Program Description: The Fulbright FLTA Program is a nine-month, non-degree program for early career (not more than seven years of teaching experience) English teachers or professionals in related fields funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA.) This program allows teachers of English (or students studying to be English teachers) to gain teaching experience by teaching Kyrgyz language on U.S. university campuses up to 20 hours per week while taking two courses per semester. Fulbright FLTA participants 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. Fulbright FLTA participants will also be expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, and language tables.
Candidates who are teachers in the fields of American Studies, Journalism and Media, and American/English Literature will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. In preparation for their return to careers in their home countries at the conclusion of the program, participants have the opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the society and culture of the United States while serving as Kyrgyz language teaching assistants to U.S. students and strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities. Fulbright FLTA participants also interact with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. Fulbright FLTA participants must return to their home countries upon completion of the program.
Fulbright FLTA participants will be required to attend three activities, which are sponsored by ECA and coordinated by the Institute of International Education (IIE). There is both an orientation after participants’ arrival in the United States and prior to their arrivals at U.S. host institutions as well as a mid-year conference. Upon arrival in the United States, attendance at a U.S.-based orientation during summer 2024, prior to arrival at host institutions in August, is required of all Fulbright FLTAs. Additionally, Fulbright FLTA participants will be required to attend a mid-year enrichment conference in the United States (December 2024) to receive additional training on teaching techniques and pedagogy and share information about their current teaching experiences with other Fulbright FLTA participants.
Eligibility and Ineligibility Factors: Applicants are typically teachers of English or studying to become teachers of English, and at minimum must possess the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree by June 1, 2024, to allow time to submit an official transcript prior to the start of the Fulbright 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).
Applicants must demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity, and professionalism, as well as strong ability to teach KYRGYZ in U.S. universities; FLTA applicants should be energetic, early career educators capable of succeeding in the dual role of teaching assistant and student. They must be open to living with their U.S. student peers in undergraduate or graduate level campus housing and also engaging with faculty and staff with maturity and professionalism.
If candidates are determined by Embassy or Fulbright Commission Staff, IIE or its agents, or ECA to have misrepresented themselves or plagiarized at the time of application or during any part of their grant period, their application will be withdrawn or their grant will be terminated. They may also be deemed ineligible for future participation in the Fulbright Program.
Applicants must be residing in their home countries throughout the nomination and selection process and must intend to return to their home countries immediately following the nine-month FLTA program. ECA will not support any extension requests for FLTAs. Participants must fulfill the two-year home residency requirement required by exchange participants’ J-1 visas, in which they pledge to demonstrate their commitment to enhancing mutual understanding by returning to their home countries and sharing the skills and knowledge that they have gained as program participants. Applicants with active applications for permanent residency or the green card lottery will not be considered.
Ineligible applicants: The following persons are ineligible for grants during and for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment, association, or service:
- Employees of U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development. This provision includes all employees, paid or unpaid (including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, fellows and contract employees). This provision does not apply to interns.
- Board members or staff of a Fulbright Commission.
- Officers of an organization, in the United States or abroad, including members of boards of trustees or similar governing bodies, and individuals otherwise associated with the organization, wherein the organization and the individuals are responsible for nominating or selecting individuals for participation in any exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Dependents: The Fulbright FLTA program does not support dependents or family members. Candidates may not have any dependents accompany them for any time during the program. Family and friends may visit program participants during holiday periods only.
Note on Plagiarism: Recently, plagiarism in applications has become a major issue and candidates should be aware that plagiarism in applications will not be tolerated. So please note your application will undergo a thorough plagiarism review. Plagiarized applications with improperly cited sources (personal statements, essays, etc.) will be disqualified. Unfortunately, every year numerous candidates are disqualified due to copied text from uncited sources appearing in their applications.
Selection: In adherence to the Bureau’s diversity objectives, ECA pursues gender, ethnic, and in-country geographic balance when selecting candidates for the program. Selection will be based on the candidates’ leadership skills, ability to motivate students to learn, interest and ability to teach Kyrgyz language and culture to U.S. students, and projected impact they are expected to make after the return to their home countries. Ideal candidates for the Fulbright FLTA Program have a desire to meet people and become a part of their host communities by participating in community events and campus activities. Fulbright FLTA participants should also be creative and self-reliant team players, who are able to maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff, and students. Placements are offered by smaller rural colleges as well as larger urban institutions. Applicants should be able to adapt to the diverse range of teaching and housing situations (including undergraduate dorms) that FLTAs will encounter, as well as have initiative, self-reliance, and appropriate interpersonal skills.
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Grant Provisions: All Fulbright FLTA participants receive a monthly stipend, accident and sickness coverage, and travel support. Monthly stipends are meant for necessities only and are non-negotiable. U.S. host institutions provide tuition waivers to support the required coursework.
Additional information: Please review the Foreign Fulbright website for more Fulbright FLTA Program information at: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-flta.
Interested candidates apply online here: https://apply.iie.org/flta2024.
A complete application package includes:
– the online application,
– original academic transcripts with certified English translations,
– diploma (if already graduated),
– three letters of reference,
– TOEFL or IELTS score report if available
- Please note that a valid passport with an expiration date of no earlier than December 31, 2025, will be required for finalists of the program.
- None of the application documents should be emailed.
- Successful candidates will be notified of their awards from early March until late April 2024.
All listed above documents should be submitted prior to the deadline. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
DEADLINE for application: on June 1, 2023, 15:00 Bishkek time.
Please address your questions to Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic, Phone: 597000, e-mail: ExchangeBishkek@fan.gov
