English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program

GRADUATE TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS: A CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Notre Dame jointly sponsor a competitive program of fellowship support for advanced graduate students in the humanities and social sciences in their 6th year (or less) during the academic year. Seven Graduate Teaching Fellowships will be awarded for the 2009-10 academic year.
One of the primary goals of the Fellowships is to encourage doctoral candidates to expedite completion of their dissertations. The program also offers valuable teaching experience.
Two kinds of types of Graduate Teaching Fellowships are available: 1) fellowships in the University Writing Program (5 fellowships), teaching First-Year Composition in the Fall and Spring Semesters, and 2) fellowships in the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures (2 available) teaching international graduate students. The terms and application procedures for both are outlined below. Please indicate in the letter of application for which Fellowship you are applying whether you are willing to accept either of the two.
Graduate Teaching Fellowships in the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures. (Two Fellowships Available)
English for Academic Purposes Fellowships with the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures.

A CALL FOR PROPOSALS

TERMS

Jointly sponsored by the Graduate School and the College of Arts and Letters, the one-year fellowships provide a tuition scholarship and an academic-year stipend of $17,000. These Fellowships allow advanced graduate students to write their dissertations while teaching in the ‘English for Academic Purposes’ Program intended for international graduate students. Fellows cannot accept other teaching or research responsibilities during the fellowship year.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program
The EAP Program is a unique academic support initiative for international graduate students that offers targeted coursework to support English language skills in all linguistic modalities but with a particular emphasis on writing. The program provides weekly thematic workshops on topics ranging from advanced English grammar, to rhetorical style, academic genre, linguistic register, reading/listening strategies, pronunciation techniques, etc. Each workshop session is led by a EAP Program Fellow and incorporates weekly tutoring sessions and a weekly EAP Blog in order to provide workshop participants with opportunities for follow-up and individual or small group feedback. All EAP Fellows receive training, mentoring and support through the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures’ EAP Fellows’ Seminar and Mentoring Program.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Fellows’ Seminar Program (1 credit)

The EAP Seminar is offered through the Center for the Study of Languages & Cultures (CSLC) and is intended to provide EAP Fellows with foundational knowledge in both second language acquisition theory and English as a Second Language teaching methodology that will assist them in their roles as teachers and tutors in the EAP Program. Following an intensive weekend orientation session, EAP Fellows meet for 90 minutes each week with the CSLC Director during their first semester in order to complete a preparatory seminar program that includes an introduction to English linguistics, principles of second language acquisition and strategies for corrective feedback. EAP Fellows are trained in curriculum and workshop development and provided with an array of references, textbooks and technological aids to support their teaching and tutoring.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Fellows’ Mentoring Program (1 credit)

Upon completion of this initial training seminar, EAP Fellows continue to meet with the CSLC Director twice per month through the remainder of their Fellowships under the auspices of the EAP Mentoring Program in order to discuss instructional impact, develop workshops curricula and reflect on the teaching/tutoring process. The Mentoring Program provides opportunities for further professional development alongside regular feedback and facilitative observations through bi-monthly meetings and the online EAP Fellows wiki and discussion board.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good standing in the College of Arts and Letters. At the time of application, applicants should have passed all departmental Ph.D. candidacy examinations, have a committee-approved dissertation topic, and be writing the dissertation. Applicants, who have been enrolled for six years or less at the start of the academic year are preferred. Students at or beyond eight years of enrollment will not be considered.

DEADLINE

The applicant must submit all documents to Terri O’Bryan of the University Writing Program, 205 Coleman-Morse, by December 17, 2009. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the recommendations are submitted by the deadline.

SELECTION

The selection committee will consider the candidate’s overall academic performance, whether or not the applicant has completed his or her exams, and prior teaching experience.

PREFERRED APPLICANTS

Preferred applicants will be motivated by a strong interest in the English language, the language acquisition process and teaching who are passionate about helping international graduate students succeed in their academic goals. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants who have studied a foreign language and/or spent time living or studying abroad.

APPLICATION

Applications should include the following:
(1) a letter from applicant describing the applicant’s dissertation topic, progress on the dissertation to date, and teaching experiences
(2) a separate page from applicant listing
a. name of the applicant’s graduate adviser
b. semester and year of entry into graduate studies at Notre Dame
c.brief history of stipend support as a graduate student.
d.statement of whether or not the applicant has passed candidacy exams and has had dissertation proposal approved
(3) a one page statement indicating why the applicant is interested in the EAP Fellows Program and how his/her personal, academic and professional experiences make the applicant an excellent candidate for such a position.
(4) a letter from the director of graduate studies confirming that
a. the applicant has passed candidacy exams
b. the applicant has had dissertation proposal approved
c. the applicant’s proposed course fits into the undergraduate curriculum
(5) two recommendations from faculty members that address the applicant’s strengths as a scholar and teacher
(7) copies of teaching evaluations (TCEs)
(8) a current CV

University of Notre Dame

The Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures