Admission into the TAFL program is not different from admission into any graduate program at AUC except for the Arabic entrance exam. The reason for the exam is to ensure that applicants are qualified in oral and written classical Arabic at a level that will allow them to become successful teachers of Arabic as a Foreign language. This test is only given to graduates who are not specialized in Arabic language and/or non-native speakers. Though a very limited number of our applicants fit into the latter category it is still possible for non-native speakers who have reached native-like proficiency in Arabic to apply to the program.  The exam is divided into two sections: a written and an oral section.  

What are the pre-requisite courses and who has to take them?

Pre-requisite courses are introductory courses needed to assist applicants who are not specialized in the Arabic language into the TAFL program. These include Arabic grammar (two courses), phonetics and morphology.

Am I eligible to receive a TAFL fellowship?

Conditions for being eligible for a fellowship include that the applicant has an outstanding record as an undergraduate, that they do not need to take any pre-requisites, and that there are fellowships available.

What is the language of instruction in TAFL program courses?

The language of instruction is both English and Arabic.  Courses such as Arabic grammar, phonetics, morphology and history of Arabic linguistics are in Arabic. However, other courses that deal with linguistic analysis, methodology, second language acquisition, and sociolinguistics use English to research those fields. Research results are applied in Arabic.

 If I have other questions about TAFL program who should I contact?

Nefissa Shedid
Program Officer, TAFL
e-mail: nshedid@aucegypt.edu