Seminary English Teacher At Mennonite Central Committee

The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC) is operated by the Evangelical Presbyterian Chuch of Egypt Synod of the Nile. This church grew out of American Presbyterian mission work in Egypt. The ETSC language of instruction is primarily Arabic, but English is considered important for accessing modern theological literature/training, as there is limited (other than Orthodox) Christian material written in Arabic. The seminary has developed Master’s Programs which are taught in English, so the ability to study and research in English is taking on greater importance at the seminary itself. The library has a good English collection. The student body at the Seminary is comprised of young persons studying to become pastors and lay people interested in understanding basic theology in order to better serve their churches. There are usually a few students from other parts of the Arabic-speaking world, such as Sudan, Iraq, and Palestine. The total student body is about 130 students with more than 30 full-time students. Students are generally well-motivated and respectful. The MCC teacher has been considered the “English Department Head,” making curriculum and course decisions, coordinating the program and teaching classes. Theological and biblical materials are often used in the English classes, along with grammar and conversation texts.

Responsible both to the ETSC Dean, as well as to the MCC Reps in Egypt, the English Teacher will live on campus, with daily interaction with both boarding students and day students. An instant community, there will be no shortage of relationships to enjoy. Faculty have grown to respect those filling the ESL role and are available for support and to field questions. The academic year begins in late September and proceeds through mid-May. Students begin their week with Monday morning classes, and depart back to their homes (often far from Cairo) on Friday afternoon. They return to campus on Sunday evening. The challenges of an MCC assignment in Cairo are basically the challenges of living in a big city. It is polluted and crowded. Cairo comes alive at night so that noise, for those who like their sleep, can be a problem. Getting around from place to place can be a challenge. The MCC Egypt staff team endeavors to be supportive of each other and to create a good spirit of cooperation, mutual service, and fun. The team gathers monthly for activities such as worship, business meetings, parties, retreats, and field trips.

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Academic Qualifications:

• Specific training in ESL and experience teaching ESL – credentials required;
• Familiarity with theological terminology and training in theology – preferably hold a degree such as B.Th., MATS, or similar;
• Ability to accurately evaluate and correct written English assignments.
• Familiarity with online education software, such as Moodle, helpful.

Personal Qualifications:

• Cross-cultural experience, including demonstrated capacity to interact with, and respect, people of other cultures and religions;
• Interest in learning about Christianity in Egypt and in serving the Coptic Evangelical Church;
• Willing to learn Arabic and work within a predominantly Arabic-speaking environment;
• Interest in advancing peace education/peace theology through ESL instruction;
• Strong relational and social skills;
• Physically able to live in a large, urban, dusty environment where movement requires physical dexterity.

​Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

Duties: 1. Teach theological English to students of ETSC and perform related pedagogical duties;
2. Be an active member of the ETSC faculty;
3. Develop/modify curriculum as needed or desired;
4. Establish positive relationship with students and faculty colleagues;
5. Attend worship services, conferences and other church events in order to build MCC’s relationship with Egyptian churches, in Cairo and beyond;
6. Participate fully in the life of MCC Egypt;
7. Consult with and support the seminary librarian in developing the theological English component to the library;
8. Study the Arabic language, working towards conversation-level skills;
9. Cultivate personal attributes (patience, flexibility, hospitality, humor) that allow for adjustment to the Egyptian setting.

Benefits:

MCC cover all basic needs; Travel expenses to and from assignment, local transportation related to assignment, food & household allowance, housing, personal Allowance, vacation allowance, Education for children, Retirement Plan, Life Insurance and Death Benefits, Student Loan reimbursement, and Resettlement Allowance.