two collaborative programs with Al Azhar: the US Embassy's English Language Resource Center (ELRC), which focuses on junior faculty, and the British Council's English Teaching Center, which trains male undergraduates.

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Host Country             Israel
Host City                    Beersheva
Host Institution          Amal and Ort Educational Networks  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

Special Country Requirements
The program is challenging and involves frequent travel to towns and villages outside of Beersheva, the region’s capital. The EL Fellow will have to drive to these schools on a daily basis. The EL Fellow should be energetic and adaptable to working with an extremely conservative sector that has very little contact with native English speakers.

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

Project Description
The EL Fellow will work in ten junior and high schools (five per semester) serving students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Eight of the schools will consist entirely of students from Israel’s Bedouin Arab community, and two of the schools have large populations of recent Jewish immigrants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of these students participate in the English Access Microscholarship Program, which enables students to improve their English levels to a level that opens the door to colleges and universities in Israel. This EL Fellow program will be managed jointly by the Amal and Ort Educational Networks - the two largest networks in Israel.

The EL Fellow will work on-site at the selected schools in order to accomplish the following:

The AMAL and ORT Educational Networks operate most of the high schools in the Bedouin sector. Students in the Bedouin sector face the most serious economic and academic challenges in Israel. They learn English as a third language, after Arabic and Hebrew, and many Bedouin students even have difficulties communicating in Arabic, as well. There is a lack of qualified teachers in the southern part of the country as a whole and in the Bedouin sector in particular. Many teachers come from other parts of the country to which they return after a few years of teaching - overall investment in their school systems is low. Many of these teachers were not trained in Israel and are not experienced in preparing students for their college matriculation examinations. Additionally, some English teachers have limited command of English and rely on Arabic as a crutch during their lessons. Most of the teachers and students do not have contact with native English speakers and it is a unique experience to learn and communicate with an American professional. An EL Fellow living and working in their community is therefore a rare and appreciated opportunity, adding immeasurable value to their lives. The Bedouin sector is isolated from democratic Western culture and values. This conservative community will provide the EL Fellow with a challenging yet enriching cultural experience complete with opportunities to develop professionally, broaden horizons, and share cultural values.

The EL Fellow should be flexible, enjoy a challenge, be a self-starter, with deep reserves of enthusiasm for teaching, traveling, and communicating with a sector that knows very little about Western culture. The ideal EL Fellow will be able to initiate and manage projects that can be continued beyond the life of the fellowship.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, American Culture, American Studies, English Camp, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will also be responsible for outreach activities and cultural programming that will convey concepts about American values, democratic government, free enterprise, social media, and the rule of law. The EL Fellow will arrange workshops for in-service teacher trainers and initiate student clubs around books, debating, and conversation at the American Corner. Additionally, the EL Fellow will cooperate with the U.S. Embassy to coordinate various cultural activities, including exchange programs, American Studies, and events around American holidays and commemoration months.

Project Objectives
The schools selected for this program include students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The Bedouin students, in particular, suffer from limited educational resources and other challenges. Their schools are underfunded and lack many of the resources that are available in other parts of Israel. Having an EL Fellow in this part of the country will expose both students and teachers alike to American culture, values, and traditions. Having an EL Fellow working in these sectors will hopefully encourage these students to apply for educational programs and exchanges, thereby increasing USG contact in these underserved communities.

About the Host Institution
Amal and Ort Educational Networks assist the Israeli government in administering middle schools and high schools in the public sector. Both networks are implementers in Israel of the English Access Microscholarship Program. This fellowship will allow the EL Fellow to supplement the work being done under the Access program and provide him/her with an in-built audience of qualified English language teachers and hundreds of Access students. For further information see: http://www.ort.org.il and http://www.amalnet.k12.il

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Host Country             Jordan
Host City                    Mafraq
Host Institution          Al Albeit University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July2011

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

Project Description
The EL Fellow will:

Secondary project duties will include working with: English Camp, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars.  The EL Fellow will help organize and participate in the Access Summer camp in June 2011.  As time permits, the EL Fellow will conduct teacher training workshops on updated teaching practices and will take part in online teacher training Webinars.

Project Objectives
Programs such as the EL Fellow Program 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 and students will spread these benefits to colleagues and students alike, causing a ripple effect with direct impact on them and people in contact with them in Jordan.

