Open to opportunities

Mateja Lazarević

@matejalazarevi

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I am an Arabic language educator and researcher skilled in teaching, mediation, and cross-cultural communication.

Egypt

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What I'm looking for

I seek teaching or research roles in Arabic language education or applied linguistics where I can combine instruction, cultural mediation, and research within collaborative, student-centered institutions that support professional growth.

I am an Arabic language educator and researcher currently working as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant at an academic institution in Cairo, combining classroom instruction with applied linguistics research. I teach elementary and intermediate Modern Standard Arabic and run tutorial sessions that support student progress.

I have a strong background in cultural mediation, interpretation, and translation, supporting Arabic- and French-speaking refugees and asylum seekers, and I have managed social media content and communications for institutional projects. I founded and led a student association to promote Arabic studies, organize academic events, and publish student research.

My work is informed by publications and hands-on experience mentoring students, curating content, and supporting research projects in language and social sciences. I bring a student-centered, research-driven approach and seek opportunities that combine teaching, mediation, and scholarly inquiry.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Teaching Assistant

Current

American University in Cairo

Sep 2024 - Present (11 months)

Assisted delivery of elementary and intermediate Arabic courses (Elementary Media Arabic, Elementary MSA, Intermediate MSA) and ran tutorial sessions for students as part of the ALI teaching team.

Arabic Pedagogy Tutoring Lesson planning Classroom Management

Current

Research Assistant

Current

American University in Cairo

Sep 2024 - Present (11 months)

Supported applied linguistics research projects under Dr. Zeinab Taha, conducting literature reviews, data collection, and preliminary analysis for departmental studies.

Research Assistance Qualitative Methods Data Analysis literature review Transcription

Founder & President

Arabic Studies Students' Association

Jan 2021 - Jan 2023 (2 years)

Founded and led the student association organizing lectures, panels, and a student research journal while managing outreach and social media for Arabic studies students.

Leadership Academic Publishing Social Media Management Student Engagement

English Teacher

Tom & Emma School of English

Jan 2019 - Jan 2023 (4 years)

Taught English across levels A1–C1 to diverse age groups from pre-school to adults, designing lessons and assessments to improve learner outcomes.

TESOL Lesson planning Classroom Management Curriculum Delivery A1 C1 Young Learners Adult Education Assessments

Content Curator / Translator

Serbian-Egyptian Friendship Association

Jan 2021 - Jan 2022 (1 year)

Managed official embassy social media content and translated posts from Arabic into Serbian and English to support cultural outreach and engagement.

Social Media Management Translation Arabic Serbian English Copywriting Community Engagement

Teaching Assistant

Petnica Science Center

Jan 2019 - Jan 2021 (2 years)

Delivered lectures and workshops in anthropology topics (Orientalism, nationality, ethnicity, religion), mentored participant research projects, and applied pedagogical training.

Lecture Delivery Mentoring Anthropology Curriculum Development

Cultural Mediator / Case Worker

Crisis Response and Policy Center

Jan 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Worked as an Arabic and French interpreter and cultural mediator for refugees and asylum seekers, assisted UNHCR visits, and supported navigation of Serbian bureaucracy and healthcare.

Cultural Mediation Interpretation Arabic French Translation Serbian Language Instruction Advocacy

Volunteer Cultural Mediator

Crisis Response and Policy Center

Jan 2022 - Present (3 years 7 months)

Trained in cultural mediation and interpretation; assisted UNHCR visits to refugee camps and taught English to Arabic-speaking refugees.

Cultural Mediation Arabic Interpretation UNHCR Coordination Cross Cultural Communication Translation

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

American University in Cairo

Master of Arts, Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language

2024 -

Pursuing an MA in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language at the American University in Cairo, focusing on Arabic pedagogy and classroom practice.

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology

Master of Arts, Oriental Studies

2023 -

Pursuing an MA in Oriental Studies at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology.

The Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) at American University in Cairo

Fellowship, Arabic Language

2023 - 2024

Completed a CASA fellowship at AUC for intensive Arabic study from June 2023 to May 2024.

Petnica Science Center

Non-degree program, Social Science and Anthropology

2017 - 2019

Regular participant in social science and anthropology seminars at Petnica Science Center between 2017 and 2019.

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology

Bachelor of Arts, Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture

2019 - 2023

Activities and societies: Founder and President of the Arabic Studies Students' Association (2021–2023).

Completed a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philology from 2019 to 2023.

Philological High School, Belgrade

High School Diploma, English Language and Literature

2015 - 2019

Completed secondary education with a focus on English Language and Literature at the Philological High School in Belgrade from September 2015 to May 2019.