Every year, the University of Oregon hosts several Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) within the Language Teaching Studies MA program in the Department of Linguistics. This year we have four fantastic FLTAs: Sardar Ali from Pakistan, Hekal Musuya from Tanzania,  Mehmet Ozman from Turkey, and Hasan Khalaf from Iraq. Hekal is teaching in the Swahili program, Hasan is teaching in the Arabic program, and Sardar and Mehmet are teaching Urdu/Hindi and Turkish respectively in the Self Study Language Program in the Yamada Language Center. These four have been enriching our classes and lives here at UO, taking classes with the LTS cohort, making connections with their own students, and sharing their experiences and expertise in local schools and communities. Each of them introduces themselves below. Find out more here about the FLTA program and the UO Self Study Language Program!

Sardar Ali

My name is Sardar Ali, from Buner, a district in northern Pakistan known for its serene beauty, hospitality, and Pashtun culture. I graduated in 2018 from Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan and began teaching at the University of Swat, which inspired me to pursue further education. After a year of teaching, I returned for a master’s degree, teaching diverse learners in different institutes. I’ve taught English Language, Linguistics, and Literature for four years at the University of Buner and two years in a U.S.-funded program for school children in Buner.

Currently, I am a Fulbright FLTA at Yamada Language Center, UO, teaching Urdu/Hindi in the Self-Study Program. I also organize cultural events with my fellow FLTAs and represent Pakistan’s history, diversity, and culture at UO and in the wider community. Being selected for Fulbright is a privilege as it offers professional development and exchange. I applied to gain firsthand experience in English in a native setting, develop teaching skills, and connect with a global community.

Eugene, Oregon, reminds me of my hometown, Buner, with its lush greenery and mountains, though Eugene is rainier. I enjoy the natural beauty and feel included in this polite and supportive community. Before coming to the U.S., I thought the food here would be fresh, but fast food and canned options were surprising. Thankfully, I cook using ingredients like South Asian spices and halal meat, which are easily available.

Growing up with three languages—Pashto, Urdu, and English—has shaped my interest in multilingualism and ELT. Teaching Urdu in the SSL program is challenging but rewarding, as I see students connect with their roots and history through language. The LT courses with Prof. Yerian and Prof. Sykes changed my perception of teaching with pen and paper. Their practical approach and advanced methods have transformed me into a better, innovative, and learner-focused teacher.

This program has taught me through professors, peers, and an advanced teaching environment. Developing my course and materials with feedback from advisors and colleagues has been a fulfilling and transformative experience. Overall, my learning experience is diverse and enriching, with growth in teaching methods and technologies. In the remaining terms, I aim to refine my skills further, focus on materials development, and explore U.S. academic life and culture.

Hekal Musuya

My name is Hekal, and I’m from Tanzania. Currently, I’m teaching Swahili at the University of Oregon. I chose to join the FLTA program for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, I truly believe that teaching is my calling, and I’m eager to learn new methodologies and techniques that could benefit my home country. The second reason is the chance to fully engage in a diverse academic setting. Interacting with students and educators from different backgrounds, this experience will enable me to share the beauty of Tanzanian culture and the Swahili language with others. Oregon has surprised me. The people are warm and always express their gratitude with a simple “thank you.”

Adapting to the education system has been a challenge, especially since it emphasizes critical thinking and student engagement, I’m slowly finding my way and excited to embrace this new educational journey. The topics that interest me most in teaching and learning are lesson planning and engaging students effectively. The use of different methods, such as incorporating games and group activities, to make lessons interactive. I’m excited to create a positive learning environment, while our tech resources may be limited, I’m eager to find ways to integrate technology into my lessons to engage students and cater to different learning styles and building strong relationships with students.

Mehmet Ozmen

Merhaba! Benim adım Mehmet Ozmen. Coming from Istanbul, Türkiye, I have been teaching the Turkish language and organizing cultural events at the University of Oregon through the opportunity provided by the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship (FLTA) program. As a new graduate of the English Language Teaching program in Türkiye, I decided to participate in this program to challenge my teaching skills by teaching the Turkish language to a diverse group of learners with various purposes, gather experience in terms of experiencing American culture, and improve my language skills.

I am glad to be a part of this program, especially as a member of the Yamada Language Center at UO, as it has been a fantastic journey to enjoy the encouraging and warm working environment with the perfect staff and to practice my teaching with well-motivated and curious students while expanding my vision through the courses I take from the LTS and the Linguistics programs in the most hospitable classroom environments thanks to my professors and classmates. I believe this could be the only combination that would help me survive Eugene’s weather! 🙂 With this motivation, I have accumulated a significant amount of experience in terms of designing my teaching process based on the student’s interests and needs, which I also supported through the course I took during the first term from Professor Keli Yerian. Also, as one of my primary interests, I have been taking a course on pragmatics from Professor Julie Sykes to deepen my knowledge and learn how to integrate pragmatics into my lessons. It is always encouraging to be able to integrate my learnings into my lessons to provide various chances for my students and observe their learning process; therefore, I am sticking to my goals to improve my teaching skills, share my cultural background, and learn about my field while enjoying every moment in this environment with the kind people around me.

Hasan Khalaf

Salaam, my name is Hasan, I am from Iraq also known as Mesopotamia the land between the two rivers. I came to the United States to participate in the FLTA program as an Arabic language teacher. Teaching has always been my passion, and visiting the US has been a lifelong dream. Achieving my dreams of teaching and studying in the US feels like a great accomplishment that I will always cherish.

When I had the opportunity to choose between five universities in different states, I researched each one carefully. University of Oregon stood out to me because it is an inspiring place for studying and teaching, particularly due to its professional and supportive faculty. Additionally, Oregon’s stunning natural beauty and lush green landscape made it even more appealing. I have had the chance to participate in various activities on and off campus, such as leading Language Circles and joining multiple student clubs. Furthermore, I have enjoyed many outdoor activities here, including hiking, visiting snowy mountains, and playing sports, with soccer and tennis being my favorites.

Back home, I lived with my family, therefore, I did not need to worry much about cooking and doing chores. Adjusting to these responsibilities here has been one of my biggest challenges. However, I have learned a lot! This experience helped me discover hidden talents, like cooking, which I have grown to enjoy.

One of the highlights of my time here has been taking a class in the Language Teaching Studies program with Dr. Keli Yerian. I have learned innovative teaching methods, especially how to make my classes more engaging and enjoyable for students. I also have gained valuable knowledge about lesson planning and creating activities.

Every day in Oregon feels like a new adventure. This is my first time living abroad, and I am fully embracing the experience. Teaching, studying, cooking, meeting new friends, and exploring Oregon have become my passions. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to everything that lies ahead this year.