About the Host Institution
Al al-Bayt University is located on the outskirts of the city of Mafraq, 65 km to the north-east (about 45 minutes drive) of the capital Amman. The university has integrated academic facilities, student housing, and social services on one site, extending over an area of 7539 dunums (dunum=1000 square meters). On August 17, 1992, a Royal Decree was issued ordaining the establishment of Al al-Bayt University. As stated in the Royal Message, the University is to meet an urgent need for a new kind of university; one that combines the requirements of scientific methodology in teaching and research, on one hand, and the requirements of belief and clarity of vision on the other, thus, creating harmony between the rounded personality of the Muslim and his new environment. The University is also intended to uphold the principles of freedom, justice, tolerance, respect of other people's beliefs and faiths, and co-existence. On December 16, 1992, another Royal Decree was issued approving the formation of Al al-Bayt Special Royal Committee, under the chairmanship of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan, and the membership of a selected high-standing scholars and intellectuals from Jordan and other parts of the Islamic world. The main task of this committee was to lay the foundation of the University, and to submit its decisions on operational and administrative issues to his Majesty the King for his final approval/decision. The Royal Decree pertaining to the appointment of the first President of Al al-Bayt University was issued on May 22, 1993. Immediately thereafter, a number of administrative, academic and technical committees were set up to carry out the mission of establishing the University, each in accordance to its assigned responsibilities. After completing its infrastructure, recruiting distinguished faculty members, and defining its courses and programs, the University was ready to receive its first group of students on October 1, 1994. Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hussein, and the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan, Al al-Bayt University was officially inaugurated on March 6, 1995. Since the establishment of the University, the area has been transformed into an Oasis in the Desert through the implementation of new schemes of plantation, combating desertification and preserving the indigenous species. Water harvesting in this arid area has proven to be successful.

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Host Country             Jordan
Host City                    Aqaba
Host Institution          Directorate of Education/AMIDEAST
Type of Project          Senior Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

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

Project Description
The EL Fellow duties will include English teacher training for the Ministry of Education Directorates of Education in both the southern and central governorates of Jordan (teacher training for over 350 teachers selected through the Jordanian Ministry of Education from throughout central and south Jordan and with the English Access Microscholarship Program teachers).  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 location in the south of Jordan. This program is in conjunction with an agreement reached between RELO Amman and the Ministry of Education to conduct teacher training using ECA publication “Shaping the Way We Teach English: Successful Practices around the World”, that was approved by the 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, and Workshops/Seminars.  Secondary duties will include 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 northern Jordan as well as in the West Bank and the southern Israel among the Israeli Arab school system. Training will also include online workshops and seminars, often in conjunction with the RELO office in Amman.
 
Project Objectives
The objectives of this 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 country), increasing the cooperation between RELO and the Ministry of Education and other educational institutions in Aqaba, and increasing the amount and quality of English classes.
 
About the Host Institution
The EL Fellow will work with the AMIDEAST Access program and the Ministry of Education in Aqaba. The Directorate of Education of Aqaba is part of the Jordanian Ministry of Education directorates spread all over the kingdom. The directorate of education host subject supervisors including English supervisors. Access program was launched in Aqaba as a pilot program in 2006 due to the help and support of the directorate director and English Language supervisors. The directorate has about 350 English teachers spread all over the south.  Aqaba is located in the south of Jordan and is very important to Jordan; it is the seaport of the country. It has a special status under the Act of Aqaba Special Economic Zone and the creation of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. Under ASEZA supervision, Aqaba is undergoing a major expansion economically, commercially, and touristically.

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 more than 50 years. The Jordan office has recently opened a branch in Aqaba. RELO is keen to work with AMIDEAST to broaden its presence in the south as well as through the rest of Jordan.

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Host Country             Lebanon
Host City                    Beirut
Host Institution          Haigazian University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

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

Project Description
The current EL Fellow, in conjunction with the English Department, has begun several mission-critical projects that require continued maintenance in order to meet long-term goals. The incoming EL Fellow will work with the English Department to develop and enhance the Communication Skills Program. In particular, the EL Fellow will:

  
Haigazian University is seeking accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (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 a Communicative English course, conversation clubs, and extra-curricular activities. Taken together, all these projects will help Haigazian University achieve the following objectives:

Project Objectives
This is a very important proposal which addresses the very important need in Lebanon to provide assistance and exchange programs evenly across the specter of Lebanese society. English teaching activities such as the EL Fellow Program are an essential component and 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, Haigazian University is a liberal arts institution which operates on the U.S. 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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Host Country             Lebanon
Host City                    Jounieh
Host Institution          The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK)
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

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

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be asked to provide the following tasks:

 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Culture, English Club Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will:

