Slovak Republic
16 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Slovak Fulbright Commission offers up to 16 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Awards to Slovakia. The ETA Program gives U.S. college graduates at Bachelor's level or higher a unique opportunity to spend a whole school year at Slovak High School assisting with teaching the English language and immersing in a vibrant central European cultural environment. Thus, ETAs can acquire invaluable intercultural, professional, and life experience, and make a genuine impact in local communities in Slovakia.
The ETAs' primary role is to assist with teaching the English language at Slovak High School for a maximum of 15 to 18 hours per week. Grantees will work with permanent teaching staff in guiding vocabulary and conversation practice and improve students' English language abilities and knowledge of the U.S. culture. After mutual agreement with their host school and after they become fully accustomed to the classroom environment, ETAs can start to teach individually. ETAs are allowed to teach or co-teach English classes only, such as conversation classes, writing exercises, lectures on U.S. literature, culture, holidays, history, geography, and/or after-school activities focused on practicing grammar and speaking skills. They are not allowed to teach any specialized subjects lectured in English, i.e. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc.
In addition to serving as linguistic models in a classroom of English instruction, ETAs are also a valuable resource for first-hand information about American culture, traditions, and society, and are informal ambassadors of the U.S. In this capacity, ETAs contribute substantially to the promotion and fostering of mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Slovakia.
Candidates for the ETA Award to Slovakia are graduates with minimum of a Bachelor degree preferably in Teaching English as a second language, American Studies, American Literature, History, Arts, English, Political Science, International Relations, and International Education. However, applicants from all majors are encouraged to apply.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The school year officially starts on September 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026.
The exact start date of the grant will be determined by agreement with the respective host school and in accordance with the school calendar. ETAs are expected to start to perform their teaching duties on the first day of the school year and end their duties on the last day of the school year.
The school year at Slovak High Schools is divided into two terms. The first term runs from September to February, and the second term runs from February to June. During the year, there are several breaks – fall break (end of October/beginning of November), winter break (around Christmas time), spring break (February/March; exact dates vary depending on a region), Easter break (around Easter holidays) and summer break (July and August).
Orientation
Upon the arrival of ETAs in Slovakia in late August/September, the Commission organizes a mandatory 5-day orientation seminar in the capital of Bratislava to introduce them to the country, its specifics, and culture and provides grantees with training on methodology and strategies in teaching English at Slovak secondary schools, a crash course in the Slovak language, and some networking and social activities.
ETAs also participate in a 4-day mandatory mid-year conference hosted by the Commission in late January/early February where grantees share their experience and best practices and meet new grantees coming to Slovakia for the Spring semester. The venue of the conference is outside the capital of Bratislava. Last year's conference took place in Trenčianske Teplice, a small spa town in Western Slovakia.
ETAs can be occasionally invited to attend events hosted by the Commission or the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava (receptions, meet-ups in American centers, seminars, workshops, conferences, or webinars) as well as other cultural events. The grantees will also have the opportunity to participate in various enrichment activities and seminars organized by other Fulbright Commissions in Europe, such as Media Literacy, EU-NATO seminar, Future of Democracy. Host schools are expected to release grantees from their duties for the events mentioned.
The Slovak Fulbright Commission organizes an introductory Q&A webinar before grantees arrive in Slovakia. There is no in-person pre-departure orientation for the grantees held in the U.S.
Candidate Profile
Qualified candidates at all graduate degree levels and all fields of study will be considered. Preference might be given to candidates who are interested in teaching TEFL/Applied Linguistics, American Studies, American Literature, Arts, Political Science, International Relations, and International Education, and to those candidates who plan to pursue a career in education. Graduates in STEM disciplines with teaching experience are also encouraged to apply.
Previous teaching experience or experience working with young students is welcomed but not required. Previous experience in the region or country is not considered a disadvantage.
