Uzbekistan
4 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) grants provide participants with the opportunity to improve English language abilities and knowledge of the United States for both Uzbekistani students and teachers through formal English classes and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Placements are available in public schools and universities. The program seeks flexible, independent, and resilient applicants, who can adapt to an under-resourced environment and who are eager to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Advancing English language education and strengthening its strategic partnership with the United States remain top priorities for the Government of Uzbekistan, as evidenced in its draft foreign policy work plan for 2025. Demand for fluent English speakers in classrooms across the country continues to rise.
Main Focus:
- Core skills of speaking, listening, writing, reading, as well as grammar and vocabulary
- Content-based instruction
- Student-centered learning techniques
- TESOL methods and techniques
- Materials development
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP) (For example – but not limited to – Academic Writing)
- English for Specific Purposes (ESP) (For example – but limited to – Law, STEM, Tourism, Business)
- Proficiency exam preparation (including: TOEFL, SAT, GRE)
- American culture, studies, and/or literature
Grant Length
Grant Period
ETA grants are expected to begin in late August or early September and end in early June.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
Applications are welcome from articulate and flexible graduating college seniors, recent graduates, or Master’s students who demonstrate a high level of maturity and the initiative to co-teach English at the high school and university levels. Candidates must be fluent English speakers. Candidates from all majors are welcome to apply, but those with degrees in English, Education, TEFL/TESOL, hospitality and tourism, law, and STEM fields are encouraged to apply. Some previous teaching/tutoring experience is preferred.
In many cases Fulbright grantees may be the only American in their host region, requiring independence and resilience. The educational system and school or university environment may not be as organized as a U.S. institution, so flexibility is necessary. While Uzbekistan is known for its warm hospitality, some communities have not had extensive experience interacting with foreigners. Additionally, Uzbekistan can be significantly more culturally conservative than U.S. society, as is evidenced by the criminalization of same-sex relationships throughout the country.
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.
Uzbekistan is in the heart of Central Asia and continues its role as a crossroads of cultures, art, and languages. Although Uzbekistan has undergone rapid changes and development since 2016, traditional culture still abounds throughout the country. Fulbrighters are able to immerse themselves in the old towns of Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities while still enjoying the convenience of a high-speed rail system and affordable domestic flights. Life is comparatively quiet in the regions, and more dynamic in cities like Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Fulbrighters enjoy exploring the local culture, learning local languages (Uzbek is the dominant language throughout the country but Tajik, Karakalpak, and Russian are spoken in various areas), and of course learning to cook plov, Uzbekistan’s famous national dish. Uzbekistan has very low levels of crime, allowing visitors to feel safe during their time in the country.
Eligibility
8 Months
Applicants of Uzbek heritage are permitted to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have spent a significant time living in the United States and have native English speaking abilities.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
As part of the selection process, U.S. Embassy Tashkent will invite a limited number of semi-finalists to participate in interviews by video conference. An invitation to an interview is a further step in the selection process and not a guarantee that the semi-finalist will be selected for the grant in Uzbekistan.
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.
Recommended but not required. Either Russian or Uzbek language would be helpful in daily life as ETAs are often placed outside of the capital region with few English speakers. All ETAs are provided with a stipend to study a local language while in-country.
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
- Middle School
- Secondary School
- University/Post-Secondary Institution
ETAs serve as fluent speaker resources to remote areas of Uzbekistan and often work with underserved communities. The Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent will make all host institution and placement city decisions. As in-class teaching assistants to a local co-teacher, most institutions will require ETAs to contribute to lesson planning, though some may be asked to teach independently if comfortable. ETAs are encouraged to propose creative ideas for programming to engage students and other audiences in order to share American values and culture. ETAs are also encouraged to use their personal expertise to conduct additional professional development workshops for students as applicable.
Teaching responsibilities are broken down in the following activities:
- 20 hours per week of in-classroom teaching at the host institution which could be a high school, university or other higher educational institution. ETAs will generally assist in teaching conversational English with an Uzbekistani co-teacher.
- 5 hours per week working with the Embassy’s English Access Program in co-teaching after-school English classes to underserved high school students. (If an Access program is not operating in the ETA’s host city, PDS will assign an alternate activity.)
- 5 hours per week of extra-curricular activities such as conversation clubs, film clubs, sports groups, or other activities at the host institution or American Corner.
Under the guidance of PDS, ETAs will also have the opportunity to participate in community outreach and cultural activities, events at the American Center or American Corner, and assisting PDS with a variety of conferences and other programs.
Placement Locations
- Regional City
One or two placements may be available in Tashkent, but the majority of ETAs are placed in regional cities. While these are developed towns and not villages, they are often remote and without significant modern amenities.
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.
Monthly stipend without additional allowances
- Outside of Tashkent/Samarkand - $1,850
- In Tashkent/Samarkand - $2,450
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.
- Excess baggage fees
- Language training allowance
- Research/Materials allowance
- Settling in allowance
Base amount of $1,500 is intended to cover baggage fees, in-transit costs, and relocation expenses. Round trip travel is included as a grant benefit and grantee flights are coordinated and pre-approved by the Fulbright program's approved travel agency.
English language materials allowance: $1,000 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country orientation allowance: $1,000 (included in 1st grant payment)
In-country travel allowance: $1,000/$1,500 for ETAs outside Tashkent only (included in 1st grant payment)
Language study: Up to $1,500 in costs allowed, paid as reimbursement.
Supplementary Project
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
- 1-2 bedroom apartment rent in Tashkent/Samarkand range between $550-$700 monthly, utilities included
- 1-2 bedroom apartment rent outside Tashkent/Samarkand range between $350-$450 monthly, utilities included
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
ETAs will stay in a hotel (3-4 nights depending on exact timing of arrival) during the arrival orientation in Tashkent and will select their own apartment upon arrival to their host city. ETAs should expect to stay at least one night at a hotel during placement trips to their host cities in the regions due to Uzbekistan’s strict registration rules for foreign citizens. ETAs may choose to share an apartment with a fellow ETA of the same sex, if both agree. The Embassy and host institution will identify and locate acceptable housing options in advance of the ETA's arrival.