Project Objectives
The University has ten faculties and four institutes in which English language is compulsory and students are required to take the TOEFL test. Every year, approximately 1,900 students are registered in USEK’s English courses and will consequently benefit from the presence of the EL Fellow. Moreover, by sharing experiences and best practices, approximately 25 English teachers will also benefit from the EL Fellow Program. The EL Fellow will give USEK students the opportunity to interact with a native English speaker and acquire English language idioms and phrases on a daily basis; s/he will enable English teachers at USEK to exchange experiences on different approaches and methodologies used in English Language teaching; s/he will assist in the promotion of a conversation club at USEK among English learners from the various faculties and institutes of the University, as well as share with peer teachers and English Department officials new methods and best practices in output evaluation. The presence of an EL Fellow at USEK will greatly assist in the University’s shift from a French-speaking university to a multilingual one. This EL Fellow request is the first EL Fellow Program offered to a French speaking university in over 30 years.

About the Host Institution
The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) is a private Catholic Higher Education Institution established by the Lebanese Maronite Order (LMO) in 1961. In addition to its educational mission, USEK is committed to the preservation and promotion of the Maronite cultural heritage and the creation of a community spirit, in which the spiritual, civic and ethical values of respecting the other and their beliefs prevail. USEK has adapted to recent economic development in Lebanon by creating new vocational specializations in order to diversify its teaching and meet the needs of the labor market. USEK also aims to install service-oriented infrastructures that rely on modern information and communication technologies. Thanks to an extremely wide network of national and international linkages, USEK plays a key role in training highly-qualified researchers and professionals. Currently, the number of students at USEK exceeds 7,000 students distributed in its fourteen academic units that offer a broad array of highly diversified education. In recent years, USEK has shifted its focus from being a francophone university to a multilingual one, with English as a high priority on the main campus and at the four regional centers. Consequently, USEK is seeking to upgrade its English Language teaching and to enhance the capacities of its teachers in order to develop its students’ English proficiency. Through the following, USEK requests an EL Fellow who would work as a full-time Fellow at the USEK main campus and, consequently, have direct contact with the students, as well as teachers.

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Host Country             Libya
Host City                    Janzour - Tripoli
Host Institution          The Academy of Graduate Studies  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-August 2010 – Mid-June 2011

Special Country 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 s/he 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.

Finally, visas are often severely delayed or unavailable to Americans. This may make the EL Fellow's pre-departure preparations to post stressful and may make it impossible for friends and family to visit him or her while in the country. In addition, local immigration laws require that individuals holding residence permits obtain an exit and re-entry visa prior to departing Libya. The host institution sponsoring the visa is responsible for requesting this document from the immigration authorities.

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

Project Description
The Academy of Graduate Studies has benefitted tremendously from previous English Language Fellows. Many students at the Academy say that the EL Fellows were among the best lecturers they encountered during their graduate studies. The EL Fellow at the Academy of Graduate Studies will teach MA-level students who are studying to become English teachers. Because Libya lacks English teachers, many of the MA 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/week including methodology, academic writing, second language acquisition, and research. The EL Fellow will spend another ten hours/week in preparation for class, and will be available for ten hours/week for activities such as offering a workshop to students at the Academy's satellite campuses in other Libyan cities. While the MA 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.   The EL Fellow will be responsible for curriculum design, grading.

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. In addition, the Academy (sponsoring the EL Fellow's visa) will grant permission for the EL Fellow to work with private language centers and institutes in the country.
 
Project Objectives
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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Host Country             Libya
Host City                    Tripoli
Host Institution          Al-Fateh University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-August 2010 – Mid-June 2011

Special Country 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 s/he 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.

Finally, visas are often severely delayed or unavailable to Americans. This may make the EL Fellow's travel to post stressful and may make it impossible for friends and family to visit him or her while in the country. In addition, local immigration laws require that individuals holding residence permits obtain an exit and re-entry visa prior to departing Libya. The host institution (sponsoring the visa) is responsible for requesting this from the immigration authorities.

Project Focus
Research, Teaching Methodologies, and Teaching Techniques 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be teaching teachers and methodology rather than language. The English Language Center operates branches in nearly dozen cities across the country; the EL Fellow will be expected to travel regularly under the sponsorship of Al-Fateh to visit and work at the branch locations on a regular basis. There are two specific audiences for the EL Fellow's coursework at the university:

Secondary project duties will include working with: Workshops/Seminars.  private English language schools are being established across the city at a great rate - providing much needed instruction to young Libyans looking to advance their careers through language skills. The U.S. Embassy wants to develop the capacity and quality of instruction in these private institutes. The EL Fellow will be responsible for organizing periodic skills workshops for private institute teachers, to be conducted through the sponsorship of the university.

Project Objectives
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 22,00, and Al Fatah has 3,000 other employees.

