How to Apply
In addition to applying via the University of Michigan Careers website, applicants are required to fill out the departmental application: https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/Apply/2328
To be considered for this position, both applications must be completed by the deadline. The departmental application includes:
- Basic academic and professional information
- Applicants should indicate which dialect(s) of Arabic they speak in the ?Language Background? portion of the online application.
- A resume/CV
- An unofficial transcript
The Department of Middel East Studies seeks Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) for the Fall 2026 semester. These positions may range from .35 to .50 appointments, and as posted, are subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees? Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.
Applicants must complete the following steps to be considered:
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached and uploaded as the first page of your CV/resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position(s) [Courses interested in] and outline skills and experiences that directly relate to this position.
If you have held a GSI position at U-M please attached the summary sheets of the E&E evaluations for all courses previously taught. This information should be uploaded to a single document combined with your cover letter and resume/CV. If you have trouble including evaluations, you may email the evaluations only to our Student Services Team at [email protected].
Graduate Student Instructor positions are only open to current or matriculating University of Michigan graduate students.
Questions may be directed to [email protected].
Responsibilities*
GSI assistants in the Arabic Language Program support lecturers in recitation sections that meet three times per week. A 50% assistant will be assigned to three recitation sections. Key responsibilities include assisting with course preparation, attending sections and helping with in-class exercises, proctoring quizzes and exams, grading, and holding Arabic conversation sessions. GSIs will regularly attend coordination meetings with other members of the teaching team.
Students who have not previously been a GSI for the College of LSA will be required to attend the online CRLT GSI Teaching Orientation as an online program. GSIs who are new to teaching in MES are required to attend the MES New GSI Orientation at 10:00-11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 28. GSIs are expected to be on campus and available to work no later than Monday, August 31, 2026, the first day of classes.
Required Qualifications*
Native or advanced proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and a spoken variety (preferably Levantine or Egyptian). Interest in language teaching and pedagogy.
Desired Qualifications*
Native or near-native proficiency in Arabic; advanced proficiency in English. Undergraduate degree in Arabic Studies, Arabic Language, Middle Eastern/Near Eastern Studies, Linguistics, or Education. Enrollment in a graduate program focused on Arabic/Arabic studies. Previous experience in higher education instruction, preferably within the Department of Middle East Studies.
LSA Student enrolled in graduate program.
Course Description
Graduate Student Instructor, Middle East Studies, Fall 2026The Department of Middle East Studies is currently accepting applications for Fall 2026 semester GSI available positions:
Up to one 50% GSI position in Arabic 101: Elementary Arabic I
Up to one 50% GSI position in Arabic 201: Intermediate Arabic I
Course descriptions and additional course information for each course can be found on the LSA Course Guide: www.lsa.umich.edu/cg.
ARABIC 101: Elementary Arabic I
This is the first of a two-semester course in elementary level Arabic. Students will learn the sounds and letters of Arabic and learn to speak, read, write, and understand Arabic at the Novice High to Intermediate Low level per ACTFL proficiency scale. By the end of the first semester, students will be able to talk about themselves and simple everyday life topics. Students will also be able to comprehend simple texts and multimedia material on everyday life topics. Students will gain an introductory grasp of cultural perspectives and ways of using the language via spoken Arabic.The University of Michigan's Arabic curriculum is a dual register curriculum in which students learn to speak and understand either the Egyptian dialect or the Levantine dialect (the dialect of Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon) in addition to learning to read, write, and understand Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This section will focus on the Levantine dialect.
ARABIC 201: Intermediate Arabic I
This is the first of a two-semester course of intermediate level Arabic. Students will learn to speak, read, write, and understand Arabic at the Intermediate Mid to Intermediate High level per ACTFL proficiency guidelines. By the end of ARABIC 201, students will be able to communicate in both MSA and a colloquial spoken dialect using full-length sentences about different personal subjects as they relate to daily life activities. The University of Michigan's Arabic curriculum is a dual register curriculum in which students learn to speak and understand either the Egyptian dialect or the Levantine dialect (the dialect of Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon) in addition to learning how to read, write, and understand Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This section will focus on the Levantine dialect.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Contact Information
Contact the Student Services Team at [email protected] with any questions related to your application.
Decision Making Process
All applications will be forwarded to the Arabic Language Program Director who will make a hiring recommendation to the department. The Director will make hiring recommendations to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork.
Selection Process
All applications will be forwarded to the Arabic Language Program Director who will make a hiring recommendation to the department. The Director will make hiring recommendations to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork.
GEO Contract Information
The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/
Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.
This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.
Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.