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English Language Fellow in Mbarara, Uganda

The English Language Fellow Program is the premier opportunity for experienced teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad. Through projects developed by U.S. Embassies in more than 80 countries, Fellows work directly with local teachers, students, and educational professionals to improve the quality of English language instruction offered at prestigious universities and other academic institutions.


The duties of my specific placement as an English Language Fellow (ELF) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) include organizing, supporting and teaching reading and writing skills lessons and communication skills classes, working with faculty to develop and formalize the writing skills curriculum, delivering academic writing workshops and creating English language courses for university staff and local teachers' professional development.

Kayaking and a marriage proposal

I've written before about how Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week because it's a bit of a break in the routine of going to UESC.  I teach at the handicraft market in the morning and then I usually spend the afternoon enjoying some activity in Ilhéus.  One of my favorite things to do is visit the Praia do Cristo/Christ Beach where there is a place to rent sailboats, kayaks, canoes and stand up paddle boards.



Badaka, the man who owns the rental business, lives right on the beach in a little cabana on stilts and is quite a character.  He's thin and impressively tanned with a huge white beard.  He looks like the skinny beach bum version of a Brazilian Santa Claus.  The physical effect is maximized by the fact that he always wears a tiny Speedo and nothing else. 

Last week Badaka taught me how to stand up paddle with an added incentive of the fact that if I stayed in a certain area I wouldn't have to pay because I would be free advertising.  Stand up paddling was a little harder than I thought it was going to be mainly because of the wind and waves in the bay.  When I was in shallow water it was relatively easy, but when I was out on open water I fell quite a few times.



Every week Badaka repeats his offer of marriage.  "Marry me," he says.  "We could live in this little house on the beach for the rest of our lives and paddle out on the bay during the light of the full moons."  He always adds, "Do you want to see inside of the house?" I tell him that I'll think about it and that I'll probably see him next Wednesday.  This is daily life in Bahia.


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    Sarah Sanderson
    I'm spending 10 months as an English Language Fellow (ELF) with the U.S. Department of State in Uganda at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). Thanks for following along!
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    Sarah and Sean

    Sarah and Sean
    Grateful for my very tolerant, supportive and easygoing husband who's always game for a new adventure

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    Permanent address in Uganda:

    Sarah Sanderson
    Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies
    Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)
    P.O. BOX 1410
    Mbarara, UGANDA


    Where do we live?

    Where do we live?
    Mbarara is located about 250 km south of Kampala, the capital city.

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    On Language Learning

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    This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the English Language Fellow's own and do not represent the English Language Fellow Program or the U.S. Department of State.

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