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Host Country             Libya
Host City                    Benghazi
Host Institution          Garyounis University  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

Special Country 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 s/he 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.

Finally, visas are often severely delayed or unavailable to Americans. This may make the EL Fellow's pre-departure preparations to post stressful and may make it impossible for friends and family to visit him or her while in the country. In addition, local immigration laws require that individuals holding residence permits obtain an exit and re-entry visa prior to departing Libya. The host institution sponsoring the visa is responsible for requesting this document from the immigration authorities.

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

Project Description
The English Language Center at the Garyounis University 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 will be 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.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: Workshops/Seminars.  The EL Fellow will be responsible for organizing outreach and workshop at Garyounis University's nine satellite campuses across the country. These include visits to small cities at various levels of development. The EL Fellow will have the flexibility to select themes and content for these workshops.

Project Objectives
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  
Garyounis University is a public university in Benghazi. The University was founded on December 15, 1955 as The Libyan University. The nucleus of the university was the College of Arts and Education, which then had an enrollment of 31 students. Since then, the College of Science was established in Tripoli, the College of Economics in Benghazi in 1957, the College of Law in Benghazi in 1962, and the College of Agriculture in Tripoli in 1966. In 1967 the College of Higher Technical Studies and the Higher Teacher's College were incorporated into the University. The names of these two colleges were changed into the College of Engineering and the College of Education. Moreover, the College of Medicine was established in 1970 in the city of Benghazi. In 1972, the College of Petroleum and Minerals was established in Tripoli. In 1973 The Libyan University was split into two independent universities. All the colleges (faculties) located in Tripoli joined the University of Al Fateh, while those located in Benghazi joined Garyounis University. Subsequently, the following faculties were established at Garyounis University. The College of Science, the College of Engineering and the College of Dentistry were established in 1974, the College of Agriculture in 1976, and the College of Information Technology in 2006.

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Host Country             Morocco
Host City                    Rabat
Host Institution          Ecole Normale Superieure/Ministry of National Education  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             October 2010 – July 2011

Project Focus
Teaching Methodologies 

Project Description
The EL Fellow 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:

At MNE, the primary duties will be continuing the project of launching English Clubs in pilot high schools.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Culture, English Camp, English Club Programming, Teachers Association/Organization, and Workshops/Seminars.  In terms of secondary duties, the EL Fellow will be invited occasionally to participate in U.S. 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 the 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 of 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.

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Host Country             Oman
Host City                    Muscat
Host Institution          Modern College of Business and Science  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Late August 2010 – Late June 2011

Special Country Requirements
Oman is an extremely welcoming and easy place in which to live and work. Some knowledge and understanding of Middle Eastern cultural values and norms are useful. Oman is generally considered a very safe place for Western expatriates, with a well developed medical and transportation infrastructure. Patience and flexibility are key to success in the workplace and more generally.

Project Focus
Business, Proficiency Exams, Research, Teaching Methodologies, and Teaching Techniques 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will:

Specific duties will include:

Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, and Workshops/Seminars. The EL Fellow will:

 
Project Objectives
Oman is urgently working to diversify its economy through large-scale investment in both physical and human infrastructure, with a special focus on education for the workplace. English-language skills are seen as key both in ensuring success in the Sultanate's all-English higher education system and in preparing students for employment. A program that bolsters and enhances English language learning at a College that is attracting many of Oman's future business, communications, and IT professionals, will have a profoundly positive impact.

About the Host Institution
The Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) is a private college licensed by Oman's Ministry of Higher Education and provisionally accredited by the Accreditation Board of the Sultanate of Oman. The College offers educational programs to meet the needs of individual students as well as the needs of the business and industrial communities. The College is provisionally accredited by the Accreditation Board of the Sultanate of Oman to offer associate degrees in Business, Information Technology and Computer Science and to offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Business, Economics, and Computer Science. The College maintains an active affiliation with the University of Missouri St. Louis at both the Associate Degree level and at the Bachelor Degree level. Students have the option of completing a two year educational degree in Oman and seeking employment; completing two years at the college and transferring to another college or University in the United States, Australia, or the United Kingdom, or finishing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College. MCBS operates an Intensive English as a Second Language program and offers a certificate in ESL for those students who successfully complete the course. Led by American academic Dr. Bernard La Berge, MCBS has proven to be an outstanding partner for the U.S. Embassy. Home to an active and successful American Corner, MCBS has also proved to be an excellent host for Fulbright Senior Scholars and has nominated numerous students for participation in a variety of USG-sponsored exchange program. MCBS has excellent basic facilities and a supportive governing board.

