Through the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FTLA) Program, South Africans can teach isiZulu in the United States of America (US) for one academic year.
What you need to know about the teaching programme
According to a statement released by the US embassy and consulate in South Africa, educators early in their career have the opportunity to live and work in America between 2022 and 2023, teaching isiZulu at a number of tertiary institutions.
“While in the U.S. participants have the opportunity to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the society and culture of the United States while serving as teaching assistants for their native language to U.S. students and strengthening foreign language instruction at U.S. colleges and universities,:” the embassy stated.
The FTLA Programme kicks off in August 2022 until September 2023, where participants will be expected to assist in up to twenty hours of language classes a week, while studying two courses per semester, one of which must be US Studies.
The programme will also require participants to “facilitate in-person or virtual cultural events, language clubs, and language tables, interacting with their host communities in conversation groups, extracurricular activities, and community outreach projects.”
Applications for the Fulbright FTLA Programme opened on Friday 5 November 2021 and close on 15 December 2021.
How South Africans can apply to teach isiZulu in America
The programme makes it clear that it is an opportunity to fund a culture-enriching experience for participants and should not be pursued as a means to provide for dependents.
Also, when the programme ends in September 2023, participants must return “to their home country to share the skills and knowledge gained from the program.”
Before applying, participants are encouraged to read through the Fulbright FTLA 25-page instruction booklet that contains guidelines on how to create an account, preliminary questions, language proficiency tests, preferences and a lot more.
Once completed, participants can launch their application to teach abroad by visiting the IIE platform and creating an account.
To be eligible for the teaching programme, applicants must:
- Be qualified secondary-level teachers with no more than 7 years teaching experience in English, English as a Foreign Language (EFL), isiZulu, American Studies, Journalism and Media, Literature or a related field
- Be citizens of South Africa
- Be fluent in isiZulu
- Have English-language proficiency in written and spoken English
- Participate in community events and campus activities.
- Be creative and self-reliant team players, who can maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
- Be prepared for COVID-19-related program adjustments which may include teaching remotely and assisting with teaching responsibilities online
- Return to South Africa following completion of the 9-month exchange