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 closed.
English Language Specialist Program
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.
Access English Microscholarship Program
Access English Microscholarship Program (Access Program) is a two-year student-centered program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassies that provides English language skills to underserved students (primarily 13-17 years old) in Kyrgyz Republic through extracurricular classes and activities. Access Program provides participants with a foundation of English language, leadership and professional skills, and exposure to U.S. culture and democratic values that may lead to better jobs and educational prospects, including future exchanges and study in the United States.
Access Program equips students with effective English language communication and critical thinking skills through meaningful interaction, cooperative and student-centered learning strategies, interest and age-appropriate activities, and real-life application. The service-learning component of the Access Program increases the students’ awareness of issues facing their respective communities, while also giving them an understanding of the ways they can positively contribute to civil society.
The global Access Program has provided scholarships to more than 200,000 students in over 80 countries since its inception in 2004. In Kyrgyz Republic Access program provides English classes for students from low-income families in seven regions of the country. The program is implemented by several local partnering NGOs and universities. Access Program has taught English to about 4000 students in Kyrgyzstan since 2007.
Book Translation Program
The Book Translation Program translates and distributions American books into the Kyrgyz language, engaging with Kyrgyz audiences, particularly rural youth, while also supporting the promotion of the Kyrgyz language across the country. Since the start of the program in 2008, it has translated more than 60 books into the Kyrgyz language. To date, the program has focused on translating books in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) and inclusion, including recent research, analysis, and popular contemporary literature by American authors. The project is implemented by several local NGOs.
Program’s primary audience is Kyrgyz-language speaking youth ages 13-20, including underrepresented or underserved groups, whose access to information and diverse perspectives is limited by the scarcity of Kyrgyz translations of international publications. The secondary audience of this program is educators and librarians who work with secondary-school students.
Massive Open Online Courses (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.
E-Teacher Scholarship Program
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.
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.
English Teaching Forum
The 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.
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 to participate in discussions, view or download video and other materials from the sessions, and access recordings of the webinars americanenglishwebinars.com.
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 AmericanEnglishforEducators.
Additional Resources
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.