Going into its fourteenth year
of operation with Fall 2022, Al-Quds Bard College for Arts and Sciences
(AQB) is an innovative program introducing a liberal arts undergraduate
education to the West Bank, with an enrollment of approximately 331
undergraduate and graduate students. AQB’s undergraduate program, taught
in English, is rigorous, culminating in a two-semester independent
senior project, which, in many fields, is a demanding research paper.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program requires an equal amount of
advanced study in the elected academic discipline (Mathematics,
Biology, English, History, or Sciences), and in key education courses
that challenge teachers to apply the results of research and pedagogical
analysis to the actual work of teaching. Graduates of AQB receive two
degrees: a BA or a MAT from Al-Quds University and a BA or MAT from Bard
College (New York).
Al-Quds Bard College is seeking candidates
to teach in its EFL Division beginning in the Fall 2022 semester, for
the 2022-23 academic year. The EFL Division consists of two programs
which help lower the language barrier for students to enter AQB: the
Pylon and the Academy.
- The Pylon program is a semi-intensive pathway to university that has an all-year Intensive English course for reading and writing skills, plus students’ choice of elective content courses offered by the CORE (First and Second Year) division. Pylon students typically attend 12-16 hours of in-person classes as full-time students.
- The AQB Academy, on the other hand, is Palestine’s first full-time, intensive English program (IEP) which prepares students with low language proficiency (A2 on a CEFR scale) for university-level competencies by the end of two semesters (800 hours). Academy students attend 25 hours a week of in-person classes. This year’s cohort was its first full-time. To start its second year, a new full-time EFL instructor is needed to contribute energy, high-quality teaching, and attention to students in a setting that requires a commitment to student-centered learning.
Faculty in the EFL
Division should be able to teach a variety of English language-focused
or elective courses that enrich students’ learning potential. Commitment
to content-based instruction (CBI) and project-based learning (PBL) are
important approaches to learning in both programs. Faculty are expected
to teach English, English language courses, and/or design a thematic
course that responds to students’ needs and the instructor’s teaching
strengths.
Our teaching methods are student-centered, involving
students in active discussion and group tasks to develop their reading,
writing, speaking, production, and critical thinking skills in English.
Both EFL programs focus on genre-based and process writing, with peer,
teacher, and self-led feedback. The goals of both programs are to
prepare students for academic tasks they’ll encounter at AQB. To
motivate students, efforts are made to provide language practice toward
project outcomes, shared with AQB audiences. New in 2022, students will
lead speaking and reading clubs, and be paired with peers (1-to-1).
Successful
candidates will be flexible problem solvers capable of scaffolding the
design and delivery of texts in fields in which they are not necessarily
specialists. S/he must also be willing to be engaged in curriculum
design as well as collaboration with other faculty members in the EFL
division. Both programs are undergoing continual curriculum renewal
based on students’ needs. Therefore, successful candidates will also be
able to build upon or innovate data collection processes which are
simple but effective.
Full-time faculty teach 18 contact hours
per semester and are assigned a group of advisees to whom they provide
academic guidance throughout the year. The position will teach in the
Pylon and Academy programs, so a range of courses will be taught.
Faculty are expected to engage in community service to contribute to the
development of AQB. This includes, but is not limited to, participation
in academic committees, admissions interviews, moderation boards,
faculty development workshops, faculty meetings, and additional
administrative tasks, as needed.
Qualifications
We seek a faculty person who
is truly interdisciplinary—someone who is enthusiastic about joining a
new program that challenges “traditional education” and develops
students’ language skills, self-directed learning, and who can
give/receive feedback while on a small team of equals. AQB seeks
candidates with a broad perspective who can build upon the various
course offerings now in place and develop a coherent and practical
vision based on the programs’ “Pre-Liberal Arts” model.
Required Qualifications
- MA TESL or Applied Linguistics (teaching track)
- 2-3 years of successful full-time teaching experience in English as a foreign language (EFL) setting, at intensive English programs (IEP)
- Enthusiasm for the mission of the College to provide student-centered teaching, foster critical thinking, and incorporate writing throughout the curriculum
- Demonstrates professional-level mastery of English
- Ability to build upon or create assessments that align with SLOs
Preferred qualifications:
- MA TESL with 5 or more years of experience teaching; at least 2 years in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms
- Prior experience in a setting where learner’s first language is Arabic
- Successful teaching experience with 18-22 year olds a plus
- Willingness to co-teach at least one course
- Ability to design new curriculum or lab courses that enrich students’ use of English in context
- Ability to create and facilitate community or academic (text-based) projects
- Successful experience teaching in a liberal arts context
- Ability to teach a wide range of topics
To apply, please submit a CV; a
cover letter that addresses your interest and background as it relates
to this position; evidence of teaching effectiveness, student
evaluations and syllabi; and three letters of reference through
Interfolio.com by following this link: http://apply.interfolio.com/108371
The review of applications will commence on 22 June 2022, and continue until a candidate has been selected.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard
College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications
from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation,
gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or
genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal
opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in
employment practices, services, programs, and activities.