Candidates should be open-minded, enthusiastic, highly motivated, dedicated, adaptable, and flexible individuals to successfully work with a team of teachers in different classroom settings. Candidates should enjoy working with young students and demonstrate initiative and eagerness to engage with the local community. Serving as an ETA in Slovakia for 10 months will give the grantee a chance to develop English teaching and other professional skills while learning about Slovak culture, people, and history.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Being a Fulbright grantee in Slovakia is a unique and transformative experience. Slovakia is double the size of the state of New Hampshire and is located in the heart of Central Eastern Europe. It is a fully integrated European country – a member of the EU and NATO since 2004, the Schengen Zone since 2007, and the Euro Zone since 2009. Being a member of the Schengen Zone, it is easily accessible and well-connected to neighboring countries. Slovakia is considered a very safe country. The Program cohort size allows an individual approach among the Fulbright Commission staff and the U.S. grantees.
Although U.S. grantees in Slovakia live in different towns, they often meet one another and plan trips and different activities together. Grantees are encouraged to explore all parts of the country.
Grantees are expected to be open-minded, and willing to share and learn as much as they can. Resilience and independence are further personality traits the position requires. Being representatives of the U.S. society & culture, for many Slovaks, they may be the only U.S. citizens they have met.
Eligibility
6 Months
Candidates must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of application (permanent residence is not sufficient).
Dual citizens of the U.S. and Slovakia are eligible for consideration. U.S. citizens currently residing in Slovakia are ineligible for consideration.
Candidates with dual U.S./other country citizenship may be accepted for a Fulbright grant to Slovakia but must always enter Slovakia on their U.S. passports and must have permanent residence in the U.S.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Additional Information: Slovak language proficiency is not required. Some study of the Slovak language before arrival is encouraged to promote deeper engagement and grantee’s integration within the host community.
The in-country orientation held in late August/September will include a crash course in the Slovak language to equip grantees with basic Slovak phrases, greetings, and questions. Grantees can enroll in the Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture Studia Academica Slovaca, held in Bratislava during the summer. The Commission can partially cover the tuition fees for summer school. For more information contact the program officer silvia@fulbright.sk.
Grantees can also sign up for an e-learning portal offering free courses in Slovak to help them acquire basic language skills before they arrive: https://www.e-slovak.sk/
Placement Type
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
Grantees are placed as assistant teachers in English classes at all types of Slovak secondary schools. Unlike in the U.S., there are several types of high schools in Slovakia: Gymnázium (grammar school) is a high school with advanced classes providing rather general education to prepare students for further studies at colleges and universities. Some gymnáziums offer 8-year programs that combine lower and upper secondary education and students start this program in the 6th grade after they finish the first stage of elementary school. The level of English of students studying at gymnáziums is generally very high, ranging from upper-intermediate to advanced.
Other types of schools include technical and vocational schools specializing in business, nursing, preschool education, agriculture, or fine arts and design. Students at these schools usually have their English skills at the level of beginner or elementary users, but business schools can also have students at the intermediate level. Schools specializing in nursing and preschool education have a majority of students of the female gender. Students studying at high schools specializing in technical fields, such as electrical engineering, civil engineering, and information and communications technologies are predominantly of the male gender. Special types of secondary schools are bilingual English-Slovak high schools (may be found within gymnázium or specialized high schools) where students' level of English is almost on proficiency level.
Students finish high schools with a school-leaving exam called maturita. The exam consists of two parts – written and oral exam. After obtaining the maturita certificate, students can apply for university studies in Slovakia or abroad.
Slovakia is divided into 8 regions. Accordingly, at least one ETA is placed in each region. Every secondary school can request an ETA. The placement process is very competitive, and we strive to choose schools that are committed to taking care of an ETA and helping them engage with the community while becoming immersed in both the Slovak and local regional culture. Placement locations can range in size from small towns to middle-sized cities. Preference is given to public schools and schools in smaller towns that have limited opportunities to communicate in English with native speakers.
Placements of ETAs are determined by the Commission in cooperation with the Ministry of Education based on the qualifications, ETAs' experience and the needs of host schools to find the right match between the ETA and the host school. Details about placements and host schools are communicated to the grantees in mid-April. Through direct communication with the host schools, the grantees are to develop and agree on the specifics of their teaching duties (such as the number of classes, number of students in each class, student's level of English, teaching materials and textbooks, syllabi, and topics to be covered by an ETA), and other details associated with their stay, such as accommodation, local transportation, local cultural and social events, church services, etc. Each host school can tailor ETA's teaching duties to its language teaching needs and will assign ETA a mentor teacher. ETAs are also encouraged to discuss potential extracurricular activities such as leading clubs, community service, or volunteer projects.
