Uzbekistan
15 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
The Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) grants provide participants with the opportunity to improve English language abilities and knowledge of the United States for both Uzbek students and teachers through formal English classes and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Placements are available in public schools and universities. The program seeks flexible, independent, and resilient applicants, who can adapt to an under-resourced environment and who are eager to immerse themselves in the local culture.
With the creation of the “English Speaking Nation” initiative by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the Uzbek government aims for all graduates to be proficient in English. This has created an enormous demand for native English speakers in classrooms across the country.
Main Focus:
- Core skills of speaking, listening, writing, reading, as well as grammar and vocabulary
- Content-based instruction
- Student-centered learning techniques
- TESOL methods and techniques
- Materials development
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP) (For example – but not limited to – Academic Writing)
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP) (For example – but limited to – Law, STEM, Tourism, Business)
- Proficiency exam preparation (including: TOEFL, SAT, GRE)
- American culture, studies, and/or literature
Grant Length
Grant Period
ETA grants are expected to begin in late August or early September and end in early June.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
Applications are welcome from articulate and flexible graduating college seniors, recent graduates, or Master’s students who demonstrate a high level of maturity and the initiative to co-teach English at the high school and university levels. Candidates must be native English speakers. Candidates from all majors are welcome to apply, but those with degrees in English, Education, TEFL/TESOL, hospitality and tourism, law, and STEM fields are encouraged to apply. Some previous teaching/tutoring experience is preferred.
In many cases Fulbright grantees may be the only American in their host region, requiring independence and resilience. The educational system and school or university environment may not be as organized as a U.S. institution, so flexibility is necessary. While Uzbekistan is known for its warm hospitality, some communities have not had extensive experience interacting with foreigners or people of color. Additionally, Uzbekistan can be significantly more culturally conservative than U.S. society, as is evidenced by the criminalization of same-sex relationships throughout the country.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Uzbekistan is in the heart of Central Asia and continues its role as a crossroads of cultures, art, and languages. Although Uzbekistan has undergone rapid changes and development since 2016, traditional culture still abounds throughout the country. Fulbrighters are able to immerse themselves in the old towns of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities while still enjoying the convenience of a high-speed rail system and affordable domestic flights. Life is comparatively quiet in the regions, and more dynamic in cities like Tashkent, Namangan, and Samarkand. Fulbrighters enjoy exploring the local culture, learning local languages (Uzbek is the dominant language throughout the country but Tajik, Karakalpak, and Russian are spoken in various areas), and of course learning to cook plov, Uzbekistan’s famous national dish. Uzbekistan has very low levels of crime, allowing visitors to feel safe during their time in the country.
Eligibility
8 Months
Applicants of Uzbek heritage are permitted to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have spent a significant time living in the United States and have native English speaking abilities.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
As part of the selection process, U.S. Embassy Tashkent will invite a limited number of semi-finalists to participate in interviews by video conference. An invitation to an interview is a further step in the selection process and not a guarantee that the semi-finalist will be selected for the grant in Uzbekistan.
Foreign Language Proficiency
Recommended but not required. Either Russian or Uzbek language would be helpful in daily life as ETAs are often placed outside of the capital region with few English speakers. All ETAs are provided with a stipend to study a local language while in-country.
Placement Type
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
ETAs serve as native speaker resources to remote areas of Uzbekistan and often work with underserved communities. The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent will make all host institution and placement city decisions. As in-class teaching assistants to a local co-teacher, most institutions will require ETAs to contribute to lesson planning, though some may be asked to teach independently if comfortable. ETAs are encouraged to propose creative ideas for programming to engage students and other audiences in order to share American values and culture. ETAs are also encouraged to use their personal expertise to conduct additional professional development workshops for students as applicable.
Teaching responsibilities are broken down in the following activities:
- 20 hours per week of in-classroom teaching at host institution which could be a high school, university or other higher educational institution. ETAs will generally assist in teaching conversational English with an Uzbek co-teacher.
- 5 hours per week working with the Embassy’s English Access Program in co-teaching after-school English classes to underserved high school students. (If an Access program is not operating in the ETA’s host city, PDS will assign an alternate activity.)
- 5 hours per week of extra-curricular activities such as conversation clubs, film clubs, sports groups, or other activities at the host institution or American Corner.
Under the guidance of PDS, ETAs will also have the opportunity to participate in community outreach and cultural activities, events at the American Center or American Corner, and assisting PDS with a variety of conferences and other programs.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
One or two placements may be available in Tashkent, but the majority of ETAs are placed in regional cities. While these are developed towns and not villages, they are often remote and without significant modern amenities.
Supplementary Project
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.
Monthly stipend without additional allowances
- Outside of Tashkent/Samarkand - $1,850
- In Tashkent/Samarkand - $2,450
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.
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
Base amount of $1,500 is intended to cover baggage fees, in-transit costs, and relocation expenses. Round trip travel is included as a grant benefit and grantee flights are coordinated and pre-approved by the Fulbright program's approved travel agency.
English language materials allowance: $500 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country orientation allowance: $1,000 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country travel allowance: $1,000/$1,500 for ETAs outside Tashkent only (included in 1st grant payment)
Language study: Up to $1,500 in costs allowed, paid as reimbursement.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
- 1-2 bedroom apartment rent in Tashkent/Samarkand range between $550-$700 monthly, utilities included
- 1-2 bedroom apartment rent outside Tashkent/Samarkand range between $350-$450 monthly, utilities included
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
ETAs will stay in a hotel during the arrival orientation in Tashkent and will receive their own apartment upon arrival to their host city. ETAs may choose to share an apartment with a fellow ETA of the same gender, if both agree. The Embassy and host institution will identify and locate acceptable housing options in advance of the ETA's arrival.