United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan

:: FULBRIGHT FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING ASSISTANT (FLTA) PROGRAM

SUMMARY

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) invites applications from interested Pakistani nationals for the Fulbright FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING ASSISTANT (FLTA) PROGRAM, between 21 and 29 years of age, and currently teaching English at the college level or training to become teachers of English. Applicants should POSSESS AT LEAST A MASTERS DEGREE BY AUGUST 2008. Selected FLTA fellows from Pakistan will teach Urdu or Pashto at selected U.S. campuses during their nine month grant beginning in the summer of 2008. Application deadline for Pakistani candidates: December 12, 2007.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

The FLTA Program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The purpose of the FLTA Program is to strengthen the instruction of foreign languages at U.S. colleges and universities while providing future teachers of English with the opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States. FLTA fellows also interact with the host community in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects. Pakistan is one of the 28 countries participating in the 2007 competition.

The FLTA program promotes cross-cultural understanding in the U.S. and in the home countries of the FLTA fellows. U.S. universities benefit from the presence of a native speaker on their campuses. FLTA fellows are expected to assist or teach up to two language classes and are required to enroll in at least two courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. studies. The remaining coursework should relate to their careers in English Language Teaching. FLTA fellows will also be expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, and language tables.

FLTA fellows typically live in language dormitories and facilitate language clubs. This is a unique opportunity for FLTA fellows and U.S. students to learn about each other’s culture and customs, as well as build mutual understanding between the United States and countries with a significant Muslim population. Upon completion of the program, the fellows return home and teach English at the secondary and university level. On the completion of the program, FLTA alumni return to their home country with a high proficiency in English and are able to speak with authenticity and authority about the United States, its values, and its people.

FLTA fellows will be required to attend an orientation arranged by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) during the summer of 2008 before arriving at their host institutions in August. They will also be required to attend a mid-year enrichment workshop that will be hosted by the ECA in the United States to share and discuss foreign language teaching best practices and their current teaching experiences with other FLTA fellows.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Be citizens of Pakistan and hold a valid Pakistani passport. U.S. Citizens or persons applying for or holding permanent residence in the United States are not eligible. Fulbright fellows enter the U.S. on an exchange visitor (J-1) visa and are subject to the two-year home residency requirement associated with J-1 visa.
Applicants must be residing in Pakistan throughout the nomination and selection process.
FLTA applicants must be no younger than 21 and no older than 29 at the time of application.
Fluency in English is mandatory. A minimum of 213 (CBT) or 90 (iBT) on TOEFL is required.
Applicants must clearly demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism.
Applicants should possess 16 years of formal education.
Applicants must be English language teachers at the college level or training to become English language teachers.
Prior Teaching experience is preferred.

APPLICANT PROFILE

FLTA applicants must be enthusiastic about teaching. They must have a sincere interest in teaching their native language and culture to U.S. students. Through their application they should demonstrate knowledge of their culture and current events in Pakistan. They should have leadership skills and the ability to motivate students to learn. FLTA applicants should have a desire to meet new people and become a part of the community by participating in community events and campus activities. They should be able to work creatively, be self-reliant but good team players who maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff, and students.

GRANT BENEFITS

All FLTA fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance and travel support. The U.S. host institutions provide tuition awards to support the required coursework. Accompanying dependants are not allowed, as participants will live in dormitory on campus.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested Pakistani citizens can download the application form from USEFP Website or call 051-2877076.

Complete application packages, including academic transcripts and letters of reference must be submitted at the USEFP office (House No. 5, Street No. 17, F-6/2, Islamabad) by the close of business December 12, 2007.