Coaches Program

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APPLY TO COACH SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN UZBEKISTAN

The English Speaking Nation: Coaches Program (ESN:CP) seeks to strengthen secondary school teachers’ pedagogical and classroom English skills in the Republic of Uzbekistan. ESN:CP will place U.S. educators in year-long placements in five regions in Uzbekistan. Coaches will teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and conduct professional development activities including mentoring for in-service EFL teachers and teacher-leaders. Join this exciting initiative by applying to become an ESN Coach and support English language education in Uzbekistan.

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PROGRAM DESIGN

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan and American Councils for International Education announce an open competition for highly trained U.S. academics and professionals in the fields of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Applied Linguistics, or related disciplines to participate in the fully funded ESN:CP.

Two cohorts of five U.S. TESOL experts, one per year, will travel to five regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan to support EFL teacher development efforts of the Ministry of Public Education. Each Coach will be placed at a regional Ministry of Public Education (MoPE) In-Service Training Institute (INSETI) to:

Spread high quality pedagogy standards to EFL teachers at local public schools utilizing a team-teaching model;
Cultivate a core of professional English language teacher-leaders in their assigned region by providing sustainable methods of clinical supervision to highlight the value of peer observation and feedback;
Support the English Speaking Nation: Secondary Teacher Training (ESN:STT) program by conducting professional development activities for in-service teachers;
Teach EFL in secondary schools identified by the INSETI centers;
Share U.S. culture and values with students and teachers in Uzbekistan through direct teaching in secondary schools and American Corners; and
Assist in Embassy-sponsored trainings and conferences.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

The selected ESN Coaches will receive:

In depth pre-departure and arrival orientations;
Visa support;
Roundtrip airfare;
Supplemental health benefit plan;
On program support from expert local staff;
Package of approximately $54,000 (pro-rated monthly depending on length of assignment) that includes:
- Stipend of $2,585 per month;
- Allowance to cover in-country housing, room and board, and local transportation;
- Monthly support towards covering participant dependent costs;
- Allowance for organizing professional development workshops and events in Uzbekistan.

PROGRAM TIMELINE

COHORT II ACTIVITIES
Selection Timeline	September 10, 2021: Application deadline Early November 2021: Semi-finalist interviews Mid-November 2021: Finalists Notification and signing of program terms and conditions
Pre-Program Activities	Virtual Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO), Early December 2021 Coaches will learn about program guidelines, travel preparations, and visa applications for Uzbekistan American Councils will provide Coaches with details about professional assignments Program policies and procedures will be covered, including details about American Councils’ monitoring and evaluation plan and debriefing on ESN project design Arrival Orientation, Early to Mid-January 2022 Coaches arrive in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for Orientation Coaches will be debriefed on the goals and objectives of the program, including the public diplomacy objectives of the U.S. government Coaches will be introduced to American Councils program staff and provided with further program implementation details ESN staff will help Coaches locate appropriate accommodations in their assigned region and will introduce them to the local education community
Program Length	Assignment in Uzbekistan ranging from 6-12 months Late January 2022: Coaches begin working with local counterparts at INSETI host sites

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

ESN Coaches are highly-trained, qualified U.S. English language teaching professionals. They are TESOL experts with significant experience conducting teacher professional development workshops, providing clinical supervision, and mentoring EFL teachers. In addition to their professional expertise, Coaches must be self-motivated, adaptable, and have the ability to travel and work in Uzbekistan.

Competition for the ESN: Coaches Program is merit-based and open to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements below at the time of application:

U.S. citizenship;
A master’s, Ph.D., or equivalent graduate-level degree in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or a related field;
Minimum five years’ teaching experience in a TESOL related field;
Demonstrated experience conducting English language teacher professional development;
Demonstrated commitment to the field of English language teaching;
Flexibility and freedom to live and work for a year internationally;
Regional Central Asian/CIS experience (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) strongly preferred; and
Cross-cultural sensitivity and respect.

Applications not meeting the above technical eligibility requirements will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

American Councils does not discriminate against applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Application deadline: September 10, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST

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GENERAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND CHECKLIST

In order to be considered for Cohort I of the Coaches Program, please submit an online application via American Councils’ Applicant Information System (AIS) no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on September 10, 2021. A complete application will include:

Application Information including Essays and Portfolio Samples;
CV/Resume (two pages maximum);
Transcripts of Qualifying Degrees (Masters, Doctorates, etc.);
TESL/TEFL Certificate or State K-12 ESL Credential (if applicable);
Approval Form for Sabbatical Leave (if applicable);
Administration Recommendation Form; and
Professional Recommendation Form.

Additional materials beyond the above should not be included and will not be reviewed by the selection committee. Materials that require technical equipment (such as audio or video) will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

If you have further questions about the application process, please contact the program staff using the contact information below.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA

The Coaches Program is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a bi-national committee of specialists and U.S. embassy representatives in Uzbekistan. Selected semi-finalists will be invited to a virtual interview.

The applicants will be selected based on the following criteria (not in order of importance):

Professional and educational experience and achievements;
Demonstrated commitment to the field of English language teaching as evidenced by the quality of portfolio samples (i.e., lesson plan, curriculum unit, workshop agenda, etc.);
Demonstrated commitment and relevant professional capabilities in conducting English language teacher professional development activities;
Demonstrated leadership potential;
Potential to assist with educational and curriculum reform in Uzbekistan; and
Adaptability, flexibility, and preparedness to participate in an international program.

The application process and the post-selection process are both competitive. Due to the volume of applications received, American Councils may not reply to applicants not selected as finalists. Please see the Program Timeline for additional details.

PROGRAM ORGANIZATIONS

Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State
The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, headed by Acting Assistant Secretary Alice G. Wells, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Through diplomacy, advocacy, assistance, and learning from the past, we advance the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. We execute our Mission by cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and fair working environment that supports and empowers “our people,” from all backgrounds, identity, and thought.

American Councils for International Education
American Councils for International Education is a premier international nonprofit organization that strengthens international ties and mutual understanding through excellence in academic, professional, and cultural exchange, language acquisition, educational development, and research. American Councils’ organizational philosophy is built upon the belief that international education should be accessible for all. That is why American Councils’ focus is to advance scholarly research and cross-border learning through the design and implementation of educational programs grounded in key world languages, cultures, and regions. Through international training, cultural exchange, immersion learning, and public diplomacy, American Councils broadens individual perspectives and fosters personal and intellectual growth by empowering individuals and institutions to address challenges in a diverse and interconnected world. On a grand scale, these efforts strengthen international and national security, build prosperity, and promote peace.

CONTACT INFORMATION
American Councils for International Education
English Speaking Nation Program
12 Shota Rustaveli Street
Grand Business Center, Office #208 Yakkasaroy District
100070 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
T: +998 78 150 71 50
E: esn@americancouncils.org

American Councils for International Education
Teacher Programs
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
T: 202-833-7522