Chilean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Student Teacher Program

The Office of English Language Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the Chilean English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Student Teacher Program. Accredited, U.S. post-secondary educational institutions meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c)(3) may submit proposals to administer this semester-long program for Chilean pre-service teachers. Post-secondary educational institutions may apply independently or in a consortium with other post-secondary institutions. The program will include academic coursework and practicum/student teaching for Chilean EFL student teachers in their penultimate year of undergraduate study. ECA plans to award two grants for the administration of this program under which a total of approximately thirty EFL student teachers will be placed in two groups at two different U.S. universities. The program will take place during the fall semester of 2008 and will, in addition to teaching participants about student-centered methodology, give them an in-depth experience of U.S. life and culture and contribute to mutual understanding between Chile and the United States. The program should include both a theoretical component, provided through courses and professional development seminars in an academic setting, and a practical component, provided through practice teaching under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers in local school districts. Interested post-secondary educational institutions should indicate strong contacts with local U.S. school districts in order to provide the practical student-teaching component, as well as a demonstrated ability to conduct a substantive academic program. Host schools for student teaching may be public, magnet or charter schools, and should exemplify best practices. The total funding available for program and administrative purposes is anticipated to be approximately $450,000, and will be awarded in two separate grants of $225,000. This exchange program will be funded in FY-2008 pending the availability of funds.