Online Workplace English for Displaced Persons Program

The PUblic Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine (PAS Kyiv) seeks up to five (5) implementers for five (5) regional projects. Though largely a distance-learning program, “Online Workplace English for Displaced Persons” will have bases in five Ukrainian regions/cities, drawing participants from those cities or from surrounding areas. Projects in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mykolaiiv, and Odesa regions will be given preference due to the large number of displaced people in those areas. A maximum of five (5) grants will be awarded to cover five (5) regions. A maximum of $20,000 may be requested of each region. However, implementers may represent more than one region. PAS Kyiv invites eligible organizations to submit proposals for a Cooperative Agreement to coordinate all logistics and programming associated with administering an eight-month blended learning course that will offer English language instruction to displaced persons in various regions of Ukraine. “Online Workplace English for Displaced Persons” is an eight-month blended learning course that will offer English language instruction to displaced persons in Ukraine. The English content is two-tiered, with an emphasis on (1) business and workplace English, and (2) resilience training, stress management, and community integration. Materials for the blended learning course will be provided by the U.S. Embassy. Teachers will be selected by the U.S. Embassy. 1. Participants will join an “online classroom” in the form of a blog or wiki. They will complete assignments, join discussion forums, and create their own blogs. A minimum of six hours of work is expected each week. 2. Participants will take part in online English speaking practice in small groups through Skype or Google Hangout for 30 minutes per week. 3. Participants will join in two-hour monthly face-to-face sessions where feasible. (Participants who cannot meet for face-to-face sessions are still eligible to join the course.) The program will develop the English language skills of displaced persons in Ukraine. Increased ability in English language will broaden participants job opportunities. The content will include resilience strategies and stress management to help facilitate participants’ integration into their new communities. Displaced persons will connect with each other and share stories.