Italy
8 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) Program aims at strengthening English language instruction at Italian high schools by establishing a native-speaker presence to provide part-time assistance for 16 teaching hours per week to permanent teaching staff. English Teaching Assistants work to improve Italian students' English language abilities and knowledge of the United States culture. At the same time, they are integrated into the host community and gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction. Each host institution will tailor the assistantship to its language teaching needs and the grantee’s background, academic interests, and abilities, and will place the ETA under the supervision of a teacher-tutor. Teaching assistant activities may include: serving as resource persons in conversation groups; providing small group tutorials; serving as attendants in language laboratories; giving talks related to American studies in English classes or civic/school organizations.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin on October 1, 2024, and end June 30, 2025. (Dates to be confirmed).
Orientation
Fulbright grantees will be required to participate in a one-to-two-day orientation program organized by the Fulbright Commission in mid-October.
An online pre-departure orientation will be offered approximately two months before departure.
Candidate Profile
Strong preference will be given to applicants already possessing a Bachelor's degree at the time of application.
Master's-level candidates are also encouraged to apply.
Ideal candidates must demonstrate the initiative, maturity, self-reliance, and flexibility needed to assist in teaching the English language and American culture to Italian high school students with a low level of English knowledge. They must also be able to adapt to living in insular and underserved communities with small international communities and few peers. They should be curious, open-minded and willing to experience the cultural challenges posed by a different culture with different customs and traditions.
Previous teaching experience and/or study abroad experience in Italy is not necessary. Importance will be given to previous experience volunteering abroad or at home.
Eligibility
12 Months
According to Italian laws and policies, dual nationals are eligible to apply. However, candidates with significant experience in Italy will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates who have resided in Italy during the year preceding the grant might be considered ineligible depending on the length of the period and reasons.
Candidates who are in Italy with a study or work visa during the 12 months prior to the competition deadline, who reside in Italy at the time of the deadline, or who will travel to Italy with a study or work visa during the selection process and the awarding phase are not eligible to participate in the program, with the following exceptions: those who are in Italy on a tourist visa and those who are on a study visa for a summer or one-semester U.S. university study abroad program are eligible to apply.
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Italian language proficiency is not a requirement, but is strongly recommended. On the Fulbright Application, applicants should include the Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a professional language instructor in relation to their language proficiency.
Placement Type
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
Grantees will be placed in Italian high schools, providing part-time assistance (16 teaching hours per week) to permanent teaching staff. All high schools will be located in cities or in mid-sized/small towns in Southern Italy.
The age group of students will range approximately from 14 to 18. Most of the students are typically from underserved populations, and will not go on to study at university level. Most of the ETAs will be placed at vocational schools that are intended to prepare students for a professional vocational career after graduation. Their level of English is low.
Placement and details of teaching duties will be communicated after selection. Cities and schools rotate every year, therefore ETAs should expect to learn about their role along with the schools as it is the first time that schools host an ETA.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
- Rural
Supplementary Project
Community engagement will be possible although local offer might there be limited. Grantees may volunteer at school afternoon activities, create their own extra-curricular activities and events, and/or engage in volunteer work with community-based organizations if present on the territory.
ETAs may also enroll in academic courses each semester, if the regional assignment permits such activity, or engage in independent research related to their fields of study provided that their place of affiliation is located not far from a university.
These activities, combined with the Teaching Assistant responsibilities, will comprise a full-time program.
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are expected to find their own housing, but based on past years’ experience they are likely to receive assistance from their tutors.
Dependents
AWARD BENEFITS
The award provides a maintenance allowance of Euro 11.700 for 9 months as well as an international travel allowance of Euro 1.100 to cover the costs of a round-trip ticket.
Candidates who are also planning to apply for funds from other sources, or will receive financial assistance from their U.S. institution while in Italy should contact the Commission to inquire whether these funds can be cumulated with the Fulbright award.
ENTRY VISA
Grantees must enter Italy on a study visa covering the authorized length of the grant.
Basic information about visas and their application process is available at http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
The possibility to stay for longer periods and/or be accompanied by dependents is subject to the provisions and restrictions of Italian Law.