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Host Country             Qatar
Host City                    Doha
Host Institution          Qatar University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

Special Country Requirements
The host institution will provide the EL Fellow with comfortable accommodation and will provide transportation to/from house to work.

Project Focus
English for Listening, English for Reading, English for Speaking, English for Writing, and Proficiency Exams

Project Description
The English Department Foundation Program at Qatar University is currently recruiting resourceful, culturally sensitive, academic professionals seeking creative input within a diverse EFL/EAP faculty, commencing early September 2010. EL Fellow responsibilities will include teaching up to 18 contact hours per week in the Foundation multi-level integrated skills program or at the Post-Foundation Undergraduate English program; contributing to and participating in curriculum and program development; e-learning; testing and assessment; and student advising and support activities.

Required qualifications and experience: MATESOL or Applied Linguistics degree from a reputably accredited university/program with at least two years EAP/EFL/ESL teaching experience at university/tertiary/adult-level (overseas experience is desirable). Knowledge of best teaching practices is essential, as are experience in testing and assessment, instructional technology, and curriculum and materials development. The ability to adapt to and participate in different cultures and learning environments and to contribute to an innovative and challenging academic instructional program is an asset. For this EL Fellow position, proven experience in testing and assessment and measurement and evaluation in an ELT context are required.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: Workshops/Seminars.  The EL Fellow will be a Test Bank Group Member.  S/he will report to the Testing Coordinator; organize team members in the collection, collation and analysis of exam component statistics; select items for test bank based on this analysis; go over past exams and exam statistics for suitable items to be added to the test bank (or piloted as required); create items to pilot in exams for future entry into the test bank; write/design valid and reliable test items/tests; and attend Testing Group meetings.  Training and experience in ELT Measurement and Evaluation and the use of SPSS software is highly preferred.

Project Objectives
Having an EL Fellow who is specialized in Test Banking is likely to have a positive impact on Qatar University, the only public university in Qatar. The US Embassy uses Qatar University to promote many of its exchange and cultural program and tries to keep close relationship with its various departments.
 
About the Host Institution
Qatar University is an intellectual and scholarly community characterized by open discussion, the free exchange of ideas, respectful debate, and a commitment to rigorous inquiry.  All members of the University - faculty, staff, and students - are expected to advance the scholarly and social values embodied by the university. The University is a model national university in the region, recognized for high-quality education and research and for being a leader of economic and social development. The University:

In 1973, having foreseen education as a principle contribution to its expanding society, the Emir of Qatar issued a decree proclaiming the establishment of Qatar’s first national College of Education. Among a small population, the college admitted a respectable 57 male and 93 female students in its first year. After several semesters, rapid development of the country made it necessary to expand upon the College of Education to accommodate new areas of specialization. In 1977, Qatar University was founded with four colleges: Education; Humanities & Social Sciences; Sharia, Law, & Islamic Studies; and Science. By 1985, two additional colleges, Engineering and Business & Economics, had been established. At present, Qatar University is comprised of seven colleges; College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Business and Economics, and College of Pharmacy.  Programs offered at the University attract professional recognition through their emphasis on close working links with business, industry, and other professions. At the same time, however, they emphasize the importance of a solid base of general skills and knowledge through a carefully designed Core Curriculum, which was conceived with an eye to the needs and requirements of Qatari society and its labor market. The University's teaching and research are innovative, collaborative, enterprising, and flexible endeavors, based on the intelligent use of emerging technologies. In addition to two notable libraries, Qatar University boasts a number of support-for-learning centers and units, including an audio library, an e-library, advanced internet facilities, an educational-technology center, advanced video-conferencing facilities, and an active Office for Faculty and Instructional Development.  QU has always strived to fulfill its mission as the country's beacon of knowledge. With seven colleges, over 30,900 graduates, and a faculty community of almost 700 members, the University is also an active member in several prestigious regional and international associations, including the Union of Arab Universities, the league of Islamic Universities, and the International Association of Universities, to name just a few. Qatar University offers over 60 specializations (the widest range in the country), and boasts substantial research and academic infrastructure, as well as the reputation as a leading center for research in the country. As a result, QU has been successful in attracting a large number of distinguished scholars, researchers, and faculty members from other Arab countries and beyond.

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Host Country             Qatar
Host City                    Doha
Host Institution          Qatar University
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

Fellows accepted for Fall start projects will depart 4-6 weeks after receiving a fellowship offer.

Special Country Requirements
The EL Fellow will be working at the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Qatar University. He/She will be provided with comfortable fully furnished accommodation and transportation to/from work.

