Laos
12 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFall StartGrant Length11 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States.
Prior teaching experience is not required but helpful. It’s important to note that ETAs are not full‐fledged professors and that the program is a professional development opportunity for them to advance their teaching skills and have a positive experience in the host country. There may be additional responsibilities of teaching in the U.S. Embassy American Center.
Grant Length
Grant Period
All grantees are required to begin their 11-month grants in early August 2026 in order to attend the in-country orientation program. English Teaching Assistants will be placed at their host institutions from September 2026 through July 2027.
Orientation
ETAs are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation organized by ECA in the summer and attend an in-person orientation in Vientiane upon arrival.
Candidate Profile
Candidates must be mature, open-minded, articulate, resourceful, motivated, flexible, collaborative and should be committed to working and living in a Lao high school or university setting. Candidates must be fluent English-speakers. Previous teaching experience is preferred.
ETAs cannot be accompanied by dependents.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
When Fulbrighters first arrive in Vientiane (first stop in Laos), there are Lao classes and English boot camp (teaching by experienced English Language Fellow and Lao teacher as our contact) before being placed at their host institutions. For new ETA, they will be instructed by English teacher at host institutions such as coteaching about 12-16 hours per week with additional time for preparation to the total of 20 hours per week. For returning ETAs, they will mostly be independent by conducting program like speaking contest/any small project to improve English for local youth students at the American corner in Savannakhet and Vientiane beside any activities at their hosts. It depends on the location, Vientiane has more community and projects for them to support, etc.
We also have a plan to provide them the grants by Post fund like in the past depending on Post budget for them to conduct the program in helping community related to improving English for the youth, primary students, including students at their host cohort if possible.
Eligibility
9 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
Semi-Finalist candidates who are recommended for final review by the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane may be contacted for interviews via skype or phone.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Additional Information: All class teaching is in English. Intensive Lao language instruction will be provided during the in-country orientation program. Candidates are encouraged to indicate plans for Lao language study in their applications and to study the language during their grant terms.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
- Teacher Training
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
ETAs are placed at universities, teacher training colleges, and high schools in Vientiane, Savannakhet, Luang Prabang, and other sites.
Driving motorbikes in Laos is extremely dangerous and is therefore not permitted.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
ETAs will be placed in Vientiane, Savannakhet, or Pakse. Placement sites and cities may change from year-to-year.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
- English language teaching preparatory course
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Supplementary Project
No research or independent study is required. English Teaching Assistantships are not study/research awards and teaching takes most of the grantees' time. In applying, the Statement of Grant Purpose should focus on why the applicant wishes to teach English in Laos, what they bring to the classroom, and how to make it a memorable cultural experience.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Estimated Cost of Living per month
Housing: $300-$500
Transportation: house-school-house or etc $300
Utilities (electricity, internet, gas, etc.): $300
Food: $400
Since motorbike usage is strictly forbidden, the expectation is that part of the monthly stipend is spent on transportation to-and-from host schools and other activities.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Housing may be independently arranged or the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy can provide assistance.
Nature of Assignment
Approximately 20 hours per week of classroom teaching at Lao host institutions, plus requisite class preparation time is expected. English Teaching Assistants will also organize language-related cross-cultural student activities. All affiliation arrangements will be made by the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane.