The Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange
(MACEE) is pleased to announce the FY 2010-2011 competition for the
Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) program. The
Fulbright FLTA Program is an integral part of the Fulbright Student
Program and is a key component of the United States National Security
Language Initiative (NSLI). NSLI will dramatically increase the number
of Americans learning critical-need foreign languages to promote understanding,
and convey respect for other cultures.
The
FLTA program, funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
is aimed at strengthening foreign language instructions at U.S.
Colleges and Universities and some high schools while providing future
foreign teachers of English with the opportunity to refine their
skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their
knowledge of U.S. society and culture.
FLTA fellows will spend nine months serving as teaching
assistants at U.S. educational institutions. They may assist in or teach
up to two language classes and are required to enroll in at least two
courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies. The remaining
coursework must relate to their careers in English Language Teaching.
FLTA Fellows will also be expected to facilitate cultural events,
language clubs and language tables. Also interact with their host
communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities and
community outreach projects.
The FLTA program promotes cross-cultural understanding
in the U.S. and in the home countries of the FLTA fellows. U.S.
universities benefit from the presence of a native speaker on their
campuses. FLTA fellows and U.S. students have the unique opportunity to
learn about each others culture and to build mutual understanding between
the U.S. and other countries. Upon completion of the program, the fellows
must return home and teach English at the secondary or university level.
As a result of the program, FLTA alumni return to their home countries
with a high proficiency in English and are able to speak with
authenticity and authority about the United States , its values and its
people.
FLTA fellows will be required to attend an orientation
arranged by ECA during the summer of 2010 before arriving at their host
institutions in August. FLTA fellows will also be required to attend a
mid-year enrichment workshop that will be hosted by ECA in the United
States to share and discuss foreign language teaching best practices and
their current teaching experiences with other FLTA fellows.
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