Exchange-English Language Specialist/Speaker Program

 

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.

Deleted 08/20/2009 (Archived.) 19.423 BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF STATE Project Grants. 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. Public Law 87-256, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq. 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. 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. 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. Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. 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. Final selection and approval of grantees are made by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Recruitment is continual, depending on requests from U.S. Embassies and their constituent host institutions in the country. Applicants' information is entered into the data base of English Language Specialists and Speakers who are contacted whenever the needs arise. Not applicable. 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. 1) The credentials of the English Language Specialist or Speaker to meet the requests from U.S. Embassies and their constituent host insitutions. 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. Grantee must provide a trip or project report within 30 days of completion of the program. 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. None. This program has no statutory formula requirements. Up to two projects per academic year; each project for a period of 2 to 6 weeks. None. 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. http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/specialists.htm 19-0201-0-1-154. (Grants) FY 01 $325,000; FY 02 est $341,500; and FY 03 est $341,500. $1,500 to $9,000. Average: $5,500. 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. In the United Arab Emirates and Oman, a specialist delievered 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.