Positions require teaching or co-teaching for 15 to 18 hours per week. The classes are 45-minute periods of length with 10-minute breaks. English classes usually consist of smaller groups of 12 – 15 both female and male students. The age group of students is usually 15 to 19 years old, or 13 to 19 at high schools offering 8-year programs. Grantees will be generally placed in small to medium-sized cities in all regions of Slovakia and outside the capital of Bratislava.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
- Rural
Slovakia is situated in the heart of Central Europe. It is a small country divided into eight regions with rich history, traditions, beautiful scenery, and high-quality culture.
ETAs are placed all around the country, following the rule that there is at least one ETA in each region. Grantees are usually placed outside of Bratislava and in medium-sized and smaller cities. They are assigned placements to secondary schools based on information in their application, such as major and/or minor field of study, sports activities, interest in volunteer activities, and tutoring experience.
Grantees cannot directly request or influence their placement; the Commission makes the final decision on the appropriate placement for every grantee.
Slovakia, the country between the Danube river and the Tatra mountains, is one of the youngest states in Europe but its culture and traditions have a long-established history. Known for its national parks, scenic hiking trails, hundreds of caves, rich folk culture, thermal and mineral waters springs, and modern entertainment in bigger cities, Slovakia has a lot to offer to outdoor addicts, and history enthusiasts, as well as food lovers. Slovakia’s location in Central Europe makes the country a perfect base from which to explore the region and the whole Europe. For more details about the country, the school system, and other useful information, please visit the section About Slovakia on the Commission's website.
Supplementary Project
Grantees are encouraged to engage in community-building activities and participate in volunteer projects, extracurricular activities, and clubs (such as sports clubs, musical clubs, theater clubs, reading clubs, etc.) to further engage with their school and local communities. Grantees will also be offered the opportunity to participate in the Commission's outreach efforts promoting U.S. higher education through EducationUSA services or invited to give talks related to American studies for the public.
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.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The monthly stipend should cover the basic living expenses including rent, food, transportation expenses, and a reasonable amount for leisure time activities. Based on the Numbeo website the cost of living is approximately 37.9% lower than in the U.S.
Dependents
Direct financial support for dependents is not available.
The Commission will assist dependents to obtain a national visa to join grantees during their grant. This visa is exempt from all visa fees. Dependents are also invited to participate in some of the grant-related activities for the ETAs, such as the in-country orientation, mid-year conference, and other cultural events organized by the Commission.
Housing Arrangements
The host schools will assist grantees to find suitable accommodation and provide advice and support when settling in. Taking into consideration their needs, living standards, and finances, grantees can decide to live in school dormitories (if the host school provides this option) or rent an apartment. The monthly rent differs, depending on the type of accommodation and placement. School dormitories are the most affordable type of accommodation, sometimes provided free of charge for ETAs. Rent in bigger cities is higher than in smaller towns. Private apartments in Slovakia are usually furnished with basic equipment (bed, wardrobe, table, chairs, stove, refrigerator). The Commission provides grantees with a monthly stipend sufficient to cover housing, as well as food, and daily needs.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Visas
Before traveling to Slovakia, Fulbright U.S. grantees must apply for a national visa at the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., or at the Slovak Consulate in New York City. This visa is exempt from all visa fees. The Commission will instruct grantees on how to apply for a national visa in a timely manner.
Grant Benefits
The standard grant benefits planned for the academic year 2025 – 2026 include the following (please note these may be subject to change):
Monthly stipend – $1,300 per month
One-time payments:
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Professional allowance of $100 - $800 is provided to help cover the expenses of obtaining a Slovak National Visa
- Round-trip air travel allowance – $1,500
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
About Slovakia (country overview and school system): https://www.fulbright.sk/en/about-slovakia
Fulbright Slovakia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FulbrightSlovakia
Fulbright Slovakia Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/FulbrightSlovakia
Fulbright Slovakia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UQsVS87VQK97EM_JgEWtA/featured
Fulbright Slovakia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-slovakia