Project Focus
American Literature,English for Reading,English for Writing,Teaching Techniques 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will have the following teaching requirements: Fall 2010: one section of Essay Writing and two sections of American Literature. Spring 2011: two sections of Advanced Reading Comprehension and two sections of Introduction to Literature. These courses can be modified based on the qualification of the EL Fellow.

Project Objectives
The Fellow will be contributing to the development of Qatari women in the Department of English Literature and Linguistics and to mutual undertanding between Qataris and Americans. Also will strengthen ties with Qatar University, the only public university in the country where post conducts many of its exchange and cultural programs.

About the Host Institution  
Qatar University is an intellectual and scholarly community characterized by open discussion, the free exchange of ideas, respectful debate, and a commitment to rigorous inquiry.  All members of the University - faculty, staff, and students - are expected to advance the scholarly and social values embodied by the university. The University is a model national university in the region, recognized for high-quality education and research and for being a leader of economic and social development. The University:

In 1973, having foreseen education as a principle contribution to its expanding society, the Emir of Qatar issued a decree proclaiming the establishment of Qatar’s first national College of Education. Among a small population, the college admitted a respectable 57 male and 93 female students in its first year. After several semesters, rapid development of the country made it necessary to expand upon the College of Education to accommodate new areas of specialization. In 1977, Qatar University was founded with four colleges: Education; Humanities & Social Sciences; Sharia, Law, & Islamic Studies; and Science. By 1985, two additional colleges, Engineering and Business & Economics, had been established. At present, Qatar University is comprised of seven colleges; College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Business and Economics, and College of Pharmacy.  Programs offered at the University attract professional recognition through their emphasis on close working links with business, industry, and other professions. At the same time, however, they emphasize the importance of a solid base of general skills and knowledge through a carefully designed Core Curriculum, which was conceived with an eye to the needs and requirements of Qatari society and its labor market. The University's teaching and research are innovative, collaborative, enterprising, and flexible endeavors, based on the intelligent use of emerging technologies. In addition to two notable libraries, Qatar University boasts a number of support-for-learning centers and units, including an audio library, an e-library, advanced internet facilities, an educational-technology center, advanced video-conferencing facilities, and an active Office for Faculty and Instructional Development.  QU has always strived to fulfill its mission as the country's beacon of knowledge. With seven colleges, over 30,900 graduates, and a faculty community of almost 700 members, the University is also an active member in several prestigious regional and international associations, including the Union of Arab Universities, the league of Islamic Universities, and the International Association of Universities, to name just a few. Qatar University offers over 60 specializations (the widest range in the country), and boasts substantial research and academic infrastructure, as well as the reputation as a leading center for research in the country. As a result, QU has been successful in attracting a large number of distinguished scholars, researchers, and faculty members from other Arab countries and beyond.

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Host Country             Syria
Host City                    Damascus
Host Institution          ALC
Type of Project          Senior Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

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

Project Description
The demand for English language teaching and training in Syria continues to grow. The American Language Center enrolls approximately 2,000 students a term and there are private English language institutes cropping up all over the country that reflect a growing desire by Syrians to learn English. Politically and economically, Syria is at a crossroads. With the economy opening up, the hulking public sector is no longer the employer of choice in the country. Private sector businesses need competent English speakers to fulfill a range of positions. After a five year hiatus, the U.S. Embassy is poised to return an Ambassador to implement the President's strategy of engagement, and doors which were previously closed are flying open.

For the past several years, the Embassy has successfully used an EL Fellow to act as a roving English language expert. The EL Fellow travels the width and breadth of the country, frequently going where Embassy officers cannot. (Syrian security greatly restricts Embassy movement in the country.) The program allows the EL Fellow the freedom to do targeted trainings, give curriculum advice where necessary and perhaps most importantly, bring American expertise into far-flung regions that are visited infrequently by Americans. The program has been enormously successful and the Embassy hopes to continue it in 2011.

Project Objectives
Despite poor US-Syrian relations, the Syrian public has managed to discern between the American people and the American government; thus America remains more popular here in this poor and strategically important country of 20 million than in many other parts of the Arab world. There is a saying that is frequently attributed to Henry Kissinger which says, “You can’t make war without Egypt or peace without Syria.” Despite general American popularity in Syria, lack of progress on Middle East peace and other deeply embedded political issues imperils US popularity here and the Syrian government frequently acts as a spoiler on regional initiatives. The EL Fellow will contribute to developing an informed Syrian public which is receptive to U.S. proposals, policies and initiatives in the Arab world.  One of the most important ways in which an alternate vision of America can be portrayed is through English language teaching. English also opens up a whole range of information which is unavailable to Arabic speakers. It is more important than ever that English language teaching inside Syria is being promoted. An EL Fellow not only provides badly needed technical assistance, but s/he also represents America all over Syria. EL Fellows function as English speaking ambassadors in Syria and their continued presence in Syria is vital.

