Jordan
12 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) Program in Jordan aims to enhance English language education and promote mutual understanding between the United States and Jordan. ETAs are placed in Jordanian educational institutions, where they assist in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and serve as cultural ambassadors. This role involves not only classroom instruction but also active participation in community engagement and cultural exchange activities.
Role of the Grantee and Nature of Assignment
ETAs are assigned to various educational settings, including primary and secondary schools, universities, NGOs, or other educational institutions across Jordan. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Classroom Assistance: Collaborating with local English teachers to enhance students' language proficiency through interactive and innovative teaching methods. In some smaller institutional settings and NGOs, ETAs may be the primary teacher in the classroom.
- Cultural Exchange: Sharing American culture and values with students and colleagues, fostering a deeper mutual understanding.
Program Goals
The program seeks to:
- Enhance English Language Education: Improve the quality of English language instruction in Jordanian institutions through the assistance of native speakers.
- Foster Mutual Understanding: Promote cross-cultural dialogue and understanding between Americans and Jordanians.
- Develop Professional Skills: Provide ETAs with international teaching experience and cultural insights that will benefit their future careers.
To support the grantees' objectives, the Commission provides additional funding for Arabic language study through a separate application process after selection as a semi-finalist. These funds are subjct to the Commission’s Terms and Conditions.
Grantees are expected to participate in volunteering and knowledge-sharing initiatives. These activities may include presenting occasional lectures at institutions throughout Jordan, conducting seminars, engaging in language exchange, and participating in community service initiatives and projects. Such involvement not only enriches the local community but also provides grantees with deeper insights into Jordanian society and culture.
Grant Length
Grant Period
ETA awards are granted for a fixed duration of nine months, with no adjustments to the grant period. The program will commence in mid-to-late September 2026 and conclude in mid-to-late June 2027, aligning with the Jordanian academic calendar, which runs from September to June.
Orientation
The Commission will schedule a Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (VPDO) around late June to early July 2026. The In-Country Orientation will take place in mid-September 2026, upon the grantees' arrival in Jordan to begin their program. The oerientation will be followed by a training session specifically designed for ETAs to prepare them for their roles in the classroom and provide essential guidance on teaching methodologies.
Candidate Profile
Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in TESOL/TEFL, Applied Linguistics, or Education. Candidates from other academic backgrounds may also apply, provided they have substantial classroom teaching experience.
Eligible applicants must have at least two years of teaching experience in a classroom setting, which may include roles as a teaching assistant (TA) or core teacher in part-time, full-time, or volunteer capacities. However, tutoring, daycare, and non-academic instruction (e.g., dance, music, or sports coaching) do not count as classroom teaching experience.
Ideal candidates should possess the following qualities as well:
- Adaptability and Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to adjust to new environments while respecting local customs.
- Resourcefulness and Flexibility: Capable of handling classroom challenges and adapting teaching methods.
- Strong Communication Skills: Effective in conveying concepts and building relationships.
- Commitment to Cultural Exchange: Dedicated to fostering mutual understanding between the U.S. and Jordan.
- Arabic proficiency is not required but beneficial.
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.
Living in Jordan can be a very rewarding experience on many different levels. Jordanian culture has Arabic and Islamic elements with substantial Western influence. There are many attractive touristic sites and numerous places to explore. Jordanians are known to be gracious and friendly hosts. The climate is hot and dry in the summer and cool and rainy in the winter.
The academic year for both universities and schools in Jordan is from September to May/June and is usually divided into two semesters. All schools in Jordan, including public, private, and international schools follow a school calendar set by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The Commission in Jordan is the main point of contact for all Fulbright grantees. The office of the Jordanian-American Commission for Educational Exchange, known as the Fulbright House, is located in a villa in the quiet residential district of Abdoun in Amman. The Fulbright House serves Jordanian and American students, scholars and professionals, and provides a support network for all Fulbrighters in Jordan.
The Fulbright staff is committed to ensuring that each grantee becomes a member of our Fulbright family and feels that a home-away-from-home is ever present from the day of their arrival in the Kingdom. The Fulbright staff in Jordan assist incoming Fulbrighters in securing suitable apartments and introducing them to the local community. The staff at the Fulbright House also provide assistance in securing residency and/or work permits, locating medical care, and providing guidance regarding medication needs.
For more information please visit the following helpful links:
Eligibility
6 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
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.
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.
While intermediate Arabic proficiency is not required, it is highly recommended for daily interactions, as Arabic is the primary language of Jordan. Proficiency in Arabic can also enhance the teaching experience by facilitating deeper engagement with local communities, institutions, and sources.
Placement Type
- Elementary School
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- Vocational/Technical School
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
- Other Educational/Community Institution
ETAs play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing English language education within Jordanian educational institutions. They support and collaborate with local English teachers with lesson planning, developing teaching strategies, classroom activities, and student assessment. They also lead extracurricular activities like English language clubs. This role will help ETAs gain valuable teaching experience with guidance from an English as a second language teacher or supervisor.
This is a part-time position; ETAs are expected to work a maximum of 15 – 20 hours per week (which includes both in-class work as well as preparation and other out-of-class activities).
The Commission coordinates a matching process to ensure that ETAs are placed at an institution that aligns with their program goals.
Placement Locations
- Capital City
- Regional City
While ETAs may be placed in Amman, we encourage applicants to express interest in placements in other governorates to help expand the program's reach and engage with a wider range of communities across Jordan.
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.
This includes a monthly transportation allowance.
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.
- Settling in allowance
The $3,000 are for settling-in expenses and end-of-grant airfare.
A separate sum of $2,200 is not paid to the grantee but managed directly by the Commission. These funds are used to cover the grantee's one-way direct, economy airfare to Jordan, transport from airport to hotel, and four nights’ accommodations.
Supplementary Project
As a Fulbright grantee in Jordan, you are expected to engage in at least 30 hours of volunteering with NGOs, community groups, educational institutions, or other impactful organizations outside your primary research or teaching duties. Internships may count toward this requirement but must be unpaid due to residency permit regulations. Additionally, you must organize at least three knowledge-sharing initiatives in your area of expertise, such as training sessions, workshops, public lectures, or online content (blogs, reels, social media postings highlighting your grant experience). The Commission provides resources and guidance to help fulfill these engagement requirements, ensuring a meaningful and lasting impact for both grantees and the local community and support of the program mission.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The cost of living varies widely in Jordan. We provide information on this in our country handbook and orientations. For further information on the cost of living in Jordan visit this webiste: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Jordan
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
JACEE will provide new grantees with a housing directory of recommendations from past grantees. Upon arrival in Jordan, the Commission will book rooms for the grantees for four nights at a hotel until they secure their apartments. During the in-country orientation, the Commission arranges housing tours for grantees.