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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.

33 and living in a frat house


Our house - don't be fooled by it's deceptively attractive exterior appearance
Months ago, when Sean and I decided to do the CELTA course, we booked a respectable and classy AirBNB apartment in Medellín.  Two weeks before our course, the landlord sent us an email canceling our booking due to flooding.  We panicked and started to scramble to find other long-term rental options but everything was already taken.  We asked the landlord to help and he found us another option - one of his friends had a room for rent in an apartment with a "relaxed, bohemian atmosphere."  We jumped on it and that's how we've managed to spend the last three weeks in an all-male fraternity house.

Our room - we keep it clean

Though I've learned more than I've wanted to about getting friend-zoned, upper deckers and different ways/things to smoke, I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone.  From what I can tell, there are about 6-8 other testosterone-fueled residents; it's hard to know for sure because traffic of both sexes is always coming and going at all hours. Nobody does dishes and there are always remnants of food and garbage everywhere.  The floors are sticky. People eat our food.  There's a ping pong table that can be heard ping-ponging most nights until 2 a.m. I won't even begin to describe our shared bathroom lest I ruin your appetite for the next three days. There are raging parties until the wee hours and there's been quite a few mornings when Sean and I have gingerly stepped over comatose bodies while leaving the house for school at 6 a.m.

The male twenty-somethings that live here think we are the epitome of lameness.  When we try and explain that we have class all day and then hours of homework at night, their eyes glaze over and they stop listening.  They are nice enough, however, and frequently invite us to the parties they host.  I'm chalking this up to a sociological and anthropological "experience" but meanwhile I can't wait to sleep without earplugs and walk around without flip-flops.

The shared party/smoking balcony
Sean and I have one more week of CELTA class and thus one more week as fraternity "members".  The class has been one of the most academically rigorous and emotionally challenging experiences of my life and now I understand the nickname "Teaching Bootcamp".  Our cohort started with 18 students (three classes with six students each) and now we're down to 15.  I'm quite proud that I didn't actually break down and cry (at school, that is) until day 14 though.  I have one more 60 minute lesson to teach and one more paper to write.  Thank goodness there's a Dunkin' Donuts on campus and if I have any teeth left from grinding from nerves at night and if Sean's jaw doesn't cramp up from all of the clenching, donitos should be a nice treat on Friday morning when we're within reach of our certificates and one night away from a new sleeping arrangement.  Huzzah.

Our room again
Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson edit post

1 Comment

  1. Linde on December 1, 2014 at 10:37 PM

    Good luck this week! I'll be thinking of you counting down the days. Cheers to donut celebrations this Friday!

     


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  • About Me

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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

    Snail Mail Rocks!


    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.

    On Language Learning

    On Language Learning

    Disclaimer


    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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