MATESOL Alum Selected for U.S. Department of State Fellowship Teaching English Abroad

By: Erik Pedersen, Senior Communications Manager

BALTIMORE – The U.S. Department of State announced the selection of Caroline Purcell, a 2009 graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) program, for a 10-month fellowship project teaching English and developing curricula in Palestine at An-Najah National University (ANNU). Purcell is one of only 200 U.S. citizens selected for the 2022-2023 English Language Fellow Program.

Purcell, who currently works as a program coordinator and English as a Second Language instructor at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, has taught English to speakers of other languages for over 15 years. Additional duties for the fellowship will include conducting professional development workshops for ANNU teachers and supporting the English Access Microscholarship Program (Access), which provides a foundation of English language skills to bright, economically disadvantaged students.

The English Language Fellow Program is the premier opportunity for experienced TESOL educators to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad, and it is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with funding provided by the U.S. government. 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.

Learn more about Purcell’s path to the fellowship, which begins on August 22, and the impact that Notre Dame’s MATESOL program had on her career below.

What led you to apply for the English Language Fellow program?

I was not looking for a job, but a post appeared on LinkedIn about a position that matched English Language Fellow Program applicants to projects. I had not heard about the English Language Fellow Program, so I began researching it. The more I read about the program, the more intrigued I became. I've always been interested in learning about other cultures; in fact, it's one of the reasons I entered the TESOL field. I have always also wanted to teach abroad, but life circumstances had prevented that.

What was your reaction when you found out that your application had been accepted? How does it feel to be part of such a small, select group of citizens to have the opportunity to teach abroad?

It's a very long application process, so when I heard that mine had been accepted, I was really pleased. I wasn't jumping up and down for joy yet, however, because applicants are informed that even if they are accepted into the pool of applicants, it does not mean they will be matched to a project as there are more accepted applicants than projects available. 

I eventually learned I was matched to a project in the Palestinian Territories, underwent an interview with the Regional English Language Officer, and learned that I was selected for the project of teaching at An-Najah National University in Nablus. I was over the moon excited! I feel quite honored to be part of this group of citizens. 

Was Palestine one of your preferred locations, or was the selection at random? What about the trip are you most looking forward to?

During the application process, one can select locations in which they would be willing to work and locations in which they would prefer not to be. I was open to being placed anywhere in the world. I'm looking forward to the whole experience of teaching and living in Palestine – working with Palestinian youth, learning about Palestinian culture, and collaborating with and learning from the faculty at ANNU... and the food! 

What originally inspired you to become a TESOL instructor?

My mother is an immigrant from Korea. She is very intelligent, but often felt stupid and embarrassed because of her inability to speak and write English well. Her story is what motivated me first to consider becoming an English language teacher. Today, I hope that by teaching English as an international language, I can help students succeed in a world where English is the lingua franca. 

How did you first hear about Notre Dame’s MATESOL program?

I was an assistant at a community family ESOL program, and the director had received her Master of Arts from what was then called the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She said it was a great program, so I researched the various programs in the area and thought it was the best. I was a mother of two young children working from home as a freelance editor, and another benefit of this program is that it allowed me to take classes part time.

How did Notre Dame’s MATESOL program benefit you professionally? Do you feel that it set you up for success?

It was through the MATESOL program that my career began. A fellow classmate and program alum was teaching and working at Howard Community College and informed me of that school's job openings, so I began teaching both non-credit and credit ESOL courses there. Later, one of my Notre Dame professors, Dr. Debra Suarez, informed me that Mount St. Mary's University Seminary was looking to hire a part-time TESOL instructor and connected me with the Seminary's ESL Program Coordinator. I have been there as an Instructor and now Program Coordinator ever since! 

Without a doubt, the MATESOL program set me up for success. It provided a solid foundation of theory and best practices, but more importantly, its emphasis on lifelong learning is with me today. I am fortunate that through Mount St. Mary's University I have access to the library's databases, so I am able to still read the latest scholarly articles on topics related to the field. 

Is there any course or instructor at Notre Dame that had a particular influence on you?

Dr. Suarez's courses on Teaching Reading and Writing to English Language Learners and Assessing Second Language Acquisition were excellent. During my time at the program, I only had one course with Dr. Christa De Kleine – English Grammar – but I still use what I learned in that class and the course textbook today. She had been on leave during most of my time in the program, but everyone raved about her and her courses. I wish I had had the opportunity to take more classes with her!

What has been the most-rewarding aspect of being a TESOL instructor?

The students. Adult English language learners come from a myriad of backgrounds and bring so much to class. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students begin to master English and continue to succeed after they graduate.

Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.