The State Department has an office specifically dedicated to supporting English language programs abroad. Several other government offices fund and administer exchange, professionals development and scholarships related to English teaching. The U.S. Government has been supporting theses programs for more than 45 years.
Central Asia Regional English Language Officer (RELO) organizes and participates in teacher training conferences and workshops, conducts need analysis and offer professional guidance, advise teachers’ associations, and consult with host country officials. RELO works with both the public and private sectors.
English Language Fellows
English Language Fellows are U.S. educators in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) who participate in 10-month-long fellowships at academic institutions throughout the world. Examples of Fellow projects include classroom teaching, teacher training, in-service and pre-service training, curriculum development, workshop and seminar design, program evaluation, needs assessment, testing, and English for specific purposes (ESP). The application for the 2023-2024 cycle is open. To apply, please fully complete the attached form and email it to ExchangeBishkek@fan.gov by September 25, 2023.
The English Language Specialist Program
The English Language Specialist Program brings American ELT experts to the Kyrgyz Republic for two to three weeks to address cutting-edge aspects of relevant themes and topics, such as teaching English for Specific Purposes, Computer Assisted Language Learning, and alternative assessment. Specialists provide keynote addresses at conferences, conduct workshops and consult with a wide range of ELT professionals.
We accept requests for English Language Specialists year-round.
Download request form (PDF 224 KB) for an English Language Specialist.
English Access Microscholarship Program (Kyrgyz Republic)
The English Access Microscholarship Program provides two years of after-school English instruction to bright, economically-disadvantaged teenagers ages 13-20. The program emphasizes fluency in English and couples language study with strong cross-cultural, civic, information technology, and leadership building components.
We are now accepting proposals to implement the English Access Microscholarship Programs in the Kyrgyz Republic from 2023-2025 in the following regions: Naryn, Jalalabad, Issyk-Kyl, and Batken. Please submit the Technical and Cost Proposal forms and email to BishkekProjectProposals@state.gov. Deadline to submit proposals: March 22, 2023.
MOOCs
Online Professional English Network (OPEN) MOOCs: English for Media Literacy, English for Career Development, English for Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM), English for Journalism, and English for Business & Entrepreneurship open for enrollment on January 3, 2023. More details about all MOOCs and links can be found below.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses available for anyone to enroll. MOOCs provide an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills, advance your career and deliver quality educational experiences at scale.
Millions of people around the world use MOOCs to learn for a variety of reasons, including career development, changing careers, college preparations, supplemental learning, lifelong learning, corporate eLearning & training, and more.
The OPEN Program Global Online Courses (former E-Teacher Program) offers Kyrgyzstani English teaching professionals the opportunity to take innovative, online university-level classes and online professional development programming for teachers through FHI 360.
OPEN Program Global Online Courses:
- Introduce and explore current methodological concepts and issues in the English as a Foreign Language field
- Provide an innovative distance-learning experience that uses the latest technology
- Connect participants with U.S. English language teaching experts and creates a professional network of international colleagues
Courses Offered:
Creating and Implementing Online Courses (CIOC) by Arizona State University
Developing and Teaching Academic Writing Courses by Iowa State University
Fostering Student Motivation and Engagement (FSME) by University of Oregon
Integrating Critical Thinking Skills into the Exploration of Culture in an EFL Setting (Integrating Critical Thinking) by World Learning
Professional Development for Teacher Trainers by Arizona State University
Teaching English to Young Learners by George Mason University
Teaching Grammar Communicatively by World Learning
TESOL Methodology by University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Using Educational Technology in the English Language Classroom (Using Educational Technology) by Iowa State University
More details about each of these courses: https://www.openenglishprograms.org/GOC_Information
When do the classes start?
We are accepting applications for the WINTER Term 2023 (Winter term begins January 10, 2023). A four-week period is scheduled before each term for participants to complete an online orientation.
Who can apply?
Candidates must:
- Be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan and reside in the country at the time of the course
- Not hold dual citizenship in the United States
- Have the ability to complete academic work at a U.S. university level (CEFR approximately B2)
- Have at least 8-10 hours per week to devote to coursework
- Have regular access (4-5 times per week) to a reliable, internet-enabled device
- Have an understanding of English technical terms
- Have basic technology skills related to creating usernames and passwords, using credentials to log in to secured websites, using email, searching the internet, and accessing and managing electronic files (e.g., pdf, MS Word, Excel), including downloading and uploading files.