About the Host Institution
The American Language Center is located in Damascus and it enrolls approximately 2,000 Syrians in each of its four terms. In the past, the Embassy affiliated EL Fellows with the ALC to facilitate the processing of residency permits for Fellows who provide outreach work all over Syria. 

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Host Country             Tunisia
Host City                    Manouba
Host Institution          Faculty of Letters, Arts and Humanities, La Manouba  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Mid-September 2010 – Mid-July 2011

Special Country Requirements
The EL Fellow needs to show a lot of flexibility when dealing with certain bureaucracy. The EL Fellow needs to be aware that some administrative procedures can take some time, such as the "work permit."

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

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be asked to perform two principal tasks; one related to teaching (a total of 12 contact hours) and one related to extra curricula activities (around 4 hours) with students interested in American Culture and Writing. The EL Fellow will be asked to fill twelve classroom teaching hours (in regular classrooms, in pronunciation lab or in computer-lab). There is currently need for the teaching of pronunciation and communication skills principally but not exclusively within the Business English program. The EL Fellow will have the opportunity to demonstrate further leadership skills by volunteering in the on-going efforts within the department to develop teaching and testing materials within the teaching teams of his/her assigned courses. Moreover, like all department staff, the EL Fellow will be required to participate in the writing of tests, to take part in proctoring during end of semester and final exams and to grade his/her own students exam papers during the semester exam and a portion of the total number of exam papers during the final exams. The department of English is keen on encouraging students to undertake extra-curricula activities. For example, the EL Fellow may be interested in starting a series of film showing and running discussions. Another idea is to re-launch a department magazine or a drama club. The department head will fully support any project the EL Fellow might consider related to this aim. It may also be possible for the EL Fellow to serve as chaperone for students to attend the activities of the American Corner on Thursday afternoons.
 
Secondary project duties will include working with: American Corner Programming, and American Studies.  The U.S. Embassy in Tunis is actively involved in programming year-long cultural and educational activities for students at the American Corner which is well-located and attracts around 5,000 visitors each year. The EL Fellow will be called upon to conduct round table discussion as part of the "Free English Conversation" sessions set up at the Corner. The EL Fellow will be encouraged also to conduct workshops for teachers of English who are interested to learn more about best teaching practices. The Embassy will also support the participation of the EL Fellow in provincial outreach activities outside the great area of Tunis by reaching out to underrepresented, underprivileged areas of Tunis which are more toward the Center east and south of Tunisia.

Project Objectives
The EL Fellow will play a major tool not only as a classroom educator but also as a role model who can inspire students and encourage them to think critically, analytically and creatively by highlighting for them some creative projects which can be done outside the box. The EL Fellow represents a vital resource capable to reach out to those remote areas of the country and educate its children about certain universal values such as tolerance, sharing, social responsibility, social justice, entrepreneurship etc. The EL Fellow can use the IRC resources as a way to build channels of communications between the Embassy and these new and important contacts.
 
About the Host Institution
The Faculty of Letters, Arts and Humanities, La Manouba is situated 13 km north-west of the city of Tunis. The Faculty is considered a medium-size university with 9,000 students. The Department of English is one of the largest departments. A metro line services the campus. Means of transportation are available.

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Host Country             West Bank/Gaza
Host City                    Hebron
Host Institution          Hebron University/Palestine Polytechnic University  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             Late August 2010 – Late June 2011

Special Country 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 selected 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, and English for Writing 

Project Description
The EL Fellow will be placed at Hebron University in the southern West Bank to not only enhance and support their English Language and Literature program, but also to establish a rare and much-needed American presence at this highly-regarded university and in the somewhat isolated community of Hebron. The EL Fellow's primary focus will be on teaching three full courses (9 credit hrs/wk) of the BA in the English Language and Literature program. The program serves 700 students majoring in English Language and Literature, who are potential future English Language teachers in Palestinian schools. The three courses will include one American literature course and two advanced communication courses. In addition, the EL Fellow will be directly supervising five BA graduate students for their seminar/graduation papers. Other duties may include supervising MA and BA students in the Language Resource Center and advising the center's faculty directors on how to best organize and utilize such a Center for the benefit of the student body. Palestinian Polytechnic University (PPU), also in Hebron, has requested to share the EL Fellow with Hebron University for just one day each week. While PPU does not have a degree program in English, all students at the University are required to complete three ESP courses in order to graduate in their primarily scientific and engineering majors, as most text books and other academic materials in these subject areas are in English rather than Arabic. At PPU, the EL Fellow would teach one course in ESP (no more than 3 hrs p/wk) and/or conduct EL activities for students in their Language Center that will assist them in achieving the level of ESP needed for their studies and future careers.
 
