The US Embassy in Dhaka has announced that it is accepting applications for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (TEA) program, a six-week exchange program for secondary school teachers.
Selected applicants will participate in either the spring (February - March) or fall (September - November) 2021 session of their choice, said a press relase issued by the embassy.
Teachers selected from Bangladesh will join other teachers from around the world in the United States during either the spring or fall 2021 session of their choice.
The Fulbright TEA program provides participants unique opportunities to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills, and increase their knowledge about the United States.
The program includes coursework and intensive training in teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and teaching strategies for the participants’ home environment, as well as the use of computers for Internet, word processing, and as teaching tools. Each six- week session also includes a two-week internship at a secondary school to actively engage participants with U.S. teachers and students. Participants will take part in trips to U.S. cultural sites and receive academic support throughout the program.
Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement grant provisions include: J-1 visa support; a pre-departure orientation held in Dhaka; round-trip airfare to and within the United States; a Welcome Orientation in Washington, D.C.; academic program fees; housing (generally shared with other program fellows) and meals; accident and health insurance; transportation to the internship school (if necessary); a book/professional development allowance; a closing seminar hosted by one of the Fulbright TEA host universities in the United States; the future possibility to host a U.S. teacher for two weeks; and the opportunity to apply for follow-on grants.
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the program:
• Be a current full-time secondary-level teacher with five or more years of classroom experience in disciplines including Social Studies, Civic-Education, Mathematics, English as a Foreign Language and Science;
• Be a citizen of Bangladesh with a valid Bangladeshi passport;
• Have demonstrated leadership qualities and be committed to continue teaching for at least five years after completion of the Fulbright TEA program;
• Be proficient in written and spoken English. The Fulbright TEA program requires English language skills sufficient to function independently in the U.S and the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively in university and professional settings;
• Have general computer skills, including word processing, basic file management, and familiarity with Microsoft Office;
• Have submitted a complete application which includes:1. A completed application form (please do not include the instruction pages);2. A current CV;3. Completed Institutional Support and Reference Forms (ISRF), completed by a supervisor;4. Leave Approval Form (LAF)5. A photocopy of the applicant’s passport (information pages only);6. One passport size photo; and7. Copies of academic records (mark sheets or transcripts of graduate and post graduates only).
Short-listed candidates will be required take the TOEFL or IELTS test, as strong English skills are a requirement for the program. A score of 6.0 or higher on the paper-based IELTS, or an equivalent English language examination score, is required to participate in the Fulbright TEA program. Candidates with current valid scores will not be required to take the test again. The American Center will arrange all testing as required.
Applicants must follow all application instructions and submission guidelines. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements listed above will not be forwarded to the selection committee. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview, which will be conducted in English.
A copy of this announcement and the online application form are available at: https://bd.usembassy.gov/education-culture/programs-for-professionals/
Applicants can submit an electronic completed application package and supporting documents by email to Ms. Tahnia Shahid at ShahidTX@state.gov; or, applicants can submit a physical completed application package and supporting documents to the attention of Ms. Tahnia Shahid, Public Affairs Section, at the security gate on United Nations Road near the entrance to the Embassy of Nepal. All electronic and physical completed application packages and supporting documents are due no later than Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
The closing date for applications is final. Previous applicants may reapply, with the understanding that this is a worldwide competition and all applicants will go through a rigorous screening process. Finalists will be notified at the end of September 2020.
