Nepal
4 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodMarch StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Grant provides participants the opportunity to assist in the teaching of English in Nepalese schools and immerse themselves in the local culture. The Nepal program seeks applicants with prior teaching or tutoring experience. Formal training or certification is an advantage, but not required. Applicants must be flexible, able to work independently, and willing to function in a challenging, under-resourced school environment.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The Nepal English Teaching Assistant program commences in March to align with the Nepalese academic year. English Teaching Assistants arrive in mid-March to participate in an orientation that includes Nepali language training and technical basics for one month prior to their placements with teachers in Nepalese schools. ETAs work in their respective schools from mid-April through mid-Janaury of the following year.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
Applications from Master’s graduates with prior teaching experience and who demonstrate a high level of independence and the flexibility to succeed in a challenging environment are preferred. Applications from Bachelor’s graduates with teaching certification and a minimum of 1-2 years teaching experience may also be considered.
Since all living arrangements for ETAs are with Nepalese host families, and school placements are in Nepalese schools with Nepalese counterpart teachers, candidates must possess an excitement about cultural immersion in Nepal. Successful candidates must be articulate, fluent English speakers and without dependents.
Candidates with degrees in English, Education, TEFL/applied linguistics are preferred, but those from all majors are welcome to apply.
Selected ETAs must complete 60 hours of an online TEFL fundamentals course prior to starting the program unless they can verify having completed comparable training previously.
Facilities in most Nepalese schools are extremely limited, especially so in schools where ETAs are placed; therefore, applicants must demonstrate flexibility, resourcefulness, a willingness to accept challenges, and, where necessary, recalibrate expectations.
Eligibility
6 Months
Accepted Degree Levels
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Proficiency
Grantees are expected to self-study the Nepali language prior to arrival in Nepal in preparation for intensive language training during their one-month orientation in country. The grant includes an allowance for continued language learning, which is encouraged by the Commission, as proficiency in Nepali language or other local languages is very beneficial for the grantee. Grantees should explore technology for Nepali-English translation and vice versa prior to arriving in country.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- Teacher Training
- Other Educational/Community Institution
School placements are in Nepalese schools with Nepalese counterpart teachers who teach classes in English.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
- Rural
Urban, peri-urban, suburban, and rural.
Supplementary Project
The supplementary project is conducted alongside the ETA's teaching responsibilities. It should be placement school based and/or directly benefit the school, students, teachers, senior management committee and community, showcasing English learning. Past projects have ranged from setting up a school library to after-school teacher training and theatrical performance of an English play. Projects must be completed by the end of grant duration.
Housing Arrangements
All ETAs are placed with Nepalese host families with the assistance of the Fulbright Commission, the host schools, and local community.
Dependents
Nature of Assignment
Nepal ETAs assist teachers, providing a native-speaker’s presence in the classroom. Nepal ETAs in the past have engaged in a broad range of creative school-based and community-based activities that have included students, school teachers, NGOs, and others. Approximately 25 hours per week of classroom teaching, plus requisite class preparation time and school-related activities, are required.
The Nepal academic calendar is quite different from the American academic calendar. There are extended periods of school closure in October, November, and December, and shorter breaks at other times of the year. ETAs must take any personal vacation time during periods of school closure.