Timor-Leste
4 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFebruary StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program places Fulbrighters for 10 months in university classrooms abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. ETAs help teach English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the United States.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants begin in February with a mandatory orientation session in Dili, Timor-Leste. The school year begins in early February 2025 and runs through December 2025 . ETAs are also encouraged to volunteers at the American Corner in Dili, “UmaAmerika.” This is an American-style research and cultural center that provides information about English, U.S. higher education, and American cultural values.
Orientation
All grantees are required to attend a pre-departure orientation in the summer of 2023 as a condition of their grant.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should be adaptable, flexible, and dedicated individuals who are prepared to operate in a challenging environment with living standards that are not as high as those in the United States. Applicants will be placed at universities in Dili. Candidates must be fluent English-speakers and need to be self-motivated, resourceful, flexible, independent, and outgoing, and prepared to manage with limited resources.
Bachelor's or Master’s degrees with a focus on English, American Studies, or Education are preferred. Prior teaching or tutoring experience will be helpful, and experience working with ESL/EFL learners is preferred.
Candidates should have an interest in teaching conversational English at university level.
ETAs cannot be accompanied by dependents.
Eligibility
10 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
Semi-Finalist candidates who are recommended for final review by the U.S. Embassy in Dili may be contacted for interviews via Zoom or phone.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information:
Depending on the availability of funds and the number of ETAs in country, the U.S. Embassy will pay for introductory Tetum courses for ETAs. In line with the program's objectives, English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) are expected to speak only English in their assigned schools.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
Grantees will be placed in a university or vocational training school setting and work with English teachers to provide conversational English and/or integrate English language courses. A brief description of preference can be highlighted in the statement of purpose. University placement will be in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste. Grantees will serve as a resource for conversation, vocabulary, reading, writing, and American cultural topics. Schools in Timor-Leste are very crowded and lack conveniences such as air conditioning, hot water, gyms, and Western food. ETAs will have access to internet connectivity via mobile WiFi routers available for purchase in Timor-Leste. Candidates must be willing to adapt to local living conditions.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
ETAs may be placed in the capital city or in rural areas and need to be prepared to adapt to local customs.
Supplementary Project
No research or independent study is required. ETA awards are not study/research awards, and teaching takes most of the grantee’s time. In applying, the Statement of Grant Purpose should focus on why the applicant wishes to teach English in Timor-Leste and what the applicant will bring to the classroom experience.
Housing Arrangements
Accommodations will be made with the assistance of the U.S. Embassy. Grantees should expect simple but adequate accommodation which may not be of U.S. standards.
Dependents
Nature of Assignment
Approximately 20 hours per week will be spent in the classroom assisting English teachers and conducting English language activities. An additional 5-10 hours will be devoted to participating in or leading school-related activities, clubs, teams, etc. Applications should highlight the applicant’s talents/experience in coaching sports, music, theatre, art, and other skills that could be useful for engaging students both in and out of the classroom.