EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES 

Foreign Language Teaching Assistant - Kiswahili

The Institute of International Education (IIE) on behalf of Department of State, USA, would like to place several Kiswahili language teaching assistants at universities and colleges in the US.

These teaching assistants would be Fulbright Scholars and are expected to teach their language/culture for up to 20 hours per week while taking two courses per semester. The grant is for one academic year and is non-renewable. The program is designed to have native language and cultural informants who are close in age to undergraduate students.  Normally, FLTAs would teach:

• beginning level or conversation courses
• work in a language lab
• animate a language table
• organize cultural activities or have similar duties

Each institution assigns duties that will best meet the needs of their school's unique circumstances.

Fulbright will pay for travel, health insurance and monthly maintenance of the selected candidates. Institutions where the FLTAs are placed provide tuition scholarships for the required coursework.

Requirements

• FLTA applicants must be no younger than 21 and no older than 29 at time of application.  The FLTA Program does not provide J-2 sponsorship for dependents.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism.
• Ideally, FLTAs are outgoing and dynamic individuals with a great sense of humor.
• Fluency in English is mandatory. A score of no less than 213 (CBT) on the TOEFL is required.
• Candidates should possess a Bachelors degree in Education (Kiswahili)  with a good academic record. Masters of Education degree is highly desirable.
• Prior Teaching experience is preferred.

Profile

FLTA candidates must be enthusiastic about teaching. They must have a sincere interest in teaching Kiswahili language and culture to American students. Through their application they should demonstrate knowledge of their culture and current events in their home country. They should have leadership skills, the ability to motivate students and the ability to relate to them in an emphatic manner. FLTAs should have a desire to meet people and become a part of the community by participating in community events and campus activities. They should be able to work creatively, be self-reliant but good team players who maintain excellent relationships with faculty, staff and students.Many institutions request FLTAs who have an interest and ability to live in small towns or are adaptable to living in rural areas. They request that their FLTAs have excellent organizational and computer skills. They prefer people who have interests in sports, outdoor activities, music, dance, theatre, literature, poetry or cooking. Most of all, they look for candidates who demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to learn.

For further details and application forms, please contact:

Dr. Justus G. Mbae
Public Affairs Office
Embassy of the United States
P.O Box 606
Village Market, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: 3636194 Cell-phone: 0721-550217
E-mail: Mbaejg@state.gov