Secondary project duties, if applicable: English Club Programming, and Support Mentoring.  Depending on EL Fellow's schedule, and through the Language Resource Center at Hebron University, the EL Fellow will help the University to establish academic links with his/her own and other academic institutions in the United States on issues of common interest and, when possible, to find opportunities for students to take online courses or participate in conferences and seminars at American universities. The EL Fellow will also design and run an American cultural extracurricular activity for students at Hebron University (2 hrs/wk). The specific nature of the activity will be determined by the individual skills and interests of the EL Fellow chosen for this program, but possibilities include an American Book Club, an English language Drama Club or Debate Club, etc. Depending on EL Fellow's teaching schedule, s/he will also be programmed once or twice per month to give workshops and seminars for his/her colleagues at both Hebron University and PPU and for Palestinian English language teachers from public schools, in coordination with the Ministry of Education. The Ministry requested assistance 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 to fulfill this request.
 
Project Objectives
The objective of this project is to assist Hebron University in its efforts to provide the level of TESOL instruction necessary for its students to become effective teachers of English, a resource that is in very short supply in the Territories. This program will also serve to increase the abilities of the students at both PPU and Hebron U, as well as their future students in Palestinian schools, to compete in the global economy and build vital links between their homeland and the outside democratic world, especially the United States, by increasing their level of English through engagement with an expert EL instructor and native-speaker. S/he will help create an English language-rich environment for both faculty and students at the universities. The EL Fellow will also provide a positive image of America and Americans through his/her regular one-on-one interactions with students and professors from all departments within the universities through the Language Centers, as well as through his/her regular courses. This is particularly important in Hebron, a city that is cut off from the rest of the West Bank and often the outside world in general due to the particularly difficult political situation there. Finally, the EL Fellow's training workshops for 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 Consulate to enhance its relationship with the Ministry of Education, a key partner in our efforts to build favorable views of America and a culture of peace and nonviolence among Palestinian youth.

About the Host Institution
Hebron University is one of the largest universities in the Palestinian territories. It is an independent, public and non-profit institution of higher education. Established in 1971 as a college of Sharia Law, the institution now serves the entire southern area of the West Bank and provides education in wide range of subjects. The University's constitution ensures equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, religion or race, and states that no Palestinian student should be prevented from continuing his/her higher education for financial reason. Its main faculties include the Faculty of Finance & Management, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Nursing, Faculty of Science & Technology, and Faculty of Graduate Studies. The English Language Department started with 80 students, and had reached 450 students by 2005. The department offers a B.A. degree in English Language and Literature, which includes courses in language, literature, translation and methodology of teaching. The department currently offers three majors in addition to an MA degree in Linguistics: English Language and Literature, English Language and its Teaching Methods, English Language with a minor in French. The M.A. degree program in Applied Linguistics and TESOL is the only such program in the Palestinian Territories. It aims to create a corps of highly trained and skilled Palestinian English Language teachers for the school and university system in the West Bank and Gaza and to create graduate scholars who can conduct empirical research in the area of teaching and learning English in the Palestinian context.

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Host Country             West Bank/Gaza
Host City                    Ramallah
Host Institution          Bir Zeit University  
Type of Project          Fellow
Project Dates             September 2010 – June 2011

Special Country 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 selected 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 contribute to curriculum development and operations of the Language Clinic of the Department of Languages and Translation. 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 the previous EL Fellow’s work (during the past two years 2008-2010) in the Clinic, it is not yet self-sustaining and the university would like the incoming 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. The EL Fellow will also continue to teach courses in the Department of Languages and Translation (3-6 hrs/wk) and may teach a course in the Department of English Language and Literature (3 hours/week) for students in that major. 

The EL Fellow will also oversee the English Language Newsletter Committee at BZU (2 hours/week) and continue to guide it to self-sustainability.  The EL Fellow will also be programmed for at least one to two days per month to 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 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 US Consulate would like to build upon the success of the previous EL Fellow at Birzeit University, who helped create an English language-rich environment for both faculty and students at the University.  The EL Fellow also provides a real and positive image of America and Americans through regular one-on-one interactions with students and professors from all departments within the university in the Language Clinic, as well as through her regular courses, all of which have a strong American subject-matter component. Additionally, the EL Fellow’s 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 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 US Consulate-Jerusalem focusing on American literature, culture, history and women's issues in the US through a variety of courses and activities.

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