Job Discussion Forums

[zzgal05]

Hi.

Just wondering if anyone could tell me how much the Masters program in TESOl is from AUC for a full-time student?

Is it very difficult to get the Fellowship?



Thanks.

zzgal

[veiledsentiments]

Here are the link to the program:

http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/gradstudies/fellowships/tefl.htm

Here is the link to the tuition:

http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/gradstudies/financial.html

It's US$6750 per semester and I suspect that the quickest that you could do it would be 2 semesters plus a summer session - if you really overload and don't do the thesis. The Fellows take 4 semesters plus a summer session. Then you would need money for housing... and books would set you back a few hundred dollars a semester.

As you can see from the top site, applications are due by February 1 for the following September, so it is much too late for this year. Using glaring generalities here, but the average Fellow is an American... in his/her 30's... with a first degree in education... and Middle East teaching experience. That said, over the years... I know Brits who have got into the program... a few in their late 20's... a few pushing 50... and I got in with almost no teaching experience beyond my student teaching 15 years before my application. It all depends on that year's application pool...

You lose nothing by applying but a bit of your time... but it would be for September, 2008 at this point.

VS

[theinquiringmind]

It is actually now $7250 a semester. I will be attending the program there this fall. Unfortunately, I can't tell you how hard it is to get a fellowship; I applied too late. I am going anyway; I couldn't stomach the thought of staying at my current job another year.

I had no trouble getting accepted; my only teaching experience is a class on World Civilization which I have been teaching at Florida International University for the last year and a half. I have a BA in Economics and am finishing a Masters in History. I also have taken numerous courses in creative writing.

While I have no formal teaching experience in teaching English, the class I teach is graded largely on how well essays are written; I probably spend more time grading essays on how well they are written than what they say. I assume AUC considered that enough of a background in teaching English.

But as VS says, it could also depend on the applicant pool each year; perhaps I wouldn't have been accepted had the applicant pool been much stronger or larger.

Anyway, I am going in a couple of months; if you want to ask what it is currently like, ask me then. I'm sure I'll have plenty to say.

[veiledsentiments]

[theinquiringmind]

Thank you very much; I suspect I'll need all the luck I can get!

I was wondering if you could tell me about the neighborhood AUC is in. Some things I've read make it sound interesting, while others seem to dismiss it as noisy and dirty. You were there; what do you think? Do you have any idea what a modest apartment in that area would rent for? (I'm WAY too old to live in a dorm).

I lived in NYC for a long time; a little noise and dirt aren't going to phase me that much. I like the idea of being right around the museum; I am working on a Masters thesis in History, and plan to include aspects of ancient Egyptian history in it. Living nearby would be very convenient.


Lastly, do you think doing the degree in 3 semesters should be possible without driving myself too hard? (Fall, Spring 2007, Fall 2008?)

[stoth1972]

If you visit this blog, this guy might be able to give you an idea of costs http://wanderingjordan.blogspot.com/ for renting a flat around AUC. I'm guessing, but I would say a small place (furnished) would run around 2000 LE. The real estate prices have gone through the roof in recent years. 5 years ago, you could find a decent 2 bedroom (not 'western decoration) from 1200 LE and higher. I think it's changed quite a bit recently. I'm sure you could find cheaper in a less convenient locaiton (or without things like AC, unfurnished, semi furnished, etc.). Being foreign adds a special tax to everything, including housing. Try emailing the guy on the blog, though. He's recently been flat hunting himself.

[veiledsentiments]

[stoth1972]

It's true, OP. Most of Cairo is noisy and dirty. I think finding a place on a side street off the main road is a blessing, but also makes it harder to get a taxi. If you want quiet, there are still parts of Zamalek that less travelled...and very pricey. I'll be curious what Jordan the blogger has to say about the rent in his area. Please come back and share!

[stoth1972]

ZZgal05, check out this guy's reply to housing questions.

http://wanderingjordan.blogspot.com/2007/06/about-apartments.html

[hiby]

Hi everyone! I am starting my MA in TEFL at the AUC next fall on a fellowship and I would like to know if anyone could give me any tips or advice about the courses and stuff.
Thanks guys

[The song]

Bringig this topic back from the dead. I am Egyptian-Canadian, and this program caught my attention. Has anyone tried working with this degree outside of egypt or the middle east? How much recognition does this have internationally? My guess is not very much.

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

[The song]

That might have come off the wrong way so I apologize. I understand it is an accredited degree, but it may be harder to market to employers who may not understand accreditation and just look at the name, see it is from Egypt and move on to another candidate (Or in the case of dual citizens applying to Arab universities and schools, give them a job offer with an Egyptian salary and benefits). I suppose it comes down to explaining that it is accredited in the US. I couldnt find on their website how long the actual program is so I refrained from sending them an E-mail until I was more serious about it.

I'm still thinking about TESOL as a career so I want to get a CELTA and try teaching in Colombia for a while. The situation in Canada for TESOL is pretty uninspiring--MA's are required to find a decent job but they seem to be longer, more intensive, and harder to get into than their American/Australian/etc counterparts.

[nomad soul]