The U.S. Embassy Dushanbe Public Diplomacy Section is pleased to announce the 2017 – 2018 competition for the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the FLTA Program is a nine-month non-degree program aimed at strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities, while providing current or future teachers of English with the opportunity to refine their skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of U.S. society and culture. FLTA participants also interact with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. FLTA participants must return to their home countries upon completion of the program.
FLTA participants may assist in up to twenty hours of language classes a week and are required to enroll in at least two courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies. Coursework is offered on either an audit or credit basis. FLTA participants will also be expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, and language tables. All FLTA participants receive free tuition, a monthly stipend, accident and sickness coverage, and travel support.
FLTA participants will be required to attend an orientation arranged by ECA during the summer of 2017 before arriving at their host institutions in August. FLTA participants will also be required to attend a mid-year enrichment workshop that will be hosted by ECA in the United States to share and discuss foreign language teaching best practices and their current teaching experiences with other FLTA participants.
Applicants are typically teachers of English or in training to become teachers of English, and at minimum must possess the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree by June 1, 2017, to allow time to submit an official transcript prior to the start of the FLTA Program. Fluency in English is mandatory, demonstrated by a score of no less than 550 (paper based TOEFL); 213 (computer based TOEFL) CBT); 79-80 (internet based TOEFL) IBT) or 6.0 (overall score International English Language Testing System) IELTS. Semifinalists without valid test scores will have the opportunity to take the TOEFL exam during the selection process with vouchers provided by the FLTA program. Applicants must demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, and professionalism. Applicants must be residing in their home country throughout the nomination and selection process.
The FLTA program does not support dependents or family members. By extension of this policy, pregnant candidates may not participate in the program if the birth is due during the program period.
Selection will be based on the candidate’s leadership skills, ability to motivate students to learn, and interest in teaching Tajik language and culture to U.S. students. Ideal candidates for the FLTA Program have a desire to meet people and become a part of their host community by participating in community events and campus activities. FLTA participants should also be creative and self-reliant team players, who are able to maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff, and students. Preference will be given to those candidates who have little or no prior experience living in the United States. Participants must be flexible with placements at smaller or more ethnically diverse U.S. academic institutions in order to meet the goal of the FLTA Program to place participants in all 50 States and at diverse institutions.
Plagiarism in applications has become a major issue and candidates should be made aware that plagiarism in applications will not be tolerated.
Applications must be submitted on-line. Candidates can access the on-online application at: https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/. A complete application package includes the on-line application, personal information form, original academic transcripts with certified English translations, Diploma (if already graduated), three letters of reference, TOEFL or IELTS score report if received and a copy of passport.
Should you have any questions about the program or application process, please contact:
Ardasher Khashimov
U.S. Embassy Dushanbe
Public Diplomacy Section
109 A Ismoili Somoni Avenue
Tel: (992) 37-229-2322; 229-2000
The deadline for submission of the application package is June 1, 2016.
Late applications will not be considered.