- Have the ability to type in English well enough to participate in online discussions and submit written assignments in a timely manner
How do I apply?
Submit your application and resume via the following email address: ExchangeBishkek@fan.gov with a subject line Application for OPEN GOC for more information and to request an application form.
The deadline for submitting applications is MAY, 5, 2023 at 23:59 pm Bishkek Time Zone.
American English
American English is a resource center for teaching and learning about American English language. Visit the American English site American English | For English Language Teachers Around the World (state.gov)
American English at State Facebook Page
The American English at State | Washington D.C. DC | Facebook is aimed at English language learners.
American English for Educators Facebook Page
The American English for Educators | Washington D.C. DC | Facebook is aimed toward engaging English language teachers around the world.
American English YouTube Channel
American English – YouTube channel is an outstanding resource for English language teaching and learning. The channel has over 129,000 subscribers and 863 videos, divided into sections aimed at English language learners and English language teachers.
American English website
The Critical Creativity in Action manual and card deck are now available on the American English Website. The Critical Creativity in Action kit is a printable 50-card deck containing 49 activities and one reference card, and a PDF comprehensive instruction manual available online for download. The Critical Creativity Activity cards are a flexible collection of literacy strategies designed to help EFL teachers add opportunities for creative thinking to their classrooms.
English Teaching Forum
The first 2023 issue of English Teaching Forum is now available on the American English website. Forum kicks off its 61st year with articles on, as usual, a variety of topics: making learning inclusive in digital learning environments, reflections on curriculum revisions made during the pandemic, engaging students with “fun facts”, a mindful gratitude exercise, the “Happiness Game”, a feature on an exceptional teacher in Bangladesh, and yet another fun Lighter Side puzzle. Please spread the word about this new issue and encourage your contacts to write and submit articles.
Download here English Teaching Forum #1 2023.
American English Webinars
Webinars are 60-minute web-based seminars on a variety of topics on English language teaching techniques & methodologies presented by U.S. TESOL professionals. Webinars include visual presentations, videos, and discussions and the courses are grouped in sets of 6 webinars that take place every other Wednesday during the series. Participants who attend at least 4 out of 6 webinars receive an e-certificate and have the opportunity to collaborate with teachers worldwide through the online forum and Ning.
American English Live: Teacher Development Series 12
The Regional English Language Office in Bishkek is pleased to offer American English Live: Teacher Development Series 12. The six online seminars of the course cover a variety of topics and are intended for teachers of English or future teachers of English around the world. At the end of each event, participants will have the opportunity to earn a digital badge that verifies their participation. Participants are encouraged to join the associated Ning (http://americanenglishwebinars.com) to participate in discussions, view or download video and other materials from the sessions, and access recordings of the webinars.
American English Live: Teacher Development Series 12 begins on September 15 and will take place every other Wednesday through November 24 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Bishkek Time.The series will focus on the themes of “English for Specific Purposes”, “21st Century Skills and the English Language Classroom”, and “Teaching STEAM to English Language Learners” during these six webinars for English language educators around the world.
These sessions will primarily be shared with participants via the Facebook page (facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators).
Though not mandatory, registration is encouraged. Registered participants will receive email reminders with links to pre-session readings and online discussions. Here is the link for registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021WS12
Digital Badges and Certificates
Digital badges will be issued at the end of each event. Participants will be prompted to enter their information via a link at the end of each session. The link will have questions about the session and prompts for participants to enter their contact information.
To answer the required digital badge questions, you will need to watch the entire event and complete a quiz in the end of the session. Participants who attend 4 out of the 6 webinars will receive e-certificates.
You can find the detailed schedule here (DOC 14KB)
Contact us:
Cultural Section
U.S. Embassy Bishkek
171 Chingiz Aitmatov Ave., Bishkek 720016
Tel.: (996 312) 597 000
Fax: (996 312) 597 744
E-mail: ExchangeBishkek@fan.gov
