To improve the teaching and learning of English around
the globe through short-term (up to 6 weeks) projects. Projects include
curriculum evaluation and development, teacher training seminars, textbook
development, program evaluation, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). The
program supports U.S.A. Embassy mission goals to improve mutual understanding
of U.S. society and its instructions, to promote democratic institution
building, and to assist participants to become active citizens of an
international civil society.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Grants awarded to U.S. academics with degrees in Teachers of English as a
Foreign Language/Teachers of English as a Second Language (TEFL/TESL), Applied
Linguistics, or a related field. Applicants must have teacher training
experience and preferably overseas teaching experience. Grants specify terms
and conditions to meet the educational goals proposed by the grantee and
approved by a senior management panel at the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs in making the award. Individual grants generally include
round- trip transportation for the grantees, visa and travel fees, a materials
allowance, honorarium of U.S. $200 per day, and expenses in the host country
for domestic travel, food, and lodging. The Bureau provides medical insurance
and services essential to the assignment.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Individuals with the
following qualifications: (1) U.S. citizenship at the time of application; and
(2) M.A. or Ph.D. degree and experience in TESL/TEFL or a closely related
field.
Beneficiary Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are
willing to conduct workshops, seminars, deliver lectures and provide
consultation services in areas related to teaching and learning English as a
foreign language for periods up to 6 weeks to meet the needs of the overseas
host institution.
Credentials/Documentation: Individuals with the
following qualifications: (1) U.S. citizenship at the time of application; and
(2) M.A. or Ph.D. degree and experience in TESL/TEFL or a closely related
field.
Pre-application Coordination: Not applicable. This
program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Persons who meet the
eligibility requirements and who wish to receive information and be considered
for a grant should contact Julia Walters, Programs Officer, Department of
State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language
Programs, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20547. Telephone: (303)
205-3636. Fax: 202-401-1250. Email: jwalters@pd.state.gov. Web Site address:
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm.
Award Procedure: Final selection and approval of
grantees are made by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Deadlines: Recruitment is continual, depending on
requests from U.S. Embassies and their constituent host institutions in the
country.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applicants'
information is entered into the data base of English Language Specialists and
Speakers who are contacted whenever the needs arise.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: Specialists and Speakers are eligible
for projects and programs as their skills are needed or requested by U.S.
Embassies. Normally, one participant is given only two assignments per
academic year.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has
no statutory formula requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Up to two
projects per academic year; each project for a period of 2 to 6 weeks.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Grantee must provide a trip or project
report within 30 days of completion of the program.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of OMB
Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local
Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that
expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a
single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal
entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No.
A-133.
Records: None.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 19-0201-0-1-154.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $325,000; FY 02 est
$341,500; and FY 03 est $341,500.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $1,500
to $9,000. Average: $5,500.
In fiscal year 2001, 61 Specialist/Speakers provided training to 32 countries.
The demand for Specialists to deal with language issues for specific purposes
(health, trade, commerce, law, etc) has continued to climb. In many countries
national language policies and programs are beginning to focus on training the
professional cadre, in order to create a more English proficient workforce
able to interact in the international arena. English Language Specialists have
introduced ideas that contribute to the success of systematic change, the
evolution of a more representative society, and to the promotion of further
economic development.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Advertisement at the annual Teachers of English to Speakers of Other
Languages, Inc. Conference for recruitment of applicants for the English
Language Specialist/Speaker Program. Further information can be found on the
Office of English Language Programs website: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Julia Walters, Programs
Officer, Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Office of English Language Programs, 301 4th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20547. Telephone: (303) 205-3636. Fax: (202) 401-1250. Email: jwalters@pd.state.gov.
Web Site Address: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
In the United Arab Emirates and Oman, a specialist
delivered plenaries at major conferences in those two countries discussing
testing and curriculum design giving recommendations for language instruction
improvement within tightly controlled national English language curriculums.
In Panama, a specialist performed a needs assessment for the Panamanian
Ministry of Education to determine requirements and resources available for
teaching English to all Panamanian students ages 4 through 6 grade. In
Thailand and Laos, a specialist delivered plenary addresses at the Thai TESOL
Convention in Bangkok, Thailand; the Lao TESOL Conference in Vientiane, Laos;
and the Post Thai TESOL Convention in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
1) The credentials of the English Language Specialist or
Speaker to meet the requests from U.S. Embassies and their constituent host
institutions.
