Paraguay
2 English Teaching Assistant Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodFebruary StartGrant Length10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
ETAs will be assigned as language-learning assistants working up to 25 hours per week, but they will not be responsible for teaching entire courses. They will develop and lead language learning activities and classes under the supervision of faculty and/or host staff, and promote U.S. culture through cultural and social programs.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Length: 10 months.
Grants begin in February 2027 and correspond to the academic year in Paraguay, which runs from February through December with a two-week winter vacation, usually in July.
Orientation
As a condition of the grant, all grantees to Paraguay are required to participate in the Pre-Departure Orientation in the summer 2026.
Candidate Profile
Applications from graduating seniors and graduate students are welcome. Candidates with degrees in English, Spanish, Education or TEFL/applied linguistics with experience teaching or tutoring, and who have an interest in working in an international educational environment, are preferred. Other fields will be seriously considered if combined with teaching experience and/or coursework in TEFL and/or pedagogy.
The ideal candidate for the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant position in Paraguay is a dedicated and passionate educator with a strong command of the English language. They should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education, English, or Social Sciences. Experience in teaching English as a second language is desirable.
The candidate should be culturally sensitive and open-minded, with a genuine interest in learning about Paraguayan culture and sharing their own. They should be adaptable and resilient, able to navigate the challenges of living and working in a foreign country. They should be eager to serve as a cultural ambassador, promoting a positive image of their home country while gaining a deeper understanding of Paraguay.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Asuncion is the Capital city of Paraguay. The Metropolitan area has around 2 million inhabitants. A tropical savanna climate characterized by hot, humid summers and warm winters is typical in Asuncion. The relative humidity is high in the summer, so the heat index is higher than the actual air temperature. The average annual temperature is 28 °C (82 °F). Asuncion generally has an abridged dry season between June and September, but the coldest months are June and July, which can produce frost on average one day a year. Transportation is generally by buses, taxis or Uber and a local private company called MUV. The Metropolitan area is relatively safe and relaxed. Travel between cities in the Metropolitain area can vary from 30 up to 50 minutes during rush hour.
Various European countries, particularly Spain, influence Paraguayan culture. This cultural blend is seen in Paraguay's language, art, crafts (including its famous embroidery), music, festivals, literature, cinema, and fashion. The two official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani, the indigenous language spoken by about 90 percent of the population. About 95% of Paraguay's population of about 6.1 million people are mestizo (mixed Spanish and indigenous), further reflecting the blended nature of the nation's cultural identity. Society is generally very conservative, and there are few security concerns. Paraguay has not historically been a tourist destination, and relatively few Paraguayans have traveled to the United States.
Eligibility
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
A Foreign Language Evaluation by a college-level Spanish language instructor is required.
Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start
If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.
Placement Type
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
All ETA activities are expected to take place at host institutions in Asunción or the immediate metro area, including the Thomas Edison American Corner at the National University of Asunción and the Centro Cultural Paraguayo Americano (CCPA), assisting with the Access Micro-scholarship Program and EducationUSA. Past ETAs in Paraguay have also assisted with activities at the Benjamin Franklin Science Corner.
ETAs are assigned as language-learning assistants and are not responsible for teaching entire courses. Responsibilities may include giving presentations on different topics related to the United States, preparing classroom activities, leading language clubs, assisting with essay-writing and test preparation, and/or encouraging students to communicate in English.
Final placements and responsibilities will be based on host institution availability and needs, along with the grantee's background, skills, and interests, to the extent possible.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
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.
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.
- $3,050 base allowance to cover round-trip international travel, transit, excess baggage, settling-in expenses
- $1,000 English Language Materials allowance
- $500 immigration document allowance
Supplementary Project
While optional, it is recommended that ETA grantees pursue an independent research, study, or volunteer project. The project is a secondary activity that will supplement the grantee’s ETA responsibilities.
Applicants should briefly describe this project in the Statement of Grant Purpose and may address some or all of the following:
- Why the activities are appropriate to Paraguay;
- Skills, talents or other qualifications that they bring to the project plan;
- How they view this plan as contributing to their professional or educational development; and
- If and how the plan contributes to the Fulbright goals of mutual understanding and host community engagement.
Remember that the primary activity for ETAs is assisting at their host institution.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
This website may help you estimate the cost of living, meals, and incidentals in different capital cities. Significant differences can exist in smaller towns where costs tend to be lower.
Exchange rate (as of 2/27/2025) is USD 1 = PYG 7,923. Below numbers are calculated for one person.
Estimate of Monthly Expenses:
- Rent & utilities - $850
- Food - $650
- Transport - $150
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The U.S. embassy does not assist in locating or helping secure housing for U.S. Fulbright grantees, but they are happy to answer any specific questions applicants might have about potential housing. The host institution should be the primary source of assistance in grantees' housing search.