U.S. Embassy / NileTESOL TESOL Training Scholarship 2026–27

NileTESOL members who are interested in developing their English language teaching skills are invited to apply for the U.S. Embassy / NileTESOL TESOL Training Scholarship Programme 2026–2027. This 60-hour programme provides career-advancing certification training for teachers with limited or basic teaching experience, strengthening their pedagogical skills, expanding their professional networks, and building capacity in ethical AI-enhanced instruction.

The programme is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Cairo and administered by the Grants and Special Programs Department, School of Continuing Education (SCE), The American University in Cairo.

There are a total of sixty (60) scholarships for current active NileTESOL members who have not received any scholarship to study at AUC. Applicants should be strongly committed to the ELT profession and to disseminating the knowledge and skills they gain to other teachers around Egypt who have not yet had an opportunity to benefit from such a programme.

Course Description

The 60-hour programme combines foundational TESOL pedagogy with life skills integration and ethical AI-enhanced instruction to prepare teachers for the modern language classroom. It equips English language teachers with core teaching methodologies, followed by strategies for embedding life skills such as critical thinking and communication into instruction, and practical training in the responsible and ethical use of AI tools to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

By combining life-skills-centred pedagogy with AI-supported strategies, trainees learn how to help their learners develop holistically — strengthening critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, digital literacy and resilience — so that students can better navigate personal, academic and workplace challenges. The course focuses on designing engaging, student-centred lesson plans and materials that embed life skills and make purposeful use of AI tools.

The programme introduces practical, classroom-appropriate AI applications to enrich instruction and increase student engagement. It covers data privacy, bias awareness, transparency with learners and caregivers, and promoting digital citizenship, so that AI supports an equitable and safe learning environment. Trainees also learn to use AI to support differentiated instruction and efficient formative assessment — helping teachers monitor, document and respond to students’ language progress and life skills development — alongside performance tasks and teacher-led evaluation. Trainees will further develop skills to critically evaluate AI tools, create AI-informed activities that foster higher-order thinking, and scaffold learners’ metacognitive reflection when interacting with technology.

Course Assessment

Formative

1. Class discussions (trainers use a rubric to evaluate student teachers’ performance and contributions)
2. Class activities (self-assessment and peer-assessment rubrics used by student teachers)
3. Written reflections on preparation for micro-teaching assignments
4. A digital portfolio

Summative

#	Type of task	No. of tasks	Percentage
1	Micro-teaching	3	25%
2	Written observation tasks	3	25%
3	Written assignments	2	10%
4	A lesson plan	1	10%
5	Reflection task	1	5%
6	Digital portfolio	1	10%
7	Test	1	15%
	Total	11	100%

An Achievement Certificate will be awarded to trainees on successful completion of the training programme.

This training programme does not automatically lead to employment in the Languages Department, SCE, AUC. Candidates who wish to join the Languages Department are required to follow SCE hiring procedures.

Criteria for Selection

Candidates should:

• be Egyptian citizens residing in Egypt;
• not have received any scholarship to study at any of the AUC schools;
• not be AUC alumni;
• not be AUC full- or part-time faculty;
• be university graduates (preferably Faculties of Education, Arts or Alsun graduates);
• be preferably teaching, or planning to teach in the very near future;
• have a very good command of English and meet B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is level ENGG B1A on SCE, AUC’s Standardized English Proficiency Test (SEPT) or Online English Placement Test (OEPT);
• have basic computer skills (Windows and Microsoft Office applications);
• have a reliable internet connection in case the course is offered online;
• have had no formal teacher training certificates such as PCTEFLA, CELTA, ITTP, PCELT, FELT-YL, PCT, PED, etc.;
• be able and willing to apply new teaching methods and theories;
• provide two references and two signed and sealed letters of recommendation, to be sent by email directly from the referees’ email addresses.

Programme Logistics

Mode of training: Training will be offered online. The practicum will be done face-to-face at the AUC premises in Cairo.

Course schedule: To be announced later.

Schedule of classes: To be announced later.

Course prerequisite: A minimum score equivalent to CEFR B1, which is Level B1A on SEPT or OEPT (SCE, AUC’s English language placement tests).

SEPT / OEPT testing fees

• Regular scheduled tests: EGP 900 for SEPT and EGP 800 for OEPT
• One-day service, face-to-face or online test: EGP 1,190

The SEPT/OEPT fee is paid by the applicant and is non-refundable and non-reimbursable.

For the test schedule, please contact sce@aucegypt.edu or sceregis@aucegypt.edu. For any queries regarding the SEPT/OEPT, kindly email the Evaluation, Testing and Assessment Department (ETAD) at etad@aucegypt.edu or the SCE, AUC Admissions Office at sceregis@aucegypt.edu.

Note: A valid IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL ITP or PTE score equivalent to CEFR B1 may be submitted in place of the SEPT/OEPT score.

Application Process and Deadline

Interested applicants should complete the online application form by 31 October 2026.

The following documents must also be submitted by 31 October 2026 to grants.niletesol@gmail.com:

• A scanned copy of the SEPT/OEPT score, or its equivalent IELTS, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL ITP or PTE score
• A scanned copy of the national identity card
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV)
• A scanned copy of the university degree
• A scanned copy of any relevant training certificates
• An experience certificate from the current employer
• The Citizenship Declaration Form, duly filled in and signed
• Two letters of reference on the referees’ letterhead, sent directly by the referees by email to grants.niletesol@gmail.com

Applications and all required documents will be screened, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview where the final selection will be made.

Deadline for applications: 31 October 2026

For further information, please email grants.niletesol@gmail.com.